I have just finished reading “Microsoft CEO hints at ‘Metro-ization’ of Office” by Gregg Keizer at InfoWorld. Nice article and I recommend you taking the time to read it.
Although the article deals more with the future of Microsoft Office I found the mention of the introduction of the Ribbon in Office 2007, and the reference to the complaints, to take me back.
In the work that I do, teaching software applications to users (mostly office products and primarily Microsoft products) we were hit right up front with those complaints.
On my first attempt to use the Ribbon there was some consternation with my inability to find certain things. Of course, being the aged user with all the experience I expected to just open it up and there it would be all picture perfect. Like others I was coming to the Ribbon with all those years of toolbars behind me.
After sitting back and looking at it I discovered that instead of trying to ‘remember’ where everything was (Click on Insert to Picture then look for Chart in the flyout Menu) I began to think “what is it you want to do?” and it all worked.
That is how I teach it today. Think about what you want to do, look, and it is all right there. And you have more power than ever before.
For someone new to Microsoft Office learning the Ribbon was really intuitive. It made sense. I have actually had that said to me over and over by users who, for the first time in their lives, had to learn this computer and how to use the software.
People in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s (some older) have lost jobs and are now having to deal with finding a job in today’s world of technology and the office computer.
The Ribbon makes sense, and, as Microsoft has said, more people are getting more out of the power of Microsoft Office than they ever had in the past.
Now back to the article that started this thinking.
So will ‘Metro-ization’ of the Office package make it even better? I suspect that it will. When Microsoft decides to get it so that we can use it easily on touch products like the smartphones (and not just Windows 7) I am sure Google Docs and other products will have a hard road to hoe.
From the InfoWorld article here is a quote re: “Metro-ization”.
Metro is the name Microsoft has given the tile- and touch-based interface borrowed from Windows Phone 7, the smartphone operating system, and before that, Zune, the company's portable music player.
From my personal perspective Microsoft would be better off to think of Office as separate from the Windows OS. Microsoft Office must be able to stand alone and be used on all of today’s new hardware whether it is Widows OS, Apple iOS or Android. We should have access to it from anywhere or everywhere and at all times.
User’s are all different however that user experience is what should be the prime target for Microsoft.
WE, the user, have the POWER!
As has been mention before with regard to Microsoft Office products; focusing on the Enterprise may not be in Microsoft's best interest. The “user”, as an individual, can now bring pressure to bear when it comes to what is best and efficient. The “user” is having something to say about the tools they use on the job. All you have to do is look at the forced changes with respect to the smartphone and the iPad or tablet computers.
I want Microsoft Office on my HTC Thunderbolt NOW!! Are you listening Mr. Ballmer?
