Unfortunately, keyboard usage became harder, to the detriment of power users. Personally I also find the classic menus much easier to scan visually than the ribbon icons which have varying sizes and are laid out in two dimensions (no clear scanning path).

> to the detriment of power users

Yes this is my whole point. They made it easier for casual users at the expense of power users. It was a purposeful decision.

I don’t think they intended to negatively affect power users. They convinced themselves that the new keyboard scheme is just as adequate.

I guess that explains why I've grown to dislike MS Word so much.

Oh, I see, sorry for misreading.

You're right, that era obeyed the principle you stated, but that was still the Golden Era of UI.