As a teacher on Office, I would propose to the reticent ones to change their approach.
As I say to my "students", don't try to remember how (and where) it was before, just think about you are doing right now. Insert ? Formulas ? Datas ? Just use the tab !
And by the way, with the 2010 version, you can customize the ribbon, very easily (I agree with you, it was a big mistake not to do it on the 2007 version, even if it permits you to use commandbars attached to a workbook for example, or to use the quick access bar...)
PS : And the popup menu (with a right click of the mouse) is always here, too !
