Some Power Users Are Unhappy With Lost Features in the New iWork

[Chrjy]

Ok, so an application that does nothing more than letting you write a document, is for power users. It doesn't try to be InDesign nor LaTeX nor VIM.

No because pretty much anyone who uses a computer can use a word processing app, it's not much different to using a browser or picking up mail.

Those that use some of the software I mentioned above are not just using their machines for the basics, they generally push their machines to the limit because that's what they need to do based on what they are hoping to achieve.

The amount of people I see who buy a top of the range machine (Mac or PC) and then use if for browsing, email and word processing is phenomenal.

Don't get me wrong, that's all fine and dandy but it's total overkill.

There are pros in all walks of life and there are pro computer users (power users), it's absolutely no different.

 

[notrack]

That's funny.

Why?

 

[subsonix]

No because pretty much anyone who uses a computer can use a word processing app, it's not much different to using a browser or picking up mail.

Well, we are discussing the iWork suite here and power users. I picked the word processing part of the suite. If you don't think that users of word processing software can be power users then there can be no problem with the new iWork.

In my view, you do not automatically become a power user by using a particular kind of software. It's the knowledge of that software and how you use it, for example knowing obscure functionality most users are unaware of, or simply picking the right tool for the job.

 

[Chrjy]

Well, we are discussing the iWork suite here and power users. I picked the word processing part of the suite. If you don't think that users of word processing software can be power users then there can be no problem with the new iWork.

In my view, you do not automatically become a power user by using a particular kind of software. It's the knowledge of that software and how you use it, for example knowing obscure functionality most users are unaware of, or simply picking the right tool for the job.

Advanced user springs to mind.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[ijohn.8.80]

And then there's QuickTime.

Exactly! Why doesn't Quicktime export to .RTF?

 

[wingsabre]

Office 2013 is definitely heavily tablet optimized though and it runs on rt tablets. The controls are all easy to use with a touch screen and scrolling and pinch to zoom are all extremely smooth. I played around with it on my friends HP envy x2 on windows 8.1 and its definitely the best office suite available on tablets by a long shot. I can see why Microsoft chose to keep it in the desktop environment.

I agree, but what I'm trying to say is you should look at their current Word version, and compare it to their tablet OneNote version. OneNote is very touch optimized on their Modern/Metro version. For example, you can just tap and hold your finger on the screen, and a circular menu will pop up around your fingers, and you just drag it towards the menu item you want, like Bold, Underline, etc... Rumor is, they're making a very touch friendly version that is at the same level as OneNote. And that is codename Gemini (for twins).

 

[caspersoong]

Everyone please give feedback to Apple using the link provided. I gave 10 pieces of feedback after Mavericks was released and hope that everyone would pressure Apple to fix this. This is the most productive way to get what we all want.

 

[HiRez]

They have actually removed many features for no apparent reason other than to bring the application in line with its iOS counterpart, which is, inevitably, much less powerful.

But it's a lot more powerful for people who actually want to move back and forth between OS X and iOS. The fact that the two weren't very interoperable has been bugging me for years. This is the way it should be: exact same document on any device. Now that they have reached parity, they can begin adding features back (hopefully rethinking them while they're at it), while maintaining 100% compatibility between operating systems.

 

[darkgoob]

Hopefully all of this is handled with a few updates over the next couple of months. So far I found nothing missing that I use with Pages. But then again, I don't use it "a lot"...

There is no good reason to remove things like keyboard shortcuts for styles, the ability to delete individual pages, removal of scripting support, removing RTF export, etc.

So what seems likely is that the new Mac Pages app is literally the iOS one ported over, and niw that they've got it to this point, they felt they could release it and let people who need the old features use '09 until 5 catches up. Maybe they should've called it '15 since that's when it will probably be ready?

 

[MacFly123]

Anything missing from Keynote???

Keynote is one of my favorite apps of all time. I use it for presentation and design mockups/interactives. I haven't had a ton of time to play with the new version though.

 

[MacAddict1978]

No refunds here, it's free.

I think this is why they made it free, and aren't making issue of trials being upgraded, etc.

They learned (at least something) from the Final Cut backlash... learned this way they don't have to give a refund...

It is pretty awful. Keynote has been totally butchered, and animations are awful, just awful. You actually lose out with the new version in features, navigation, function.... unless you just don't have keynote, just don't.... just don't.

 

[JohnSFO]

Well it looks like the trend continues. This is the very thing they did to iTunes last year. They dumbed it down and took out features that a lot of people liked and used regularly. This clearly is not a golden era for Apple updates. What's so hard about gussying up a program to look more modern, but leaving the functionality alone!?

 

[MacAddict1978]

There is no good reason to remove things like keyboard shortcuts for styles, the ability to delete individual pages, removal of scripting support, removing RTF export, etc.

So what seems likely is that the new Mac Pages app is literally the iOS one ported over, and niw that they've got it to this point, they felt they could release it and let people who need the old features use '09 until 5 catches up. Maybe they should've called it '15 since that's when it will probably be ready?

Basically, it is the ios versions ported over. But now people can't say the files aren't compatible at least.... and I'd say great, a new reason to whine and cry, but this is very justified.

People need to stop saying "but it was a grond up re-write" as an excuse. Get off the fan wagon. These are basic things even open office has... very basic yet needed useful things. Just taking out templates because you stripped out the parts that made them work is pretty glaring.

And for as long as it has been between updates (and the last one not really being an update at all, but it did add some templates) it really hasn't seen a real update since 2008.... (a small .0X update would have sufficed).... that's 5 freaking years with almost no changes to a package. Seriously disappointing.

 

[Night Spring]

What's so hard about gussying up a program to look more modern, but leaving the functionality alone!?

In many cases, harder than you'd think. It's not like you can just create new artwork for the program and swap them out to achieve a modern look and feel. You also need to rethink the flow of the UI -- maybe instead of a dialog box with checkboxes, you want to use a slider, or vice versa. And once you start making changes like that, you have to rewrite the entire code for that function.

 

[danielsutton]

There is no good reason to remove things like keyboard shortcuts for styles, the ability to delete individual pages, removal of scripting support, removing RTF export, etc.

So what seems likely is that the new Mac Pages app is literally the iOS one ported over, and niw that they've got it to this point, they felt they could release it and let people who need the old features use '09 until 5 catches up. Maybe they should've called it '15 since that's when it will probably be ready?

Would be very nice if Apple added the FileMaker database program to the iWork suite. This would put it in line with other leading business productivity packages.

 

[Curren~Sea]

I think it's a horrible move by Apple and I'm very disappointed. While I may not be a "power" user (open to much debate), I do create a regular club newsletter with Pages and the new version is missing many key features for templates.

Let's hope Apple puts back those features in the new version.

 

[LeandrodaFL]

whats the surprise? Apple has bee doing this with its apps and its OS since 2010....

 

[ezekielrage_99]

can't please everyone

Agreed.

Though to an extend I understand where the backlash is coming from, similar to the FXCP release a few years back.

The UX in the Pages and Keynote is a massive improvement to the credit of Apple though there were some rather nice power features that are now gone (specifically with type I used to use all the time)

 

[Beavix]

A number of power users of Apple's Pages application have expressed concern over what they see as a step backward in the just-released upgrade of iWork.

What the hell is a "power user"?

I want to add the logo of my company in the header of Pages documents. I want to open RTF docs in Pages. These are only two of the BASIC things the new Pages is not able to do anymore. Or am I suddenly a "power user" now, asking too much from a word processing app?

 

[Solomani]

The ability to export to RTF format is not even a "power user" feature. It should be considered a basic user feature.

RTF format is as essential as PDF or TXT. The format preserves and enables portability of rich text across numerous platforms, etc.

Bring it back, jeez.

 

[3282868]

Of course, the new release is a free update to a consumer-focused software product where many of the missing features were likely never used by the majority of Apple's customers

I sincerely hope you're joking

New Mac Semi-Pro or not, the writings on the wall. Apple is more concerned with "Joe the Plummer" general consumers buying iPhones and iPads then maintaining the stellar quality and power that many creatives and professionals used to make their living.

The last rework of their "Office" competitor was in 2009, this is what we get 4 years later? iOS versions for OS X?

Instead of stretching out older technology into subdivisions of different iPhones and iPads, further segmenting product lines which Jobs specifically cut upon his return with the well known "Quadrant" of markets and products, get to work. Use those billions in cash to innovate, produce products that addresses a market need. Enough with "thinner"; I don't need a thin desktop sacrificing form over function, I don't need an iPad "Air". We need power, function, efficiency, innovation, actual "Pro" Apps and systems with cutting edge tech not last years at exorbitant prices(c'mon, $399 for an iPad 2?!?!). I don't want a ******* iWatch, I need displays that don't crap out if you look at them the wrong way, I need expandable/upgradable professional systems with multiple display sizes as once offered instead of one 27" iMac LED LCD display.

Simpler doesn't have to be "dumber". Follow Jobs' philosophy Tim, don't chase profits, produce excellent products and the profits will follow. I've resisted stating this as it's trite, but now I'm understanding why some are shaking their heads with Tim at the helm. Yes, Jobs claimed he wanted to kill the Pro line, yet he didn't. Jobs knew it may be a smaller market, but it's an extremely profitable market as businesses have copious amounts of money to upgrade mass amounts of hardware and software licenses. Apple has already lost many in the film industry to other platforms over lackluster Pro App releases and hardware neglect. iWork was simple yet powerful, now it seems it's just "simple". I loathe the MS Office Ribbon, yet if it offers what I need, it's time to switch.

 

[G51989]

I use Microsoft Office.

muhahahaha

As much as I love my Apple products, I can safely say, iWork can't compete with Office on any level.

 

[theelysium]

1 thing Apple has been consistent with lately is let downs. Especially with software. Just put these new turds in the same crap pile as iOS 7!

 

[ATC]

iWork '09 Folder

It was mentioned in here before that even if you upgraded (or downgraded) to the new iWork, a folder in you Applications folder containing iWork '09 is still there and all three apps fully functioning in 10.9.

I have removed the new iWork by deleting the Pages, Keynote and Numbers. My question is, how can I add the three '09 apps in my iWork '09 folder to Launchpad?

I moved Pages '09 individually out of the iWork '09 folder and into the main Applications folder but it still doesn't show up in Launchpad.

Edit: This terminal command did the trick: rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db; killall Dock

 

[the read]

For the majority of MS Office and iWork users, the basics are probably enough. Only 1% of users actually need to go beyond simple text formatting and charts.

And your 1 % statistics are based on what?
i. absolute nonsense
ii. a number plucked out of thin air
iii. or have you created a number random expression in the new shoddy iWorks.

Keynote was great. Now it sucks.

This is redesign for redesign sake. If its not broke don't fix it.
iOS is too limiting and lacks basic needs. So now Apple are "fixing OSX and iWorks" to enable better integration on this limiting iOS junk.

On a side swipe of this rant; the new design and look for ios7 is horrid. Sometimes to get a little bit 'more' you really just need to add a little bit 'more', and not this minimalist GUI nonsense. Something Google could also learn for gmail.

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1 thing Apple has been consistent with lately is let downs. Especially with software. Just put these new turds in the same crap pile as iOS 7!

So true.