MS Office Pro 2007 Beta 2 released in Australia

I bought the MS Windows XP magazine, Issue 28, in the newsagents yesterday. (AUD$15).

The attached CD has:
Word 2007
Excel 2007
PowerPoint 2007
Outlook 2007
Access 2007
Infopath 2007
Publisher 2007
SharePoint Server 2007
and Groove 2007.

On the CD cover it says "Try MS Office Plus 2007 Beta 2 before it's released to the public". (In Australia, and NZ, anyhow).

One gotcha, that I have read about, is that there is a new format "XML", that is not recognised by any earlier version of Office. For compatibility, you have to get a "compatibilty pack", for Office 2000 onwards. Apparently that is not release in OZ yet. (USA and UK?). The alternative is to save your 2007 stuff in the old defaults of *.doc, *.xls, etc.

Any beta testers out there in the USA, UK, or OZ, with any advice if I try it out?
Should I partition my hard drive and load it onto a second partition, to keep it away from Office 2000? Guess I should backup all data and set a Restore point before I start.

Bazza

 

Is it really worth the hassle installing it, only to have to uninstall it in February 2007.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/sysreq.mspx

Scroll to bottom of page.

 

You're right. I forgot to mention that. Bazza

===

 

>> Is it really worth the hassle installing it, only to have to uninstall it in February 2007. Yugku <<

I hear you loud and clear Yugku!

I believe that most (well, all really) of the BETA releases available from Microsoft are actually more geared toward 3rd party developers who have to make changes to their programs to accommodate the new Microsoft releases of their products. The "Average Joe" user should exercise great caution before deciding to download and install the buggy beta versions. In my opinion; beta testing in general (and especially with Microsoft "Office" products) can be a "very bumpy ride" and should never be installed on a computer which users must rely on and cannot do without.

I had MS Office 98 installed and when Office 2000 pro came out I decided to test the beta version. After installation I had so many problems with it from start to finish that I finally uninstalled it after only about two or three weeks later. That’s when the fun really began… Immediately after the Office 2000 beta uninstall; suddenly my already “paid for” Microsoft 98 Office Pro version was having all kinds of problems; particularly when trying to run either Excel and Word, so I decided to uninstall and then reinstall MS Office 98.

However, I could not do so because the screen froze up and I kept getting an error that would not go away. When I rebooted manually, 98 Office would not run at all and every time I tired to remove it after that I’d get that same pesky error. To top it all of I could not ‘reinstall’ either for some reason and I had to do a full reformat of my computer. Luckily I had everything on the computer backed up, but it was a pain to have to reinstall all of my programs again and start over.

I still like MS Office and still test them after the final release (I currently have Office 2003 installed) . However after the experiance I went through with the Office 2000 beta; they can find someone else to test out their Office beta programs. Microsoft offered absolutely no assistance with any beta products at that time (a fact I learned the HARD way); a policy which I believe this is currently in effect as well.

My advice: If you do not have access to a 2nd reliable computer available to use it is really better to wait until all of the bugs are worked out and get the final version release.

Good Luck!

 

Have to agree with Compuable "BigBazza" most important to consider is will it start to hijack and or affect all old MS Office files?!?!? Potentially making them ineffective???? Not worth the risk in my book.


Off topic but I would really like to ask you and Compable if you know off any keylogging monitors. I currently use "pest patrol" but would like to find something different as I find this one a bit cumbersome.

 

So far Office Beta 2007 has worked great for me no bugs....yet

 

>> Off topic but I would really like to ask you and Compable if you know off any keylogging monitors. I currently use "pest patrol" but would like to find something different as I find this one a bit cumbersome. << Bladesofhalo

The very best keylogger that I’ve ever tested is a program called Actual Keylogger which is a freeware keylogger that records every keystroke to an encrypted log file. Every single keystroke is written to the log file with the title of the actual window of the program which was active at that moment. It generates a detailed log report and you can view these reports as HTML or in plain text format.

And unlike many other keyloggers; it automatically logs all keystrokes; including the spacebar, Alt, Ctrl and other functional keyboard buttons, as well. Actual Keylogger has the ability run “hidden” in the background and while it's in the hidden mode it is invisible in all operating systems (in Windows NT/2000/XP processes as well). For extra security; even when the program is actually running; it cannot be seen in the task manager, programs files menu, system tray or uninstall list.

Additionally, unlike many of the behemoths and bloatware security programs out there; including shareware or freeware versions as well; this is actually a very small program (only a 927 KB download) and uses hardly any resources while running. Another bonus to using this program is the fact that the last time I tested Actual Keylogger it was not detected by any antivirus software which often occurs while using many other keyloggers.

Actual Keylogger is very easy to set up and use and it will most definitely help any computer user/owner to covertly see exactly what activities took place in their computer. It is very useful in allowing you to monitor your children's activity at home or to make sure your fellow employees do not use your company/work related computer inappropriately. Also, when running the program constantly, you will quite easily be able to “restore” the all of the previously typed text; just in case you have somehow lost it.

Very Important Note: The interface can (and should) be password protected. In addition to the password; only the person who knows a special designated “key combination” can control Actual Keylogger. Also a thorough read of the included help files prior to actually using the Actual Keylogger program will go a long way in getting the most out of using it.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks Compuable excellent app and advice once again and you indeed provided what I asked (and I DL it) but I didn't state myself very clearly, I was hoping for a monitoring program that will detect whether a "keylogger" has infiltrated your systems security and may/will send data out. Pest Patrol does this and is very effective but Outpost FW; Spyware Scanner found 1 that Pest Patrol didn't (not sure is this was just goading me into a greater false level of security or not). So just wondered if you knew of any app you would recommend along these lines.

 

You can buy all this software for 15 AUD in a magazine?
abri

 

It is Beta, I bought a PC Mag once with tons of software and over time realised there is a lot better "freeware" and or the apps were actually more detrimental to overall performance. So yea you can buy this in a $15 mag and I do not want to detract from MS Office 2007 apparent value but it is BETA and as Compuable points out it maybe potentially more problematic than beneficial and you better have your "back-ups" and recovery console (better still UBCD v3.4) handy, just in case.

 

>> I was hoping for a monitoring program that will detect whether a "keylogger" has infiltrated your systems security and may/will send data out. <<

Oh I misunderstood the question; sorry about that Bold Eagle!

Not really sure about any "email notification" types of keyloggers; however the best freeware "software" keylogger detection utility that I’ve ever tested is called SnoopFree v1.0.7. It alerts you via a popup screen whenever any program is trying to carry out activities that all keyloggers must do to spy on your system. This program will protect users from keyloggers and other so-called "activity monitors" as well, but only for Windows XP and it does not work with Win95/98/2000.

You can either allow the "alleged" keylogger or neuter it by denying it, but you still have to remove the offender yourself manually. I tested the latest version a while back and it alerted me to three or four keyboard-hooks on my firewall, and explained why certain software might do this. I then "allowed" the program to keep the "hooks" based on this information. I also noticed that SnoopFree v1.7 uses very little memory and resources while running and is one of the only "free" programs around that works effectively as an anti-keylogger.

Additionally, the product was once shareware however since version 1.0.5 was released, this product is now available free of charge. The developer removed the shareware “copy protection” system and decided to make the program available as freeware because prior versions were causing compatibility problems with many computers. This also improved the all-around stability quite a bit.

The developer Stephen Nichols is actually a great guy who promptly addresses support questions and even appreciates feedback (good or bad). The fact that this company is quick to answer any questions; which almost unheard of with many software companies, makes trying out this is a huge plus.

Important Note: This program is most definitely NOT the type that you just download and start using without familiarizing yourself with exactly how it works first! If you decide to try Snoopfree make sure to thoroughly read the Frequently Asked Questions on the developer's website as well as the entire HELP file prior to using it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention KL-Detectorv1.3 which is also a very small (only a 38KB zipped download) but handy for NT/2000/XP keylogger detection utility. And it's also available as freeware to boot. KL-Detectorv1.3 can find out whether your activity is being recorded without your knowledge. According to the developer it is designed to be able to detect all keyloggers. I tested it and it was "OK" however I was not as impressed with KL-Detectorv1 as I was with SnoopFree which offered way more configuration options.

Good Luck!

 

BIGBAZZA I never wanted to hijack your thread but between yourself and Compuable I can always find the serious software and sadly Compuable doesn't have a Personal Contact but yet has the BEST software advice, by the way got my ADSL 512 happening and love it

 

>> I never wanted to hijack your thread but between yourself and Compuable I can always find the serious software and sadly Compuable doesn't have a Personal Contact. << Bold Eagle

Yes Bazza, sorry about that. I hope that my info to Bold Eagle did not interrupt the flow of your thread here!

I participate in a number of forums and actually had a contact address here at MG for a while but removed it. I no longer give any "personal contact" info on any site that I currently visit because a while back someone did not like my advice to another poster and went a little Coo-Coo for Cocoa Pops. <g>

Even though the thread evidentially had absolutely nothing to do with the angry person; and the OP recipient of my reply found it useful; I received numerous totally anonymous and whacked-out nutty e-mails from the 'crazy observer' dude. And even when I finally blocked their address; this wacko would sign up for yet another ‘anonymous’ free e-mail service and continued to send me lengthy "Ted-Kaczynski-like" diatribes about how I was (of course) the "Spawn of Freeware Satan" or something like that! <lol>

At first it was kind of funny but some of the latter emails were a bit creepy because Mr. Unhappy Poster told me that he signed me (and my e-mail address) up for spammer types of sites like "Free i-Pod here!" and "Free Viagra Trials" etc. Suddenly every day I was receiving all of these ridiculous "it’s free!" offers from numerous other disreputable sites and "notifications of enrollment" into off the wall bulletin boards, etc. After that incident I decided that if someone wants to contact me; they can do it publicly on the board.

 

Yes you can, and I did.
As COMPUABLE and others point out, it is a BETA version, with limited shelf life.
Think I'll get an old desktop going again and install it on that.
Bazza

===

 

Thanks, Halo, but I think I'll chicken out and install it on an old desktop. Bazza

 

Your not being chicken your showing good common sense. Theres nothing BRAVE about putting BETA apps on your system it can be very risky though so I would say your being "Cautious". Let us know what you think about it.

 

>> Hey thats a wise choice and the sign of a good tester, never use a critical production or only home PC to test beta's Halo <<

>> Your not being chicken your showing good common sense. Theres nothing BRAVE about putting BETA apps on your system it can be very risky though so I would say your being "Cautious". Let us know what you think about it. Bold Eagle <<

Both of these statements are so true!

Don’t get me wrong here; I thoroughly enjoy testing and trying out newer programs and utilities when they come out; and there would be absolutely NO "safe" software available for any users to download without the great efforts the valuable beta testers out there on the web. I have absolutely no beef with them - they're terrific people, really to do this risky testing and thereby ironing out the bugs, etc. for us all! These folks Rock!

However I just can't believe how many of these shareware and freeware mega-list sites out there on the Internet ever-so-casually list and provide directly downloadable installation links to the most recent "Microsoft beta" products without a VERY strong warning to their sites’ visitors that doing so can be somewhat hazardous and even very dangerous to ones system. And, most importantly; (as Halo keenly observed) that this type of beta and alpha software testing as well; should NEVER be done using either a critical production or only home PC; to test beta product versions and releases, I mean.

This is a somewhat disgraceful disservice to their sites members and visitors (particularly to the newbies out there) many of whom may not be well-versed or have a clear understanding of what could be potentially in store for those who gamble on downloading these unfinished and buggy BETA products on their primary home or office/work computers.

These types of sites should most definitely take MajorGeeks lead and clearly list a prominent warning to their sites' visitors who may be considering downloading these beta products!

Good Luck!

 

...as Compuable said, sometimes the sites that list un-official downloads of these software dont issue warnings about beta usage, which is irresponsible IMHO.

Halo is quite correct here folks! Here is a blatant example of this; at the usually fantastic freeware mega-list site freewarefiles.com where they list the download link for Internet Explorer 7 Beta 3 and explain the "New Features" as well as the potential "benefits" of using IE7 beta in detail; yet they issue absolutely NO warnings at all (not even a hint) about the potential perils and/or foibles that beta usage can incur!

In my view this is very irresponsible of such sites. This kind of 'misrepresentation' (or worse, not mentioning, at all) the dangers which may be involved with testing any alpha or BETA program or utility happens all the times these days because beta test programs and utilities are far more popular currently. Not to many years ago; beta testing was only done by a select group of geeks.

Note: If you visit that freewarefiles.com site link that I posted above; be sure to take notice of the review done by "Dr. Cantstandsno Crapware" (that's my moniker at that site whenever I'm reviewing anything there at that site). <lol>

BTW, other than this small 'misrepresentation' problem regarding beta listings; this FreewareFiles is actually a great site. It's all freeware all the time and is updated daily; often with dozens of new programs and utilities as well as updates 365/24/7 including on holidays, Sundays, etc when many of the other sites are idle on such days. The best part is anyone at all can review the products listed there (with no 'registration' required to review) and as far as I know they do not 'edit' site visitors' reviews unless they use extremely foul language.

Good Luck!