Star OpenOffice.org Demonstrates First New UI Prototypes
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 6th Aug 2009 13:18 UTC
Features, Office The OpenOffice.org team has been experimenting with a new user interface for the suite of programs, and they've presented the first rough prototype of this new interface, more specifically for Impress. The general gist? It's Microsoft Office 2007's ribbon interface.
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Srolling toolbar...you like?
by chekr on Thu 6th Aug 2009 13:36 UTC
chekr
Member since:
2005-11-05

If you try out the prototype try the scrolling toolbar concept. With a bit of polish and some beautiful/tasteful icons it could work very well. For a screenshot see: http://myunix.org/2009/08/06/new-ui-design-for-open-office-star-off...

Does anyone else like this concept? I think it is much better than the "ribbon" style but I'm keen to hear others opinions on it.

Reply Bookmark Score: 2

nathbeadle Member since:
2006-08-08

I've always kind of liked that idea... I thought it worked very well on Apple's site to allow you to find the product you are looking for.

Saying that... I think it really only works well when it's only one item tall and there is a logical order to the items being displayed. So the question is, are you going to have a huge button for BOLD or are there going to be buttons stacked similar to the ribbon in office?

I think this would have to be designed carefully. I could see this being a BIG problem is there are a few more buttons that you really use that cause you to scroll a bit, and then having to scroll back to change the font face and size.

I would say I'd prefer a more ribbon like interface. When you choose a section, all the buttons are there and constantly in the same place. With the scrolling, depending on where you "left off"... your buttons will have moved.

Looking forward to seeing what others say!

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

RE: Srolling toolbar...you like?
by Coxy on Thu 6th Aug 2009 14:26 in reply to "Srolling toolbar...you like?"
Coxy Member since:
2006-07-01

That's polished?

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2

RE:
by jhoo on Sat 8th Aug 2009 22:36 in reply to "RE: Srolling toolbar...you like?"
jhoo Member since:
2006-03-24

That's polished?


That's sarcastic? Just incase it's not, he's inviting you to check out the prototype which he said could look good with icons and polish.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

sseehh Member since:
2009-04-20

yes i like this. i think by combining all of the options into a unified continuous space that slides along is better than segregating options into discrete sections.

Edited 2009-08-06 16:53 UTC

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

SJ87 Member since:
2007-12-16

yes i like this. i think by combining all of the options into a unified continuous space that slides along is better than segregating options into discrete sections.

I don't see how it makes pointer-based navigation any easier or what are its gains considering usability. It's basicly just Ribbon + a scrolling animation. You scroll the bar by clicking on a Ribbon-like tab or alternatively use a scrollbar, which is utter crap TBH.

Edited 2009-08-06 17:16 UTC

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1