Have Apple given-up on iWork?

[joelovesapple]

I dislike Office. It's heavier, it seems (at least), less intuitive than iWork, and it's got so much stuff into it that it's not only tiring to see so many options, it's confusing sometimes. iWork is simpler, and although it may not be enough for some people (I do agree that Office is more robust), it's enough for me.

I second that... the ribbon interface in version 2007 and up is a usability nightmare, especially when you're trying to teach computer newbies how to use the damned things (Windows 7 based) 🙄. Yeah I know, Windows 7 is not bad but that aside... I hate the ribbon. Have they included that in the Mac version?

I've not used Office for Mac but think iWork is so much easier to use than Office on Windows.

 

[KALLT]

I hate the ribbon. Have they included that in the Mac version?

Yes they have. It works quite well on Word, but not on PowerPoint. For some reason PowerPoint considerably lacks in performance. It sometimes does not even react at all. I prefer Keynote over PowerPoint any day.

As someone already mentioned, Pages has one major advantage towards Word: it is simple. It is easy to use, it does not have that many functions and options and really fits into Mac OS X. Word really feels like a third-party app, is clunky and slow (although considerably faster than the previous version).

The only thing I'm doing with Pages is writing papers and other academic documents. For that purpose it is absolutely sufficient. Sometimes I miss some basic functions though, e.g. full customisation of footnotes and this annoying line-spacing bug is still not fixed. I do not use Numbers or Excel, because I don't need them. For me, iWork is the better software and it's making me angry that Apple pays hardly any attention to it.

 

[joelovesapple]

Yes they have. It works quite well on Word, but not on PowerPoint. For some reason PowerPoint considerably lacks in performance. It sometimes does not even react at all. I prefer Keynote over PowerPoint any day.

As someone already mentioned, Pages has one major advantage towards Word: it is simple. It is easy to use, it does not have that many functions and options and really fits into Mac OS X. Word really feels like a third-party app, is clunky and slow (although considerably faster than the previous version).

The only thing I'm doing with Pages is writing papers and other academic documents. For that purpose it is absolutely sufficient. Sometimes I miss some basic functions though, e.g. full customisation of footnotes and this annoying line-spacing bug is still not fixed. I do not use Numbers or Excel, because I don't need them. For me, iWork is the better software and it's making me angry that Apple pays hardly any attention to it.

You know, I can imagine that. I don't use all of those extra functions in Word anyway and I think to a standard user they can become rather confusing. What does Ribbon look like in OS X? Odd, out of place?

And why the hell can't they sort out the performance? It shouldn't feel like third-party software if it is such an important piece of software... there's no excuse for that when you look at how much it costs.

 

[mrbobbo]

If you exchange documents, you won't like iWork

I love Pages, use it all the time. If I was stuck with Word I'd be an unhappy camper. But when I have to deliver a Word-format document to someone (or, worse, pass one back and forth making collaborative edits) Pages is crap. Don't believe the Apple compatibility BS. Between font rendering, features, and just plain accuracy, Pages just isn't accurate when it comes to reading Word documents. So you introduce one set of errors when you translate "in". Then, when you export, you introduce some more. Office for Mac, Student edition, is cheap and fully functional for a writer. Keynote is great and I'd hate to be stuck with Powerpoint, but if I need to deliver a Powerpoint I would start there too. Number is crap, don't even bother. If you use a spreadsheet more than casually you won't be happy with it. If you can wait for the next iWork release (which could be in five years, you know), why not wait to see what happens. But I doubt Pages will ever be Word-compatible. Apple is not going to diss one of its major software vendors - Microsoft.

 

[johneaston]

So with Apple now discontinuing iWeb there's surely every chance they'll discontinue iWork.

 

[marc11]

So with Apple now discontinuing iWeb there's surely every chance they'll discontinue iWork.

I am sorry I do not see the connection. Apple never said they were ditching iWeb, and the RUMOR is iCloud will not support site hosting, but that doesn't mean iWeb cannot be used for creating web sites hosted someplace else. And gain, the iCloud hosting issue is a rumor at this point, not confirmed.

Also, what is the relationship between iWork and iWeb (which is part of iLife currently)??? Apple clearly demonstrated iWork and its revision saving feature and cloud sync features during WWDC, I would hardly call that "surely every change they'll discountinue iWork"

In fact, they just added the iPad and iPhone versions. My guess, they will come out with a new iWork along Lion or shortly there after and the new version will include iPhone/iPad apps with the desktop app for true cross device sync and use.

 

[OllyW]

I am sorry I do not see the connection. Apple never said they were ditching iWeb, and the RUMOR is iCloud will not support site hosting, but that doesn't mean iWeb cannot be used for creating web sites hosted someplace else. And gain, the iCloud hosting issue is a rumor at this point, not confirmed.

Also, what is the relationship between iWork and iWeb (which is part of iLife currently)??? Apple clearly demonstrated iWork and its revision saving feature and cloud sync features during WWDC, I would hardly call that "surely every change they'll discountinue iWork"

In fact, they just added the iPad and iPhone versions. My guess, they will come out with a new iWork along Lion or shortly there after and the new version will include iPhone/iPad apps with the desktop app for true cross device sync and use.

I agree that the iWork update will probably come alongside Lion as the current release doesn't have auto save or versions though I still think the iOS apps will remain as optional paid apps. I can't see Apple giving them away with iWork.