Or, “When Things Fall Apart.” And boy can things fall apart when you install the SP2/12.2.0 upgrade to Office for Mac 2008. To begin with, unless you absolutely have to upgrade, it is definitely a good idea to wait. There are some serious issues here, which Microsoft will hopefully address soon—showstopper issues that can create significant headaches for Office users. Everybody got their dancing shoes on? Good, let’s begin the tango with a look at some of what this service pack contains.

Turns out surreptitious Microsoft updates are no longer a PC-only problem. Microsoft’s Genuine Advantage program is designed to check that copies of Windows as well as Windows-based software (mainly Office) are properly licensed. The stated goal of this program is to “… giv[e] you full capabilities, access to all the latest updates, and confidence that you are getting the experience you expect.” (Source: MS Genuine Advantage Program Information). Until now, the nagging, pop-up reminders, and reduced functionality that accompany pirated Windows software have been exclusive to the PC realm. Unfortunately, with Office 2008, this appears to have changed.

Here is the scenario…

As if all of the holiday season goodness hasn’t already been enough for you, Microsoft wants to make it better by offering a kind 50% off on the Special Media Edition of Mac Office 2008. Although this isn’t across the entire line of software that Microsoft offers for the Mac, it will help you save more »

On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled new updates to its Office 2004 and 2008 programs. Office 2004 version 11.5.0 adds an update to the Open XML File Converter, allowing for compatibility with the randomly changed file formats of Office 2007 for Windows and Office 2008 for Mac. Office 2008 12.1.1 offers improvements in Word and Excel, with more »

In what general manager of the Mac business unit Craig Eisler says is the “…biggest hiring initiative since the inception of MacBU eleven years ago,” Microsoft’s Mac BU is expanding. In a blog post on the “Mac Mojo” blog, Eisler wrote that the Mac BU is “…hard at work planning for products beyond Office 2008, and we are growing our team to help turn our vision into reality.” Whether he means yet-unannounced products or making Messenger for Mac just a little less of a joke remains to be seen, but they’ve got something up their sleeves.

Let’s figure out what after the break.

Apple released a new Get A Mac ad during American Idol last night. Now online, it’s title is “Office Stress.”

The synopsis: PC gives Mac a gift, saying that now that Office 2008 is available for the Mac, Mac should have the gift. Upon opening it, Mac is confused, and PC reveals that is a stress toy. He says that because Mac will be doing a lot more work now, he will need one. The fun gets started when PC gives examples of when one might be stressed: “Oh, Mac just got the latest version of Office [squeeze] Mac can do all the work stuff you can do [squeeze] I want to transfer all my files to Mac [squeezing hard]” As the iMac still comes on at the end of the commercial, we hear PC say “Give it a squeeze!” in an irritated voice, and a popping noise as the stress toy pops.

Ad video after the break.

Office 2008 just launched, but a update set of bug fixes are set for March 11. These updates are listed as “high-priority” issues that they’ve discovered. Why the Microsoft Macintosh Business Unit, MacBU didn’t test it vigorously enough to fix this before it was just released is a question I have, but as an Apple more »

This is part five of a five part series leading up to Macworld. Third Party and Keynote Predictions: Microsoft Office 2008: Microsoft Office 2008 packs a punch as the first Intel Native version of Microsoft Office. it also for the first time supports a Mac native interface that looks quite a bit like iWork (make more »

Microsoft has declared that Mac Office 2008 has gone gold, and they are manufacturing them as we type. On January 15th, 2008, just over a month away, Mac Office 2008 will go on sale retailing from $150 to the super-ultimate deluxe $500 version (aka the Special Media Edition). If you really want to save a more »