It was a gutsy move for Microsoft to launch the ‘Building Windows 8‘ blog. By keeping the general public in the development loop, they’ve now made it possible to crucify their next OS build before it has a chance to get on its feet.
Without the big picture, it’s easy to snipe these bits and pieces they’re feeding us with. They should take a cue from Steve Jobs. He has mastered one of the most important public speaking concepts: conceal and reveal. I’ll never forget when Jobs weaved a tale about an amazing portable mp3 player — and then proceeded to pull it from his pocket. Pure brilliance.
Here are the screen shots recently in question:
The Ribbon
This is from Windows Explorer and it’s getting ripped all over the web.
One blogger pointed out Microsoft’s own findings:
If their not using it, why would you make it bigger?
Good point.
Now, back to mine: conceal and reveal.
If you’re an expert, be an expert. Crowd-sourcing the general public will ultimately lead to failure. I want my apps, OS and WordPress themes developed by experts, not couch potatoes, hacks and wannabees.
Be assured, I’m not defending Microsoft. I think their ‘ribbon’ is ugly and obnoxious. Give my ‘right-click,’ please, thank you. They should have kept their new OS strapped to the side and out of view. Perhaps they found people wanted to use the menu bar, but it was too archaic and needed to be revamped? Microsoft contends they’ve made this ribbon to ease the touch screen use. Either way, we all have a preconceived notion that it’s ugly and we don’t like it. Good or bad, this is how it is when you pull the rabbit out before saying, “abracadabra.”
Enzo says
Well written Eric. The few times I have used the infamous ribbon I have always wondered if they could make it any more complicated to do even the most mundane tasks.
Eric Dye says
And they have. Hello, Windows 8 ribbon.
Ben Cotten says
I’m not sure I agree with you about the “conceal & reveal”. It certainly makes the unveilings more dramatic, but it is also what Apple has been most criticized for in other areas: extreme control over their devices instead of letting users/owners decide what they want. It’s kind of the opposite of open source.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPhone… but sometime the Jobsian uber-control is annoying.
Microsoft seems to be leaning in the other direction which in the end might be a great idea for them from a marketing perspective. They will become the open, friendly, everybody-join-the-party, have-it-your-way company as a contrast to the “my-way-or-the-highway” Apple. Culturally speaking, that’s a smart move in my opinion.
As for the ribbon bar? Well, I’ve gotten used to it in MS Office so I don’t really care. I also use Launchy and keyboard shortcuts for most things so, again, I don’t really care.
I’m not sure trying to develop an OS that works well for mouse/keyboard input that also works well for touch is a great idea. Seems like the compromises will do more harm than good?
Jared Erickson says
Not sure I agree with Apple being the only one that “controls” what they put out… look at Internet explorer. MS is not complying with web standards because THEY want control. heck they don’t even care if users have terrible web experiences. This ribbon is just another example of their poor taste
Eric Dye says
I think this explains it: https://churchm.ag/org-charts-of-major-tech-companies-comic/
Eric Dye says
I’m not too sure about merging the two worlds, either.
James Cooper says
So that’s where the abracadabra went 😉
Couldn’t agree more how ugly and plain dumb the Office ribbons are.
We have Office 2007 (and thus Powerpoint) on the church computer. After being used to Keynote, trying to use powerpoint on a Sunday morning just makes me want to cry (amongst other things…).
Eric Dye says
I hates it.
wvpv says
I use Office 2010 a lot and even after a year, I still don’t like the ribbon concept.
We just rolled out Office 2010 en masse where I work. It’s been a tough transition for some people.
We may hate it but some of us will be forced to get used to it because we’re in a corporate environment.
There’s pressure, but Apple doesn’t have a strong enterprise presence like Microsoft.
Eric Dye says
I’m with you. I’ve been using it for a few years, now, and I still hate it with a passion. I feel like my computer got switched to “easy mode” or something.
Chris says
I’d just like to point out there there are entire websites (official) dedicated to the ribbon in Office. An entire website dedicated to using a toolbar.
— http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/office-ribbon-find-commands-FX101851541.aspx
— http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/use-the-ribbon-instead-of-toolbars-and-menus-HA010089895.aspx
And an interactive guide for Office for Mac.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/interactive-guides/word/default.htm
A toolbar should be easy to use. The ribbon usually results in me mumbling not nice things everytime I interact with it.
Eric Dye says
If you have to build THAT big of a tutorial … you need to go back to the drawing board.
Jared Erickson says
My grandma is going to LOVE This! now she can see the icons… from across the room
James Cooper says
Ah, perhaps that’s the idea, no more need for computer glasses! Perhaps you can use the ribbon with: http://www.makemylogobiggercream.com/ 😉
Eric Dye says
I love this.
Eric Dye says
😆
Raoul Snyman says
I left the Windows world long before any of these ribbon things. Quite honestly, I don’t see the point in them either, but I also know that as a certified open source computer geek, I’m probably in the top 10% of computer users and completely the wrong audience.
If I remember correctly, there was a usability study done a few years ago which showed how even the “worthless because they’re free and written by developers” open source desktop environments were better than Windows.
Eric Dye says
Open Source FTW.