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MS finding new ways to make folks hate them: Office 2013 license tied to one computer only.

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MS finding new ways to make folks hate them: Office 2013 license tied to one computer only.

from JoeUser Forums

 

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

77,546 views 37 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top

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

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting BernieTime, reply 25
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.
End of BernieTime's quote

 

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.

Reply #29 from Elemental Forums Top

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.
End of quote


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.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

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. 

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting BernieTime, reply 29
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.  
End of BernieTime's quote

That's not what I said, and not what you said either.

The original ribbon was crap.  You couldn't customize it at all (now you can).  You had to use the shortcut bar.  Stupid when you could previously customize everything, and I'm glad they've fixed that now.

The fact that an IT professional took 20 minutes to press Ctrl-P and/or check the help file makes me sad.   I'm guessing you've exaggerated for effect. 

The thing is, it was only less intuitive to people who used the 2003 version.  It was more intuitive to new users of Microsoft products.  It was nice to see Microsoft at least trying to innovate, but they got it wrong to start, and it's pretty nice in the 2010 suite.

Reply #32 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lavo_2, reply 8
I'm one of those rare few who holds on to his MS Office 2003. I like it, for whatever reason, and I can't stand Ribbon, though I hear in 2010+ you can entirely disable it (or nearly so).
End of Lavo_2's quote

I'm right there with you. Don't mind how they've repositioned many of the icons. That I can get used to. I just Hate the ribbon. Always will. Takes up way too much real-estate. Also really dislike how the ribbon is locked and you can't edit the icon sizes, or position of the items for customization.

Microsoft is just trying to alienate customers. Their loss.

 

 

Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting GFireflyE, reply 32
I just Hate the ribbon. Always will. Takes up way too much real-estate. Also really dislike how the ribbon is locked and you can't edit the icon sizes, or position of the items for customization.
End of GFireflyE's quote

FWIW, those issues were addressed in 2010 (at least).  The ribbon can be set to auto-hide and a short-cut bar can be easily created for direct access to commonly used functions/commands.  And the keyboard shortcuts are virtually the same.

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting BernieTime, reply 29
An here I thought Stardock forums were mostly Troll-free.
End of BernieTime's quote

...and they mostly are.

I have a whole swag of troll scalps....I'm a veritable Grimm...;)

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

“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.”
End of quote

I've managed on two occasions to transfer an OS licence to another computer...not a hardware ID variation...a whole new machine.

OK, so it took a quick phonecall to a nice helpful lady in India but its doable, and I expect the same would apply to Office 13....;)

I have 13 on the Laptop running in 8 ...but haven't messed with it much as yet..as my prime machine is happy with 7.

Even Terry's ahead of me with 10.

Good old Technet means I'm not stuck with just the one thing, anyway...;)

Reply #36 from Sins Forums Top

I have gotten used to the ribbon, but it sure took awhile after DeVry switched to 7 and I got to consistently use it. I still don't know what to think of 8, and I am sure not in hurry to use it. If I ever get a new computer, I would get 7 since its close enough to XP, hell, I still use XP on a daily basis.

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 35
I expect the same would apply to Office 13....
End of Jafo's quote

Hope you succeed in an end run around this idiocy, Paul. If not, there's always Technet.