Filed under: Design, Office, OpenOffice.org, Beta
OpenOffice.Org demos ribbon-style UI prototype
A few days ago, OpenOffice.Org's Renaissance Project introduced a new prototype UI. Predictably, the similarity to Microsoft's Ribbon did not go unnoticed by commenters. "The Office ribbon sucks. Please don't copy it," reads one reply.
It's important to note that this is just a prototype. As OOO's Frank Loehmann notes in his post, "We just want to be able to test the interaction. Content of the toolbars and the group labeling are subject to change. They show just what can be done in this prototype. This allows us to create UX tests that can be run with current OOo and
the prototypes."
If you want to try out the new interface yourself, there's a Java Web Start version of Impress with the new UI applied that you can test.
Personally, I've become a fan of ribbon-style interfaces. It took a little while for them to grow on me, but that's to be expected with such a major change. The only thing I don't like is the amount of vertical real estate they take up on widescreen monitors. Even that isn't a big problem, since most apps allow you to minimize or hide the ribbon with a hotkey.
What do you think of the prototype? Is it a misstep or a step in the right direction?
It's important to note that this is just a prototype. As OOO's Frank Loehmann notes in his post, "We just want to be able to test the interaction. Content of the toolbars and the group labeling are subject to change. They show just what can be done in this prototype. This allows us to create UX tests that can be run with current OOo and
the prototypes."
If you want to try out the new interface yourself, there's a Java Web Start version of Impress with the new UI applied that you can test.
Personally, I've become a fan of ribbon-style interfaces. It took a little while for them to grow on me, but that's to be expected with such a major change. The only thing I don't like is the amount of vertical real estate they take up on widescreen monitors. Even that isn't a big problem, since most apps allow you to minimize or hide the ribbon with a hotkey.
What do you think of the prototype? Is it a misstep or a step in the right direction?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ashish said 1:50PM on 8-06-2009
Copying Microsoft?
wont be surprised to see this being a trend in the near future. MS has improved, kudos.
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swimtedswim said 2:16PM on 8-06-2009
FAIL!!!
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der_tuxman said 2:20PM on 8-06-2009
Oh no. That's it with its intuitive usability. :(
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Mysterius said 2:24PM on 8-06-2009
I much prefer Ribbon-type interfaces myself, and in my opinion they're much more intuitive, at least for those not already accustomed to an older UI.
But I'm sure there'll be outrage from certain user segments if they make such a switch, even if they retain menus for legacy users.
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Erwos said 2:31PM on 8-06-2009
The ribbon interface is MUCH better than the old menu-driven interface. Takes a couple days to get used to, and then you're rolling.
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Martin K said 1:11PM on 8-08-2009
They could avoid the whole issue if Open Office supported skinning/themes. Some of us like the Open Office menu in particular and some of us would prefer it looked more like MS Office. It's a new millenium, why can't we have it both ways?
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Arnie said 2:42PM on 8-06-2009
I agree with most commenters. I have Office & its really functional and useful once you get used to it.
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sitruc said 3:24PM on 8-06-2009
I'm looking forward to the UI in more applications. I was happy to see it in a few programs like some Autodesk applications last year. OTOH, the screen don't look that great yet.
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michel said 4:16PM on 8-06-2009
OpenOffice needs to look like a modern application, but more important is actually fixing functionality. I gave up using it not because it's awkward and slow, but because it isn't really Word-compatible. Fact is, in my business - I work freelance - Word is the tool used. I can't afford having my documents messed up in transit, and it happens much too often with OpenOffice.
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dodutils said 5:37PM on 8-06-2009
There is something wrong between ribbons and physical screen reality !
Ribbons take lot of vertical space when screens are getting wider but not taller !
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Jeff said 11:14PM on 8-06-2009
Same here...
I've used MS Office 2007 (Mainly Word) and have found that I liked the ribbon....
Here's the catch - if you're a regular user of the old "tried and true" method - and have used it forever and a day... the transition will be tough. The longer you've used the old way, the harder the transition.
If you're not that used to the old way - the transition will be easy for you, and in fact - if you're new to MS Word or Office, period - it will be easier for you to learn with the ribbon.
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Ivan said 11:47PM on 8-06-2009
Ewwwwwwwww..... If you just HAVE to be a ribbon lemming, at least include an option to turn the damn thing off...
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whiskey said 12:20AM on 8-07-2009
Or to turn it on... Why force users to "opt out" when they can "opt in". And that's easy... Once installed, just have a screen that asks you if you want the option turned up by default or not. Have the settings modified and that's it.
the pl4gue said 1:21AM on 8-07-2009
I don't get why people hate the new ribbon U.I. I freaking love it! It makes things easier to find, looks nice, and is very handy! +1 to Microsoft.
If I used OOO I'd like to see them copy it, or make their own version of it.
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dw17 said 8:10AM on 8-07-2009
I find it very difficult to find the options I want using the ribbon, and it seems to take extra clicks to do something using the ribbon. Especially repeatative tasks. I can see the advantage, just wish there was a way to choose ribbon or menus, not just ribbon...
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David said 1:37PM on 8-07-2009
Love it!
I think the ribbon should be made but the devs should let us choose what we want to use. MS locks us into the ribbon. By letting us choose, ribbon or standard would set you light years ahead and also keep the essence of open source.
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oss said 1:28AM on 8-09-2009
I completely agree with the first comment: Office ribbon sucks. Please don't copy it!!!
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angelique said 2:37PM on 8-10-2009
Is it me or is that the ugliest ribbon on a computer program to date?
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David Bird said 1:56PM on 8-18-2009
I believe that OpenOffice.org should have an option that allows the user to switch as he/she sees fit. My wife absolutely LOVES the MS Ribbon and now that she is used to it, she cannot use the traditional menu system. Personally, I can use both, but I prefer the menu's method because it is more logical. If there is an option to switch, I believe that OO.o would probably take off.
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Surya Sunder said 2:36AM on 8-27-2009
Hell NO!!!
Please don't!
It completely clutters the menu area and is so confusing.
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