For the second half of the semester, we have prepared another autumn news in Microsoft Office 365 applications. This time we will introduce how to collaborate in Whiteboard better, what functions the new Stream has, and why Office 365 will no longer be called Office.
Two practical innovations have appeared in the Whiteboard application. It is now possible to collaborate live, i.e., with others in the team in Whiteboard's environment, even during a call. It is thus an ideal tool (not only) for brainstorming and various initial drafts and sketches. In the case of simultaneous cooperation, we recommend turning on the cooperation cursors for greater clarity. This makes it easier to see where someone is and what is he/she working on.
The second novelty is that it is possible to insert videos, web pages, or online files into the Whiteboard. It comes in handy in situations where you want to share a video, page, or image with others about the topic you're currently working on. Supported video sources include Stream, YouTube, Vimeo, Slideshare, and more.
In terms of functionality, nothing changes for users; you can always find your favorite applications in the same place. The reason behind the name change is the shift from the original office suite installed on the computer to cloud services, which no longer include only traditional Outlook, Word, Excel, or Powerpoint but also several other applications. The name change will first be reflected in the web interface at o365.muni.cz, and at the beginning of next year in desktop and mobile applications.
The new version of Stream replaces the older version (renamed Stream Classic), which is slowly getting ready for application retirement. Videos are newly hosted on Sharepoint, and Stream serves as a player, adding some useful features. What can the new Stream do?
If you are tired of writing emails, try dictating them in the desktop version of Outlook. Although the Czech language is only available in test mode so far, voice recognition works well, including punctuation. If you're writing official emails, you might find helpful the sensitive phrase filter to add asterisks to rude words :) Transcription is online, so you need a stable internet connection and a microphone. If you don't see the microphone icon and the "Dictate" button in the desktop version of Outlook, make sure you're signed in with your school account and have the latest version of the app. Windows 10 or higher operating system is also required.
As of 1 August 2024, the ESRI ArcGIS Desktop licence, which was previously available to all MU employees and students, will no longer be available at Masaryk University. As an alternative, we recommend switching to the more modern ArcGIS Pro, which offers a modern user interface, greater stability, more advanced features and better user support.
Do you want to know the news about Microsoft 365 tools used at the university? What changes and improvements await us in 2024? We have prepared a webinar for you, where we will not only summarize all the current information, but also look at tips on how to work (together) more securely and efficiently in Microsoft 365.
