You’ll get this, for example, if you upgrade from an older version of Office to a newer one. The newer versions (Office 2007 and Office 2010) change the whole toolbar paradigm to one called a “Ribbon”. Microsoft seems to be 100% behind this change, as they’re planning to use the same concept in the next version of Windows for the main User Interface.

Luckily, if you’re stuck with Office and just can’t handle the “Ribbon”, there is a way around it. You can download Office 2010 menus adjustment software that will replace the new interface with Toolbars that match older versions of Office. This means that you can upgrade to the new version without needing any training or without losing any time in the switch. It means you can adjust to the new system in your own time.

That’s the great thing about software, you can usually find ways around constraints and problems. Give this a try and see how you get on.

Interesting post on my mate Leo’s blog. He talks about security at work and the “emotional cost of having to deal with security your organisation imposes on you. Here’s his take:

What is the cost that security is placing on our businesses and our personal movement? George Orwell never had it so right. I am not talking about the physical cost of these systems and running them. More the emotional side of it. For example if someone forgets there pass. They are effectively stranded at work. Resorting to having to wait for colleagues who have their passes or leaving doors unlock.

I can see his point, but there’s another side to the story. First of all, employees working in an office have a trust relationship with their employer. They believe that they come to work to fulfill a task. The last thing they expect is some crazy off the street breaking into the office, whether to steal something or because they have a problem with something the company and are looking for retribution. At the same time, properly implemented security features also monitor who leaves and enters the building and can be used in the case of fire or emergency to establish who is present and accounted for and who isn’t.

The question is .. do you think security doors are an asset of a hindrance to your job?

Anyway, this morning I spotted a news article titled “Tesco takes on Microsoft in battle for software market“, and thought to myself “Wow! Is Tesco backing Open Source? Do they have something up their sleeve? Maybe a Tesco branded flavour of Linux?”. Shaking in trepidation, I clicked on the link to have a read …

The first line read “Tesco, the UK’s biggest retailer, will go head-to-head with Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, by entering the £8.5bn computer software market.” Amazing! An audacious plan! Will Tesco displace Microsoft in the software market. The next paragraph read “The retailer will launch Tesco-branded software in 100 stores this month. An initial range of six products, which will include office software and security suites, will sell for less than £20 each, massively undercutting rivals’ prices. Microsoft Office sells for up to £300.”

What exactly does that sound like to you? Well .. it sounds like Tesco was launching a Microsoft Office killer which presumably consists of, maybe a word processor or a spreadsheet at £20 each which rivaled Word and Excel in terms of functionality, right?

The rest of the article is pretty depressing as the truth finally hits home. Turns out that what Tesco is really selling consists of some finance, CD burning and photo editing products. This begs the question: how does this compare to Microsoft’s target market? How is this going to steal market share from Microsoft? WHY DID THE REPORTER FEEL HE HAD TO MENTION THAT MICROSOFT OFFICE COSTS UP TO £300???

Thoughts?