"Matt Writes" on a new User Inteface
Given the focus of the latest AutoCAD release, a new UI, I found this recent blog post interesting reading:
Matt Writes - dezignstuff.com/blog/:
“The 2008 interface is only the latest salvo in this war on their customers. The 2008 interface throws away all of the knowledge and training that loyal customers have accumulated over the years, mainly for the benefit of people who have never used the software - potential new sales to reluctant-to-change 2D users. Is this any way to treat your loyal customers? Yank the rug out from underneath them? What’s wrong with a familiar interface for a tool? We are not talking women’s fashion, we are not talking styling, we are talking about how we interact with an engineering tool that needs to remain familiar. There is no benefit in random change.” [continues]
The UI in question? SolidWorks 2008 (released July 2007) with it’s version of the ribbon. Matt's “reluctant-to-change 2D users” being targeted by the new UI? AutoCAD users who have just been ribboned!
Maybe it's tough love to force change, but I wonder if offering the option to stay behind is the best tactic.
Posted by: Robin Capper | 19 February 2008 at 07:51
Ahh but AutoCAd 2009 has many more customization methods for the Ribbon and menus as well as the ability to turn off the ribbon. In fact if you upgrade the ribbon will not be the default workspace.
Change and Choice, tools are tools.
Posted by: Shaan Hurley | 19 February 2008 at 07:36