2007 Office / IE 7 - speed

[Lyle Fairfield]

Have you used these?

How's the speed?

My experience is that they are noticably slower than their
predecessors. Office 2007 is so cumbersome that I find that web
applications (eg the Google Calendar) can be just as fast; of course,
the web applications are free.

I am especially disappointed with Outlook 2007. It seems not to have
optimized IMAP connections and viewing tiny IMAP e-mails can take
minutes. And it still creates new folders for every minor interaction,
such as synching with a Palm.
MS-Access is also very slow; ADPs opened and used (not created) are
sluggish at best.

Of course, that's just one person and that person's computer needs
upgrading. I've been holding off until VISTA and 64 bits are
established. But it does run Thunderbird, Quattro Pro, Word Perfect etc
quite nicely.

Also, doubtless I will learn how to use the software more efficiently.

Regardless, will I ever pay for my trial version of Office 2007? I'm
not sure. I have to make up my mind by January 28. I'm mindful that the
less MS stuff one has the less IE 7 is needed, and IE 7 is a slow
monster indeed.

In thinking about leaving MS (as much as possible), MS-Access is the
sticking point. TTBOMK there is no good competing product.