Office, built around you:
Just sign in to Office, and documents, preferences, and other settings follow you across your PC, tablet, phone, or the web. So anytime, anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off. (Microsoft, 2014)
Microsoft Office
Microsoft
Floyd Brooks
Microsoft Office 2013 is a slimmed-down version of the Office Suite of software that we are accustomed to seeing. However, there are a few features that the modern user may find appealing, such as the ability to easily take screenshots and insert video files into Office documents. Also, with added integration of Microsoft ObeDrive, you can easily share files, thus improving collaboration and portability.
Microsoft Office 2013 is the new and improved version of Microsoft Office. Office 2013 works, or synchronizes, with Microsoft’s One Drive. One Drive is basically Microsoft’s attempt to stave off competition from Google and their continued approach towards more cloud-based offerings. Therefore, think about OneDrive as Microsoft's answer to Google Drive.
Key Features
Cloud-Based Approach
By signing in to OneDrive using your Microsoft account credentials, instantly you will have access to your files in the cloud. Therefore, you can access your files across multiple devices and platforms. Microsoft Office comes packaged with Microsoft Office, Publisher, and OneNote. According to Microsoft, with OneDrive: get to your Office documents anywhere, share with anyone who has OneDrive, and access Microsoft's suite of products that includes Excel Online, OneNote 2013 Online, Word Online, and PowerPoint Online.
Pros
1- Applications
You can now create word clouds directly from highlighted texts in Microsoft Word. This is HUGE; who does not like word clouds? They are immensely popular right now. You can add the applications that you need by simply clicking insert and selecting the apps that you would like to use. Currently, there is not a large selection of applications. However, there are free, and a few premium, applications. Microsoft still is a long way away from where established players in the app business are, such as Google.
2- New Insert Options
There are now more dynamic media options such as screenshots and video files. Screenshots can be inserted directly into Office programs from browser windows that are currently open. You can now insert videos and pictures from Bing and Google's YouTube video services, as well as other sites, via their videos' embed codes. You may have heard in the news that clipart is dead. There is still access to clipart, but it is no longer front and center. Images can also be inserted from Facebook and Flickr. You can even insert other documents into Word and other Office files.
3- Application Uniformity
One cannot help but realize how similar all of the applications are. This makes it a lot easier for users to master the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. In addition, you will realize that the online version is just a slimmed down version of the desktop application with some of the awesomeness reserved for the desktop versions. It makes sense for Microsoft to do that. They have to create an incentive for users to buy the desktop version.
Cons
1- Limited Incentives to Upgrade
The upgrades are great, however, for the added cost of upgrade, I am not sure whether or not it is worth the price. If you already have Office installed on your computer, I would not suggest that you make the investment.
2-Authentication Limitations
I think that it is a big mistake that Microsoft does not allow users to sign into OneDrive using email and social media accounts that they already own. Instead, you have to sign up for a Microsoft email based address to gain access to OneDrive.
3-Limited License
You may have noticed that most software publishers are moving towards a monthly price model. Microsoft is not fully there as yet, but they are slowly weaning us in that direction. However, with the current license structure you are limited to one license per device. This has caused Microsoft to receive a lot of flack from users. As a result, Microsoft had to issue an update to terms and service of Office 2013.
Thank you for your feedback and sorry for the inconvenience. Effective immediately, we have changed the licensing terms to allow you to transfer the software from one computer to another. We made this decision based on your feedback and the feedback of other customers who asked for additional flexibility in this area. For more information, please visit
4-Competition
Let's face it: Microsoft has a lot of competition. Therefore, they need to create more compelling reasons for users to want to upgrade. More and more people are being exposed to free alternatives to Microsoft Office, such as OpenOffice, Libre Office, Google, and the list goes on and on.
Overall
Microsoft Office 2013 is amazing! There is nothing out there right now that improves the efficiency that is available here in a single interface. However, if you have a previous version of Office, you may be in for a little disappointment.