Hey folks,

I'm working on a multi-language Code-Editor and am implementing a ribbon bar at the moment. Actually it is working pretty good, but besides, i ask my self with every minute i'm working on this tool: is a ribbon bar really a good solution for code-editors (especially because of the place needed)?
What is your opinion about this? Would you want to see a code-editor with a ribbon bar? (e.g. vc2010 does NOT use one - why?)

It would be very cool if you could take the time, and fill the poll (and comment).

Greetings,
Timo

PS: two screenshots:

ribbon:
standard toolbar:

Would you want to have a ribbon bar in a code-editor of your choice? single choice
	Yes
	No
	If i could chose between them :-)
Votes accepted starting: 02/21/10 00:26
View Results

What would be the main reason against a ribbon? multiple choice
	Place
	Design
	Does not fit to a code editor?
	Please post
Votes accepted starting: 02/21/10 00:27
View Results

I like ribbons, but not for code editors. There are two main reasons:

1. A ribbon uses up a lot of space and I prefer to see more of the code I am working on.
2. A ribbon is useful if you have plenty of visual elements like different charts, font types, etc. which isn't the case in a code editor. Most of the ribbon elements you would use for a code editor are buttons anyway, therefore you can use a standard toolbar right away.

I you already implemented it make it optional (functions also accessable by shortcut/menue).
This way the user can choose.
IMHO I don't like ribbon bars in code editors but I like them in graphic/modelleing tools (photoshop) (when i use the pen on the tablet).

I dont see any advantage for a ribbon.
I wish there where an option to disable that for the new Word/Excel versions.

The reason:

Ribbons might help bloddy beginners to see basic functions easier,
but they have a major flaw.
They dont present information as a list, but as a 2D matrix.
And the Ribbons desperately tries to show all available functions and fill the screen with it, even if they are seldomly used.

Looking for a function in a list is much easier than looking
at a cluttered Matrix with different looking buttons, and
the need to press Tabs.

The classic Top-Menus are much easier to use for finding a function.
They have a caterogry (like EDIT), and then a list of options.
Also they only use as much space as you need to find the function.
For shortcts, a customizable Toolbar is much better than a fixed huge "Ribbon", that constantly wastes space, and still can not
show all shortcut functions.

Also try to avoid Icons for functions that are not used very often.
A plain Text for that button is way better than some weired icon-GFX.

Yeah.. you're all completly right. Maybe I was a little bit to excited of the possiblity to implement this feature and forgot the real sense of this feature =)

But hey, it looked cool and at least i know now how to implement it

thank you all very much for your help,
greetings,
Timo

If you like to work on GUI, make an option to switch between ribbon and classic.

Then you can archive better usability than Microsofts programmers.