News - Windows 8 gets ribbon interface

[usxhe190]

TBH, I liked the menu system in XP coz you don't have to click submenus and stuff, you just move your cursor and the submenus appear a lot. You just adjust the menu delay setting and it comes up very quickly.

With Win7, I use search function and the recently used programs a lot more.

As for the ribbon in windows explorer, I think it is just the same as the old menu style. I don't see it being better to be honest.

[this_is_gav]

TBH, I liked the menu system in XP coz you don't have to click submenus and stuff, you just move your cursor and the submenus appear a lot. You just adjust the menu delay setting and it comes up very quickly.

With Win7, I use search function and the recently used programs a lot more.

As for the ribbon in windows explorer, I think it is just the same as the old menu style. I don't see it being better to be honest.

Assuming you mean the pre-Vista style drop-down menus, then aren't you contradicting yourself?

You don't like the extra click needed when navigating the start menu in Windows 7, yet you don't mind the extra click needed in navigating the old-style drop-down menus?

[usxhe190]

Assuming you mean the pre-Vista style drop-down menus, then aren't you contradicting yourself?

You don't like the extra click needed when navigating the start menu in Windows 7, yet you don't mind the extra click needed in navigating the old-style drop-down menus?

XP had a start menu that doesn't require a click and the submenu just shows.

Vista/Win7 had a start menu where you need to click again to show the submenu which was shown inside the start menu window thingy.

I like the XP style better.

[this_is_gav]

Yeah, I got that bit.

But you don't have a preference between the XP Explorer drop-down menus or the new ribbon, which would require one less click for the vast majority of tasks?

If so it strikes me as odd that you don't like the extra click needed in the Windows Vista/7 start menu, yet don't mind the extra click needed in the Windows XP drop-down menus of Explorer.

[Roobubba]

The thing that amuses me about UI change is that when Apple does it everyone is like:

"Wow man, the UI is just soooo much better. I want Steve Jobs's babies."

Whereas when Microsoft does it, it's more like:

"OMG Microsoft are such a bunch of lamers!!!!111!! Ribbon interface WTF lol!"



People seem willing to give Apple the benefit of the doubt, and largely accept the new way of working without too much complaint. But for Microsoft it's always much "cooler" to instantly hate everything they do, irrespective of how well-considered the changes might be.

An amusing and astute observation.

The reason is that after their massive outlay, they don't want to admit that their new appletosh is just as bad/good (delete as appropriate) as an equivalent specced PC that cost 1/4 the price!

[usxhe190]

Yeah, I got that bit.

But you don't have a preference between the XP Explorer drop-down menus or the new ribbon, which would require one less click for the vast majority of tasks?

If so it strikes me as odd that you don't like the extra click needed in the Windows Vista/7 start menu, yet don't mind the extra click needed in the Windows XP drop-down menus of Explorer.

Ah, so you are talking about the windows explorer thingy. Yes, some buttons might be less clicks but some are not its based on my office experience. To me, its the fact that everything is all moved and need to relearn.

I am all for relearning but to be, I am re-learning to buttons which to me I just dont think it "improves" my experience - more like its the same thing to me but just need to find the buttons in the right places.

Oh to be clear, I am not talking about extra functions as I think there are more functions in ribbon style but you could have that in the old style as well.

[cameronlite]

Ah, so you are talking about the windows explorer thingy. Yes, some buttons might be less clicks but some are not its based on my office experience. To me, its the fact that everything is all moved and need to relearn.

One of the benefits of having a logical tabbed interface is that you don't have to learn it. Illogical systems you must learn to use efficiently, good logical systems don't require memory.

[this_is_gav]

One of the benefits of having a logical tabbed interface is that you don't have to learn it. Illogical systems you must learn to use efficiently, good logical systems don't require memory.

While that works for most (of course, being logical) and I completely agree, I think most "power users" just click. They don't really read or realise where they're going, they just know where to point their mouse or what shortcuts to use instinctively (I know I do), and maybe that's where the 'problem' lies (and by 'problem' I mean for those who can't or don't want to adapt). That's probably why I haven't moved my taskbar to the side yet - because naturally I just throw my mouse to the bottom-left corner and the start-menu appears, and to my knowledge there isn't a way to move the start button to the bottom-left if I have the taskbar on the side - it's forced to the top-left. I'm sure I will do that eventually and just adapt (as I have done to Office 2007/2010) in this world of (infuriatingly) ever-increasing 16:9 rations.

Still, like I said earlier, if it's an improvement, then I'm all for it. I don't mind relearning if what I'm relearning is beneficial in the long run... and let's face it, the ribbon is set to stay. As you say, it's logical for users, it's better suited to touchscreen users, it can be hidden for "power users"... there isn't really a drawback apart from the stubborn.

I'll give a poor analogy - to my knowledge there wasn't much that wrong with the old BIOS menus, but most of us have been screaming for something a little more user-friendly and flexible, and we are the very sort of users who will be tinkering in the BIOS screens constantly.

[crossy]

Things have to change. The XP start menu (especially in 'classic' mode) was fecking horrible. Whilst I hate the expand/contract UI in 7 (XP's finicky menu->submenu->submenu->submenu was beyond annoying), the instant search and instant running of any command you can take from my cold dead body

+1 on that - having the search feature in the menu bar was a gold feature for me - I really should be more eager to rearrange app folders "logically".

What I don't understand is how you think anyone is taking something away from you? MS have stated you'll have many more keyboard shortcuts available and the bar can be hidden - it's more customisable not less..

Fair enough - my worry is that (like the "improved" - their words not mine - UI in Office2007+) we'll get new UI "improvements" which can't be skipped/removed/bypassed. Still, kudos to MS in being so open, and hopefully there'll be a beta programme like the Win7 one (that'll let me install Win8RC in a VM).

However, this file system for MS is still infinitely better than the file system in Apple.

Thought that OS X was essentially a BSD base so I looked it up on http://osxbook.com/book/bonus/ancien...//arch_fs.html and after reading that I tend to agree with you - the case insensitivity in particular is a no-no for me. Apologies others that this is off topic...

[tickedon]

I'm sorry, but that screenshot makes it look absolutely dreadful. Can someone explain to me why simple filer windows need *that* many buttons and wasted real-estate?

Sorry to be the party pooper!

Short answer: my mother.

Long answer: my mum still finds simple things like moving, copying, renaming etc... very difficult to do. It's a key part of getting photos ready to put on DVD so she can take it them to be developed, we might all manage it as second nature, others aren't so fortunate. Having all the buttons clearly in a ribbon along the top will be a huge boon for her.

Personally, I'm in two minds about it, but, I can certainly see the benefits for some. And if it can be collapsed... I can't see downsides for anyone!

[ypsylon]

Now I can be absolutely sure that Total Commander won't die for a very, very long time!

Windows Exploder, what a load of rubbish. From first edition to the last.

[jim]

Now I can be absolutely sure that Total Commander won't die for a very, very long time!

Windows Exploder, what a load of rubbish. From first edition to the last.

On what basis? What is it precisely in the announcement that you see as so rubbish?

[dangel]

Ah, Total Commander, the UI that time forgot.

[pauldarkside]

Never touched Total Commander, I did use Norton Commander back in the 80s though.

[Phage]

Bring back Xtree !

[Steve]

I have a brilliant 5-row ribbon interface, activated by pressing the ctrl key.