I hear many complaints about people using Office 2007 for the first time. I agree in that the new ribbon bar can be confusing. I don't agree though in that it takes more space. I used much more valuable space with the floating toolbars in Office 03.
So anyway, I'll show you a way to move out of the way all the visual elements that you don't need. And move your writing experience from the screenshot on the left, to the screenshot on the right.
![clip_image001[4]](http://kcorax.net/blog/image.axd?picture=WindowsLiveWriter/AdaptingOffice2007forpeoplewithAttention_DA07/clip_image001%5B4%5D_thumb.png)
Notice the difference ? See what's missing ? So bear with me for a moment.
First off you have to choose what tools you're using the most. That's easy. Just go trough all the ribbons on the top, and when you see a familiar icon right click on it and select "Add to quick access toolbar". If there's a bunch of thins in one of the grey palletes, click on it's bottom and do the same.
![clip_image001[6]](http://kcorax.net/blog/image.axd?picture=WindowsLiveWriter/AdaptingOffice2007forpeoplewithAttention_DA07/clip_image001%5B6%5D_thumb.png)
![clip_image001[12]](http://kcorax.net/blog/image.axd?picture=WindowsLiveWriter/AdaptingOffice2007forpeoplewithAttention_DA07/clip_image001%5B12%5D_thumb.png)
You can also see a full list and choose the ones you like, rearrange them etc by going to: Office logo menu > Word Options > Customize.
Now as you have noticed, the tool icons are being added to the top of the window. This means you will have to traverse 5-10 more pixels each time you use one. To bring them down go to the downward arrow on the right edge of the toolbar and click "Show below the Ribbon".
![clip_image001[8]](http://kcorax.net/blog/image.axd?picture=WindowsLiveWriter/AdaptingOffice2007forpeoplewithAttention_DA07/clip_image001%5B8%5D_thumb.png)
Then to collapse the ribbon, double click on the titles. Eg double click on the "Home" tab. To show a tab you can just click on it. When you have then clicked on the command of your choice, the tab will dissappear again.
Oh and a final tip. To switch from the default blue theme to the black one I'm using go to: Office logo menu > Word Options > Popular > Color Scheme > Black.
The end result when going fullscreen is a very straightforward writing, with just the tools that you dear reader use. Kinda like the darkroom approach (Windows, Mac) only much better.