FWIW. I haven't used '09 yet but the ribbon in MS Office isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I find it fairly easy to find things using it. Keep in mind though, I only use an Office app maybe one a week, well not including outlook, which only uses the ribbon sometimes.
I couldn't let your comment go by without dissagreeing with it....
I have been using the ribbon in MS Office products for a while now and I still HATE, HATE, HATE it.
Just about the time I got very profecient with the 'classic' setup, they go and change it on my and I have to relearn their product!
Admittedly, I don't like change 'just for the sake of change'.
I ended up putting my most recently used commands on the Quick Access Toolbar.
craigr