As a user experience architect, I’m always
curious to see how good
design involves users
into an engaging ambience by checking their first time interaction. As recently Microsoft released its
Windows 8 OS based on Ribbon interface, the debate about its usability from
experienced and new users drew our attention that whether Ribbon interface is really that bad from usability perspective.
1. Visibility of system
In Windows 8 Explorer, Ribbon interface has replaced the previously
available menu / tool bar and displays most functions in the header space. This
would likely benefit new users more because many functions are pulled out of
the menu and visibly available on the screen all the time; whereas experienced
users will complain for the double-sized header space but slower access to
functions without keyboard shortcuts. In this case, Ribbon interface does a
good job on visibility for inexperienced users to reduce the short-term memory
load, but increases the visual density with lower flexibility and efficiency
for expert users.
2. Consistency and standards
On the upper left corner of the screen is a new File button, and it
opens up a list of management options in a fairly new menu with different
layout and interaction pattern from other function tabs in the header. A bunch
of frequently used files and places are available here for a quick access,
which is quite useful. However, for both experience and new users, this action
is beyond what they expected from the previous operation experience and make
them wonder. Besides, the inconsistency of Ribbon interface from the former
Windows OS diminishes the learnability for expert users and it takes more time
for them to find certain functions based on the old standard.
3. User control and freedom
Many users comment that the header in Ribbon interface takes up quite
the amount of space. In fact, users are allowed to double click the function
tab so that the upper-middle part can be hided with only tab names visible.
Also, the shortcut key will show up if left mouse click “alt” in keyboard.
Again, all these easy-pass controls need a clear mark for users without having
to go through all the extended dialogues.
Redmondmag.com reported that power users feel the ribbons take "too
much time and patience to learn." versus a fairly good acceptance by users
except highly experienced users.*
As Ribbon interface offers functionality on the context where user is
working, it provides a big potential to be implemented in the complex work-flow
driven systems rather than generic document editing and file managing application.
* Source from Wikipedia
Posted
10-05-2011 10:13 AM
by
Miao Wang