Microsoft’s file management application Windows Explorer will get a new interface in its next iteration, the company revealed in a blog post.
First revealed in April, the new Explorer will be a part of the upcoming new desktop OS from Microsoft, Windows 8, which is still in early stages of development. The ribbon interface, however, is very well known from Microsoft Office 2007 onward as well as some Windows 7 applications such as WordPad.
Now it’s coming to Windows Explorer too, along with a bunch of other changes and improvements. Microsoft’s goals are threefold: to optimize Explorer for file management tasks and secure a streamlined command experience while respecting Explorer’s heritage (meaning trying not to anger millions of users who are used to the “old”-style Explorer).
Interestingly enough, Microsoft’s own research (detailed in the very long blog post) shows that almost no one is using the menu bar in Windows Explorer; hence the need for a change.
Personally, I haven’t liked most of Microsoft’s UI changes in the past couple of years, including the Ribbon; my file management app of choice is Total Commander, a shareware tool that mimics the look and feel of the ancient Norton Commander, while adding dozens of advanced options and features.
With that in mind, I’m not sure that adding more stuff to the menu bar is a good idea; I’d rather see Microsoft simplify the UI even more. The ribbon will take up more screen real estate and add a bunch of prominent options that will confuse new users and probably won’t be of much help to advanced users.
The folks at Microsoft are aware of that and address some of these points in the post. The new interface, Microsoft claims, “exposes hidden features,” “provides keyboard shortcuts for every command in the ribbon” and “provides UI customization with the quick access toolbar.”
As far as screen real estate is concerned, Microsoft claims that through some clever design optimizations — even with the new, taller ribbon menu — the next Windows Explorer will allow the user to see more files on the screen than the current Windows 7 version of Explorer.
Of course, we cannot give any final judgement until we see the finished product; right now, Windows 8 is slated to hit the market in 2012.
Based on Microsoft’s detailed insight into the new Explorer, what do you think? Will it be an improvement compared to the old Explorer? What do you think about the Ribbon interface in the context of a file management tool? Please, share your opinions in the comments.
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Posted on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:10:32 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/ziBNULJZvfE/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/30/windows-explorer-ribbon-interface/#comments
First revealed in April, the new Explorer will be a part of the upcoming new desktop OS from Microsoft, Windows 8, which is still in early stages of development. The ribbon interface, however, is very well known from Microsoft Office 2007 onward as well as some Windows 7 applications such as WordPad.
Now it’s coming to Windows Explorer too, along with a bunch of other changes and improvements. Microsoft’s goals are threefold: to optimize Explorer for file management tasks and secure a streamlined command experience while respecting Explorer’s heritage (meaning trying not to anger millions of users who are used to the “old”-style Explorer).
Interestingly enough, Microsoft’s own research (detailed in the very long blog post) shows that almost no one is using the menu bar in Windows Explorer; hence the need for a change.
Personally, I haven’t liked most of Microsoft’s UI changes in the past couple of years, including the Ribbon; my file management app of choice is Total Commander, a shareware tool that mimics the look and feel of the ancient Norton Commander, while adding dozens of advanced options and features.
With that in mind, I’m not sure that adding more stuff to the menu bar is a good idea; I’d rather see Microsoft simplify the UI even more. The ribbon will take up more screen real estate and add a bunch of prominent options that will confuse new users and probably won’t be of much help to advanced users.
The folks at Microsoft are aware of that and address some of these points in the post. The new interface, Microsoft claims, “exposes hidden features,” “provides keyboard shortcuts for every command in the ribbon” and “provides UI customization with the quick access toolbar.”
As far as screen real estate is concerned, Microsoft claims that through some clever design optimizations — even with the new, taller ribbon menu — the next Windows Explorer will allow the user to see more files on the screen than the current Windows 7 version of Explorer.
Of course, we cannot give any final judgement until we see the finished product; right now, Windows 8 is slated to hit the market in 2012.
Based on Microsoft’s detailed insight into the new Explorer, what do you think? Will it be an improvement compared to the old Explorer? What do you think about the Ribbon interface in the context of a file management tool? Please, share your opinions in the comments.
More About: interface, microsoft, ribbon, Windows, Windows ExplorerFor more Tech & Gadgets coverage:Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:10:32 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/ziBNULJZvfE/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/30/windows-explorer-ribbon-interface/#comments