Microsoft rolls up Office ribbon

CNET News.com: "Microsoft has modified its new interface for Office 2007 after complaints from beta testers that the 'ribbon' system took up too much screen space... Office 2007 had ditched the traditional drop-down menu approach of most Windows applications in favor of the ribbon, which displays functions in new categories such as Home, Insert and Mailing in a strip across the top of the screen...

However, in the next technical refresh of the Office 2007 beta, people can set the ribbon to automatically minimize whenever it is not being used, effectively making the ribbon headings look like traditional menus... Despite the change, Microsoft remains committed to using the ribbon interface, though it isn't included in all Office components."

I can't help but wonder if Microsoft is wimping out prematurely by testing new features on old customers. I'm wondering who is in this BETA circle and how entrenched they are in routines attached to existing (ie from 2+ yrs ago) processes. This is a big assumption on my part, made without any data. However, this ribbon concept has been a primary new feature oft touted in the upcoming Office release. If it can be made to go away easily, then they might as well just chuck it now - remember the animated help characters in Office Mac? That would be too bad, as it seemed like the ribbon has some legs, and that it would reduce the hassle of way too many modal dialogues.