On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 09:16:58 GMT, "Ian Hinson" <pp******@bigpond.net.au>
wrote:
The pop-up (drop-down?) menu items that appear in both built-in and custom
menubars since Office 2000 now sometimes appear "sunken" and by default are
not visible, unless the chevron is clicked at the bottom of the menu.
How does Office determine which menu items are visible, and which items are
sunken/initially not visible?
I've noticed this happens with my custom menus too, but can't figure out the
"rhyme or reason" that Office uses to determine which items it initially
hides.
Anyone know how it is determined?
Thanks,
Ian.
Items that have been used recently are shown. Items that have not been used
recently are hidden. Fortunately, this is an option you can turn off because
it's a hideous design. Computer users get used to using muscle memory
clicking on frequently used items by location quickly, and without having to
search visually for where it can be found.
When items move around in the list all the time, muscle memory is thwarted,
and it actually takes longer to navigate the menus. Furthermore, an item may
be frequently used as a general rule, but not used for a while, and even
knowing how the item hiding works, there is -always- a moment of confusion
upon pulling down the menu and not seeing the item.
Funny enough, it is a respected Microsoft Press author, Alan Cooper who
explained the muscle memory principle far in advance of Microsoft making this
blunder. FWICT, though, all thoughts of good UI design went out the Window
when Windows XP and Office XP were being designed, and they fell victim to the
"wouldn't it be cool" factor. This, after having just done a pretty decent
job with the Windows 2000 interface.