[libreoffice-design] Re: Cleaning up the default toolbars

I'm wondering why the decision to remove the main menu bar, to clean up a
tool bar, to add pop-up menus etc. are made in the design section. I'd like
to add some comments from a usability point of view.

Tool bars must not be contaminated with pop-up menu. It's reason is fast
access for frequently used functions. (The full collection of all functions
should be accessible via menu bar only.) User's orientation gets reduced
with pop-up menus, numerous and cluttered items.
When the menu bar is removed the tool bars' layout becomes consequently more
complex. But actually rather the tool bar is removed and the main menu bar
gets larger and "itemized". There should no other reason to do so than touch
input. But keep in mind that it removes functionality (fast access) in
favour of those big buttons.
Merging tool bars is a bad idea since it is the most prominent grouping
feature. In our latest icon test we found some icons with very loose
association to their respective function. For instance, Oxygen's 'new' is
often mixed up with other functions. But no one hesitates to click the left
most icon. That means grouping is as important as perfect icons and labels.

Last but not least, LO users have an ambivalent attitude to Ribbon like
controls. Some like it some hate it [1]. So I would suggest to ask the
users. We could prepare some simple mockups with one or two bars, with small
or big buttons, with more or less items etc. Never decide on your own.

[1] http://user-prompt.com/libreoffice-user-research-results-vol-4/

PS: Where can I found the discussion about the new icon scheme?



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