iWork '09 Incompatibility Issue, Does it Matter?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/02/19/iwork.file.compatibility/' target='_blank'>http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/02....compatibility/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Apple has acknowledged file compatibility issues with the new iWork '09 software suite that was debuted at the Macworld Expo early in January. Users running iWork '08 will not be able to open files saved in the iWork '09 formats. The issue also applies to Numbers '08, Keynote '08 and Pages '08 documents that are opened and saved using iWork '09."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1235105766.usr105634.jpg" /></em></p><p>From my understanding, you create a file on iWork '09, and you cannot open it with the older version, &nbsp;iWork '08. However you can open files created with iWork '08 with iWork '09. I personally don't see this as that big of a problem. When I buy new software, I don't expect my older software to be able to open up the new and improved files I created on my newer version software. What is the point? &nbsp;If I want to open it, I should use the version it was created on, or am I off base here?</p><p>Apple instructs users to save their documents as iWork '08 files if they need compatibility with the older version so at least there is a work around available from within the iWork '09 program.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Perry Reed]

[QUOTE=Jeff Campbell;703105What is the point? &nbsp;If I want to open it, I should use the version it was created on, or am I off base here[/QUOTE]

What happens if you're using the old version and someone sends you a document created on the new version? Now you've got a bit of a problem, yes?

Unfortunately, you're playing right into the stereotype of Mac users who don't use their computers for anything productive, and certainly not in a work environment. :) In business, it's pretty common to exchange documents with one another and breaking compatibility is a no-no. That's why when Microsoft created their new document formats in Office 2007, they released a free plug-in for the Office 2003 applications that allows them to read the new formats. And of course, the new version can also read and write the old formats as well.

[Macguy59]

That's why when Microsoft created their new document formats in Office 2007, they released a free plug-in for the Office 2003 applications that allows them to read the new formats. And of course, the new version can also read and write the old formats as well.

Office 2007 was available Dec 2006. This plugin wasn't released until Nov 2007. At least that's what it looks like when I search on them. If accurate it could easily give the impression it was released for the very same reason you just slammed Apple for.

[Perry Reed]

Office 2007 was available Dec 2006. Wasn't this plugin delayed until Nov 2007 ? At least that's what it looks like when I search on them. If accurate it could easily give the impression it was released for the very same reason you just slammed Apple for.

I don't recall, honestly. It could be. However, Office 2007 had the ability to write 2003 files from the beginning; that much I do know.

[Jeff Campbell]

What happens if you're using the old version and someone sends you a document created on the new version? Now you've got a bit of a problem, yes?

Unfortunately, you're playing right into the stereotype of Mac users who don't use their computers for anything productive, and certainly not in a work environment. :)

I guess my point is that I create something with iWork '09 and some of the new features, I shouldn't expect my older software to display it like it looks in iWork '09 or what is the point of getting new software and all the new toys with it? If I want to share a document I create, and I know they have an older version, then I save it as the older version, and from what I understand you can still do that.

And I must say that I use my Mac for lots of productive things family and work related....which may be different than your definition of productive ....:)

[Macguy59]

I don't recall, honestly. It could be. However, Office 2007 had the ability to write 2003 files from the beginning; that much I do know.

iWork '09 can save files in iWork '08 format