The 2007 ribbon BLOWS

[Allie]

I thought I'd see more threads about this, but I haven't. I just want
to say this: the 2007 ribbon BLOWS. It is an ok idea *horribly*
implemented. Instead of saving users clicks, it makes us go through at
least one more click-and-search process to do what we want - usually
even more than that. The added clicks get old *very* quickly, when one
has alot of editing to do. Open Office is looking better by the minute.

It's not that I'm bitter that I have to learn something else. It's that
the something else makes life *more* difficult. If you're going to add
what you think is a better tool for beginners (which it isn't), at least
leave the option to keep the more efficient alternative around.

Microsoft: BOO. BOO boo boo. Bad job, guys. You've made things worse.
Bring back at least the option for the classic toolbars, where we could
see and get to most anything very rapidly.

(and before anyone says it, the classic toolbar plugin doesn't do the
job - you can't customize it)

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I guess you haven't read anything over the past two and a half years about
the ribbon. Plus when Office 2010 is released in a few months, you aren't
going to be happy.

 

[Allie]

Perhaps I *have* had my head in the sand, but a quick search on this
list didn't reveal any messages with "ribbon" in the subject line.

Anyway - I assume, by your tone, that 2010 will keep/expand the ribbon.
Are there users giving positive reviews of the ribbon in focus groups
or something? Who *are* these users that like it? Ugh.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Without knowing how you are accessing this newsgroup, I can't help you. Did
you try looking for any other search terms (interface, for example) or look
in the messages instead just the subject lines, you would have seen that you
are not alone.

Yes, the ribbon is staying. Search the web and you will find sites reviewing
the new version. As for people who like it, many do. I hated it at first and
didn't hide that fact. But I used it and am accustomed to it now. My
employer (a multi-national company) will be upgrading to it later this
month. I'm ready to rock. (And I'm rolling my eyes because it took them so
long to "test" it.)

You have several options: Get used to the ribbon, use old Office software,
or change software and learn something new after all. All of those options
mean you will have to change in some way. Be aware though that if you work
outside of the home, you just may find yourself working with the ribbon at
some point. If you continue to resist learning something new, you may find
yourself out of work. If you are fortunate enough to work at home with your
own equipment, then you can do whatever works for you. If you don't have to
work for a living..........well, then I'm pea green with envy.

 

[Echo S]

To add to what JoAnn's explained, it also seems that power users are the
ones who really dislike the ribbon. Casual users prefer it.

I'm a PowerPoint power-user, and there the ribbon slows me down. I am even
more slow when I've been working some in 2003 and some in 2007 -- the back
and forth is rough in *both* programs. When I spend time in one or the
other, my speed increases in that version.

I'm a casual Word user, and I actually prefer the ribbon there. I use Word
2007 almost always, because I'm just doing basic stuff in it and I find it
easier for the "just basic stuff."

The good news is, Office 2010 will allow us to customize the ribbon. I think
that will make a tremendous difference to my productivity.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

Without knowing how you are accessing this newsgroup, I can't help you.
Did you try looking for any other search terms (interface, for example) or
look in the messages instead just the subject lines, you would have seen
that you are not alone.

Yes, the ribbon is staying. Search the web and you will find sites
reviewing the new version. As for people who like it, many do. I hated it
at first and didn't hide that fact. But I used it and am accustomed to it
now. My employer (a multi-national company) will be upgrading to it later
this month. I'm ready to rock. (And I'm rolling my eyes because it took
them so long to "test" it.)

You have several options: Get used to the ribbon, use old Office software,
or change software and learn something new after all. All of those options
mean you will have to change in some way. Be aware though that if you work
outside of the home, you just may find yourself working with the ribbon at
some point. If you continue to resist learning something new, you may find
yourself out of work. If you are fortunate enough to work at home with
your own equipment, then you can do whatever works for you. If you don't
have to work for a living..........well, then I'm pea green with envy.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

Perhaps I *have* had my head in the sand, but a quick search on this
list didn't reveal any messages with "ribbon" in the subject line.

Anyway - I assume, by your tone, that 2010 will keep/expand the ribbon.
Are there users giving positive reviews of the ribbon in focus groups
or something? Who *are* these users that like it? Ugh.

 

[Gordon]

To add to what JoAnn's explained, it also seems that power users are the
ones who really dislike the ribbon. Casual users prefer it.

There's no such thing as an Office "Power" user. Either you are an
"ordinary" user or an "advanced" user....

 

[Daddy]

I like to imagine that I am a 'power user' and I love the ribbon. It's much more convenient than menus. In fact, the ribbon is the only thing about Office 2007 that I love...but that's another story.

I think the OP had better get used to the ribbon menu, because it's showing up in more and more third-party software. It's in Windows 7, too.

I'm always surprised when people write with such religious indignation about the ribbon. Fact is, most people deal with many types of menu systems in the different programs they use. And Microsoft is hardly the first to use a ribbon menu - they've been around for years.

I think there are some folks who just don't take well change.

Daddy

To add to what JoAnn's explained, it also seems that power users are the
ones who really dislike the ribbon. Casual users prefer it.

I'm a PowerPoint power-user, and there the ribbon slows me down. I am even
more slow when I've been working some in 2003 and some in 2007 -- the back
and forth is rough in *both* programs. When I spend time in one or the
other, my speed increases in that version.

I'm a casual Word user, and I actually prefer the ribbon there. I use Word
2007 almost always, because I'm just doing basic stuff in it and I find it
easier for the "just basic stuff."

The good news is, Office 2010 will allow us to customize the ribbon. I think
that will make a tremendous difference to my productivity.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

Without knowing how you are accessing this newsgroup, I can't help you.
Did you try looking for any other search terms (interface, for example) or
look in the messages instead just the subject lines, you would have seen
that you are not alone.

Yes, the ribbon is staying. Search the web and you will find sites
reviewing the new version. As for people who like it, many do. I hated it
at first and didn't hide that fact. But I used it and am accustomed to it
now. My employer (a multi-national company) will be upgrading to it later
this month. I'm ready to rock. (And I'm rolling my eyes because it took
them so long to "test" it.)

You have several options: Get used to the ribbon, use old Office software,
or change software and learn something new after all. All of those options
mean you will have to change in some way. Be aware though that if you work
outside of the home, you just may find yourself working with the ribbon at
some point. If you continue to resist learning something new, you may find
yourself out of work. If you are fortunate enough to work at home with
your own equipment, then you can do whatever works for you. If you don't
have to work for a living..........well, then I'm pea green with envy.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

Perhaps I *have* had my head in the sand, but a quick search on this
list didn't reveal any messages with "ribbon" in the subject line.

Anyway - I assume, by your tone, that 2010 will keep/expand the ribbon.
Are there users giving positive reviews of the ribbon in focus groups
or something? Who *are* these users that like it? Ugh.

On 10/16/2009 6:30 PM, JoAnn Paules wrote:
I guess you haven't read anything over the past two and a half years
about the ribbon. Plus when Office 2010 is released in a few months, you
aren't going to be happy.

 

[Gary R.]

You have several options: Get used to the ribbon, use old Office software,
or change software and learn something new after all. All of those options
mean you will have to change in some way. Be aware though that if you work
outside of the home, you just may find yourself working with the ribbon at
some point. If you continue to resist learning something new, you may find
yourself out of work.

You certainly do seem to have an attitude about this, reading your responses
to this thread. Not everyone has the time, or wants to waste it, keeping
"up" on the status of who likes the ribbon and what can be done about it.
The Office 2007 interface may be more versatile if you're a fan and eager to
learn all the fun stuff you can do, but if you just want to use it, it's a
kludge. Awkward to find anything that should be just easily and
instinctively available.

Example: I needed to type a quick letter on a new laptop with 2007
installed. Tried to type in a name and address line at the top like I've
always done, and it added line spaces that made it look ridiculous. I had
to use the online help and watch a video to have the thing use single
spacing, because I'd wasted my time looking all over that silly
toolbar/ribbon for some simple solution, which is there but buried.

I've used Office 95, 2000, 2003, and now, unfortunately 2007 (don't say just
skip the upgrading; it comes on new computers, others' computers, and writes
in a format that older versions can't open without you having to do extra
research and work to find out how). At least you could get rid of the
"cute" Office Assistant if you didn't like being nagged about things you had
no desire to do, but that 'ribbon' bar is ridiculous. I've seldom ever even
had to look at any of the help files to do basic operations through all the
versions up until 2007, now even the simple stuff takes time to figure out.
And, of course, those who are fans and eagerly await the new version of
Office have no idea what it's like to just want to use the thing without
having to waste your time learning to do the things you already knew how to
do.

I guess it all comes down to convincing people they need to buy something to
replace what already does way more than 95% of us need, so it can look
'cooler' or we can learn some silly new way of accomplishing the same thing.
Don't let the MVP go to your head...people usually come here if they're
having problems, and it's the job of the software company to make an
intuitive and easy to use application, not the job of the user to waste
his/her time educating themselves on, and researching all the "new
innovations" they don't need anyway. You're presumably here because you
really like Office, and more likely to eagerly lap up whatever they give
you; we're not.

A simple menu item to return a simple 2000/2003-type interface would have
been a good solution, then the glitz fans could have their way, and the rest
of us could use the thing without having to be come fanboys.

Gary

 

[Gordon]

Example: I needed to type a quick letter on a new laptop with 2007
installed. Tried to type in a name and address line at the top like I've
always done, and it added line spaces that made it look ridiculous. I had
to use the online help and watch a video to have the thing use single
spacing, because I'd wasted my time looking all over that silly
toolbar/ribbon for some simple solution, which is there but buried.

It's not buried at all.

I've used Office 95, 2000, 2003, and now, unfortunately 2007 (don't say
just skip the upgrading; it comes on new computers, others' computers, and
writes in a format that older versions can't open without you having to do
extra research and work to find out how). At least you could get rid of
the "cute" Office Assistant if you didn't like being nagged about things
you had no desire to do, but that 'ribbon' bar is ridiculous. I've seldom
ever even had to look at any of the help files to do basic operations
through all the versions up until 2007, now even the simple stuff takes
time to figure out.

As with ANY new version. Don't forget, although similar, the menus actually
changed between all the versions....
and once you HAVE "figured it out" (and I would take serious issue with you
that it takes any time all, also having used all the Office versions you
have and lots of others besides), then job done.
Also you can put any commands you use frequently on the QAT. Have you tried
that?

And, of course, those who are fans and eagerly await the new version of
Office have no idea what it's like to just want to use the thing without
having to waste your time learning to do the things you already knew how
to do.

As above - this happens all the time with new versions of software - not
just with Office.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

The only intended "attitude" is that things change. I was trying to give the
OP a list of her options. I didn't sugar coat them and I tried to forewarn
her that if she writes off learning the new interface she could find herself
unemployed. Does that suck? Yes, it does. I've had to learn new software
myself and considering I am probably closer to retiring than she is, I'm
very much aware of how challenging it can be. But I need to work and if I
want to continue to
make a decent wage, I've had to learn new skills. Believe me, I'd rather sit
back and cruise through the next several years but that's not an option.