thoughtnot

Well, I’ve had some time to play around and use Office 2007. Thus far I like it. Microsoft has really made it more friendly and logical for the “every day” user, although it has taken time to adjust to where they’ve moved things.

In fact, I only have two complaints thus far. First, Microsoft Access was NOT backwards compatible for an Access 2003 database I use at home! This was very frustrating. I tried several variations and attempts to upgrade my database, but it acted as if it could not read the data. Additionally, it did not want to run the VBScript that I’ve used for certain elements. This resulted in me re-installing Access 2003. Of course, the upgrade process had hosed the data. Luckily I had a backup. Thank goodness for backups!

My second issue is with Outlook 2007. It is so painfully SLOOOOWWW!! Compared to Outlook 2003, this is NOT an upgrade. It takes forever on startup, and I can’t read (or do!) anything when Outlook is checking my email. In fact, most of my messages don’t even appear until it’s finished the checking process. This has been frustrating enough that I almost removed it and went back to Oulook 2003. However, I have tracked down a few steps which seem to have improved things to the point of being tolerable. If you are using Outlook ‘07 and having issues, try the following:

1. Archive your email to reduce the total size of your mail file.
    
2. Click File > Data File Management > Select “Personal Folders” > Click “Settings” > Click “Compact Now”
    
3. Browse to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\SCANPST.EXE (or search for the filename). This little utility from Microsoft scans your pst file for errors, makes a backup, then repairs them. Mine found 64 errors!
    
4. Click Tools > Trust Center > Add-Ins > select “COM Add-Ins” > Click Go > Disable any add-ins you do not require. Several deal with things like unified messaging, an Exchange Server connector, VB editing, etc., that most home users do not or will not need.

FYI, if you are using iTunes, there will be an add-in called “iTunes Add-In for Oulook” (or something like that). You only need this add-in if you are synchronizing your Outlook calendar and address with your iPod. I currently do, so I did not disable it. I am debating on whether it’s worth it, though.

Again, overall I’m pleased. But if I were actually considering purchasing Office 2007 (my copy was free), I think I would wait for Service Pack 1 to be released.