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Word 2007: Lessons on usability

Tags: software, interface, design, justin james, word 2007
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improvements and poor design decisions
I have noticed some improvements mentioned in feature overviews, but have not had the patience to re-learn these apps in order to use them.

The ribbon is fine and an interesting experiment, and should be offered as an option, but removing the menus and even the categorizations of commands in which we have become so proficient over the years is a slap in the face to all veteran to Office users.

My biggest complaint is that it now takes at least two clicks instead of one to get to the command I need (assuming I can ever find it).

I was relieved to find out from Office Watch (http://news.office-watch.com?502) that a replacement "classic" menu system is available from Addintools at http://www.addintools.com/english/menuoffice/default.htm.

Note their marketing:
- Frustrated by endless searches for features on the Ribbon?
- easily use the familiar main menu, the standard toolbar and formatting toolbar
- you can minimize the Ribbon and finish all operations without Ribbon
Posted: 05/07/2007 @ 02:07 PM (PDT)
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Read original item: Word 2007: Lessons on usability
Word 2007: Lessons on usabilityJodyGilbert | 03/06/2007 @ 12:26 PM (PST)
Wait a few monthsMonty Palmer | 03/08/2007 @ 06:03 AM (PST)
"First Time" Task Performancecdawe@... | 03/08/2007 @ 03:47 PM (PST)
That principle is problematicJustin James | 03/08/2007 @ 05:32 PM (PST)
Maybe this is a stupid questionblarman | 03/09/2007 @ 07:28 AM (PST)
Confusion of principlesJustin James | 03/09/2007 @ 03:54 PM (PST)
I agree and suggest...nickrusso | 05/07/2007 @ 02:20 PM (PDT)
Good idea but could lead to even more frustrationdougscrm@... | 05/08/2007 @ 08:36 AM (PDT)
It has been a while for meJustin James | 03/08/2007 @ 05:35 PM (PST)
Styles - across usersNewToTheGame | 03/08/2007 @ 06:43 PM (PST)
Yes it is possiblenickrusso | 05/07/2007 @ 02:26 PM (PDT)
Thanks for the Clarification, Justincdawe@... | 05/08/2007 @ 05:25 PM (PDT)
Productivity lostnickrusso | 05/09/2007 @ 02:37 PM (PDT)
However...Justin James | 05/09/2007 @ 08:19 PM (PDT)
Your examples had intrinsic benefitsnickrusso | 05/10/2007 @ 08:30 AM (PDT)
improvements and poor design decisionsnickrusso | 05/07/2007 @ 02:07 PM (PDT)
Whatever improvements have been made...boxfiddler | 11/01/2007 @ 09:48 AM (PDT)
Extra clicking?Justin James | 11/02/2007 @ 09:37 PM (PDT)
For me this is probably due to the fact that...boxfiddler | 11/02/2007 @ 10:14 PM (PDT)
That will do it!Justin James | 11/03/2007 @ 06:48 AM (PDT)
Paste Specialnickrusso | 01/06/2008 @ 11:05 AM (PST)
Can I put a ribbon down the side of my word windowr.r.j.maier@... | 09/30/2008 @ 10:02 AM (PDT)
Just more annoying eye candyblarman | 03/09/2007 @ 07:20 AM (PST)
Just more annoying eye candy! AND Time Wastersmallbusinesshelp | 03/09/2007 @ 07:29 AM (PST)
Word 2007 Ribbon Barthompson.ray@... | 03/09/2007 @ 07:40 AM (PST)
Huh?Justin James | 03/09/2007 @ 03:59 PM (PST)
Larger iconsnickrusso | 05/07/2007 @ 02:33 PM (PDT)
It is a bit slower on older hardwareJustin James | 03/09/2007 @ 04:01 PM (PST)
Every version is slower than the previous One !Peon | 11/02/2007 @ 09:04 AM (PDT)
Eye candy? No. Useless? Very much so.Justin James | 03/09/2007 @ 03:52 PM (PST)
80/20 ruleArseneLupin | 03/14/2007 @ 02:55 AM (PDT)
True... try thisnickrusso | 05/07/2007 @ 07:15 PM (PDT)
Not so sure I like itJustin James | 05/07/2007 @ 08:33 PM (PDT)
IT setups, inserting a row...nickrusso | 05/10/2007 @ 07:57 AM (PDT)
Styles across usersNewToTheGame | 03/14/2007 @ 10:34 PM (PDT)
I have the same problemgregads | 05/07/2007 @ 10:48 AM (PDT)
RE:Styles across usersnickrusso | 05/10/2007 @ 08:13 AM (PDT)
styles across users, sorta, but not reallyRon_007 | 05/11/2007 @ 11:15 AM (PDT)
Styles - moreNewToTheGame | 01/08/2008 @ 06:30 PM (PST)
User Ratiosmiddlebrooks@... | 05/09/2007 @ 10:40 AM (PDT)
User Rationickrusso | 05/09/2007 @ 02:40 PM (PDT)
It's very true...Justin James | 05/09/2007 @ 08:06 PM (PDT)
RE: Word 2007: Lessons on usabilitytanya_bolkcom@... | 11/01/2007 @ 07:26 AM (PDT)
No idea, sorry!Justin James | 11/02/2007 @ 09:38 PM (PDT)
The link below might help...boxfiddler | 11/02/2007 @ 10:18 PM (PDT)
Keyboard shortcuts and user levelsmarkinboone | 12/31/2007 @ 02:49 PM (PST)
the beloved interface of Word Perfect for DOS?nickrusso | 01/06/2008 @ 10:48 AM (PST)
WordPerfect's interfaceJustin James | 01/07/2008 @ 06:29 AM (PST)
There's little real progress without changemarkinboone | 01/07/2008 @ 09:03 AM (PST)
Some good pointsnickrusso | 01/08/2008 @ 02:29 PM (PST)
Guide to Word 2007 keyboard shortcutsmarkinboone | 01/07/2008 @ 09:06 AM (PST)
RE: Word 2007: Lessons on usabilityheather@... | 08/14/2008 @ 03:48 AM (PDT)
RE: Word 2007: Lessons on usabilityHvdM | 05/18/2009 @ 12:09 AM (PDT)
RE: Word 2007: Lessons on usabilityNoGraphicsAddict-23017392721738376704665969885301 | 07/16/2009 @ 01:16 PM (PDT)

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