Ribbon (computing)

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In GUI-based application software, a ribbon is an interface where a set of toolbars are placed on tabs in a tab bar. Recent releases of some Microsoft applications have embraced this form with an intricate modular ribbon as their main interface. The Ribbon is a contextual interface that offers functionality based on the context the user is working in. The Ribbon GUI provides the user interface of an application with a large toolbar filled with graphical representations of control elements which are grouped by different functionality. The Ribbon can also contain tabs to expose different sets of control elements eliminating the need for a lot of different icon based tool bars.

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[edit] Ribbons in Microsoft software

Ribbon in Microsoft PowerPoint 2007.

Microsoft originally implemented ribbons as part of its "Fluent User Interface" in Office 2007.[1] The ribbon is formed as a panel that houses certain command buttons and icons; it organizes commands as a set of tabs, each grouping relevant commands. Each application has a different set of tabs which house the options for that specific application. Within each tab, various related options may be grouped together. The Ribbon can be minimized by double clicking the active tab.[2] The ribbon consolidates the functionality previously found in menus, toolbars and many task panes into one area.[3]

In Microsoft Office 2007 the Ribbon interface was limited to the main Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications but in Microsoft Office 2010 the Ribbon will be introduced across all Office applications.[4]

The ribbon UI has also begun to be implemented in other Microsoft software like Windows, SQL Server and Dynamics CRM 5.0.[5] The Windows 7 applications Paint and WordPad now utilize a ribbon-based UI.[6]

[edit] Reaction to interface

The Ribbon interface of Microsoft Office has not been completely well received.[citation needed] It is not customizable. Richard Ericson from Computer World noticed that experienced users might find difficulties adapting to the new interface, and that some tasks take more key-presses or clicks to activate [7] Microsoft promises a customizable ribbon in Office 2010.[8]

[edit] Other software developers

Since the introduction of the Ribbon GUI interface in Microsoft Office 2007 there has been an uptake of this type of interface in applications created by other developers especially those creating tools for Microsoft related products. Some examples from a 2008 GUI showcase report [9]

  • SQL diagnostic manager (mixed Menu bar / Ribbon GUI) [10]
  • Fotoflexer (webbased Ribbon GUI) [11]

[edit] OpenOffice experiments

OpenOffice.org project Renaissance provides a ribbon interface to OpenOffice.org.

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Patent "Land grab"

Mike Gunderloy, a former Microsoft contractor, left the company and ceased using its software partially over his disagreement with the company's "sweeping land grab" including its attempt to patent the Ribbon interface. He refused to "contribut[e] to the eventual death of programming."[12] He states: "Microsoft itself represents a grave threat to the future of software development through its increasing inclination to stifle competition through legal shenanigans."[13][14]

Proponents of free software, such as KDE developer Jarosław Staniek,[15] have expressed beliefs that the patent cannot be acquired due to the ambiguity of prior art.[15] As no patent has been acquired yet, they assert that anyone who has not signed the license can legally implement the concept in their applications without having to conform to Microsoft's requirements.[16] It has also been stated that Microsoft will not give their approval to products competing directly with Microsoft's.[17] If the design guidelines contain legal loopholes that give Microsoft a basis for future lawsuits against products exploiting this concept, those disenfranchised would not be able to inform others due to the non-disclosure agreement.[18]

Staniek notes that the ribbon concept has historically appeared extensively as "tabbed toolbars" in applications such as Macromedia HomeSite, Dreamweaver and Borland Delphi.[15]. Early ribbon UIs were developed by Lotus for their product eSuite. Screen shots are still available in an IBM redbook about eSuite (page 109ff)[19].

Another popular application that has used the "tabbed toolbar" concept is Autodesk Maya.

"Tabbed toolbars", such as the one found in Allaire HomeSite (now branded Macromedia HomeSite), have been contested as prior art for the Ribbon UI.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Office Fluent User Interface
  2. ^ "Microsoft: Use the Ribbon". http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA100898951033.aspx. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
  3. ^ The Microsoft Office Fluent user interface overview. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  4. ^ Paul Thurrot (2009-07-13). "Office 2010 sports improved ribbon across all apps, servers, services". Winsupersite.com. http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/07/13/office-2010-sports-improved-ribbon-across-all-apps-servers-services.aspx. 
  5. ^ Ray Barley (2009-02-18). "Introduction to SQL Server 2008 Report Builder 2.0". http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1690. 
  6. ^ (2008-09-14)"Ahead of PDC, Microsoft Begins Internal Test of Windows 7". Paul Thurrott. 2008-09-14. http://windowsitpro.com/windowspaulthurrott/article/articleid/100295/ahead-of-pdc-microsoft-begins-internal-test-of-windows-7.html. Retrieved 2008-09-15. 
  7. ^ Richard Ericson (2006-11-06). "Final Review: The Lowdown on Office 2007". Computerworld. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9003994/Final_Review_The_Lowdown_on_Office_2007. 
  8. ^ Melissa Kerr (2009-11-09). "Microsoft Office 2010: Making the Ribbon Mine". TechNet. http://blogs.technet.com/office2010/archive/2009/11/09/making-the-ribbon-mine.aspx. 
  9. ^ "Application Design Showcase: 10 Best App UIs". Nielsen Norman Group Report. 
  10. ^ "Product Tour: SQL diagnostic manager". Idera. http://www.idera.com/Product-Tour/SQL-diagnostic-manager/Monitoring-Mirrored-SQL-Databases/. 
  11. ^ "Fotoflexer: See a Demo". Fotoflexer. http://fotoflexer.com/demos.php. 
  12. ^ Veteran developer ditches Microsoft for open source, Mike Gunderloy
  13. ^ Mike - What's Going On Here? at the Internet Archive
  14. ^ http://thedailywtf.com/Articles/Mike_Gunderloy_on_Access_Perfection_.aspx
  15. ^ a b c Jarosław Staniek (2005-11-13). "KDE to sue MS over Ribbon GUI?". kdedevelopers.org. http://kdedevelopers.org/node/1617. Retrieved 2007-09-11. 
  16. ^ Mike Weller (2006-11-22). "Office 2007 UI License". Slashdot. http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/22/0140215. Retrieved 2007-02-01. 
  17. ^ Jensen Harris (2006-11-21). "Licensing the 2007 Microsoft Office User Interface". MSDN Blogs. http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/archive/2006/11/21/licensing-the-2007-microsoft-office-user-interface.aspx. Retrieved 2006-02-01. 
  18. ^ Joe Wilcox (2006-11-21). "Microsoft Cuts the Ribbon on Office 2007 UI Licensing". Microsoft Watch. http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/business_applications/microsoft_cuts_the_ribbon_on_office_2007_ui.html. Retrieved 2007-02-01. 
  19. ^ Ben Langhinrich's comparison between MS-RibbonUI and eSuite
v • d • e
GUI widgets
Command input
Data input-output
Informational
Containers
Accordion · Disclosure widget · Menu bar · Panel · Ribbon · Tab · Toolbar · Window
Navigational
Special windows
Related concepts
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