Discussions, summarized

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• Hacker News1Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac view-only conversionMicrosoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac will convert to view-only mode on July 13, 2026, when a license validation certificate expires. Users can open and view files but cannot edit or save them. This affects Mac, iPhone, and iPad versions, with no fix available for Office 2019. Microsoft originally promised the apps would "continue to function" after support ended in 2023, but later removed this assurance from their documentation.Alternatives to Microsoft Office:Users strongly advocate for LibreOffice as a free, open-source alternative that "just works" for most needs. Some mention OnlyOffice, Calligra, and Apple's iWork suite. Discussion includes compatibility issues with business file exchanges and specific limitations like Excel add-on dependencies.Legal implications and consumer rights:Multiple comments highlight potential violations of Australian consumer law, where products must remain fit for purpose. Users argue this practice shouldn't be legal as Office 2019 was marketed as a perpetual license, not a time-limited product.Microsoft's business model shift:Discussion centers on Microsoft's transition from selling products to extracting ongoing value through subscriptions and forced upgrades. Users express frustration with the broader trend of companies moving away from ownership models toward rental/subscription services.
• Reddit science1Using scented products indoors changes the chemistry of the air, producing as much air pollution as car exhaust does outside, according to a new study. Researchers say that breathing in these nanosized particles could have serious health implications.Using scented products indoors, such as flame-free candles and wax melts, can create significant indoor air pollution comparable to car exhaust. Research by Purdue University found these products release nanosized particles that can penetrate deep into lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, posing serious respiratory health risks.Misleading title scope:Discussion about how study only focused on wax melts but title suggests all scented products, with debate about whether findings could logically extend to other scented itemsHealth concerns from chemist:A chemist's perspective against using scented products leads to sharing of personal health impact stories, from COPD to cancer cases, and debate about necessity of artificial scentsAir purification solutions:Discussion of HEPA filters and other air purification methods as solutions, with debate about effectiveness against different types of pollutants like VOCs and nanoparticles
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