Office 2008 for Mac - the New Wonder

Well, just recently, I was asked by someone if I could help them with some powerpoint and excel files they needed for an MBA class. As I am the supposed computer guru (having continuous experience in that business from the early 70s) I am always anxious to solve easy problems.

This person has a MAC. Now I don't have anything bad to say about Apple, or Macs. They also have a Linux box. Which has open office, which doesn't work for a couple of the files (because they were saved with MSFTs most advanced and arcane features!).

So you would think office for the Mac would do the trick. This person went out and bought Office 2008, opened the box and tried to install it. Guess what. Their version of OS 9 was not compatible with office 2008. So I look into seeing about the cost of the OS upgrade for the Mac. Then we look at the fine print on office 2008. Turns out they DO NOT SUPPORT VB MACROS IN EXCEL in Office 2008 for the Mac.

Whhaat is Microsoft Saying Here??

1) Well screw you Apple User, for trying to use Microsoft Software. We supported it in 2004 but since nobody in business would ever be Mac user you obviously don't need that. Or nobody would ever exchange files with the Mac guy

2) Well if we screw this guy one more time he will dump his Mac and give up and buy windows.

3) Well screw him regardless. After all he's on a Mac and we have to screw him to punish him and make him angry. He will go to his office party and his co-workers will laugh at him. Besides we are pissed at their asinine hipster vs. nerd advertising.

The official word is that it would have been too hard to do VB compatibility?

I pick 3.

One more reason for us all to dump Microsoft and use open office. Even if it is slow, even if it does suck. Because we are willing to punish ourselves just on principle. (well you go first)

How they could fix it?
DUH. They did this on purpose. Why are they going to fix it. Unless people get pissed. I wonder if there could ever be enough pissed off Mac users to make them fix it. Lets wait and see.