Microsoft Releases Updates for Office 2008 and 2004

[MacRumors]

Microsoft today released three updates targeted at users of Office for Mac primarily addressing a security issue that could be exploited using a maliciously crafted Word file.

- Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9 (268 MB)

The Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9 Update improves security. It includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code. In addition, this update readies Office 2008 for Mac for the installation of Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac Web Services Edition. It must be installed before Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition is installed.

- Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.5 (59 MB)

The Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.5 Update contains changes that improve security. Additionally, this update includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code.

- Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0.3 (45 MB)

Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0.3 includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code.

Open XML File Format Converter is used to convert files in Office 2007/2008 formats so that they can be opened, edited and saved in earlier versions of Office.

Article Link: Microsoft Releases Updates for Office 2008 and 2004

[derryquinn]

Still haven't fixed Spaces support?

[Pugpuppydude]

And I thought macs were immune to such malicious predators...

[The ArchAngel]

Just an FYI, this came up as 154.1 MB on my MBP via Microsoft AutoUpdate when I opened Word, not 268 MB as described in the original post. I suspect maybe this is a delta update versus a complete update? Not sure, maybe someone can shed some light on that.

Downloading now, but it doesn't seem to auto-install...

[The ArchAngel]

Originally Posted by The ArchAngel

Just an FYI, this came up as 154.1 MB on my MBP via Microsoft AutoUpdate when I opened Word, not 268 MB as described in the original post. I suspect maybe this is a delta update versus a complete update? Not sure, maybe someone can shed some light on that.

Downloading now, but it doesn't seem to auto-install...

Just an FYI to everyone, I had to manually download. AutoUpdate would just repeatedly ask me if I wanted to download the file after each seemingly complete download. Annoying...

[kbmb]

Seriously Microsoft? C'mon. Why can't you even get your auto update to work correctly?

Mine did the same thing.....downloaded, then did a check, and found none. Never installed anything.

Anyone have any idea where that download file it hiding?

-Kevin

[amac4me]

Originally Posted by The ArchAngel

Just an FYI to everyone, I had to manually download. AutoUpdate would just repeatedly ask me if I wanted to download the file after each seemingly complete download. Annoying...

I also ran into problems and had to manually download and install.

[lamadude]

Auto-update worked fine for me

Originally Posted by Pugpuppydude

And I thought macs were immune to such malicious predators...

The mac isn't immune to anything, they still haven't even fixed that java exploit that can completely erase your hard drive...

[Insightfulguy]

Not looking to get flamed as it is my first post..

I am the resident IT/tech guy at a smaller company and I had an issue come up with this last update for 2004. I cant properly analyze the issue as the computer is thousand of miles away.

What happened was after the update was installed all the application icons had been removed from the dock. I have seen this happen before so I told the guy to search in finder for office and open the 2004 office file when he did that they were not in there either.

Anyone else have major issues like this with the new update.

he's running a 15" PB G4 with leopard (long story).

[yoppie]

Originally Posted by derryquinn

Still haven't fixed Spaces support?

How many times must it be stated that the issues with Spaces and Microsoft Office will not be fixed in MS Office 2008? The complaints on this are getting old. It happens each time there is an MS update and the answer is the same each time. They can't/are refusing to fix this in the current Office suite.

[PeteB]

Gah. Auto update downloaded the package, then immediately checked again for another update, downloaded it again, checked for updates again and then wouldn't find anything.

Having to download manually now.

[jbgh]

Originally Posted by yoppie

How many times must it be stated that the issues with Spaces and Microsoft Office will not be fixed in MS Office 2008? The complaints on this are getting old. It happens each time there is an MS update and the answer is the same each time. They can't/are refusing to fix this in the current Office suite.

one could PROBABLY make the argument that the spaces issue is getting old too... maybe even older that the complaints?

[yoppie]

Originally Posted by jbgh

one could PROBABLY make the argument that the spaces issue is getting old too... maybe even older that the complaints?

I agree that the issue should be fixed but Microsoft (Mac BU) has said they're not fixing it in Office 2008. One of the workers on Office for Mac 2008 even wrote a detailed blog post explaining why they couldn't. No need to keep getting your hopes up high for it only to be let down each update. You know it's not coming so why go there?

[celticpride678]

I also had to manually download the update. Microsoft messed up it seems.

[Riemann Zeta]

Why does everyone bitch and whine and moan so much about software updates being in the 100s of MB range? I'm afraid bandwidth is pretty much expected today--no software company is going to make updates that attempt to change specific hex values in the existing app instead of just overwriting the app itself. All those complaining about a 50-200MB update (expecting a 31KB diff patch instead?) might want to ditch that old dial-and-smile 33.6kbps modem.

[squints]

get used to it, Microsoft has a history about their updates then they release fixes to fix the fixes.

Originally Posted by yoppie

How many times must it be stated that the issues with Spaces and Microsoft Office will not be fixed in MS Office 2008? The complaints on this are getting old. It happens each time there is an MS update and the answer is the same each time. They can't/are refusing to fix this in the current Office suite.

[arisia12]

Thank you very much for the insights Nadyne.

Do you know whether this update fixes compatibility issues in equation editor between word mac and windows? I'm collaborating with a partner in writing a paper, he uses windows. The equations doesn't appear correctly both in windows and mac. One workaround is that we do the equations in a separate file then save it in a pdf format so that we can reach each other's update, and then we copy paste the pdf into word. It would be easier for us if the equations are both readable in mac and windows. Thank you.


-Arisia-

[Biolizard]

Originally Posted by derryquinn

Still haven't fixed Spaces support?

10.5.7 fixed all my Office 2008 + Spaces issues. My sympathies if it didn't fix yours.

[mrkgoo]

Originally Posted by Biolizard

10.5.7 fixed all my Office 2008 + Spaces issues. My sympathies if it didn't fix yours.

I thought they were fixed with 10.5.7 as well. I don't normally use spaces, but when I did I ahd issues with programs that used pallette windows, so just turned it off. I turned it back on with 10.5.7 to give it a go...I still don't use it that often, but initially it all seems ok.

What were the issues exactly?

[Caralvarez24]

Not sure if anyone can help me out but for some reason every time I try to install the update, either through the autoupdate or manually downloading it, the installer tell me I cannot install the update on my HD because there is no copy of the software on that disk. I am on a MBA and only have the one main drive. Any ideas?

[StudioGuy]

Even manually downloading the Open XML converter, even trashing the existing converter program - no matter what I do, after the install it's still shows a version in Get Info of 1.0.2, and then it wants to check for updates and try the 1.0.3 critical update again. Hmmph.

[phoenix78]

Originally Posted by mrkgoo

I thought they were fixed with 10.5.7 as well. I don't normally use spaces, but when I did I ahd issues with programs that used pallette windows, so just turned it off. I turned it back on with 10.5.7 to give it a go...I still don't use it that often, but initially it all seems ok.

What were the issues exactly?

Huh... holy cow... seems its fixed. Just tested it and it works ok now. I loath office just a little less now.

Issues were with the inspector pallet as you pointed out.

[kbmb]

Looks like they got the auto updater fixed. I just re-ran it and it downloaded (154.1 MB) and installed fine.

This is as of 10:00pm EST.

-Kevin

[11800506]

Originally Posted by phoenix78

Huh... holy cow... seems its fixed. Just tested it and it works ok now. I loath office just a little less now.

Issues were with the inspector pallet as you pointed out.

I kept the Toolbox Pallet closed since it was so annoying and just added the fonts toolbar to the main window, but now that it's supposedly working I may go back to using the pallet.

[Tommigun]

Originally Posted by phoenix78

Huh... holy cow... seems its fixed. Just tested it and it works ok now. I loath office just a little less now.

Issues were with the inspector pallet as you pointed out.

You loathe Office because it's a Microsoft application, or because you think that iWork is ... better? *Cough*