No, Word has always provided a variety of ways to accomplish any given task,
to accommodate user preference insofar as possible, while still leaning to
making the UI most accommodating for the majority of users. I'll also add
that many users *do* adopt at least some keyboard shortcuts when they are
introduced to them, but most casual Word users (and that includes a *lot* of
users, since "everybody" has Word) don't have the same needs as power users.
I also appreciate having both keyboard shortcuts and toolbar buttons because
I work in two modes. When I am typing (entering or composing text), I use
keyboard shortcuts as I go, but when I am editing and formatting, since I
have the mouse in my hand already, it is usually more efficient to use
buttons, although I do use some left-hand keyboard shortcuts.
--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site:
http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
"Larry" wrote in message
...
Then by your implied logic, and by Microsoft's explicit logic, keyboard
shortcuts should be eliminated.
Larry
P.S. Indeed, not only do most users not work like me, the great majority
of
users do not even use the most basic keyboard commands, such as Ctrl+I for
italic. The average typist in an office would rather use the mouse to
click on the Italic button in the formatting bar. Further, with Word
2007,
the formatting commands are only displayed if the "Home" tab of the Ribbon
is displayed. So if our typist has just used some other tab of the
Ribbon,
she would first have to switch back to the "Home" tab in order to access
the
Italic command.
Oh, what a brilliant, user-friendly, intuitive interface!
"Suzanne S. Barnhill" wrote in message
...
But can you accept that the majority of users do NOT use Word the way
you
do? The vast majority of them would never think of going to the trouble
to
customize Word this way even if they were told how, and most have no
desire
to use Word this way. I find that most users are not interested in
keyboard
shortcuts at all.
--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the
newsgroup
so
all may benefit.
"Larry" wrote in message
...
Also, if memory serves correctly, years ago Beth helped me with macros
to
prevent the vertical and horizonal scroll bars from ever appearing
unless
I
wanted them (and helped me with a lot of other things as well). It
was
a
bit of a trick. Word just wanted those ugly scroll bars to keep
popping
up.
Only serious customization could get around that. But once we had it,
it
was never an issue again. I have simple keystrokes to toggle the
scrollbars
when I want them, not when Microsoft wants them. My aim in that case
and
generally has been to keep all unnecessary clutter out of the Word
window.
So I got rid of all toolbar buttons that I don't use, and replaced the
Standard and Formatting toolbars with one simplified toolbar. I never
display the Ruler except when I need it. Also, the blue background
screen
is "cooler," easier on the eyes. So the whole look is simple and
pleasing
to the eye. To me, the way Word looks when it opens in its default
state
is
an incredible eyesore.
The other thing for me is to have an integrated environment, where I
do
things with the minimum of keystrokes or mouseclicks. For example, I
developed a single key command (Num1) to toggle the Blue background
off
and
on. I have a single key command (Num2) which not only toggles the
capitalization of a word, but if there's a selection going up to the
start
of a word, it cuts the selection and toggles the capitalization of the
first
letter of the word immediately following the selection. I have three
custom
menus with many macros I use constantly, every one of those macros
takes
just two keystrokes, Alt+Letter, Letter. I'm still not sure if it's
posible
to replicate something like that in 2007.
Things that take two steps in the older versions (even without my
customizations), take three or more steps in 2007, things that take
one
step
in the older versions (like opening the Window menu via keystroke)
take
two
steps in 2007. This is totally unacceptable. The whole point is
that
things that you do often be done with the minimum of keystrokes.
So my approach is to make Word's look as simple as possible, and
Word's
operation as simple as possible.
Word 2007 is not only the opposite of that, it basically makes it
impossible
to customize around it. It imposes so much more on you (that
incredibly
complicated, hyperactive Ribbon) and makes it impossible to escape it.
"Beth Melton" wrote in message
...
I think it's impossible to persuade you in general, Larry. ;-)
If you want the truth, when I saw the new UI you were one of the
first
people that came to mind. I thought, oh my, when Larry sees this
he'll
have
a heart attack. I'm thankful to see you've taken a look at it and
are
still
around. grin
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
"Larry" wrote in message
...
Ok, Beth, I understand that you feel it's impossible to persuade
me
that
trashing and replacing Word's total interface and method of
operation
was
for the Greater Good.
"Beth Melton" wrote in message
...
Styles were merely an example that came to mind at the time.
You know, Larry, just based on previous discussions I've had with
you
on
topics of an even more simiplic nature I know there nothing I can
say
to
you
that will change your mind...