Biff wrote...
I totally agree!

Ever since Windows was released each successive version of MS software looks
more and more like a $%^&& video game!

I hate icons!

I don't hate icons per se, but I don't think I'll like the ribbon. I've
just been 'upgraded' to Excel 2003 at work, and I now see what all the
complaining was about with regard to its, er, help system. Thank
goodness I kept copies of the XL8 .hlp files. Having finally used all
the pre-ribbon XL versions, I'll take XL9 (2000). Just like I prefer
W2K. Stability without eyewash, what a concept!

FWIW, since Nick already brought up old XL versions, XL5 came with a
new menu, but it also provided the XL4 menu as an option. FWLIW, the
latest version of Lotus 123 still provides the Classic Menu, the one
accessed by /, and most of the commands in it are still live (one could
question why /FAT... was deprecated, but there are good reasons the
Classic printer setup commands are disabled). If XL12 still supports
toolbars (and my company will have a major upgrade nightmare if it
doesn't), there's no good reason Microsoft didn't/doesn't provide one
with the XL11 menu tree as an option.

FWLIW, my favorite Windows desktop of the past was Norton Desktop,
which I ran under Windows 3.1. Who needs a stinking task bar? Or a
Start menu?

But there's much worse. KDE on Linux systems for one. If only I could
have something like twm under Windows. Bliss!