...introducing a number of other design concepts to help people find more of the features buried inside the Office tools. One of the new ideas is the "galleries" concept, in which a range of more complex, frequently used editing choices are offered as clickable options. Those who don't find a template they want can always create a custom alternative using a dialog box.
Microsoft is also adding a "live preview" option that displays the impact of such choices prior to accepting a change.
Though pervasive, Microsoft's new design is not found across all of the Office applications. The new look is a central part of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. It also shows up in Outlook when the user is composing email or setting up a meeting, though the main window in that program remains largely similar in design to that in Office 2003.
Reaction among those outside Redmond was mixed, but many did applaud Microsoft for taking some risks with its venerable suite. Among those was Tim St Clair, a 30-year-old Web developer from Australia who has been using OpenOffice.org.
"Office 12 isn't just a set of new features, it's a ground-up rewrite of all the tools, with an emphasis on task-based functionality," St Clair wrote on his Web site, adding later: "I like what I'm hearing and seeing with 12. Can't wait to get my hands on a beta."
Although the design changes are meant to increase efficiency, Gartenberg cautioned that there may be a period of lessened productivity as workers play around with all of the new options. Such was the case in the 1980s, he recalled, when he and others first had the ability to easily change fonts and sizes.
"I think everyone went through that period, none of which was terribly productive," Gartenberg said. "Exposure to more features does not necessarily indicate more productivity."
He also noted that the changes Microsoft is making to Office could have a broader impact on the Windows universe.
"It means that Office is not going to work like most Windows applications do," he said. "That's got to be disconcerting, if you are developing other Windows applications."
Still, the analyst noted that other developers may take a cue from Office as they, too, grapple with programs that are outgrowing a menu-driven design. "Certainly there are many other applications out there that could benefit from a face lift much like Office (is getting)," he said.
CNET News.com's Mike Ricciuti contributed to this report.
Talkback
Biggest problem is the package deal that comes with Microsoft Office. Buy into it and soon you'll bounce your head (as details pop up their ugly head as you move along) against things that require upgrading or purchasing something else (the domino effect that makes it impossible to oversee total impact) in order to reach the next level of whatever functionality. If not, you'll have to do with reduced functionality or deal with other things that'll irritate the hell out of your users.
Even stranger. In order to get there you'll first need to purchase, learn, deploy, migrate, tune, tweak, compromise, teach, maintain and what not that what you thought would give you opposite results.
That all adds up. Significantly and in more ways then just financial. As such you might want to start now by deploying various alternatives here and there including trial versions of Microsoft Office newest versions once you can. And see what problems and benefits come with that. Then give it a best effort to make it all work (you'll have to give an effort no matter what you choose anyway). Some months later, next year, maybe the year thereafter you'll have a rich list of findings backed up by in-house tried and tested experiences and expertise across the board that'll allow you to make the best choice (which could be a mix) that best serves the (business) needs of all.
Save massive amounts by switching to OpenOffice and Windows, start using Firefox for greater (free) internet securiy. Then you have greatly reduced your dependency on a monopolist vendor, will be in a stronger position to negotiate future deals or switch to an alternative OS if needed.