Word Problems Multiply -- Redmondmag.com

Word Problems Multiply

By Doug Barney
04/16/2007

Microsoft Word can't win for losing these days. First, it has critics like me who, after two decades, still can't figure out how to use the software properly.

But more problematic are the holes that security experts keep finding. In April alone, a handful of vulnerabilities were found for Word, including a big one for Word 2007, the latest and greatest in a long line of Microsoft word processors.

By the way, do you love or hate the ribbon interface? Let us know at [email protected].

Dissing DNS
Windows Server's DNS has a vulnerability so severe that Microsoft rushed out a security bulletin that includes workarounds. A hacker could use the hole to run code as a local administrator, essentially taking total control of the system.

While this isn't great news, hats off to Microsoft for confronting the issue so aggressively!

Mac OS Can Be Late, Too!
I just saved $2,000. I was all set to buy a Mac laptop as soon as Leopard, the new OS, shipped this spring. Fortunately for my bank account, Leopard is being pushed back to this fall. It seems that Leopard developers are being switched over to the iPhone project so that it can stay on track to ship in June.

I wouldn't mind an iPhone, but $500 is a mite steep. What about you? Will you be lining up come June to pick up one of these little beauties? Let me know at [email protected].

Doug's Mailbag: Missing Manual Author Hits the Mark
Redmond Editor Ed Scannell, last Thursday's guest columnist for Redmond Report, recently wrote about a Q&A session with Daniel Pogue,
author of Windows Vista: The Missing Manual. One reader shares his thoughts:

I enjoyed the interview with Mr. Pogue and have to agree with him that if Microsoft ever produced a functional, well-documented product, most IT people won't have a job. Sometimes, I feel more like a doctor. I don't like the disease I'm treating but am grateful to have the job and the opportunity to serve mankind.
-Steve

Let us know what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].

About the Author

Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.

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