Office 2010 (technical preview) screenshots
Microsoft InfoPath 2010
InfoPath is more designed for business and database users, so a lot of consumers will have little need for forms and form templates.
Just In
I think you should have included some Word screenshots
So far I am not seeing a compelling need to move from 2007 to 2010. I each iteration of Office and love 2007, ribbons and all; but, I don't see enough improvements on it to justify the upgrade yet. Have there been any releases to enumerate the benefits of upgrading?
I feel that Microsoft lost the plot with Office 2007. It is a disastrous lack of consideration from a user perspective, the worst UI I have ever encountered and it takes me longer to do things. It is like learning a new language with barely perceivable icons that are rounded and easily confused. I have been used to Office for many years - it works - no need to change. When something has been around for a while it becomes a learning thing. ~I am a forty-seven year old professional that has no interest in silly little market-hyped-so-called-hip interfaces - I just want the thing to work and use it as a tool. I would love to have the option to remove every single icon and replace with simple text, no silly blue graphics, just Office 0200 or better, Office 97 type interface. Dumbing down the system for the illiterat? makes it look like a children's toy and another example of where marketing departments are inward-looking deviants who are frightened of a little thing called reality. My works recently moved over to Office 2007 and everybody has issue with wondering where simple intuitive and easy to find menus have disappeared to only to find them three layers down in the weeds. The ribbons are an appalling waste of time. I will never install this on my home PCs and would go totally over to the **nux community than do so.
Amen to that, Geoff! I tried Office 2007 and did not like it immediately! I went back to my "old" Office 2003 and it works fine, does everything I want it to do and it's easy to find "stuff" when you need to.
What's with all this "Banner" stuff, anyway? Granted, I'm an old phart, but I DO accept CHANGE -- if the change is for the betterment of a product. Sadly, I believe that Micro$oft missed the boat with Office2007 and it looks like they've done the same thing with Office2010.
Karl K.
McKinney, Texas
What's with all this "Banner" stuff, anyway? Granted, I'm an old phart, but I DO accept CHANGE -- if the change is for the betterment of a product. Sadly, I believe that Micro$oft missed the boat with Office2007 and it looks like they've done the same thing with Office2010.
Karl K.
McKinney, Texas
"Hear hear" to that. I have used office since 2000 never used a style once, tried 2007 even with Classic menu bars fitted did not improve work rate. Sorry Microsoft If you sell a great programme initially its difficult to convince people to upgrade now if the launch sequence had been 2007 - 2010 - 2000 - 2003 I would be racing to the download page. Own Goal boys!
The fact that you said you immediately went back contradicts your statement that you do accept change. Your opinion that this was NOT done to make the product better is just that because there are plenty that would say it DID make the product better. To each is own but I know if you were to fully comprehend the ribbon layout you would see having all that at your finger tips instead of hunting through file menus and sub-menus is more efficient. Also the shortcut key commands have not changed and I use those a lot more than most people do and while it takes a bit or memorization to know the the hot key commands that is by far the best. Seeing as many of the hot key commands work with most windows apps it is really not that bad.
I hope a lot of the beta testers use the frownie face to get rid of that stupid ribbon interface introduced with Office 2007. While new, it certainly was not improved.At the very least they should have an option for the old drop down menus or the new dropdown menus with all the icons they have a nerve to call the ribbon.
It looks really good. I'm glad they added more options under themes and other insert-able content. It's always nice to have more options. Good thing the interface is the same. It was hard to learn it the first time around when switching from 2003 suite. I am a student so I'm excited about this. I'm sure it will be great.
Mel
Mel
I love the ribbon interface in Office 2007 and it looks even nicer in the previews of Office 2010.
As for those that are complaining about the ribbon interface, I really question whether or not they took the time to try to learn how to use it or if they took a short look and ran back to a prior version. I admit, it took some getting used to but now, when I have to use Office 2003 at work, I'm frustrated by the old interface and particularly the lack of the preview functions when you hover over a command (for instance, a different font, a different style, etc). With 2007 I don't have to apply a change and then undo it if it's not what I want. With 2007, I can check it out and move on if it's not what I want.
I wouldn't hold my breath that the ribbon is going to go away since it's being implemented in some Windows 7 applications. I really think if you give it an honest try, making an attempt to learn how to use it, you'll find it much more useful than you initially thought.
As for those that are complaining about the ribbon interface, I really question whether or not they took the time to try to learn how to use it or if they took a short look and ran back to a prior version. I admit, it took some getting used to but now, when I have to use Office 2003 at work, I'm frustrated by the old interface and particularly the lack of the preview functions when you hover over a command (for instance, a different font, a different style, etc). With 2007 I don't have to apply a change and then undo it if it's not what I want. With 2007, I can check it out and move on if it's not what I want.
I wouldn't hold my breath that the ribbon is going to go away since it's being implemented in some Windows 7 applications. I really think if you give it an honest try, making an attempt to learn how to use it, you'll find it much more useful than you initially thought.
Sure the new Office 2007 interface took a little getting used to. Most of my staff have not had an issue with it at all and they are a "more mature" staff. Some of my power users of Excel had some questions, but that was about it.
I like the 2007 interface and what I see about the 2010 interface it is very pleasing.
All that said, I will agree with one point made so far, most people don't use Office to it's full or even partial potential. If all they need is to do very basic things, even Office 2000 is still fine. However, with ever changing environment with SPAM and people launching malware and viruses at Office and Windows, the newest versions also help from a security standpoint.
One feature of Office 2007 we capitalized on was Groove 2007. That was new to use. We are looking forward to Sharepoint Workspaces as well.
We anxiously awaiting the beta of Office 2010 to get a better look!
I like the 2007 interface and what I see about the 2010 interface it is very pleasing.
All that said, I will agree with one point made so far, most people don't use Office to it's full or even partial potential. If all they need is to do very basic things, even Office 2000 is still fine. However, with ever changing environment with SPAM and people launching malware and viruses at Office and Windows, the newest versions also help from a security standpoint.
One feature of Office 2007 we capitalized on was Groove 2007. That was new to use. We are looking forward to Sharepoint Workspaces as well.
We anxiously awaiting the beta of Office 2010 to get a better look!
I need to get work done, not relearn how to use Office, i have used it for 15 years. As long as the ribbon is there i cannot see myself purchasing Office again. I love change, but change for the sake of change is pointless. Long live Office 2003.
This change was made because when used properly the ribbon interface is considerably more efficient then the old file menus. Not that it is for everbody because to each is own but there is plenty of evidence that the ribbon interface works better as a whole. Your attitude suggests that you do not embrace change and close your mind to it. Yeah there may be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to the interface but the core fundamentals are still there. Did you have this attitude when cars started moving the Auto Trans Gear selector to center between the seats off from the steering column? Some felt that was a change for the sake of change but reality shows it better overall for the drivers.
Now sometimes they do make really stupid changes but I do not think this is one of them. Just another GUI change that people attack because they do not understand its purpose. I too have been using Microsoft Office since its first release back in the mid 90's and it was Word Perfect and Lotus Works before that so IMO if you understand the fundamentals of what a word processor, spreadsheet, database program or whatever then you should be able to adapt. After all it is either adapt or fade away.
Now sometimes they do make really stupid changes but I do not think this is one of them. Just another GUI change that people attack because they do not understand its purpose. I too have been using Microsoft Office since its first release back in the mid 90's and it was Word Perfect and Lotus Works before that so IMO if you understand the fundamentals of what a word processor, spreadsheet, database program or whatever then you should be able to adapt. After all it is either adapt or fade away.
Considering that the place I write for prefer ASCII text or RTF, "frankly my dear, I don't give a d--m."
Freeware like Rough Draft work fine for me and them!
Freeware like Rough Draft work fine for me and them!
Very sorry to see that the damn ribbon bar is there and now extended to other office applications. Now almost everything is at least two clicks away, assuming you can remember which menu item the function is under.
I have no problem with the ribbon bar per se, but the inability to customize it is a major takeaway from earlier versions. As most of us have a favorite set of features we use, being able to cluster those features front and center would be hugely appreciated.
I am sure they have their reason's for keeping it standard because I am sure if everybody customized their menu support would be a nightmare. Hard to support a product if it is all changed around that the person supporting it has no idea what you did. As a tech support person and a trainer to my users this would be a complete nightmare from my standpoint.
Besides I think the menus and their ribbons are organized fairly well. Everything that is similar is grouped together.
Besides I think the menus and their ribbons are organized fairly well. Everything that is similar is grouped together.
Yea the menu's like home, insert, page layout, etc.. are not self explainable. I find that the people that resist the ribbon are the ones that just remember the steps and do not understand why they are doing it. I work in education and the people that complain when a software program gets upgraded are usually the ones I call "trained monkeys". The can go through the motions but do not know the purpose of what they are doing.
Join the conversation!
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Vendor Showcase
