Microsoft Office 2010

Yeah, the next version of Office is releasing this month, according to various sources. Had I not attended a recent product launch by Microsoft, I wouldn't have been so excited over the new Office Suite. Well, at least in the past, I couldn't really be bothered with it.

"The Future of Productivity" Launch by Microsoft was held @ Marina Bay Sands, 26 May 2010. Their CEO, Steve Ballmer dropped by to give a 45min keynote speech. Several reasons why I attended this launch although it's not related to my job scope.

Firstly, Steve Ballmer is THE keynote speaker! Come on, how often do you get to see the CEO of a MAJOR company talking on stage? And I've not even mentioned that the MAJOR company is Microsoft, the world's LARGEST software company in the world!

Secondly, the event was held @ Marina Bay Sands, one of the 2 newly completed Intergrated Resorts (aka casinos) in Singapore. I've never been there before until that day. The place is HUGE and I really mean HUGE!! However, having said that, I must also remind you that the place is not completed yet. There are still lots of constructions, renovations and touch-ups going on. So far, only the Convention Centre, Hotel and Casino are operational. The rest? Coming soon... I was looking through the MBS Shopping Guide and found 90% of the listed tenants marked with an asterisk and the asterisks is meant to mean "Opening Soon". I guess that goes to show you how completed MBS is.

Back to Office 2010, they had incorporated many new features into the new product, among them the "Paste with Preview", "Conversation View in Outlook" (imagine Gmail's thread-view for emails), "Quick Steps in Outlook". Do refer to Top 10 Things to Look Forward to in Office 2010 for the details. There were also a few of my personal favourites that is not mentioned in the article; "Ignore button in Outlook", "Image/Video Editor in PowerPoint/Word" & "Simultaneous Editing".

A word of caution.... use the "Ignore" button wisely and carefully. :)