Ramblings of an old Doc

 

MS has done it again. They must have a Division of Dumbassed Moves.

Their latest winner? You buy a license to MS Office 2013. Now it’s tied to that computer and that’s it. Anything happens to that computer, or you decide to upgrade to another system, you’d better keep the old one because the license cannot be transferred to the new one.

“Under our license we grant you the right  to install and run that one copy on one computer (the licensed computer) for use by one person at a time , but only if you comply with all the terms of this agreement.”

To my way of thinking, this is just plain nuts.

Under Office 2010

“You may reassign the license to a different device any number of times, but not more than one time every 90 days. If you reassign, that other device becomes the “licensed device.” If you retire the licensed device due to hardware failure, you may reassign the license sooner.”

Why? MS is also selling subscription-based packages now: Office 365 for Home allows users to install the software on up to five devices. On top of that, it is also available at no extra cost to all members of a household and it is possible to transfer licenses from one computer to another.

They’ll figure a way to disable Office 2013, or a way to track it. How? Who knows. I know I’m history for MS Office.

I’ve been using Libre Office, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone.

You can get it here: http://www.libreoffice.org/#0

Or, you can get Open Office here: http://www.openoffice.org/index1-passthru.html?utm_expid=57643286-7&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

But MS Office? As dead to me as Clippy.

When Computerworld asked MS about this issue:

“Via email, Computerworld asked Microsoft, "Once an Office 2013 retail license is assigned through activation to a PC, it's connected TO THAT PC, correct? Just as is Windows. That then means it cannot be reassigned to ANOTHER PC owned by the same individual, correct?"

The response from Microsoft's public relations firm was simply, "Correct."

 

Source:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9236818/Office_2013_retail_licensing_change_ties_suite_to_specific_PC_forever


Comments (Page 2)
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on Feb 18, 2013

I never store anything of my real important work in the cloud.

on Feb 18, 2013

such licenses are probably only valid in the U.S. and Australia.

Microsoft already said they will not enforce that nonsense in Germany. http://www.pcwelt.de/news/Office_2013_laesst_sich_auf_neuen_PC_uebertragen-Keine_Panik-7471674.html and no, that's not because they like Germans better.

on Feb 18, 2013

As harpo's post affirms, YMMV.

on Feb 18, 2013

Well, doesn't really matter as Office 2013 is a POS anyway. I mean, come on now, how many ways can you type a letter, or do a spreadsheet for cryin' out loud! Office 2013 is a total waste for the average home user.

on Feb 18, 2013

Ok so we have established that the ribbon comes with newer editions of office. Still my question is: what is the ribbon?

on Feb 18, 2013

It takes the place of the previous MenuBar and menus and sits across the top of the application window.  Different way of getting to the old places.  You should be able to google it & see what it looks like.

on Feb 18, 2013

Oh it looks like the Paint program in Windows 7? Kinda annoying.

on Feb 18, 2013

Not really.  It's 'hideable' as well.

on Feb 18, 2013

kona0197
Kinda annoying.
so true,so understated

harpo

on Feb 18, 2013

My first experience with Word 2007 went okay until I wanted to print.  Took me 20 minutes to figure out where they hid the print function.  Since then I've given the ribbon the middle finger and went back to Office 2003, then later Kingsoft Office.

on Feb 18, 2013

Not to be too redundant, but as I said...

on Feb 18, 2013

Once I got used to the ribbon I never looked back to the stone-age again.

on Feb 19, 2013

BernieTime
My first experience with Word 2007 went okay until I wanted to print.  Took me 20 minutes to figure out where they hid the print function.  Since then I've given the ribbon the middle finger and went back to Office 2003, then later Kingsoft Office.

 

Sorry for your inability to understand and utilize new software and features. 

The best thing about the new software with the ribbon was that all your old shortcuts still work.

Ctrl-P.

on Feb 19, 2013

I'm happy you enjoy the ribbon, but the point of my post is that revisions of software are supposed to be more intuitive and functional than previous versions.  The initial implementation of the Ribbon Bar was neither. I do IT work for a living and have no problem acclimating to new software apps.  

Sorry for your inability to understand and utilize new software and features.


As for your snarky post, there's a middle finger pointed in your general direction.  An here I thought Stardock forums were mostly Troll-free.

on Feb 19, 2013

Folks, I think the main point of this post was that MS Office 2013 is tied to one computer only.

The Ribbon and whether you like/understand it or not is not germane to the topic at hand. 

 

I generally let things go their own way as I don't wish to exert undue control. However, civility is the rule and personal attacks aren't going to be tolerated on my threads.

So, let's just take a deep breath, ease off and let it all roll off our backs like water off a duck's back. 

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