Yeah, but the default is not "Classic View". They do at least give you that option, though, unlike with the Ribbon UI on Office.

The main thing that annoyed me about their changes to the control panel was how they moved what was "Network Connections" into "Network and Sharing Center," a screen I really dislike. Even worse, they made it a little sidebar link.

Good point. That "control panel" has absolutely nothing useful in it at all. It exists, as far as I can tell, merely as a time-wasting gateway to the screen you really want to get to.

The Ribbon CAN be customize-able, but it's a PITA. See Change the Ribbon in Excel for an example of how *ahem* simple it is.

I've userd Office 2010 since it was releases, so I may be wrong here, but in 2007 you can customize the ribbon with the editor (you definitely can in 2010).

For Doug: I agree with your son. I was a bit disoriented with Ribbon when it was released, but I actually now would never go back. And, if that is the case for you to, just move to 2010, where Ribbon is so much better.