[nhebb]

I didn't take that as an anti-intellectualism slight. People who write tech pieces on the web, be it on blogs or tech publications, are more computer savvy than the the majority of computer users. If you don't believe this, go watch the Google on-the-street video asking people what a browser is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4MwTvtyrUQ).

I was one of those power users who hated the ribbon when it was introduced in Office 2007. But my wife and kids - they loved it.

[Edit - since I can't reply to thread below (why is that?)]

I sell an Excel add-in, so I have a different perspective than most power users. The ribbon is a pain to program compared to the old command bars, making me dislike it at first. I've learned to appreciate it, though, because it's a lot easier to convey the add-in's features via the ribbon than it is using 16x16 icons on a command bar.

[SteveJS]

I think I am alone in being a "power user" and loving the ribbon. I totally buy into the design philosophy of it, and I now do things with office that I couldn't or wouldn't do before.

I think there is a bit of false transference. I program therefore I'm an expert. I can honestly say that my ability at C++ or Emacs never helped me figure out how to do anything in Office. Of course, I use it rarely enough that every time might as well be the first time.

Perhaps I'm odd in that most people make deeper use of Office more often than I do?

[kenjackson]

Which Excel add-in do you sell? I've spent a fair bit of time programming Excel (VSTO), and am considering selling an add-in, but don't know how big the actual market is (especially without an app store).