MouseTrax Computing Solutions

Office 2003 Launch

Read the entire transcripts from the launch, here.
Read more about the launch, here.
Office users weigh in on 2003, here.
See images from Office 2003, here.

What we (our group of MVPs) learned on this trip to NYC...

It would be really, really difficult to work on the WTC site, especially if you had friends who died there
Most Times Square hotel lobbies are not on the ground floor
The Meat Packing District is surprisingly large
I can still pull an all-nighter, if desired
Jamie is amazing (only reinforced; I did know this before)
I'm a whole lot more comfortable in New York than I realized
I still miss smoking, but less than I thought I would
Echo and I have some really odd things in common
Cowboys sing while naked in Time Square
Men we passed on the street found Dian worth a second look (though she probably didn't notice)
Some primarily seafood restaurants have awesome food; wasabi and pickled ginger are very good to eat
Sushi is bait in cognito
Always leave room in your suitcase for all the extra stuff you have to bring home from an MVP event
New Yorkers are really nice people who aren't bothered by much cos'
they've seen/experienced it all, plus some
Don't bother bringing a laptop to an MVP event cos' you'll never have time to use it
Bob is a very good tour guide - he knows all of the 'must see' sights
If you wait for a cab long enough, a limo will show up
Wear good walking shoes if Bob is the tour guide
Always ask the Concierge for directions and their recommendations for restaurants and such (I learned this one from Mike)
Bring your own lights if you are staying at the W.
The thicker style driver's license will give you a blister if you dance all night with it in your shoe
A NY ironworker name Dillon is a very nice guy
Don't encourage women you don't know to dance or you may get more than you bargained for
Water from the shower SOME HOW doesn't spray on the bathroom floor even when the shower door is only 1/2 covering the shower
When a 7 foot guy passes you on the streets of NYC, there's a good chance he's a famous basketball player..."Hey, that was Bill Walton!"
Susan Ramlet has more funny faces to make than a circus clown and she's a riot
If you put your room key in your shoe and dance all night it demagnetizes it and you have to get another one
Businesses in NYC recycle their buildings, i.e., an old theatre is now a McDonalds...an old hot dog stand is now a police station
You should take your driver's license out of your shoe and dry it off before arriving at the guest services desk or they'll give you a *really* funny look
A bottle of water cost more than the museum tour
People look weird when you film them in night vision
The $12 price for the museum is a suggested price only - you can get in for a penny if you really want to be cheap
Some people really *are* that cheap
NYC is the best place to buy lots of cheap souvenirs
The nice warm-fuzzy-looking blanket in the overhead compartment of the airplane more than likely is someone's coat.

Support> MVPs > Photo Gallery > Office 2003 Launch NYC

Office 2003 Launch, New York City, Oct 22, 2003

The latest version of Microsoft Office...the new Microsoft Office System 2003, launched in New York City on October 22, 2003.

Many of the top beta testing Microsoft MVPs were invited to NY to join in the festivities as a thank you for their work on the beta. The Office 2003 System is very stable...thanks to all those who worked hard finding problems prior to its launch.

Join us in this photo essay of the launch and NYC...

And if you're interested in reading more details, check out this TechTrax article with a full accounting:

Attending the Microsoft Office System 2003 Launch in New York City

	Dian arrives on Monday, 10/21, at her hotel, the "W", where all the MVPs are registered. Nice digs!
	Being a smoker, I'm on the back side of the hotel...so the view isn't the best. And the windows are filthy. Although maybe that is still from 9/11? No bother, I just pull the shade and get ready to meet my fellow MVPs for dinner.
	But not before I check out the bathroom. Again, nice digs!
	I head down to the lobby, on the 7th floor. It's dark. So without a flash, I turn on night vision which makes MVPs look EXTRA scary! The W is a nice hotel, but its decor consists of a lot of black. So it IS quite dark...bring a flashlight to get down the halls! Here we find our Publisher MVPs, David and Brian.
	FrontPage MVP, David and Office MVP Beth...chatting. Various other MVPs mingle...including Bob Buckland in the background.
	And peeking through Beth Melton and Dave Berry, we see our MVP head master...softie, Jamie Sloan.
	We pile outside and attempt to find cabs (right) to get to the restaurant in Uptown. Bob, from Office, greeting Brian from Publisher.
	Yup...NYC is alive at night! Although I guess they could use some lessons about where to park their cars!<smirk> (Note the car hanging out of the building.)
	Susan Ramlet obviously excited to be in the big city. Although Beth looks a bit concerned! <smirk>
	Susan...such a joy to be around...so much fun!
	The rest of the pack...Beth and Jamie.
	I don't know what Beth is saying, but when the dimple on her cheek deepens, you know she's talking some BS! <hee, hee>
	I won't even guess!
	Although Susan is obviously amused with Beth's ramblings.
	We finally make it to Ruby Foo's in Uptown. A Japanese Restaurant serving sushi and other Oriental dishes. Echo Swinford, PPT MVP, who lived in Japan for a time, is enjoying the bait, ahem...I mean sushi!
	Jamie addresses the group. Thanking us for our participation and hard work on the beta. We receive way cool crystal awards along with a personal thank you note from Steve Sinofsky...VP of Business Apps (Office). Very cool!
	Back to my room to prepare for the launch tomorrow. I can finally see NY from my windows now at night. We're right in Time Square.
	While the others sleep off last night, Susan and I hit the streets extra early in the AM to tour the city before it gets too wild.
	Ahhh yes, nothing like a beer at 6:30am! <g>
	I love this. NY doesn't rehab old buildings, it just uses what they have. So rather than losing this old theatre, just make it a McDonald's and keep the theatre marquee!
	Who says driving in NYC is difficult?
	It may be early, the the city is already quite alive.
	And you know those losers that stand outside the windows at Good Morning America, waving like idiots? Well...
	...Susan and I became part of them! <g>
	New York cops...quite friendly!
	And check out this Police Station. See what I mean about not changing things. Here we see a former fast food restaurant turned Police Station...Neon lights and all! <g>
	You never know what you'll find...like these cavemen promoting a new Nintendo game!
	Ahh, finally, we find the Millennium hotel.
	Yup, this is the place.
	I think they're following us?
	The Chrysler building in the background, one of Greg's favorites.
	And what's a big city without a bunch of construction guys gawking at the women going to work!
	Not sure the name of this little park, but it was pretty so we had to investigate.
	Nice spot amidst the hustle and bustle.
	We have a little time left, so we nose around the general vicinity and check out some cool buildings.
	And some little ones tucked between the big ones.
	Very cool.
	Sad these old theatres aren't used anymore, but very cool that the buildings are still here.
	And speaking of being here...Hello Susan!
	We get to our reserved tables for breakfast and find Bob (Bucky) Buckland. Showing Greg that he's taken Greg's cue about being the classy guy who wears a tie to a geek event! Nice job, Bob.
	There wasn't a table reserved specifically for "Office" MVPs...just each of the individual apps and servers. So Susan, Office MVP, improvises.
	Susan's ever present giggle!
	April, one of our MVP leads, attempting to take a photo of her FrontPage gang.
	Bucky pointing out that he still loves Word...even though he does more Office support these days.
	The Access gang.
	The happy, smiling FrontPage gang. <smirk>
	Maybe cos' they're still waiting for April to figure out that new fangled digital camera!
	Okay, so some of them do smile.
	John Marshall, Visio MVP, waving back there.
	More morning people, eh? John Marshall and Echo, PPT MVP.
	Ahh, gotta sneak up on them to get a smile.
	Some of the Outlook gang...Jessie Louise, Sue Mosher and Diane P.
	Beth visiting with Diane Poremsky and Vince from Outlook.
	April all smiles, guess she figured out that camera thing.
	One of the MVP head honchos, Tony Hynes...and a way cool guy.
	Ross Pfaff, long time Office MVP, and friend of Greg and Dian. Ross is from Buffalo where he's the Post Master.
	Beth checking out Dave Berry's photos.
	And the show begins. Jeff Raikes, MS VP, addresses the MVPs and the press regarding the launch...along with Louis Burns, VP for Intel and Jim ??, VP of Dell.
	Each makes a few comments about how they see their companies moving forward in conjunction with the new Office system.
	Jim explains how Dell saw the need for wireless communications years ago, so that now, all new Dell systems already have integrated wireless technology ready for the emerging future needs of the Information Worker.
	After the breakfast session, we have a little time before we head to the launch. Dian hits the streets in search of a few gifts for friends and a little sightseeing.
	Back to the launch. Here we see Mutt and Jeff...Umm, I mean, David and Brian...Publisher MVPs.
	The show begins...

	And what's a Microsoft launch without some fanfare!
	Enter Bill Gates...
	Bill leads the show explaining how the new, higher levels of communication integration in the new Office SYSTEM will help the Information Worker get through their daily workload much more efficiently.
	Some folks say MS doesn't listen. As an MVP, I can assure you that's not true. They do listen, but they do need to listen to so many people...and you can't please everyone. So they try to aim at the highest percentage of needs. And these days, it's definitely communications!
	400 Million people use Office every day. There are a lot of different needs...and Office 2003 was built to more efficiently integrate those needs.
	I've heard so many people say...well this app doesn't look much different! But what folks don't realize, is that it's the whole package! The better integration of all the office apps to provide users with a full solution. That includes the programs, but also the servers and services provided by that technology.
	Jeff returns to discuss how many companies are using the new Office system to create business solutions.

	Jeff introduces the CIO for Siemens, whose entire company has moved to this new system integration as a solution to save many man hours at their company.
	He explains how much money the company will be saving in worker production time by giving them all these new tools to make them more efficient.
	He explains the money the company will save by moving to the newer technology, putting their workers ahead of the curve of those companies still using older technology.
	And how quickly they will recover the costs of this new expense.
	Bill returns to discuss the benefits and stats of the Office 2003 system.


	And he presents some of the media comments on various apps from the system.


	OneNote is too cool, can't wait to get myself a Tablet PC so I can really take advantage of this technology!

	A Microsoft engineer comes out to demonstrate how a company can save tons of time and keep information flowing by using XML and shared document solutions within a company. This stuff is so cool! But it's so sad that so many companies won't bother taking advantage of all this fantastic new, time saving technology!

	And all the time and money saved by using technology rather than travel time.
	Now Bill demos his Tablet PC (man, I want one!) and how cool it is for taking notes with OneNote and integrating the information into the whole system.
	Rather than wasting time taking paper notes that have to be translated back into electronic media...you can take electronic notes thanks to the new Digital Ink technologies in Tablet PCs!
	A tap on a highlighted piece of info and you'll be taken to additional details about that highlighted info.
	How simple it can be to plan your schedule with both personal and business calendars integrated! I am amazed when I go train users and discover how many folks don't take advantage of the most elementary technical advances, like shared team calendars!<sigh>
	And as Bill shows how he can even track his sales on EBay, he displays his Clippy Sweatshirt that he's attempting to sell. <lol>
	Personally, I'm also amazed at how many folks don't bother to use the "send report" feature to Microsoft when an error occurs. Sheesh, if you want better technology, you do need to provide data. And what better way than to provide MS with the crash logs! Just do it!
	Bill also shows us some of the new commercials that will be hitting our TV. And also explains that more info on Office and its new technology can be found on their Great Moments web site: here.
	Turning the average office worker into the team hero! Fun stuff.

	Thank you! Bill departs amidst the applause. We shuffle to the vendor marketplace to get some grub and chat with MS Vendor/Partners. Then it's off to tour NYC...
	And what an interesting way to start!
	Beth Melton gets to meet the Naked Cowboy.
	She seems to be enjoying herself...
	Oh yeah...she's enjoying herself!
	Back to the visual assault that is NYC.
	Pretty cool...an electronic billboard for lost pets.
	And there's Dian in Time Square (note her waving in lower left of photo). Thanks to Beth Melton for this shot.
	A preview of what's to come to this street...soon.
	And just as I'm lamenting that I'd love to get a photo with some NY firefighters, they show up!
	Off to the subway to head to Ground Zero. Being from Chicago and having spent many hours on the Chicago "L" and subway, I don't see this as a novel idea. But I humor those from the small cities and we hit the NYC subway. And what's a subway without a mime!
	We wait for the R train.
	See...we're really in Time Square. I note this fact so I can find my way back.
	Unlike the Chicago subway, these rails separate the train tracks.
	Man, do we look like a bunch of tourist geeks or WHAT? Thankfully, our MVP lead, Mike Sampson (Mike is wearing a blue and yellow shirt...something to do with the Mac Office colors I think) has a map! Don't lose that guy!
	Echo, PPT MVP.
	Bucky taking a photo of Dian taking a photo of him. Yup...we're geek tourists!
	Beth takes advantage of the center pole to do a little dancing! <g> Steve Arbaugh (behind Beth) enjoying the show!<smirk>
	About a 15-20 minute ride, as we chat and catch up with each other. We arrive and walk up the stairs... ...and suddenly...
	...it hits you! We're here! The emotions hit you in the face like a rock! Suddenly you're standing in front of everything you've watched over and over on TV. It's an awesome and humbling feeling.
	Emotions and tears quickly overtake you as you realize the awesome destruction and how many were lost. Your mind relives the memories you have of those hours, days, weeks... ...and years to come! I couldn't help feeling the anger that was rising within me!
	And the emotion. That's what it's all about...the human spirit. New York, you have given the world one hell of a model to follow. I used to think NYers were cold and heartless. How very wrong I was!
	There's an incredible resolve and spirit you feel being here.
	And then we see the list. The Heros of September 11, 2001. Like the Viet Nam wall...those who were lost are listed.
	And I find the name of Vanessa Kolpak...the daughter of a friend of my family, as well as our family lawyer. My sister has been friends with Paul Kolpak for many years. Vanessa was Paul and Vivian Kolpak's baby, or "Butterfly" as they called her. She was 21 and had just gotten her first real paycheck from her first real job...after leaving the NW side of Chicago to live with her sister in NYC. She was on the 86th floor of # 2.
	The flag we saw so many signing after 9/11. Covered with badges of those who were lost, as well as those who worked here trying so hard to save others.
	Words can't explain what you feel.
	The firehouse across from the WTC. The first to respond and head up the WTC to battle the flames. ...all the firefighters from this company were lost.
	Several signs around the fencing tell a story of hope, resolve and spirit.
	And remembrance.
	Thanks to Mike Sampson for these additional photos from a different vantage point.

	One last, long, solemn look and we head back down into the subway.
	Where we meet "Dillon." A NYC IronWorker. I ask to shake his hand, but he apologizes that his hands are too dirty and he doesn't want to get me messy. I ignore his humble comments and take his hand. He tells us about working on Ground Zero after 9/11.

	You can see the pain he feels talking about pulling out the bodies of people he knew.
	He tells us how he planted a tree on his property in honor of the friends he lost. As a volunteer fire fighter, it was hard working on the site! Dillon rode the train with us for a bit and made sure Susan and I got off the train at our correct, respective spots. (Susan was heading to meet up with her bro.) Thank you Dillon...thank you New York.
	The original WTC bombing memorial sphere was reassembled as best as it could be and placed in Battery Park. Thanks to Bob Buckland and Mike Sampson for remembering and taking this photo! Hang in there NY!