Office 12

[zcox]

Screenshots of the new version of Microsoft Office are starting to appear:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/feat ... iceUI.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/imag ... ord_lg.jpg
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/imag ... PPT_lg.jpg
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/imag ... cel_lg.jpg
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/imag ... ess_lg.jpg

Probably the most notable change is the menus/toolbars (or lack thereof). I think it's too early to tell if this is a good user interface choice, since I don't have a version to play with, but if it does turn out to be a good idea can JIDE components currently be used to make something similar?

It looks like a tabbed pane with a dockable frame manager in each tab. Any thoughts?

[JIDE Support]

We've been asked by many customers about this. We will definitely do something about it but no plan so far yet. Just like you hinted, the first thing is we want to get a version to play with. Seeing the screenshot is still different from playing with the real thing.

Thanks,

[zcox]

Great! I can't wait until Office 12 comes out, so I can get the latest version of JIDE and have all of the same user interface components to use in my own app!

ps - thank you so much for StyledLabel - I never thought I needed it but now I've found tons of possible uses for it. Nice work!

[JIDE Support]

I am glad to hear that. It's a great reward for us to see you guys like the new component we introduced.

Thanks,

[slowke]

There's already such a component available at:

http://weblogs.java.net/blog/kirillcool/archive/2005/09/who_does_not_wa.html

The good news is that it behaves exactly the same as in Office 12! I do have the pleasure to already working with Office 12 and I've tested the 'Ribbon' component from Kirill and it works like a charm!

[JIDE Support]

Sure I noticed that too. Our goal is to produce components that are not available in Swing, or available but not good enough. So if there is one and is good enough, there is no reason for us to do it.

Thanks,