Poll: Do you own any Microsoft Products? [Archive]

ITR 81

Nov 25, 2003, 04:45 AM

I only have Mac Office student ed.

I'm still wondering if Apple is planning on new office suite of it's own. I've noticed they have updated AppleWorks in a long time but everything else is getting an upgrade. Also they already got Keynotes which is very good powerpoint type program which is getting upgraded in Jan. and they are suppose to have some sort of word processor coming as well. I think if they can get excel like app and an outlook like app that works well with MS office progs then I'll switch to that.

crenz

Nov 25, 2003, 05:01 AM

I have several versions of Windows as well as Virtual PC. All of them legally licensed, of course. But I still don't own any Microsoft products, as technically, I don't own the software I have bought... just the right to use it :(

Centris 650

Nov 25, 2003, 05:58 AM

Just MS Office. As Dr. Q stated Excel is good and really has no equal.

MattG

Nov 25, 2003, 06:10 AM

Got a MS Optical Mouse and Natural Keyboard, as well as Office and VPC.

encro

Nov 25, 2003, 07:02 AM

Pretty stupid poll idea...anyway:

1 x Windows 98SE
2 x Windows XP Home
2 x Office 2000 Suite
1 x Office v.X Suite

I use RDC frequently alongside other MS freebie apps.

1 x Bluetooth Optical Desktop Meal Deal (Mouse, Keyboard & Tx/Rx-ceiver)

Counterfit

Nov 25, 2003, 07:18 AM

I think I have a t-shirt somewhere...

Macette

Nov 25, 2003, 07:22 AM

there should be an "ahem, I don't OWN, exactly, but like my friend does and, like, ahem, I..., you know, USE IT" category. my vote would've gone there.

KLFloyd

Nov 25, 2003, 07:42 AM

Sad to say that I too have supported the "evil empire" with my contributions. I own Office X and the IntelliMouse.

Though in my own defense, I did buy all those products from Apple's Online Store! :)

yamabushi

Nov 25, 2003, 07:51 AM

I agree that a good replacement for Excel is sorely needed. Appleworks just doesn't meet the needs of most pro users for business. A full professional office suite that included word processing, spreadsheet, presentation(Keynote), database, and contact management applications would put Apple on the map for business solutions.

punter

Nov 25, 2003, 07:56 AM

i'm considering an xbox because I hear they make a loss on those things :) a loss for them must be a win for me!

Nah not really, I'm really considering a bluetooth mouse/keyboard setup. I don't know where else to turn (logitech one not available here:()

fixyourthinking

Nov 25, 2003, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by KLFloyd
Sad to say that I too have supported the "evil empire" with my contributions. I own Office X and the IntelliMouse.

Though in my own defense, I did buy all those products from Apple's Online Store! :)

I agree thast excel is good but no one seems to be mentioning Filemaker Pro - it is cross platform and even on mobile devices - it has 10X the functionality too and can be used to do so many more things than excel.

That said, I chose both, I own most everything software MS/Apple and I love the M$ side to side scoller mouse wheels.

WinterMute

Nov 25, 2003, 08:20 AM

I have to have Office as so much stuff comes down from admin in excel and word files, and I really can't be bothered with importing etc.

I have to admit I sort of like excel, but word sucks, and I don't use powerpoint or entourage.

DTphonehome

Nov 25, 2003, 08:31 AM

I've got Office Student Ed, and let's not forget about the Xbox! Whatever you may think of Microsoft, that is one fun game system!

--DT

edesignuk

Nov 25, 2003, 08:35 AM

I have loads of MS software, but I don't think I could actually say I "own" it ;) :eek:

edit: oh yeah, but I do own an Xbox :D

killmoms

Nov 25, 2003, 08:38 AM

Whatever you may think of Microsoft, that [Xbox] is one fun game system!
Any Square Enix games?

I rest my case.

--Cless

Stella

Nov 25, 2003, 08:42 AM

I can safety say that I have *never* used a piece of microsoft software that I have enjoyed using. Instead they just wind me up with their user unfriendlness, qwerkiness and long windedness.

IMO, MS have never released a good piece of software in its entire existence.

All versions of windows - ugly, user unfriendly, buggy, very unstable. A toy at the end of the day. XP is diabolical. Again, not up to the job, apart from playing games.

MS Office - horrendence to use and slow

Visio - awkward, buggy and just not up to the job.

Visual Basic - a toy.

Outlook - incomplete software. Bloated and slow. Unstable and insecure.

All MS software have the same thing in common - patronizing. They treat you like a 5 year old. "My this", "My that", "Did you know this"... And then Clippy.

MS software = software for children.

xelterran

Nov 25, 2003, 09:02 AM

downloaded office X ...Uncle Bill doesnt need more money!

arnette

Nov 25, 2003, 09:45 AM

how can you NOT have MicroSoft products??

ThEy'Re EvEryWhErE!!!!

even in your mind!

besides, nothing really beat Excel. MS's one true claim to fame.

1macker1

Nov 25, 2003, 09:56 AM

I own an XBOX, use XP and everything that comes with it. I never have any problems.

Qunchuy

Nov 25, 2003, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Stella
I can safety say that I have *never* used a piece of microsoft software that I have enjoyed using. Instead they just wind me up with their user unfriendlness, qwerkiness and long windedness.

IMO, MS have never released a good piece of software in its entire existence.

I haven't found anything that betters Excel, though even it seems to try to "outthink" me and do what it wants instead of what I want it to do.

Microsoft -- here's where you want to go today!

Lord Bodak

Nov 25, 2003, 10:33 AM

Win95, Office 97, a plain old 2 button Microsoft serial mouse, and an IntelliMouse Explorer.

Despite the fact that I hate their software, Microsoft does make good mice.

jxyama

Nov 25, 2003, 10:58 AM

office x... $45 from the campus store, unlimited installations. can't beat that! :D

i wish office x was cocoa (same for PS, macromedia studio) but it's a very good version. i think it's better than the windows version.

bobbyp80521

Nov 25, 2003, 11:06 AM

Can you own a microsoft product? I was under the impression that you could use it, but if bill wanted to he could come to your house at any time and take it back or just smash it....:confused:

jxyama

Nov 25, 2003, 11:32 AM

you are getting a little technical here...

if it's hardware, then you OWN a M$ product.

if it's software, then you OWN a M$ product license.

in either case, M$ doesn't have the right to simply take away what you have purchased for no apparent reason.

DreaminDirector

Nov 25, 2003, 11:41 AM

I own an xbox, however I don't own any M$ software or windows operating system. Therefore, I own my own sanity as well.

Lancetx

Nov 25, 2003, 11:43 AM

I own both Office X and VPC 6.1, but I got them from a friend that works for M$ for the employee discount price which is next to nothing. The only M$ hardware I have is a wireless optical mouse which I must say has been really good. If Apple would ever get off the one button mouse bit I'm sure I'd be using an Apple mouse instead, but the M$ one has been excellent so I can't complain.

yoman

Nov 25, 2003, 11:45 AM

I own MS Office and here's my take:

Excel: Great Software (as others have said)
Powerpoint: Good but I have more fun using Keynote
Entourage: I never use it
Word: Way too much Autoformatting!! (Gets on my nerves. I just want to type a dumb list then all of a sudden bullets or numbers come out of no- where. I undo or delete or say NO THANK YOU to little clip man. Then numbers pop up , then more bullets then capital letters then little letters then I SCREAM)

Uhh.. I must recompose myself. In summary If Apple were to release an Office Alternative I would by it in a heartbeat.

Adios

Edit: I "licensed" MS Office X, BTW

Bunzi2k4

Nov 25, 2003, 11:46 AM

i have 2 microsoft mice, and office 98, 2000, and office x

i don't use the mice anymore, the trackball gets too stickey. stupid microsoft... i payed $40 for a mouse, and it gets stickey in a week... washing it doesn't help, i found vaseline and oil helpful for a day or two...

wdlove

Nov 25, 2003, 12:05 PM

I own Microsoft Office, use Entourage, Excel, & Word. My wife got Virtural PC with her Office X purchase.

mrsebastian

Nov 25, 2003, 12:08 PM

i have the bluetooth multi-button mouse :rolleyes: i know it's m$, but apple just refuses to offer a bluetooth with multi-buttons. other than that i use some of the office apps of course.

jcdenton

Nov 25, 2003, 12:29 PM

I have LICENSES for Office 2001, X

plus the ubiquitous IE, MSN, etc.

Stella

Nov 25, 2003, 01:03 PM

You have hit the nail on the head:

Originally posted by yoman

Powerpoint: Good but I have more fun using Keynote

Edit: I "licensed" MS Office X, BTW

Software should be enjoyable to use.

Microsoft software, in my experience, is the equilevent of hard labour. Not fun whatsoever.

It shouldn't be this way. Software should be enjoyable to use and easy.

Using (non MS ) Mac applications is this way - enjoyable experience, and productive.

helmsc

Nov 25, 2003, 01:03 PM

1 x Windows 95
1 x Windows 98 SE
1 x Windows XP Pro (10 clients)
1 x Office XP Pro (10 clients)
1 x Office 2003 (if MS would ever ship it to me for beta testing)

1 x Intellimouse Explorer
1 x Windows XP t-shirt

damn i have too much MS junk:(

Doctor Q

Nov 25, 2003, 01:09 PM

The 9/11 terrorists reportedly had Microsoft Flight Simulator.

jayb2000

Nov 25, 2003, 01:56 PM

I did buy a MS wheel mouse for a laptop about 5 years ago. It still works fine. If it dies I will get an optical mouse, but probably not MS. I have been happy with my Logitech.
That is the only hardware or software I have (or will) ever purchase from MS.

I "own" lots of software, but I will take the poll at face value and define own as having purchased or legally licensed.
I did some contract work for MS and have the entire BackOffice wuite, Small Business Server, TechNet, etc. etc. Don't use any of it, and my iMac only has Media Player on it. Some sites only use wmv.

rueyeet

Nov 25, 2003, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Qunchuy
I haven't found anything that betters Excel, though even it seems to try to "outthink" me and do what it wants instead of what I want it to do.

I've found that Microsoft's software does that in general. And their Help becomes less actually helpful with each new release.

Originally posted by Stella
All MS software have the same thing in common - patronizing. They treat you like a 5 year old. "My this", "My that", "Did you know this"... And then Clippy.

And that's the other thing that annoys me about Microsoft. I know that any successful commerical software product has to be usable by idiots, but does it have to be so up-front about it?

Put me down in the column of "Yes, Both": for the ThinkPad I've loaned to my mom. And in the column of "Have, But Don't Own, and Barely Use" for the illegal copy of Office v.X that I'd ditch in a heartbeat as soon as OO goes OSX native or Apple produces a real alternative.

Anonymous Freak

Nov 25, 2003, 05:10 PM

Well, on my Mac, I'm MS-free. But unfortunately, I have a couple of Windows-running computers at home in addition to my Macs. One also has an MS keyboard and mouse, and another has just an MS mouse. And my wife's Mac has Office X Student/Teacher. (Sorry, OO.o isn't prime-time enough for her, although that's what I use.)

tny

Nov 25, 2003, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Stella

Visual Basic - a toy.

VisualBasic is Turing complete, and as far as I know hooks into pretty much the whole operating system. It is no more "a toy" than Objective C. It might not be as easy to use or as clean as Obj-C, but it is hardly "a toy."

tny

Nov 25, 2003, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by jxyama
office x... $45 from the campus store, unlimited installations. can't beat that! :D

i wish office x was cocoa (same for PS, macromedia studio) but it's a very good version. i think it's better than the windows version.

Only the eye candy in Office v.X is better than the Windows version. The rendering engine on the Mac version can't handle Unicode (which, if it were Cocoa, it could).

Stella

Nov 25, 2003, 06:22 PM

For serious development, I beg to differ!

I've used VB for development, as well as Delphi and Java (Delphi and Java - its my job). I can tell you, VB sucks. The GUI is hideous, the language itself is awful.

I prefer OO languages personally, but even if VB is object based, it still isn't up to the job.

Sorry, but its a toy.

:-)

Originally posted by tny
VisualBasic is Turing complete, and as far as I know hooks into pretty much the whole operating system. It is no more "a toy" than Objective C. It might not be as easy to use or as clean as Obj-C, but it is hardly "a toy."

SiliconAddict

Nov 25, 2003, 07:51 PM

Purchase no. Have in my possession yes. Lets see. I have the full versions of Office 97 Pro (Student dis.), Office 2000 Pro (Student dis.), Office XP Special Edition, and Office 2003. The last version I didn’t purchase. After that much money I figured Microsoft owned me one version. :p

The only Version of Windows that I officially own is Windows 95 and the God awful Windows ME that came on my Toshiba. (I didn’t even boot into ME. Stuck my 2K disk in and formatted it right then an there anyone that uses ME is a masochist. I also have a Pocket PC 2002 device and 3 Palms FYI.
My company purchased a license for Windows 2000/XP for my home system (It’s an XP license but its backwards compatible.) But I do have in my possession Windows 2000 Adv Server, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Exchange 2003, and Longhorn.

I own MapPoint 2002 but that was free at some MS event that I had gone to a while back. (I get the feeling that no one ever goes to MS events to have fun. It’s about getting free stuff.)

And have 2 versions of Encarta DVD. Excellent encyclopedia.

All in all I’ve probably given Microsoft enough over the last 8 years to buy a new 17” PowerBook. :(
Great I just made myself depressed.

SiliconAddict

Nov 25, 2003, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by rueyeet

And that's the other thing that annoys me about Microsoft. I know that any successful commerical software product has to be usable by idiots, but does it have to be so up-front about it?

Oh. *chuckles* Windows 98 is a prime example of this. When it crashes and you have no other choice other then to pull the plug. On boot it does a scandsk of the system it tells you something to the effect (Not verbatim):

Your system was not shut down properly. In the future shut down windows first to avoid this screen.

They actually have the balls to blame the damn user!!!! :D What idiots.

XnavxeMiyyep

Nov 25, 2003, 08:11 PM

I have Office, but I never use it(Appleworks is awesome!). I have VPC, and occasionally use it, but I think I have the Connectix version.

noel4r

Nov 25, 2003, 08:53 PM

they're mice and keyboards work well, but that's about it

pimentoLoaf

Nov 25, 2003, 10:53 PM

Both: An Intellimouse Optical and Entourage X.

tazo

Nov 25, 2003, 11:20 PM

lets seee

*wired router
*wireless mouse
*win98se
*microsoft intellikeyboard
*wired optical mouse
*Office 2000 suite

arogge

Nov 25, 2003, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by jxyama
in either case, M$ doesn't have the right to simply take away what you have purchased for no apparent reason.

What about when the Microsoft software decides to enter Reduced Functionality Mode for no apparent reason? That's like taking away the purchased software. Microsoft apparently doesn't have to give the user permission to keep using the non-refundable software. This is why I refuse to use software with Product Activation schemes from Microsoft or any other company.

SiliconAddict

Nov 26, 2003, 02:57 AM

Originally posted by arogge
This is why I refuse to use software with Product Activation schemes from Microsoft or any other company.

Thank god for corp keys that basically disable product activation. The system doesn't run home to mama every time you make major changes to it. Actually I'm somewhat surprised that a virus hasn't taken advantage of this. Actually break the product activation scheme and then deactivate the product so even if you call up MS they can't reactivate the software. Talk abut a PR nightmare.

Cochrane

Nov 26, 2003, 05:30 AM

I'm a bit ashamed but I have both. As I'm using a PC for gaming I can hardly help having M$ Software, but I also use Office on my Mac (and it's pretty cool there, compared to the Windows version) and I own a Sidewinder Precision 2 Joystick. By the way, I noticed that this works better on my Mac (on Mac OS 9, due to the better Joystick drivers there) than on my PC.

manitoubalck

Nov 27, 2003, 04:04 AM

To the 22.3% of people that voted no, your lieing, >5% I might have believed.

Wrock

Nov 27, 2003, 05:59 AM

I only own two MS products. I have a copy of Win95 from VPC v2.1, and Mac-MS Works v4.
MSWorks is the last piece of 'classic' software I have. The only reason I've held on to it, is because I actually find the spreadsheets in that behave better for my needs than Appleworks.
I haven't touched VPC in years.

Counterfit

Nov 27, 2003, 11:34 PM

Manitou, "owning" implies paid for :D

Giaguara

Nov 27, 2003, 11:38 PM

none, nothing, nada.

100 % M$ free and proud. :)

Mord

Nov 28, 2003, 04:46 PM

My ibook is compleatly microcrap free I use appleworks and openoffice when i can't do something in appleworks If you can't use appleworks use open office do't just go out and buy office thats just lazy.

microsoft is dieing
long live linux

Moz

Dec 1, 2003, 04:07 PM

Completely MS free. And my computer runs flawlessly.

Although, I do have a Mac @ work that uses IE (they won't allow other browsers). Otherwise, I am completely dependant on Adobe, and Quark.

Next move is to Quark-Free (I loathe them, ever since Quark 6 and their 'activation code' BS).

InDesign, baby I'm coming your way-

Gymnut

Dec 12, 2003, 03:14 PM

Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft cordless keyboard and Microsoft Intellimouse.

JDar

Dec 13, 2003, 03:49 PM

Virtual PC 6.1--now it's a MS product but wasn't when I bought it. It runs DeLorme mapping products for me on the iMac.

asgardn1

Dec 16, 2003, 01:04 AM

I have one Intellimouse Explorer, two Intellimouse Opticals, and one Internet Keyboard Pro. Not using any of them on my Powermac G4 because my Logitech Cordless MX duo kicks the crap out of any MS hardware that's currently being sold.

I currently use Office X student & teacher edition. I also use MSN Messenger(occasionally), Internet Explorer(when Safari can't display something properly or at all), and Remote Desktop Connection Client(to fix things on two of my less fortunate friends' PCs). My father uses Virtual PC on his Powerbook for Windows only proprietary business software at his job. I currently have no use for it.

I would strongly considering switching from Office when Apple comes out with a pro office suite and/or when Open Office hits OS X in native form. Keynote is great but I refuse to pay for Powerpoint and then put it to waste. I also wouldn't trade Entourage for even Eudora at this point but we'll see what happens in the future.

The bit about Apple registering "iWrite" with the US patent office under computer software is very promising to me. That is if it does mean a pro level Apple word processor of course. If they can do it right with Keynote they can certainly beat Excel and Word if they gave it a honest shot. Even if that happens, it would certainly force Microsoft to overhaul the Mac version of Office(if they don't drop it completely).

I'd still use Entourage though.

phreakout13

Jan 7, 2004, 08:26 PM

I use office cuz I bought my mac on eBay.

Counterfit

Jan 9, 2004, 03:36 PM

That makes sense. Really. It does.

King Cobra

Jan 11, 2004, 04:10 PM

xBox

Gotta like those black and green dancing plastic bananas...

jefhatfield

Jan 13, 2004, 09:02 AM

on my ibook and g4, ms internet explorer and outlook express came on them

on my pc, i have ms works, word 97, ie, and outlook express which came on it...i later bought windows 2000 but later removed it and i just gave away my copy of ms front page

i have ms nt 4.0 server on an old pc tower and the ms nt 4.0 training kit

and i own a windows 2000 book from microsoft press

and strangely enough, i don't own a ms keyboard or mouse, and i don't have an xbox even though i think it's a great gaming console

and maybe i will purchase ms office for mac since i think that can be useful