I will agree with you that OS X Preference windows are easy to natigate and often have very apt UX for various types of preferences.
However, the menubar system (File, Edit, View, etc) as it currently stands is in much need of improvement. How many times have you hunted for an action/preference in the menubars to no avail? It's rows and rows of text with no visual feedback for various types of actions.
The only improvement of late has been the addition of a live "search and hunt" (by that I mean, type in a search keyword and it will hunt it out of the menu and point to it).
Yes, I agree with you on the 'file, edit, view, window' etc. This need some rethinking and redesigning, but I'm not sure these huge ribbons is the right way.
Hence my example to Mac OSX cmd+',' : if I want to edit some preferences in my program I know where to do it. In windows the preferences can be both under 'file', 'view' or 'window' for that matter.
This is only an example, but the Windows-line has proven to have almost non-existing 'rules' for how to layout preferences and this affect mainly the non-technical user.
How many times have you hunted for an action/preference in the menubars to no avail?
not sure which OS you're talking about, but in OSX all menus are searchable via the help menu (top entry in help menu is a search field. type here and it will highlight matching menu items in any menu)
I find it easier to locate things in a well-organized system of menus than I do on the "Ribbon" where everything is just sort of in your face. Countless times I've stared at the ribbon for minutes trying to find what I want to do, only to suddenly spot it and realize it was right in front of me all along, but because it's so busy nothing stands out.
My number one peeve with MS is the Ribbon and if that becomes global in Windows 8 I'm finished with the platform.
However, the menubar system (File, Edit, View, etc) as it currently stands is in much need of improvement. How many times have you hunted for an action/preference in the menubars to no avail? It's rows and rows of text with no visual feedback for various types of actions.
The only improvement of late has been the addition of a live "search and hunt" (by that I mean, type in a search keyword and it will hunt it out of the menu and point to it).