UNE digital media scholar Joe Habraken authors new guide to Microsoft Office 2013

Joe Habraken, University of New England associate professor of digital and new media, is the author of a new book, Microsoft Office 2013 in Depth, published by Que Publishing, an imprint of Pearson. 

Habraken's book looks at how Microsoft is attempting to position the Office application suite as both a collaborative environment for productivity and a software tool that can be used seamlessly across devices.

Habraken, who also wrote books on Microsoft Office 2003 and 2010, explains that Microsoft Office has evolved over many years and many versions. "As a computer-centric software suite, previous versions of Office supported the end-user user with minimal options for direct collaboration with other users. Office 2013 fully embraces cloud computing allowing users to collaborate with colleagues in real time."

He notes that Office 2013 is also available on smart phones and tablets running the Windows 8 RT platform. This allows Office users to access Office files saved to the cloud from different devices. Microsoft's new subscription plans for the Microsoft Office suite also make it easy for a user to install the software on multiple devices.

"Whether Microsoft's push to 'modernize' Office 2013 will succeed," Habraken says, "will depend on whether or not smart device users are willing to face the complexity of the Office application interface on smaller touch screens."

Microsoft Office 2013 in Depth is both a reference and practical desk-side resource, a beyond-the-basics, beneath-the-surface guide for users who want to maximize their productivity.

Habraken uses a task-based approach that introduces features within the context of how they are used in the real world. Throughout, he illuminates the most valuable new features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher.

The book presents breakthrough techniques, exclusive shortcuts, quick access to information, troubleshooting help for tough problems, and real-world examples.

Joe Habraken

Habraken, an associate professor in UNE's Department of Arts and Communications, has written a number of books focusing on software application best practices and end-user productivity.

His research and scholarship relate to the study of information technology and how it affects human communication and learning. This work includes both digital media creation and delivery including interactive video and 3D motion graphics; and data communications including new media delivery via Web server platforms including Microsoft network operating system infrastructures.