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Preston Gralla's picture
Preston Gralla

Seeing Through Windows

Microsoft: You will use the Ribbon...and you will like it

Like it or loathe it, if you're a Windows user, the Ribbon is in your future. That was made clear recently when it was revealed that Microsoft will be "ribbonizing" Vista as an optional update for people. There may be holdouts, but one way or another, Microsoft is looking to move you to the Ribbon.

The Ribbon first made its appearance in Office 2007, and received a good deal of public push-back, but not enough to deter Microsoft from deciding that the Ribbon was the future. I'm a big fan of the Ribbon, and think that it makes Office far easier to use, without getting in the way of your work. It exposes a much deeper level of features so that all users, not just those who devote themselves to learning an application, can use far more of the power of Office.

The Ribbon also made its way into Windows 7, into applications including Wordpad and Paint. Even OpenOffice.org, the anti-Microsoft, is testing a version of its office suite including a Ribbon, although Computerworld reports that some vocal users are less than pleased.

Vista users won't be forced to use the Ribbon, but ultimately they may be pushed that way, because much software developed for Windows 7 may use the Ribbon, and it's likely that ribbonized versions of software will be more fully featured than those without the Ribbon.

As for Windows XP, there is no Ribbon in its future. Microsoft says it won't port the Ribbon there. Of course, for some people, that may be all the more reason never to leave the operating system that refuses to die.

What People Are Saying

I like the Ribbon. I feel

I like the Ribbon. I feel that it does make it easier to find simple things.

A thorough rant against ribbons & crazy-quilt menus

You may be interested in my rant against Microsoft's ribbons, its new crazy-quilt menus (non-menus?), and the tyranny of the shiny, wide-screen laptops, at:

www.projectpro.com/letters/usability.html

Ugh. It's bad enough in

Ugh. It's bad enough in Office 07, but it's spreading to the OS as well? Heard Office 10 web apps would have the ribbon too. Microsoft seems intent on steam-rolling an intuitive interface (drop down menus) and replacing it with one that requires significant effort and memorization on the user's part to find what is it they want to do. Just as well, I've been using Ubuntu at work (boss wants me to learn it) and Open Office works pretty well for the most part. We may be looking into moving our users to Ubuntu since our new enterprise app is platform agnostic, and given the migration of the dreaded ribbon, it'll only amount to more motivation to see how our people tolerate an entirely new OS--especially if one of their main apps (Office) goes back to being comprehensive.

Much ado about nothing

Those screaming about the ribbon have way too much time on their hands. The ribbon really doesn't change things for most users and after playing with it I actually found it quite a bit easier.

Regardless, most of the time I never use the menus anyway. Ctrl+D in word and Ctrl+1 in excel take care of most of what any user is going to need. Otherwise the paragraph link for word is more accessible. The bigger issue in my opinion are the defaults for figures in excel but who really uses excel for figures anyway?

i like the new ribbon. i

i like the new ribbon. i think it is much eaiser to understand and a lot eaiser to use with the system.

I believe that the "Ribbon"

I believe that the "Ribbon" is very useful. However, it can sometimes be complicated to find some of the buttons but it's less complicated then having to go to file every time you want a new command.

ribbon!!!!!

I just keep trying to figure it out. I know in time it wil be the easiest thing ever, 2003 was pretty simple to use I admit but I just plod along doing what I can by trial and error. I know if I can figure it out a lot more people should be able too as well !!!

I feel that the ribbon is

I feel that the ribbon is very helpful to those who are newcomers of computers and can see how it could be annoying to those who aren't used to it. I also feel that although it maybe annoying to those who are trying to get used to it but, in the long run that they too will grow to like it.

The Ribbon

The ribbon is good for those who are new to computers. For those who have been using computers, the ribbon is quite a pain. The features behind the ribbon are great, but the ribbon itself.... well.. It just plain sucks.

I have been doing support on Windows since 3.1 and I have to tell you.. This switch is not an advantage. Its a bullet to the head.. and since MS is now in hot water for the XML deal of the Office products.. we may get our way and have the original (if its not broke dont fix it) menu style back again...

Comment

Yes true!Ribbon makes office easy.It is popular and I think your blog is providing a good knowledge for ribbon and the people who did not know about it is surely going to know more about it.