Gas-guzzlers still cruise offices
Article Abstract:
Microsoft's Office for Windows 95 7.0 integrated software retains a number of flaws and is not substantially improved in its latest version. The program still requires different drag and drop methods in different applications and the Help function is not available for all features. A number of minor enhancements include support for long file names, improved dragging of information between applications, more animations and texture effects in PowerPoint and a Scheduleplus with greatly improved to-do lists and new weekly and monthly views. The Wizards, which guide users through programs, are a helpful addition. Word's Spell-It feature can check spelling as users type, and the Autocorrect feature has been added to Excel and Powerpoint as well. On the downside, a file finding feature cannot find files without the three-letter extension. Using Powerpoint's Write-up function can crash the system. Opening files can cause unacceptable delays, and the system can freeze when multitasking.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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A file may be deleted, but may not be gone
Article Abstract:
Microsoft's Office integrated software programs places data that users or the system itself has deleted in newly created files. Files made on a disk from which previous files have been deleted may contain pieces of those previous files, ranging in size from one character to 4,095. The extraneous information can be seen if users open the file with a text editor or desk utility. Compound files, part of the OLE programming model, contribute to the problem. Each file essentially contains its own directory, in a composite architecture that invites data reuse. Microsoft says it has fixed the problem in the past but agrees that it has recurred. Another security failing in Office files is that objects have no security. A spreadsheet embedded in a word processing file is visible in Notepad. The lack of security grows more crucial as more files travel unsecured networks around the world.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Bob: a new best friend has personality quirks
Article Abstract:
Microsoft Corp's Bob is nearly a useless piece of integrated software that company executives are trying to get consumers to buy in the guise of an easy-to-use computer environment. The application is designed around a clumsy social interface that includes animated cartoon guides to help users navigate among the eight applications such as a letter writer, a calender and a checkbook. The penality for the interface and its simple programs is that users need at least 8MB of RAM to run the software and it takes up more than 30MB of hard disk storage. The software stores users' information in non-standard formats, which makes it difficult for non-Bob applications to import. The software does not include any documentation or help files because Microsoft executives are confident users will be able to overcome Bob's handicaps.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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