Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 44622
Style manager should be default visible
Last modified: 2013-02-07 22:34:26 UTC
Hi, The stylist (aka 'style & formatting' on 2.0) window is not always visible and is even hidden by default. This is a very severe UI issue, since most new users won't dig into the menu to manage style and -except in Writer-, there is virtually no way of knowing which style is used otherwise. The stylist should always be visible, and especially be visible on first use, since new users need the most to get feedback on what they do. (unless you want them learn the hard way, and be trapped in the "attribute mess" by clicking toolbars instant-attributes buttons. ;-) (and yes, i just saw such new user who didn't realize how to change cell style today on OOo1.1.4 ;-) Correct behaviour: Stylist should be clearly visible by default (hint: having stylist and navigator docked as a "side panel" makes the UI pretty clean and usable) Thanks !
defect -> enhancement
Ok, i know we may have to get priorities straight and fix showstopper bugs first, but this hidden stylist window is IMHO a severe UI issue. So far _every_ person i introduced OpenOffice.org to weren't able to use it correctly until i showed them how to get the "stylist" box, which is _necessary_ to work and to get feedback. It's probably not even difficult to fix, and it may really boost most new users productivity and make them choose to adopt OpenOffice.org as a good efficient way to work.
SBA: +1 from me, but only inofficial and personally ... :-) Problem is: I am NOT a newbie at all. The "Styles and Formatting" Window (formerly known as Stylist) is is abnother case of "Show the people the tools thay shall use because they are efficient tools" vs. "Don't overwhelm a newbie with things he/she doesn't know in order to make a good first impression". We removed that window because many newbies don't know "intuitively" what to do with it, thus being annoyed of it. Reassigned to Requirements.
*** Issue 44622 has been confirmed by votes. ***
Just for Information, do you have some pointer/url/studies on such newbies complaining/annoyed about the stylist ? I'm very curious about it, since this doesn't match my experience with newbies at all, to whom this lack only introduces complexities and un-predictability of the office suite. (Only problem i had with newbies is that they "lose" the window and don't know intuitively how to get it back (thus my "docked window" suggestion).)