New Puter At Work Came With 2007 and I Hate It!

S

sopranoiam

I have to use it, all I want to know is....why did someone try to fix
something that wasn't broke? I have always considered myself to be very
proficient in Office and now I feel like I am the biggest putz in the
world....searching for commands and toolbar items like I've never used Office
before. Who's brilliant idea was it to re-invent the wheel?
 
G

Gemini

The Fluent User Interface (that's the name) was developed by a group led by
Jensen Harris. They now claim over 80% of the users like it.

Here's the link to Jensen Harris' blog:
http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/

You can read all about the "Ribbon" there. Oh yes, you can even leave
comments. I've already done so.

Like you, I don't like the new UI either. I tried the classic toolbar from
www.addintools.com as well. Didn't like it a whole lot. I plan to remove
Office 2007 at the end of the trial period and revert to the older version.

If you're stuck with Office 2007, you might want to invest in one of these
third party add-ons.

Good luck! I felt (and continue to feel, for now) your pain.

-- Gemini
 
T

Telstar

Gemini said:
The Fluent User Interface (that's the name) was developed by a group led
by
Jensen Harris. They now claim over 80% of the users like it.

Here's the link to Jensen Harris' blog:
http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/

You can read all about the "Ribbon" there. Oh yes, you can even leave
comments. I've already done so.

Like you, I don't like the new UI either. I tried the classic toolbar from
www.addintools.com as well. Didn't like it a whole lot. I plan to remove
Office 2007 at the end of the trial period and revert to the older
version.

If you're stuck with Office 2007, you might want to invest in one of these
third party add-ons.

Good luck! I felt (and continue to feel, for now) your pain.
Click to expand...


Why would you gripe about this? Learn something, for once! Do you still
use WordPerfect for DOS keyboard shortcuts?

This is stupid thinking.
 
S

sopranoiam

Hmmm....now are you one of those young people who have to grab the mouse for
everything clicking and clicking or are you one of us who that realize
keyboard shortcuts save you immense amounts of time. I have no problem
learning anything new.....if it's beneficial to my productivity. Searching
for commands for 20 minutes is not productive nor cost-effective and makes me
look like an idiot which I definitely am not with 20 years of admin
experience. So....I will have to get used to using the ribbon because I
have to be professional....but as usual....it just comes down to the few
assuming that what works for them works for everyone.
 
B

Bob Buckland ?:-\)

If the assumption is that because there's a new 'look' that this also means that the way everything in the programs worked changed,
that isn't quite the case <g>.

While there are new keyboard shortcuts that work for the ribbon (and tapping the alt key should show you the 'next step'
keystrokes), many of the prior version keyboard shortcuts still work in Office 2007 as well.

For example in Word 2007, to get to the options dialog you can use
the 2007 shortcut of Alt, F, I or the Word 2003 shortcut of Alt, T, O

The was/is resources here may be helpful.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

==============
Hmmm....now are you one of those young people who have to grab the mouse for
everything clicking and clicking or are you one of us who that realize
keyboard shortcuts save you immense amounts of time. I have no problem
learning anything new.....if it's beneficial to my productivity. Searching
for commands for 20 minutes is not productive nor cost-effective and makes me
look like an idiot which I definitely am not with 20 years of admin
experience. So....I will have to get used to using the ribbon because I
have to be professional....but as usual....it just comes down to the few
assuming that what works for them works for everyone. >>
--

Bob Buckland ?:)
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*
 
J

James Silverton

message
Hmmm....now are you one of those young people who have to grab
the mouse for
everything clicking and clicking or are you one of us who
that realize
keyboard shortcuts save you immense amounts of time. I have
no problem
learning anything new.....if it's beneficial to my
productivity. Searching
for commands for 20 minutes is not productive nor
cost-effective and makes me
look like an idiot which I definitely am not with 20 years of
admin
experience. So....I will have to get used to using the
ribbon because I
have to be professional....but as usual....it just comes down
to the few
assuming that what works for them works for everyone.
Click to expand...

Not again! I thought that there had been agreement to differ
between the mousers and the random non-mnemonic-key Word Star
traditionalists. I'm glad to be considered "one of those young
people" since I am a 74 year old mouser! The schools of thought
are not confined to Windows; look at a traditional EMACS
enthusiast using Linux.
 
S

sopranoiam

Okay....so evidently it's just me and one or two other people.....I'm just
stubborn and like what I like. In these type of instances, I think
either/or options should be available for software, so those who are used to
utilizing the software to earn their daily living aren't inconvenienced.
I'm not saying I don't use my mouse, just find it is much faster to do things
with the shortcut keys, which I was happy to learn of the tutorial which
will help me als to get used to the ribbon. So I'm off my soapbox now....!!!
Thanks for the information!
 
G

Gemini

Telstar, I've read your responses on other threads. You would do well to
learn some simple manners and etiquette.

If it's any of your business, I've aired my opinion, in response to the OP's
post. I don't like the new UI because it has slowed down my productivity. I'm
a long time user and having to learn a new UI merely to perform day to day
tasks is a low ROI proposition for me.

Re that silly little comment about learning something, I've learned quite a
bit over the last two decades or so. You'd do well not to assume anything
about the knowledge level of other posters, unless you know them well.

Your response easily qualifies for the adjective "stupid".

-- Gemini
 
G

Gemini

Hi Bob! I do know that most keyboard shortcuts work in Office 2007. However,
to accomplish the same task, I've found more keystrokes are required. Eg.
consider the case when multiple Excel workbooks are opened. While toggling
between them, using the classic UI was Ctrl-W, followed by a digit (showed up
in the Window menu) attached to each of the open workbooks. In Office 2007,
it's Ctrl-W, W & then the digit.

Per Jensen Harris, one of the criteria for the new UI was that a user would
be able to perform their tasks with the same or less effort. That's not quite
the case.

-- Gemini
 
B

Bob Buckland ?:-\)

Hi Gemini,

Yes, there are certainly examples that take more keystrokes, just as there are those that take less or more clicks :) and during
the beta we fought pretty hard for location, location, location and in getting both keyboard shortcuts to work where possible :)
Not trying to convince you one way or the other. At home, I can use either one, at work the 'company' chooses and also decides what
features to lock out/down, etc. So far the 2007 version gets less 'help' from the folks who want to make sure that we not only
don't run with scissors, but that we don't even know about scissors ;)

The evaluation of tasks was 'overall', I would imagine, from the presentations and blog entries, not on 'every single instance' <g>.

Ummm, in your example would that be Alt+W rather than Ctrl+W? That would definitely be a slower way to switch workbooks if you
close then reopen them <g> ;)

BTW, if you add the 'Switch Windows' item to say the first position of the Quick Access toolbar then it would be Alt+2 then the
workbook number, or one click for the dropdown and 1-click or type your workbook number :)

[For those who want to play along with the 'home game' version to try the Ribbon/and interface, without installing Office 2007
(other than running a small client control file)and with something a bit quicker than dialup, you can have a go with Office 2007
online here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101687261033.aspx
(can't save, but... don't click on the [Download trial] button unless you'd rather have the 60 day trial to install on your PC.

=============
Hi Bob! I do know that most keyboard shortcuts work in Office 2007. However,
to accomplish the same task, I've found more keystrokes are required. Eg.
consider the case when multiple Excel workbooks are opened. While toggling
between them, using the classic UI was Ctrl-W, followed by a digit (showed up
in the Window menu) attached to each of the open workbooks. In Office 2007,
it's Ctrl-W, W & then the digit.

Per Jensen Harris, one of the criteria for the new UI was that a user would
be able to perform their tasks with the same or less effort. That's not quite
the case.

-- Gemini >>
--

Bob Buckland ?:)
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*
 
G

Gemini

Hi Bob! Thus far, I haven't come across any functions I use/need that
actually use less mouse/keyboard clicks.

You're right, it's Alt-W, not Ctrl-w. I do need to catch up on my sleep. In
any case, I'll soon be "Ribbon free", when I get rid of the Office 2007 trial
version.

-- Gemini

Bob Buckland ?:-) said:
Hi Gemini,

Yes, there are certainly examples that take more keystrokes, just as there are those that take less or more clicks :) and during
the beta we fought pretty hard for location, location, location and in getting both keyboard shortcuts to work where possible :)
Not trying to convince you one way or the other. At home, I can use either one, at work the 'company' chooses and also decides what
features to lock out/down, etc. So far the 2007 version gets less 'help' from the folks who want to make sure that we not only
don't run with scissors, but that we don't even know about scissors ;)

The evaluation of tasks was 'overall', I would imagine, from the presentations and blog entries, not on 'every single instance' <g>.

Ummm, in your example would that be Alt+W rather than Ctrl+W? That would definitely be a slower way to switch workbooks if you
close then reopen them <g> ;)

BTW, if you add the 'Switch Windows' item to say the first position of the Quick Access toolbar then it would be Alt+2 then the
workbook number, or one click for the dropdown and 1-click or type your workbook number :)

[For those who want to play along with the 'home game' version to try the Ribbon/and interface, without installing Office 2007
(other than running a small client control file)and with something a bit quicker than dialup, you can have a go with Office 2007
online here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101687261033.aspx
(can't save, but... don't click on the [Download trial] button unless you'd rather have the 60 day trial to install on your PC.

=============
Hi Bob! I do know that most keyboard shortcuts work in Office 2007. However,
to accomplish the same task, I've found more keystrokes are required. Eg.
consider the case when multiple Excel workbooks are opened. While toggling
between them, using the classic UI was Ctrl-W, followed by a digit (showed up
in the Window menu) attached to each of the open workbooks. In Office 2007,
it's Ctrl-W, W & then the digit.

Per Jensen Harris, one of the criteria for the new UI was that a user would
be able to perform their tasks with the same or less effort. That's not quite
the case.

-- Gemini >>
--

Bob Buckland ?:)
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*
Click to expand...
 
G

Gemini

sopranoiam, good luck to you. I shall remove the Office 2007 trial version
from my new laptop shortly. I don't see the rationale in paying premium $$$s
for something I don't like.

You might want to look at www.zoho.com. Once I'm done w/ the tax stuff, I
plan to check out OpenOffice, Zoho, etc. and select a candidate to replace MS
software.

-- Gemini
 
T

Telstar

Gemini said:
Telstar, I've read your responses on other threads. You would do well to
learn some simple manners and etiquette.
Click to expand...

So would you. You are one of those aggressive passive guys.
 
G

Gemini

Telstar, I challenge you to point out one single post I've made that is rude
towards another poster. You, otoh, have indulged in similar behavior on other
threads as well. Ergo, you are the one that needs to learn some manners and
etiquette. To date, I haven't seen other posters display the same level of
immaturity, lack of manners and lack of etiquette as you have done.

Aggressive passive? Do you even know what that means? If so, please do
explain it.

Insofar as your original comment "stupid thinking" is concerned, as I said
before, no rational, intelligent poster here makes such juvenile comments
without knowing the other posters background, accomplishments, etc.

Based on your comments, you come across as an immature person, without much
real-world experience in technology areas. During my technology career, I've
come across similar characters who are the last to realize they're making
fools of themselves.

-- Gemini
 
B

Bob Buckland ?:-\)

Hi Gemini,

FWIW, even if you're now 'Ribbon free', while the blog from the Office UI team has a lot of pre-release Office 2007 Ribbon/articles
on it, Jensen Harris' (MS Office User Experience Manager) presentation from Mix08 in March 2008 may be of some interest to you in
walking thru the process of how they got from 'there' to 2007, if you have about an hour on a high speed connection to watch or
download (pretty big download though)
http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/archive/2008/03/12/the-story-of-the-ribbon.aspx :)

The presentation includes some of the MS spreadsheets/details of how many clicks things took then vs 'now' and mentions that the
review and update is never 'done' :) I found the process nice to learn about and the designs shown that aren't what ended up being
in Office 2007 to be a bit of a relief <g>.

The panel discussion link (further down that page) on User Experience design includes the 'Chief Engineer' for Firefox design for
Mozilla among others on the process of designing. That panel discussion starts off with this one about another, even older 'new
interface' introduction :)
Sort of to show that new interfaces have probably never been readily accepted by everyone :) It's easier to read the text if you go
to full screen or at least a larger window from the web page.

==============
Hi Bob! Thus far, I haven't come across any functions I use/need that
actually use less mouse/keyboard clicks.

You're right, it's Alt-W, not Ctrl-w. I do need to catch up on my sleep. In
any case, I'll soon be "Ribbon free", when I get rid of the Office 2007 trial
version.

Gemini >>
--

Bob Buckland ?:)
MS Office Stuff MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*
 
G

Gemini

Hi Bob! Thanks for the post. Yes, I saw the link to that presentation on
Jensen Harris' blog. However, since I have no interest in the new UI nor too
much free time, I rather doubt I'll spend the time to watch that. These days,
I spend a good bit of my time transitioning my documents (tons of them) to
OpenOffice, rather than meekly accept whatever MS wants users to have.

Recently, I found out that a major financial institution has advised their
employees that they can purchase MS Office 2007 for personal use, for a mere
$19.95! Either MS is getting desperate and/or they're attempting to gain more
"converts" to Office 2007!
 
B

Bob I

Nope, you are referring to the Home Use program, and it's been available
for years and years. The licensing is based off the employers enterprise
licensing agreement with Microsoft. And what the employee is paying for
is only the shipping/handling of the install media, they receive no
separate license and if their employment terminates so does the use of
the software, likewise if there is a reduction of the number of licenses
that the employer maintains. It has absolutely nothing to do with the
release or sales of Office 2007. I guess when you are a desperate
basher, any FUD will work.
 
G

Gemini

Hi Bob! Thanks for the info re the Home Use program. I didn't know about it.

However, I must say I didn't expect an unprofessional remark like the
"desperate basher" bit from you.

As your own signature says: "Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big
dividends".

Have a wonderful day!
 
G

Gemini

You are correct. I've never observed an unprofessional comment yet from Bob
Buckland.

As regards your baseless comment about "desperate bashers", you would
definitely do well to know the person before you make such unfounded
comments. There's a vast difference between the so-called bashers as opposed
to disappointed users who have used MS products for a long time.

BTW, I am not the only one who has little faith in the way MS has conducted
their "research". Search some of the posts here and on other sites, including
Jensen Harris' blog, and you will see more examples.

I do agree with Bob Buckland's sig line: "Courtesy is not expensive and can
pay big dividends." You, Bob I, would do well to remember that.

Have a wonderful day!
 
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