Microsoft tweaks Office 2007 user interface

Software developer acts on complaints about oversized ‘ribbon’ feature

Microsoft is changing the new user interface for its forthcoming Office 2007 productivity suite.

The application will introduce a new feature dubbed the ribbon. Replacing the current menus and toolsbars in the top of a window, the ribbon will change depending on the task that a user is performing. The technology aims to better present the application’s features which previously could be buried deep into the menus.

Testers had complained that the ribbon in its current version takes up too much screen real estate.

Users in the next test version will be able to permanently minimize the ribbon. The application will display a mini toolbar with tabs that lets the user perform basic tasks.

Full article: vnunet.com