Who did this and why aren't they fired?


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I just opened paint now to see what all the fuss is about...It may be confusing to new users for a few seconds but really this isn't rocket science here. I would imagine it's pretty easy to figure out what does what.

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The major problem here is that they want to license the Scenic Ribbon to third party developers. Think of the hundreds of apps that will have one single Ribbon tab but 35 icons in the title bar!

There is so much free real estate on the window, why do they put the icons on the border? Buttons on the window frame should control the window, not the program inside! This is what we have learned for ages.

Here are some alternatives:

The second example is exactly how the taskbar was organized: One "Start button" to start new tasks, a customizable quick start area with icons and the task buttons to switch between tasks.

I'm certainly glad they didn't go with any of your "alternatives", if they did tr them, I'm sure every focus group and usability test as well as designer told them it was a bad idea.

What they have looks nice works and makes sense, those do not.

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The second example is exactly how the taskbar was organized: One "Start button" to start new tasks, a customizable quick start area with icons and the task buttons to switch between tasks.

Meh. As you add or subtract items to the Quick Access Toolbar you're going to be moving the position of the Ribbon's tabs around which is undesirable. I guess if you really hate it you should move it below the ribbon like in Office 2007

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What bothers me about this direction is that it changes the metaphor. It used to be that "the application is inside the box, and the box itself is chrome, which contains no application functionality except for window-related tasks"

Now, application bits can appear in the box, or as part of the box itself.

I also hate the disappearance of the menu bar as we know it, because some uncommonly-used commands belong there (revert, for example, has no home with no file menu)

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What bothers me about this direction is that it changes the metaphor. It used to be that "the application is inside the box, and the box itself is chrome, which contains no application functionality except for window-related tasks"

Now, application bits can appear in the box, or as part of the box itself.

This has been an interface trend for quite a while. Many applications that use nonstandard window controls or a "custom interface" do so just so they can do something like this.

Google Chrome, Netscape 8, WMP 9, etc.

As people move away from 4:3 monitors and to 16:10 and 16:9 (and even shorter with many netbooks) screens vertical space becomes more precious, and that titlebar just seems like a big waste.

Don't hate the playa, hate the game. ;)

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And ffs, if you cant understand what that diskette icon and arrows mean then i dont know...

Considering that almost no computers come with 3.5" floppy disks (which that icon represents), many people just getting into computers might have no idea what it is supposed to mean!

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It doesn't matter, think about people who don't know how to use the program, they don't care how or why the buttons are arranged and what the designer was thinking. They want to use the application and they don't want to have to be a master at it.

When they first open up a program, is it easier for them to start by clicking and using the toolbars or to dive through the file menus trying to figure out what every single function does?

The ribbon isn't just some fancy looking flavor of the week UI, it's been thoroughly tested and proven to be easier to use and provide access to otherwise unknown functions. Even for a savvy user it's pretty straightforward.

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I dont know, I understand it perfectly, seems more straight to the point. More minimalistic.

Most people do. Nothing to get upset about. The ribbon interface has been very well received by those willing to take 5 minutes to adjust to a more innovative interface.

If this change is too much then don't upgrade. Very simple solution to a non-existant problem.

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I'm certainly glad they didn't go with any of your "alternatives", if they did tr them, I'm sure every focus group and usability test as well as designer told them it was a bad idea.

What they have looks nice works and makes sense, those do not.

You really think that it is nice that the window title moves around when you change Quick Access tool bar or when these colorful tabs appear? Office 2007 beta 1 Ribbon was much much better in this area IMO. Quick Access area does look better with the big Office button, but not with a separate file menu and window icon.

Edited by tiadimundo
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The major problem here is that they want to license the Scenic Ribbon to third party developers. Think of the hundreds of apps that will have one single Ribbon tab but 35 icons in the title bar!

There is so much free real estate on the window, why do they put the icons on the border? Buttons on the window frame should control the window, not the program inside! This is what we have learned for ages.

Here are some alternatives:

The second example is exactly how the taskbar was organized: One "Start button" to start new tasks, a customizable quick start area with icons and the task buttons to switch between tasks.

Number 3 is better than the others and the current Paint.

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That is something that is easily overlooked by people ;) and it wount affect your productivity :p. I never had any troubles with it and besides,it's paint. Not many people use that often. I don't find all that complaining for such a small thing necessay.

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Most people do. Nothing to get upset about. The ribbon interface has been very well received by those willing to take 5 minutes to adjust to a more innovative interface.

I have to use the ribbon at work since Office 2K7 came out. I don't like it. At home I stick with Office 2K3.

If this change is too much then don't upgrade. Very simple solution to a non-existant problem.

Or, for those that want 7, but don't like the ribbon on paint and wordpad, just use the versions from Vista.

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I can't believe how defensive some people here get.

You really think I wouldn't upgrade to 7 because I dispise the ribbon interface corner in Paint?

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That is something that is easily overlooked by people ;) and it wount affect your productivity :p. I never had any troubles with it and besides,it's paint. Not many people use that often. I don't find all that complaining for such a small thing necessay.

The Scenic Ribbon is the new standard for common apps on the Windows plattform. So Paint is just the beginning. They will move away from old menus and tool bars. That's why every single detail is so important at this time. I do love the Ribbon but they should have a large orb like in Office 2007 or integrate the Quick Access into the tabs section.

I can't believe how defensive some people here get.

You really think I wouldn't upgrade to 7 because I dispise the ribbon interface corner in Paint?

It's not about Paint or Wordpad. It's about a new standard they create at the moment and most likely will stick with for the next decade. So it should be perfect before they release it, don't you think?

Edited by tiadimundo
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I can't believe how defensive some people here get.

You really think I wouldn't upgrade to 7 because I dispise the ribbon interface corner in Paint?

Think about the title you chose for your thread

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The Scenic Ribbon is the new standard

New does not necessarily mean better.

thats horrible. Microsoft have lost it. i am a strong believer of "if it is not broke dont fix it"

Concur

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Think about the title you chose for your thread

I still stand by it. Whoever pushed through paint into the ribbon interface and then decided to butcher the main save area deserves to be fired.

I'm not saying anyone on this forum should be fired am I? So why should anyone here take it personally.

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The Scenic Ribbon is the new standard for common apps on the Windows plattform. So Paint is just the beginning. They will move away from old menus and tool bars. That's why every single detail is so important at this time. I do love the Ribbon but they should have a large orb like in Office 2007 or integrate the Quick Access into the tabs section.

It's not about Paint or Wordpad. It's about a new standard they create at the moment and most likely will stick with for the next decade. So it should be perfect before they release it, don't you think?

People should get fired based on your biased opinion?

This is a troll post and you expect people to do what exactly? Not everyone agrees with you, being defensive doesn't mean anyone is taking offense, it's just a different opinion than yours.

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eh my 59 yr old mom was just over and says it's not rocket science to figure it out...guess the avg user or at least my mom may deserve a lil more credit...

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Lots of fuss over nothing here. The layout is fine, and if someone doesnt know what they do, you just move the cursor over it, and almost instantly a pop up tells you what everything does.

This is the biggest exaggeration since the swine flu outbreak.

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Do people really even care about Microsoft Paint? I only ask because I thought Adobe Photoshop or the free alternative GIMP were standard now-a-days? I haven't opened Microsoft Paint since Windows98/SE. :blink:

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Back on topic. No, that doesn't look user-friendly at all. I'll check it out on my Windows7 box sometime today though. Now I'm curious.

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Do people really even care about Microsoft Paint? I only ask because I thought Adobe Photoshop or the free alternative GIMP were standard now-a-days? I haven't opened Microsoft Paint since Windows98/SE. :blink:

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Back on topic. No, that doesn't look user-friendly at all. I'll check it out on my Windows7 box sometime today though. Now I'm curious.

I have Photoshop, but I use paint for simple things. Sometimes Photoshop is simply overkill, while MS Paint loads instantly, and gets the job done.

Aside from that, can I really argue against MS improving something that's barely been touched for so many years?

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Too many people in this thread are confusing "user-friendliness" with "That doesn't look like what I'm used to"

I think it's funny too, since the user can remove those buttons from the title bar anyway.

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