Third Office for Mac 2011 Beta Reveals New Icons, Splash Screens, more

By rajputwarrior
in Apple (macOS)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

rajputwarrior

Posted
Posted
105601-office_2011_icons.jpg

Microsoft is continuing to push forward with work on Office for Mac 2011, issuing a third beta release of the productivity suite in advance of a final release scheduled for launch around the end of the year. With Office 2011's features and functionality becoming firmed up, Microsoft has begun putting more effort into some of the finishing touches that offer some obvious visual changes.

105559-word_2011_splash.png

Some of those changes included in the latest beta version are new icons and splash screens for the Office applications, as well as minor tweaks to several toolbar and ribbon icons. Application interfaces otherwise appear largely the same as in earlier beta versions, although Microsoft is undoubtedly continuing to refine its flagship productivity suite with functionality fixes and enhancements.

105559-word_2011_welcome_500.jpg

We'll keep our eyes peeled for information on more substantial functional changes included in the latest beta as testers put it through its paces.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/25/third-office-for-mac-2011-beta-reveals-new-icons-splash-screens-and-more/#

Grand Master

PyX

Posted
Posted

AHA! I knew Beta 3 was coming somewhere around today. Just take a look in the Beta 2 thread, it was my prediction :)

Beta 2 expired today, so it was pretty obvious something better was coming.

Those new Splash screens? why don?t they take the ones in Windows? I?m sure they would fit in OS X and even if not, they?re much better than these.

And those new icons? I simply cannot stand them. If they?re the final icons, first thing I?ll do is change them when it?s installed. They really are that ugly to me.

Grand Master

Quillz

Posted
Posted

I actually really like those icons. Very interesting, and definitely a big change from the icons used in the past few versions.

If Microsoft optimized their applications for a change they wouldn't need splash screens to keep us distracted while the thing is taking ages starting up.

I find Office 2011 to be quite a bit quicker than both 2004 and 2008 was. It's probably not fully optimized as you've pointed out, but Beta 2 loaded up for me in seconds, whereas even 2008 could take anywhere from 10-20 seconds.

Grand Master

Quillz

Posted
Posted

So I came across some more pics of Beta 3. Seems the Ribbon is going to be quite customizable...

ribbon5.png

There are four different "levels" for the Ribbon... You can have it displayed fully, hide a portion of it, hide it entirely in favor of a simpler toolbar and then even hide the toolbar entirely so you're left with virtually a blank page...

ribbon1.pngribbon2.pngribbon3.pngribbon4.png

Word 2011 will still have the Notebook Layout view, which is somewhat similar to OneNote, although not quite as powerful.

notebook_layout1.pngnotebook_layout2.pngnotebook_layout3.pngnotebook_layout4.png

Grand Master

PyX

Posted
Posted

Why cannot they have a native UI, then I would pay and use this software.

You mean go back to the Office 2008 inspector ? No thanks for me.

For Office 2011 specifically, I prefer having a non-standard interface that works, rather than a standard interface that doesn?t.

Explorer

ThothTD

Posted
Posted

You mean go back to the Office 2008 inspector ? No thanks for me.

For Office 2011 specifically, I prefer having a non-standard interface that works, rather than a standard interface that doesn't.

I think the UI of 2011 is way better than 2008, but it's not enough for me to change. I guess I prefer my applications look (etc) more universal.

Mentor

rawr_boy81

Posted
Posted

Looking better with each beta; I do hope that it improves over 2008 as so far as responsiveness because once Word starts to get a large complex file the speed doesn't just slow gracefully - it goes off the cliff.

Grand Master

what

Posted
Posted

Why cannot they have a native UI, then I would pay and use this software.

Because Apple's native UI doesn't work well when there are so many features to make accessible within a couple of clicks. Windows had the same problem, and the ribbon cures it.

Enthusiast

Simon.

Posted
Posted

Are there any changes to Messenger for Mac?

The new icons looks nice, with the exception being Messenger.

For Office 2011 specifically, I prefer having a non-standard interface that works, rather than a standard interface that doesn't.

I wouldn't say the 2010 UI is non-standard, it's different; but I think it fits Windows 7 better than 2007 does.

Grand Master

.Neo

Posted
Posted

Because Apple's native UI doesn't work well when there are so many features to make accessible within a couple of clicks. Windows had the same problem, and the ribbon cures it.

At least use the correct Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts instead of the Windows ones.

I really like the icons though.

Grand Master

crazzyyfool

Posted
Posted

t_1mc0kx31gynm_8941f37.png

t_1mc0kx31gynm_1b66d1a.png

t_1mc0kx31gynm_e5cb3e4.png

t_1mc0kx31gynm_fe0c4c9.png

t_1mc0kx31gynm_4881d8d.png

New build of Messenger. Version 8.0.0. Build 100519.

t_1mc0kx31gynm_9a3e12e.png

What is Communicator? Also version 8.0.0. Build 100519. blink.gif

t_1mc0kx31gynm_3533b54.png

t_1mc0kx31gynm_262fd5c.png

Have to say, this new suite of apps is gearing up quite nicely. It runs very fast compared to 2008.

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

What is Communicator? Also version 8.0.0. Build 100519.

Communicator is a centralized chat system for use in corporate networks and the like. It's actually very useful (Y)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • You've tried DuckDuckGo and Brave Search, now get serious with SearXNG

      By Skyfrog · Posted

      For some reason I suddenly have the urge to go shopping at Sears.
    • You've tried DuckDuckGo and Brave Search, now get serious with SearXNG

      By Nas · Posted

      So I did a quick test based on 3+ different public instances from the litany at searx.space ... and it spins everything rather differently. It seems that SearXNG is a meta-search engine (queries multiple search indexes rather than only Google's or Bing's or Wikipedia's or Reddit's) that operates in two modes: > public instances ... each instance opens itself to outside users who piggyback on its cached search history; this instance's own identity becomes known/tracked but end-users are hidden similar to an anonymization proxy; this instance's querying of major search indexes may be API based [rated limited, blocked, etc.]). > private instances ... your private install/instance that itself queries multiple (configurable) search indexes of crawled web content; every major Search Engine associates all traffic to your private instance (so your traffic is tracked via network usages) but client-side tracking (your own browser/computer specs) is flushed because it's a "server" doing the querying rather than your browser. My test asked the same 1 question to the 3+ engines and they all returned vastly different results: some had CAPTCHA failures against Google, some had failures against Wikipedia, and the actual results were also different -- some had auto-complete enabled, others returned a wikipedia highlighted excerpt despite the Wikipedia failure (hinting at results being cached from previous keyword matching), and others just gave an Are-You-Human non-CAPTCHA loop before returning random results. So this begs the caveat: Search query results will vary based on which instance is used because every instance queries the other search indexes separate (and thus its results are influenced on that instance's aggregate search history and index-access limitations). The major distinctions for SearXNG versus DDG or Brave: > The search UI is 'untracked' since no UI trackers are baked-in which would phone home or lay cookies into your browser (for DDG/Brave usage stats), > There is no 'crawler' that canvasses the Internet to discover fresh content (it leaves that to the major search indexes), > Queries multiple search indexes ("meta-search engine") based on the configurations and usage history of the server instance, > Privacy-friendly due to its ability to shield user tracking via standing up a non-local server instance connectable to major VPN providers: queries would all appear to come from general VPN/Proxy providers rather than your private instance (whether installed locally or on your own VPS in the cloud). PS: I've previously come across specialized search engines of this nature that indexes searches across media assets like YT, OF, etc. SearXNG seems to be a good backbone...if the rate-limiting/captcha/etc. issues were resolved.
    • The Trump administration doesn't want you to use OpenAI's GPT-5.6 without its approval

      By excalpius · Posted

      For a guy who claims to hate Farage and the ignorant, gullible, rightwing racist skinheads sponsored by Putin that his lies represent, you sure are quoting them time and time and time again, mate. I guess you're conveniently ignoring the fact that your country and commonwealth just happened to work much better when it was still part of the E.U.? Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.
    • The Trump administration doesn't want you to use OpenAI's GPT-5.6 without its approval

      By ad47uk · Posted

      Do you live in the U.K? Do any of the people here that are against the UK leaving the E.U, live in the U.K? If not then why are you bothered? If you do live here then it is a different thing . Brexit was a good idea, should have done it years before, it was done badly, but the idea was good. You are saying the same thing as remainers do, oh we did what Putin wanted, we listened to the lies and Farage. I hate Farage and never believed most of what he said, certainly did not believe the £350m a week for the NHS. But we did pay a lot of money to the E.U and yes some of it came back, but what is the point of paying it out for only some of it to come back? Get out of the E.U, no money to them and in theory we can use the money to do things in the country. I said in theory, but our governments are a total and complete waste of space. No matter what colour rosette they wear. You and others say it was a mistake and yet the two main parties in the U.K are not looking at rejoining the EU, I wonder why that is? I was not tricked by anyone. Makes no odds now, we are out and have been for 10 years, what we need is a decent government to run the country. All they do is shout at each other like a load of kids and seems to do nothing and make this country more into a police and nanny state. Getting more like China all the time.
    • 4TB TEAMGROUP MP44Q, 2TB T-Force G50, and 2TB WD My Passport SSDs drop to great prices

      By Fiza Ali · Posted

      4TB TEAMGROUP MP44Q, 2TB T-Force G50, and 2TB WD My Passport SSDs drop to great prices by Fiza Ali Prime Day may be over, but there are still worthwhile storage deals available, including discounts on SSDs for shoppers who missed the event or are looking to upgrade their storage solution. Particularly, 2TB Western Digital My Passport, 2TB TEAMGROUP T-Force G50, and 4TB TEAMGROUP MP44Q SSD are selling at great prices with up to 23% off. The 2TB TEAMGROUP T-Force G50 is an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD with sequential read speeds of up to 5,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 4,500MB/s. The drive has an endurance rating of 1,300 TBW (terabytes written) and features a DRAM-less design. The company specifies a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 3 million hours. The drive includes an "ultra-thin" graphene heat spreader that helps dissipate heat without significantly increasing the drive's thickness. It also supports S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, allowing compatible software to monitor drive health and operating status. The SSD is rated for operating temperatures from 0°C to 70°C, with a storage temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The drive is backed by a five-year limited warranty as well. 2TB TEAMGROUP T-Force G50 SSD: $269.99 (Amazon US) The TEAMGROUP MP44Q is an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD that delivers sequential read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 5,900MB/s. It uses 3D QLC NAND flash memory to provide 4TB of storage capacity for games, applications, media files, and other data. The drive has an endurance rating of 2,000 TBW and an MTBF of 1.6 million hours. The SSD features a DRAM-less design and supports TEAMGROUP's S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software, allowing users to monitor drive health, temperature, and remaining lifespan. For thermal management, the MP44Q also includes an "ultra-thin" graphene heat spreader. It is designed to operate at temperatures between 0°C and 70°C and can be stored at temperatures ranging from -40°C to 85°C. The SSD is also backed by a five-year limited warranty. 4TB TEAMGROUP MP44Q SSD: $478.99 (Amazon US) The 2TB WD My Passport SSD connects via a USB-C port using the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. It delivers sequential read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 1,000MB/s through NVMe technology. In terms of security features, the drive includes password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The SSD is also designed to resist shock and vibration and is rated to withstand drops from heights of up to 6.5 feet. The recommended operating temperature range is 5°C to 35°C, while the non-operating temperature range is -20°C to 65°C. This drive is also backed by a five-year limited warranty. 2TB Western Digital My Passport SSD: $279.99 (Amazon US) Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Woland13 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Woland13 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      bernmeister earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      492
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      225
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      147
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      75
    5. 5
      FloatingFatMan
      71
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!