Friday, 15 September 2006

Microsoft Releases Technical Refresh of Office 2007 Beta 2

Microsoft has unveiled the Beta 2 Technical Refresh (B2TR) build of Office 2007 (build 4407.1005). This is the last Office 2007 build before the final release sometime next year.

This new update will cost USD 1.50 for newcomers to the beta program. Microsoft won't be charging for this technical refresh though. Existing users should note that earlier builds of Beta 2 could be updated with a simple patch. Barring use of the patch, B2TR will require a fresh installation.

The company cites download demand in excess of three million in the two months since the beta 2 was made available and describes the decision to charge for further downloads as a 'cost recovery measure'. "This is the first time Microsoft has charged for an Office beta, and it's not something that is planned for on a repeat basis," a spokesperson said.

Although Microsoft's Information Worker Product Management Group decided to initiate a fee for new users of Beta 2, the 'technical refresh', or update, for current users of the software will remain free, the representative said. Those who want to test drive Beta 2 to see how it works can access the software for free. But if they want to test it against their internal systems, a download or the CD is required.

However, for those looking to test how the client and server systems behave within their own networks, a local installation is required. Beta 2 can be anything up to 2GB in size for the client version depending on which components are selected, and the server versions can exceed 1GB in size.

Microsoft has said that the decision to charge is not a blueprint for things to come and that there are no plans to introduce paid-for betas across the board.
Microsoft's Jensen Harris, who is involved with the Office interface, said the Beta 2 Technical Refresh brings the following user interface improvements:

• Improved support for the minimised Ribbon
• Visual redesign of the 'Northwest' corner of the programs
• Double-click the Office Button to close the window
• Silver colour scheme
• Redesign of the PowerPoint Home tab
• Improvements to default styles for all objects
• Quick Customise Menu
• New product icons
• Usability improvements to the Office menu
• Send button in the form in Outlook
• Over 1000 changes to the content of the Ribbon