MS: get your act together

Colonel Travis

New Member
Power User
Messages
228
This is a pointless thread, as far as getting results from MS, but after downloading Office 2013 I'm really ticked about where this company is going with its products. I like Office 2013 - seriously - and hate Metro. Some people are the opposite, some like both, some hate both. I'm not typing this to rag on any particular category of people, not doing this to change minds. Everyone here pretty much knows who likes what. What I'm emphasizing is that a great deal of frustration comes from not being able to figure stuff out initially. Don't want to get into the weeds of that with Metro. Again, I'm only mentioning this because, despite the many counter-arguments to the Not Intuitive charge, it doesn't change the fact that 8 is simply not intuitive. If it were, that video with the guy's dad wouldn't have spread like wildfire, you wouldn't be reading complaint after complaint after complaint about it and, most obviously, the counter-arguments wouldn't exist because there would be no need for them. Does a company really want millions of people sitting in front of a screen with its brand new flagship software installed and have them say - what the hell am I supposed to do with this? I don't care if you think those people are idiots. They're doing this, so what's the best way to prevent it?

Latest example: trying to install SkyDrive for Office 2013 is a royal pain. It should be a piece of cake. It's not. And I can't even believe I'm saying this because I've had a SkyDrive account for a while. Haven't used it much, never used it with Office 2010 because I hadn't felt a need to use it.

When I set up Office 2013, I didn't do the SkyDrive account initally. Little box said something like - that's ok, you can do it later. Later eventually arrived and I went to the revamped File screen, clicked "Share" (to me, this is a dumb way to say what you're doing here. Off the top of my head I don't know what could replace it but "Share" is too coy for the job, like it's saying - SkyDrive might be in here, tee-hee-hee! You share with others, not yourself) and got this, of course:

ON.jpg

So how do you save your work to SkyDrive via this screen? Click "Add a place"? Nope. Says I'm already connected because I had signed into SkyDrive. Can't remember what I clicked to do that, maybe it was that button, I don't know, which is ridiculous on my end. Nonetheless, what do I do after that? Click that Browse folder? Nope. That's not a browsing folder, it's a moving folder. But you don't know that until you click around and find a file that, presumably, might save to SkyDrive some day but who the hell knows, it's not clear what you're doing. Ultimately, when you select a file - in a window titled "Move Notebook" although you can't even select a full notebook, you have to select a file - it says you already have that file, would you like to replace? I'm sorry, WTF are you talking about? What am I moving and why? What about clicking the Documents purple bar under "Recent Folders"? Hahaha! Are you nuts? Same result as the attempt before it.

Hey morons: how do I save my work to SkyDrive? <------------- That's all I want to do here.

I go to my SkyDrive account online. OneNote says I'm already connected to SkyDrive but I have to type in the login information again and then I find that SkyDrive has nothing in my folders. I kinda got the impression my OneNote folders were connected because it said I was connected? Ah, no. You're thinking too normally here. You need to get in a more convoluted idiot frame of mind and try the official MS Office 2013 site. I could find the Higgs boson by myself, no particle accelerator and with four of my five senses crippled faster than I could find anything about anything on any MS site.

I check around the web - nothing. Finally I find something that said you need to install the SkyDrive app on your computer. Der duh. Having hardly used it this never crossed my mind. So I load it on my PC and SIGN INTO SKYDRIVE A THIRD TIME EVEN THOUGH I NEVER LOGGED OUT THE OTHER TWO TIMES and after that, problem solved.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is @#$%! stupid. What I'm typing now took longer than what I went through, but it was a total waste of my time and frustrating. For people who aren't really into computers, I can't imagine what it will be like for them when they start using all this new software for the first time.

Who is in charge of this company? My guess is everyone. That's best way to kill simplicity. I get the impression that all these MS people make their stuff a certain way because they think - let's do this because people will like it. And everyone else nods their heads and some guy claps softly. Then someone else says something and the process repeats until everyone has said something and then they shove all those somethings into 100 million lines of code in the shape of a 325 pound defensive tackle who wants you nowhere near the goal line.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
Well, I would suggest that it's a beta software, issues are SUPPOSED to happen, you're supposed to get frustrated, send a frown, and probably by the final release your issue will be fixed. Actually, good idea, see a little sad face? Copy your issue and send it to Microsoft. Best method.

To try to help, did you have Office 2010 previously installed with a Windows Live account associated with it? That could be the reason why you see that. Also, instead of going to Share to save it to SkyDrive and troubleshooting it there, go to Account and see if you have your SkyDrive linked up under Connected Services. If it is, then go up to User Information and your user account should be there. Remove it, then re-login.

To save to SkyDrive, for some reason it's tedious, but you need to already have folder structure going before hand. I guess in your situation, it should be easier to just mange your SkyDrive from Office, but you need to manage SkyDrive in SkyDrive, like SkyDrive for Windows, within Windows Live, or the SkyDrive app. That should probably help....

Have fun! :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I know it's a beta, Cokey, I should have said that I factored that in there, because I do keep that in mind. I just think that the problems are deeper than what I would consider beta bugs. The solutions you suggested are great, and thanks by the way, but to do basic stuff like that should be brainless, and MS should follow KISS as much as they can is all I'm saying.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
That's what Microsoft is trying to do. So far, it's been pretty brainless for me. :p Everything has been working pretty great.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Right, but we all have different abilities, interests, intelligence, etc. That's why I can't come down too hard on, not just people frustrated with 8 but people frustrated with computers or anything else. They don't get into it like you and me, and I don't even get into it that much, but I'd say more than the average person. It's like someone into hardcore car restoration. My father in law is so into cars it's insane. We went to a huge car show one time and he was telling me about carburetors and paint colors and windshield curvature and how the 1956 whatever-the-hell has different tail lights than the 1957 model, and he's buying us stuff to clean the bumper on our own cars, stuff to clean the dash, etc. And I'm thinking - I really don't give a $#!% about clean bumpers or any of this other stuff. All I care about is if it gets me where I'm going and gets me back. And all over this country there are car people who cannot come close to understanding why I don't share their enthusiasm.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
This is true...

While we're at it, I do enjoy me a very clean and detailed car.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
While I agree with you to a great extent, one also has to realize that you're doing a fairly advanced function. Cloud drives are not for grandma and grampa. This is something technically savvy people use, and technically savvy people generally understand that in order to use a service, you have to first install the client for it.

I agree it could say that the client isn't installed, and that would be a good step. Or it could offer to install it, but then people might accuse MS of trying to force people to use their software.

The fact is, this software is complex and has thousands of features.. some of them will not be as thoroughly implemented as others. All we can do is complain and maybe they will be improved. If not very many complain, then maybe it's just a few people having problems, or it's a not well used feature.

Also, I should point out that progress is painfull. Remember when people were afraid of moving from horses to cars? Remember when people thought that man was not meant to fly? Remember when people thought that man should not go into space? Remember when everyone was up in the air about the Ribbon interface? People will get used to changes. Without change, things cannot progress.

I know, I know, you don't think this is progress, and maybe it's not.. MS has made errors in judgement before, but they corrected them in the next version. Remember "smart" menus? The concept behind it was sound, but the implementation ended up being less than ideal.

We will find out if Windows 8 is a failure or not, if Office 13 is a failure or not... but at this point in time, resistance to change just says more about those that resist than not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I enjoys myself some clean windows on my car. :haha:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro ($39.99 upgrade)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel I5 3570K overclocked to 4.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V LX
    Memory
    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 610 2GB
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x0180
    Hard Drives
    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    PSU
    CoolMax 700watt
    Case
    Cosiar R400 Carbide series
    Cooling
    Cool Master H212
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    PowerUp 3 button mouse
    Internet Speed
    12mb down, 1mb up
    Other Info
    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
    Logitech T650 Touchpad for touch screen gestures
I love me detailed tires on my car. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
While I agree with you to a great extent, one also has to realize that you're doing a fairly advanced function. Cloud drives are not for grandma and grampa. This is something technically savvy people use, and technically savvy people generally understand that in order to use a service, you have to first install the client for it.

Past Office iterations I'd agree right back. But by default, everything in this version saves to the cloud. They are pushing you there whether you like it or not. If they're gonna do that, then they don't need to make it stupidly complicated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
Umm.. How exactly can it save to the cloud by default if the cloud isn't configured by default?

Obviously it does NOT save to the cloud by default.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Umm.. How exactly can it save to the cloud by default if the cloud isn't configured by default?

Obviously it does NOT save to the cloud by default.

It does if you don't sign in with a Windows Live account. It does when you do, it defaults the location to your SkyDrive, but can easily change it just as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Remember when people were afraid of moving from horses to cars? Remember when people thought that man was not meant to fly? Remember when people thought that man should not go into space?

It is natural to have some caution about those kind of things - never been seen before and could literally result in death - many early attempts were fatal.

Nothing whatsoever to do with Metro or any other gui.

The complete opposite is true.

If it not hazardous ( and even sometimes if it is ) - there is a strong tendency for people to want new things and experiences.

Our entire Western economy is based on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Back
Top