productivity suite Archives

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Readers name Windows 2000 Server peak Microsoft

Microsoft's 50th anniversary has sparked nostalgia among its community, particularly for Windows Server 2000, which is viewed as a high point in the company's history. Readers fondly remember Windows NT and acknowledge Windows 2000 Server for its robust capabilities. While Windows XP and Windows 7 received positive feedback, Windows 8 and its successors were less well-received due to their design choices. The handling of Windows Phone post-Nokia acquisition is seen as a significant misstep. Despite criticisms regarding software pricing and code quality, the Office suite remains valued. Microsoft's shift to cloud computing is noted as a strategic achievement, and the company has shown resilience in facing legal challenges. The community sentiment suggests that Microsoft's most celebrated days may be behind it, with future success dependent on the next generation of IT professionals and their views on the company's focus on artificial intelligence.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

How have 50 years of Microsoft been for you?

Microsoft is approaching its 50th anniversary, marked by significant milestones in personal computing and enterprise solutions. Key achievements include the introduction of Windows 3.0 and 3.1, while notable missteps include Microsoft Bob, Windows 8, the underperformance of Windows Mobile and Windows Phone, and the acquisition of Nokia. Microsoft's productivity suite remains strong despite competition from Google. The company gained popularity with its dialect of BASIC and has made strategic investments in cloud technology and artificial intelligence, including the acquisitions of GitHub and LinkedIn. However, it faced challenges with Internet Explorer losing ground to Google's Chrome and the failure of the Zune to compete with the iPod. Windows Vista is also noted as a less successful product.

Winsage

March 12, 2025

4 reasons PowerToys Run is the best Spotlight alternative for Windows users

PowerToys is a suite of productivity tools for Windows users, featuring PowerToys Run, which serves as an alternative to macOS's Spotlight. PowerToys Run allows users to launch applications and search for files quickly and efficiently, with built-in plug-ins for searching the Windows registry, executing terminal commands, converting units, performing calculations, creating timestamps, and conducting web searches. It offers high customization options, enabling users to adjust settings for an optimized search experience. Additionally, it supports third-party extensions for enhanced functionality, such as browser history searches and direct queries to ChatGPT. The entire PowerToys suite includes other tools like FancyZones for window management and PowerRename for file renaming, contributing to improved workflow efficiency.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

I told Windows Notepad’s new AI to turn Nvidia’s fail into poetry

Microsoft has introduced AI-powered rewrite capabilities in Notepad, now available to all users after testing. This feature, accessible via a "magic pen" icon for Microsoft 365 subscribers, allows users to refine and transform existing text rather than generate new content. Users can copy and paste text into Notepad, highlight it, and request rewrites in various styles, including simplification, length alteration, and tone changes. The feature also offers formatting options such as lists, business memos, academic pieces, marketing content, or poems. A settings menu allows users to disable the Rewrite function, and using it consumes AI credits from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Performance may vary, with some builds providing only cosmetic edits, while stable versions have received positive feedback for effectively simplifying complex articles.

Winsage

February 9, 2025

Microsoft Office Pro for Windows Is on Sale for A$96 Right Now

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows is currently available for A, reduced from its regular price of A2, with the promotion running until February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The suite includes applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, designed for installation on a single computer. It requires a one-time payment and does not involve ongoing fees. Minimum system requirements are Windows 10 or 11, 1GB RAM, and 4GB hard disk space. The software is available as a one-time download with essential security and basic updates. The offer is available through StackSocial, and pricing may change.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

5 Docker containers you should be using on your Windows 11 PC

Linux distributions are effective for self-hosting and containerization, allowing users to run containers on Windows 11 after setting up WSL2 and Docker Desktop. Notable self-hosted services include: - Penpot: A free, SVG-based design tool that offers vector image editing and prototyping capabilities, supporting SVG, CSS, and HTML. - Nextcloud: A self-hosted cloud storage solution that ensures data privacy and offers features like file synchronization, mobile apps, and collaboration tools. - Joplin: A note-taking application with markdown support and tagging, allowing users to self-host their own server for syncing notes without privacy concerns. - LibreOffice: A free alternative to Microsoft Office that supports various file formats and can be containerized for optimal performance. - Linux Distros: Users can run full Linux operating systems in lightweight containers, with popular options including Ubuntu and Alpine Linux, and even macOS in Docker containers. Additional Docker images for enhancing home networks and workflows include WireGuard, NetAlertX, Pi-Hole, Immich, Calibre-web, Jellyfin, Gitea, Code Server, and Nginx.

Winsage

December 9, 2024

Microsoft flags Outlook issue in Windows 11 24H2

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue affecting users of Windows 11 24H2, specifically impacting Outlook functionality for those using Google Workspace Sync. Users may experience Outlook failing to launch, and attempts to uninstall or reinstall Google Workspace Sync may be unsuccessful, often resulting in an error message related to MAPI. The latest version of Google Workspace Sync (4.3.68.0) resolves this issue, but until users install this update, a compatibility hold will prevent the rollout of Windows 11 24H2. Users still facing the hold after 48 hours of updating should contact Google Workspace Support. Additionally, Microsoft plans to transition from Outlook Classic to the new Outlook for Microsoft 365 Enterprise users starting in April 2026. This new version will feature modern capabilities and customizable options while allowing users to revert to the Classic version if needed. The transition will primarily affect Microsoft 365 Enterprise licensees, with at least 12 months' notice provided for any changes. The shift does not apply to perpetual licenses or on-premises accounts.

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for just $32.97

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This version includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and OneNote. It is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 and is a one-time purchase, eliminating ongoing subscription fees. Documents created in Office 2019 are compatible with Office 365 and Office 2021.

Winsage

November 16, 2024

Should you get this $27 version of MS Office instead of the new one?

Microsoft Office 2019 is available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This offer is valid until November 21 and includes a lifetime license with no recurring fees. The suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. The latest Microsoft Office 2024 version costs 9.99 and includes only five applications, with Outlook available separately for an additional . Office 2019 is a more economical choice compared to Microsoft 365, which requires ongoing payments. Interested buyers can download Office 2019 for .97 until November 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with no coupon necessary, while supplies last.

Winsage

October 2, 2024

Microsoft’s No-Subscription Office 2024 and Windows 11 Update Are Out Now

Microsoft has released two versions of Office 2024 for Windows PCs and Macs: Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business. These versions include applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook (in the Home & Business edition). They are "Locked-in" versions, meaning no annual subscription to Microsoft 365 is required, with pricing set at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Microsoft has unveiled two distinct versions of Office 2024, tailored for Windows PCs and Macs. This latest iteration of its renowned productivity suite encompasses essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and, notably in the Home & Business edition, Outlook. These offerings are classified as "Locked-in" versions, meaning they do not necessitate an annual subscription to Microsoft 365, with pricing set at 0 for Office Home 2024 and 0 for Office Home & Business. Key Features and Enhancements The Home & Business version not only includes Outlook but also comes with a commercial use license, as highlighted by Microsoft. Office 2024 is designed to be compatible with both Windows 10 and 11, as well as the last three iterations of macOS. This launch coincides with a notable update to Windows 11, known as 24H2, which introduces a range of enhancements including: Support for Wi-Fi 7 New features for Phone Link Visualizations in File Explorer Support for advanced hearing aids A new energy saver mode Innovative Copilot AI features This update also allows users to reverse the scroll direction on their mouse and includes Sudo, a tool aimed at developers. However, it does remove several applications, including Windows Mixed Reality, Tips, and WordPad. For those transitioning from Office 2021, several enhancements in Office 2024 stand out: Enhanced Performance: Excel boasts improved speed, even when multiple workbooks are open, along with a new feature that allows images to be inserted without altering their format. Revamped Outlook: The search functionality has been overhauled, now featuring an accessibility checker. Fresh Aesthetic: A new default theme embraces fluent design principles. OpenDocument Support: Compatibility with ODF 1.4 is now included. Android Integration: Users can directly insert photos into documents from their Android devices. Document Comments: Comments can now receive a thumbs-up, although a thumbs-down option is notably absent. PowerPoint Innovations: Users can embed live camera feeds, create videos, and add closed captioning to audio and video presentations. Auto-Recovery Feature: Word documents can now be automatically recovered if the software closes unexpectedly before saving. Both the Home and Home & Business editions are designed for installation on a single Mac or PC and do not include Publisher and Access, which are available exclusively through a Microsoft 365 subscription. The Microsoft 365 offerings are priced at annually for the Personal edition and 0 for the Family edition, accommodating up to five devices simultaneously, with the Family plan extending usage to six individuals. Notably, these subscription plans include cloud storage, a feature absent in the stand-alone Office 2024 versions." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] for both editions. Office 2024 is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 11, and the last three versions of macOS. Key enhancements include improved performance in Excel, a revamped Outlook with better search functionality, a new default theme, OpenDocument support, Android integration, document comments with thumbs-up reactions, PowerPoint innovations, and an auto-recovery feature in Word. The editions are for installation on a single Mac or PC and do not include Publisher and Access, which require a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft 365 subscription plans are priced at .99 annually for the Personal edition and .99 for the Family edition, which supports up to six users and includes cloud storage.