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Change Word programming from object-oriented to stream-formatting
As an experienced legal secretary, Information Technology Support Specialist
and soon-to-be on-the-job trainer in a renowned legal firm, I believe it is mandatory for me and for Microsoft Word users in this work environment (and others similar to it)to share my opinions and observances of the totally remodeled Word 2007 interface. Although I am now an advanced Word user, I was once a devoted, passionate and unconditionnal WordPerfect user and was for many years. I believed and still believe that Wordperfect was really user friendly, easy to customize, flexible, and mostly, transparent with regards to the logic used in the structure and management of word processed documents. All of which I believe Word does not have. My transition to Word was done with teeth-grinding, frustration,and regrets. With years of hands-on experience (and sweating), extensive and diversified training, and a huge microsoft library (books, videos, learning software and cd's and dvd's) .... I have finally managed the use of advanced functions in creating long complex documents, in this not-so user friendly interface and rigid structure. I now know most of the workarounds necessary to function with Word. Last year, almost converted to Word, I had the shocking experience of meeting with the new Microsoft Word 2007 new interface. Past the initial shock, I did extensive reading of your Microsoft Office 2007 books, visited numerous specialized Word sites, and used Office 2007 for a year. Before writing this email, I was still trying to convince myself that I would adapt sooner or later, and forget this transition. However, I am convinced I will work with Word 2007 because I have to, but will never appreciate the interface that has been totally remodeled considering (no doubt)the needs and opinions of beginner users. I believe, the new interface has been developed on the basis (according to my analyses and experience)of answering the needs of beginner users to create fancy and good looking documents rapidly. This would be fine if the sale of document processing software was intended for a clientele of beginner users and high school students who use word sporadically for basic tasks. However, I believe, that word processors are destined for intermediate to advanced users evolving in the professional workplace to answer to the demands of professionals who make it possible for users to have access to expensive and rapidly changing software. The new concept of a "contextual" working environment does not favor a logical use of Word and the mastering of its functionalities. According to me, (and many experts) this concept has left, experienced intermediate and advanced users looking and searching for tools and functions necessary to the logical structure of documents in Word. Tools now made available in this new contextual environment are limited too the particulars of the document being worked on. Therefore, focusing user-actions to be task and document-specific rather than promoting and facilitating structured, logical and methodical working methods which result in well-structured, logical, stable, efficient and professional documents through the use of templates, styles, outlining and numbering. Also, this new concept does not create, a smooth-flowing and efficient work-flow process obtained by the acquisition of automation processes resulting from the repeated execution of actions in a logic and methodical way. The only work-around suggested for this major obstacle is to create customized toolbars (which most experienced users do not use anyways, because it is much more efficient to use keyboard shortcuts) and go back time and time again to the Microsoft Home button. Note, that inexperienced users usually do not take the time to create a customized environment. My main concern here, is not only that this new interface, may cause document processing to become a nightmare and encur lost of time and money for users, consequently businesses, but that it may also compromise companies' strive to achieve and maintain a professional, consistent and unified corporate image. The basics of marketing will be at peril. If you wish to obtain specific examples in support of what I have advanced I can supply you with them, but Word specialists have written books and books bringing out the importance of understanding and mastering complex document structure mechanics to achieve long, complex, stable documents. Several specialists also mention the increased efficiency of document production when using keyboard shortcuts. Why go back to using the mouse more often with toolbars, buttons, contextual menus and contextual work interface. For a final Word, why not change the programming of your interface (Word 2008 maybe?)to the one used by Wordperfect programmers? Why try to reinvent when a majority of users agree that Wordperfect was the most user-friendly word processing interface. I thank you for taking the time to read me, and I sincerely hope that I will be able to reignite my passion for long complex documents. -- Andre Support representative (Law Firm) ---------------- This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then click "I Agree" in the message pane. http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...ocmanagemen t |
#2
Posted to microsoft.public.word.docmanagement
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Change Word programming from object-oriented to stream-formatting
I agree with your complaints but not with your final suggesiton.
The product manager(s) at MS Word just need to get it in their heads that they need to come up with a much better method to create complex documents THAT WORKS (and not like crap as it does now)! I could think of a number of ways to do that. Pete "Andre" wrote: As an experienced legal secretary, Information Technology Support Specialist and soon-to-be on-the-job trainer in a renowned legal firm, I believe it is mandatory for me and for Microsoft Word users in this work environment (and others similar to it)to share my opinions and observances of the totally remodeled Word 2007 interface. Although I am now an advanced Word user, I was once a devoted, passionate and unconditionnal WordPerfect user and was for many years. I believed and still believe that Wordperfect was really user friendly, easy to customize, flexible, and mostly, transparent with regards to the logic used in the structure and management of word processed documents. All of which I believe Word does not have. My transition to Word was done with teeth-grinding, frustration,and regrets. With years of hands-on experience (and sweating), extensive and diversified training, and a huge microsoft library (books, videos, learning software and cd's and dvd's) .... I have finally managed the use of advanced functions in creating long complex documents, in this not-so user friendly interface and rigid structure. I now know most of the workarounds necessary to function with Word. Last year, almost converted to Word, I had the shocking experience of meeting with the new Microsoft Word 2007 new interface. Past the initial shock, I did extensive reading of your Microsoft Office 2007 books, visited numerous specialized Word sites, and used Office 2007 for a year. Before writing this email, I was still trying to convince myself that I would adapt sooner or later, and forget this transition. However, I am convinced I will work with Word 2007 because I have to, but will never appreciate the interface that has been totally remodeled considering (no doubt)the needs and opinions of beginner users. I believe, the new interface has been developed on the basis (according to my analyses and experience)of answering the needs of beginner users to create fancy and good looking documents rapidly. This would be fine if the sale of document processing software was intended for a clientele of beginner users and high school students who use word sporadically for basic tasks. However, I believe, that word processors are destined for intermediate to advanced users evolving in the professional workplace to answer to the demands of professionals who make it possible for users to have access to expensive and rapidly changing software. The new concept of a "contextual" working environment does not favor a logical use of Word and the mastering of its functionalities. According to me, (and many experts) this concept has left, experienced intermediate and advanced users looking and searching for tools and functions necessary to the logical structure of documents in Word. Tools now made available in this new contextual environment are limited too the particulars of the document being worked on. Therefore, focusing user-actions to be task and document-specific rather than promoting and facilitating structured, logical and methodical working methods which result in well-structured, logical, stable, efficient and professional documents through the use of templates, styles, outlining and numbering. Also, this new concept does not create, a smooth-flowing and efficient work-flow process obtained by the acquisition of automation processes resulting from the repeated execution of actions in a logic and methodical way. The only work-around suggested for this major obstacle is to create customized toolbars (which most experienced users do not use anyways, because it is much more efficient to use keyboard shortcuts) and go back time and time again to the Microsoft Home button. Note, that inexperienced users usually do not take the time to create a customized environment. My main concern here, is not only that this new interface, may cause document processing to become a nightmare and encur lost of time and money for users, consequently businesses, but that it may also compromise companies' strive to achieve and maintain a professional, consistent and unified corporate image. The basics of marketing will be at peril. If you wish to obtain specific examples in support of what I have advanced I can supply you with them, but Word specialists have written books and books bringing out the importance of understanding and mastering complex document structure mechanics to achieve long, complex, stable documents. Several specialists also mention the increased efficiency of document production when using keyboard shortcuts. Why go back to using the mouse more often with toolbars, buttons, contextual menus and contextual work interface. For a final Word, why not change the programming of your interface (Word 2008 maybe?)to the one used by Wordperfect programmers? Why try to reinvent when a majority of users agree that Wordperfect was the most user-friendly word processing interface. I thank you for taking the time to read me, and I sincerely hope that I will be able to reignite my passion for long complex documents. -- Andre Support representative (Law Firm) ---------------- This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then click "I Agree" in the message pane. http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...ocmanagemen t |
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