Re: [libreoffice-users] CNET is claiming the best free MSO alternative is not LO

On 06/07/2013 01:30 PM, Girvin R. Herr wrote:
> Kracked_P_P---webmaster wrote:
> <snip>
> > I was talking to a professor a few days ago.  He does not like the 
> > newer versions due in part to "the way they keep changing the 
> > interface and how to do things". I made sure he know about LO.  He 
> > loved the multi language part as well.
> >
> > I did not like the "ribbon" menu system either.  Sure, the type of 
> > interface that LO uses has been around for years, but that does not 
> > mean you need to change it.  "Refreshing" or redesigning the 
> > interface, just because you can, is not a reason to.  One of the good 
> > things about LO as it went from 3.3 though 4.0 is the way the 
> > interface does not change, or has a slow change so it does not "stand 
> > up and slap your face" with the changes.  Once you learn "what is 
> > where" and how to do things, changing that will cause problems.  Sure 
> > the interface could use some enhancements, like the "persona" 
> > addition, but to keep our users happy, you must not make the users 
> > relearn how to do things or where are the menu options are now located.
> I have been using the OO/LO office suite since OO.o 1.x and now I am 
> using LO 3.6.6.  (I have not tried LO 4.0.x, since I am still waiting 
> for that less-buggy 4.1.5+ version to be released.) However, I have 
> found the incremental changes to the user interface refreshing.  OO.o 
> and now LO, have made great improvements in this area with each 
> release.  Nothing to make me go back to school to get my degree on how 
> to use it, but the changes made the functions much easier to use and 
> more intuitive. To me, that is a big plus.  I want to be productive, 
> not have to re-learn user interfaces with each new release.  Although 
> I am a retired electronics engineer, I am _not_ a techno-geek who has 
> to have the latest and greatest all the time.  You won't find me 
> waiting for hours outside an Apple store to buy the latest iPhone.  If 
> it works, don't "fix" it is my motto.
> Girvin Herr
>
> <snip>

My last version of MSO was 2003.
I ran OOo back in those early days as well, and went to LO back just 
before they switched from the first RC version to the first "full 
release" version back in late winter 2011.  I currently use 4.0.3 on 
both Ubuntu and Win7 systems.

I like the fact that the LO interface, as a whole, has not changed. Yes, 
there are some added things, like the 1 or 2 page view and some other 
things.  But it looks mostly like it has been for that past year or 
two.  No need to relearn where the needed menu option has been 
relocated.  No need to figure out how to do needed options, since the 
process has not changes or the change is slow slight is seem like no 
change at all.

The one big complaint I have heard about MSO is the fact they seem to 
change how you do things, after you get use to doing it their "new" way 
after the last change.  I know many business people have stated that 
every time a new MSO is "bought" [or now rented] for their company 
users, they have to spend time and money while the users learn how to do 
the things they need to do with the changes that MSO has made in the 
interface and the steps to do the needed options.

I need to relearn the interface for Paint Shop Pro X5, when I used 
version 5 since the XP days.  But since I can not get v5 to install on 
Win7 Home Premium that my laptop has, I had to upgrade it and relearn 
the new interface.  Same with PSP 5 or X5 vs. GIMP.  The time it takes 
to relearn how to do the things that comes very easily to me with the 
old interface, well it is very frustrating to say the least and has 
taken 2 to 5 times longer to do the things I want/need to do.

So if people feel that way about the MSO interface changes, and want to 
use one that is easier use and clearer to understand, then they need to 
use a package - like LO - that does not have major interface changes.  I 
hope no one decides to revamp/refresh LO's interface to the point where 
our users will have the same frustrations as they did with the constant 
changes that MSO seems to relish in.



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