Re: Work Menu - Word:mac 2008

Hello again -

On 1/20/08 7:43 AM, in article ee8940f.10@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "aliquis"
<aliquis> wrote:

So what you're saying is that the Software Architect (just 1?) only takes
notice of what's submitted via the Help menu? And only then when there's a
large enough number saying the same thing? You mean MS does its software
design by plebiscite? They never read reviews, look at forums, blogs and the
rest? They don't even take any notice of the MVPs? (See:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQS/General/WorkMenu.htm) I don't think so. C'mon John
- you're an expert - you know it's not like that.

Wouldn't this mean that the reason the Work Menu has disappeared from Word
2007 is because more Windows users than Mac users pressed the feedback button?
Of course that's not how it happened. The fact that it's gone is because the
Word developers know it's a BAD feature on whatever platform

Absolutely not. The Work menu is absent in Word 2007 because *MENUS* are
absent in 2007, as are just about all customization capabilities Mac Office
users still have at their disposal... And if you look at the PC Word groups
you'd find quite a few who are quite perturbed about it.

and have actually
made a half-decent attempt to address it in Word 2007 through pinning the
Recent Items. (But there of course you can unpin them as well.) So why not
fix it in Word 2008? Certainly not because they're saying 'Well if you'd only
told us you didn't like it...'

Pinning & unpinning is useful, but 2007 still gives you no way to *remove*
individual items from the list... Nor can you rearrange or group them.

In your previous post you lambasted the dangerous aspect of the removal
command, but there are a few points to consider here:

First of all, *any* technique to remove commands from the menu structure is
going to be a "powerful" tool. That's why it & the Work menu are not a part
of the default UI - you have to specifically seek out & activate both.

Any powerful tool can be dangerous in the hands of careless, inattentive or
irresponsible individuals - and yes, even accomplished professionals make
mistakes. I'm not sure that justifies taking scalpels away from surgeons,
taking saws away from carpenters or yanking torches out of the hands of
welders. The appropriate cautions are there and, IMHO, anyone who chooses to
use the features must also assume the responsibility of using it wisely.

Objectively, the accidental removal of a menu command is little more than a
trivial inconvenience which can readily be corrected. Compared to other
"features" of the program which can literally destroy documents - even if
used "as directed" - the entire argument about this feature pales to the
point of transparency.

BTW - just for the record - contrary to you allegation in an earlier
message, I haven't imagined *anything*:-) The removal tool *is* a "simple
item" & it works like a charm. I believe you're missing a key part of it's
being available because you are viewing exclusively in the context of
removing items from the Work Menu. What you are failing to take into
consideration is that the removal command is a feature to be used more
globally by those who customize a wide range of menus, literally redesigning
the UI... Taking items from the Work menu is but one minor aspect of its
purpose & usefulness.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac




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