Comments on: Ex-Microsoftie takes on “broken” Windows 8

By: Me

Me — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Windows 8 is going to be bigger failure than Vista.

By: vcarvega

vcarvega — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:26:00 +0000

He has a point, thinking from the traditional pc perspective. In fact, I think traditional laptops and pc’s is where Win8 is likely to cause the most frustration.

But I don’t have/use a minimize or close now on my tablet. So going back to the start screen, or scrolling through recent apps, for my apps just kind of makes sense. For people who have yet to own a tablet though, I can see where this might cause some confusion…

Still, I had no problem adapting to this way of thinking… I think it will become second nature for most people as well.

By: Bitemybigapple69

Bitemybigapple69 — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:05:00 +0000

Your statement is illogical. Where did you get the association? Please see a psychiatrist NOW!

By: soujisama

soujisama — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Good. So you aren’t pleased with the Metro interface. Now, imagine it wasn’t there, would you still upgrade? No? So the problem really isn’t the Metro interface then, you’r just upset it’s just a “small” bunch of updates added on.

Now, tell me, how much different is Windows 7 from Vista. What would you have liked to see in Windows 8?

By: Jed Broshing

Jed Broshing — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:11:00 +0000

I’ve done exactly that, run the preview as a VM and here’s my take, it’s Windows 7 with some tweaks not actually enough to make it a new OS, the “Metro” interface is terrible, the coloring is terrible and while it seems faster I haven’t added any applications to it and that is typically when Windows begins to slow down.
I’m not going to bother.

So to some up; it is essentially a service pack for Win7 sold as a new OS with a terrible Metro GUI.

Here’s the time line for those of that don’t pay attention:
WinXP good, Vista bad, Win7 good, Win8 meh…

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:39:00 +0000

That’s what Windows 7 is for… There are only a few things they need to learn … Most importantly move mouse to the corner or move mouse to the edge… Seriously? How card could that be? It’s okay if they don’t know how to restart… maybe they don’t really have to and plus I bet the average joe knows how to restart a computer, if not restart, they know how to turn it off and turn it back on.

And how does it not work on a traditional non-touchscreen system? I find it easier or faster to use with my mouse and keyboard than the touch screen.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:25:00 +0000

@MayaAyala You don’t need to scroll several pages to find “My Documents” or “Accessories”

By: Hurmoth

Hurmoth — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:40:00 +0000

I’ve tried it. I used it as my primary OS for a little over a week and I’m sorry, I hate it. It doesn’t not work on a traditional non-touchscreen system. I have no doubts that on a tablet or a system with a touchscreen monitor that it will work. But without a touchscreen, Microsoft should leave the classic desktop and get rid of Metro. And on a touchscreen, they should dump the classic Desktop. One system shouldn’t have two personalities like this where the user can’t decide what is best for them. Instead, we get this hybrid crap of switching back and forth. And a confusing interface on how to get back to the old screen.

When developing a product for the masses like what Microsoft is doing, you can’t do things just for “techies”, you have to consider the “granmas”. Have you ever developed software for non-technical people? I’ve worked for years in dev/support roles dealing with how end users use a product. Your Average Joes don’t know how to restart a computer, let alone are going to know how to navigate in and out of Metro and the Classic Desktop. Microsoft is making a huge mistake with Metro. At least, on the desktop they are.

By: Geek_1

Geek_1 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Every Windows interface since 95 (and my current Linux interface): I can have my source material open on half the screen, my office suite on the other half, and life is good.

In the world Microsoft seeks, where everything is a Metro application: “Oh, sorry, you’re just going to have to continuously flip back and forth between your web browser and your office suite, because Metro apps can only run in full-screen mode or little-tiny-sidebar mode.”

I don’t know what MS was THINKING.

And, before someone posts “You haven’t even used the Consumer Preview, have you?”:
Yes, I have. I committed to use it for 5 hours, to be sure I got used to it. ‘Twas the worst 5 hours of my existence.

By: MayaAyala

MayaAyala — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:44:00 +0000

@ rnwilis:

If I have to scroll through several pages to find a “tile” marked “My Documents” or “Accessories,” then I can already tell how less productive it will be.

I do not like the new Xbox 360 dashboard. It just takes to long to get where I want to go.

BTW, there is something to be said about the failure of the Zune. It was a great little MP3 player. However, the tile designs were just so darn inefficient. Who wants to scroll down a cyber yard before finding the right “app?”

This is my biggest fear for Windows 8. If it results in a whole lot of “scrolling” and obstructive tiles, then I will trade in the PC for something else. It also means that 17 years of Windows OS training and experience is wasted by some poorly-thought out “idea” that someone had.

Hey — has anyone spoken with Bill Gates about the new “metro” interface? What does he think?

By: MayaAyala

MayaAyala — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:30:00 +0000

After reading so many reviews and comments, I just hope that Microsoft has prepared a “Plan B” for Windows 8.

What if a large portion of customers cannot get used to the OS’s new “tile” interface?

If Microsoft plans for the worst case scenario, they can have a contingency plan in place that will come in the form of an update that provides a classic Windows interface.

My biggest fear is that this is too big of a jump for an operating system that is still following the same “set up” since Windows 95. There is something to be said of the old adage, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it”

Personally, I like the Windows Phone. However, I am not sure how that will translate onto a desktop or notebook experience.

For instance, we have an Xbox 360 at home. The new “dashboard” is based upon the Windows 8 “tile” experience. I still haven’t gotten used to it. While there are things that I like about it, it is a bit confusing in that there are no longer many “layers.” Instead, you have a bunch of tiles blocking a background. It still takes quite a bit of time for me to find a program.

Some people will prefer a photo or design background and won’t take kindly to tiles blocking the view. After all, these are supposed to be “windows” and not “obstructions.”

What I like about a Start Menu is that it is out of the way and follows simple logic design (via easy-to-see-without-scrolling lists ala Windows Explorer folders). Computer users — especially those who use their PC like an office — will have a difficult time with such a cluttered desk, err, desktop.

Again: I hope that Microsoft knows what they are doing. They need to have a contingency plan, or they may ultimately be giving away a huge chunk of their OS market share. Google would love to have just 20% of the market and so would Apple.

A word of advice, Microsoft: Prepare a downloadable update with a classic interface…just in case.

By: MayaAyala

MayaAyala — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:17:00 +0000

It looks like the side of the Partridge Family’s bus mixed with the opening titles of the
Brady Bunch.

By: callmebc

callmebc — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Google up a YouTube video from Lockergnome titled “How Real People Will Use Windows 8″

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Lol you call that sharp? You look at it, didn’t try it or test it… then whine about … uhhh.. that is not how tech-minded people share their opinions.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Seems like a pretty sharp group of tech-minded people trying to share their opinions…. Oh yeah, and then there’s Chuck-o.

(who let that guy in here?)

By: First Name

First Name — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Well there’s your problem.

Try using it for longer than 4 hours. In fact, try it for a month. Or two.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Yeah, Jamey Church should do the smart thing and just get rnwilis to handle his IT needs… after all, rnwilis can figure out how to use programs all by himself!

By: Ahmed Ek Sokkary

Ahmed Ek Sokkary — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Windows 8 is just a another piece of shit from Microsoft!!!

By: shmigga

shmigga — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:04:00 +0000

“Windows 8 is shaping up to be Microsoft’s best mainstream OS to-date” I stopped reading right there. ha

By: EX winXPp IT Director

EX winXPp IT Director — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Someone earlier said…>>The user/market demands something new, and the company has to make something new.What a LOAD of crap. if it were true, then why is Windows so desperately trying to kill off XP,& SO MANY IT people NOT buying the hype & “the latest & greatest” out of Microsoft…It’s not because the user interface intimidates us… It’s because we need a STABLE OS, with drivers that WORK…BUT I admit if it takes me more than 5 minutes to get to – “find” where windows has decided to hide the current version of where to put the IP address in manually, it is going to PISS ME OFF… oh, & as far as windows managing my memory for me… I’m sorry I can do a lot better job managing the memory of a system than I trust windows to do…& DEAR GOD can they finally fix the buffer overflow exploits??? It’s not like they have been having them in their various OS’s for the last 17 years… So it’s not like they don’t know the problem exists..

By: seronac

seronac — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:32:00 +0000

The problem is that you shouldn’t have any of the initial frustration; you shouldn’t have to “just Google it”. IT SHOULD BE INTUITIVE, AND IT’S NOT! Metro might work just fine for a touch-screen device, but the vast majority of desktop machine are not
touch-screen devices. It might be marvelous after the initial learning curve, but the learning curve is too steep. Most users will give up in frustration. That’s been the same problem with Linux, in all it’s many flavors: the learning curve is just too steep for the average user, and they give up in frustration and go back to what they’re familiar with.

I’ve been doing customer support and teaching for over 20 years; believe me, it’s not going to work on the desktop.

By: rnwilis

rnwilis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:25:00 +0000

lol

By: rnwilis

rnwilis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:23:00 +0000

I have never used Metro on a touchscreen. I heard it’s even easier than with a mouse/keyboard.

I do not have to think critically to see that you are in fact worried. Change scares people because it glarlingly shows the ones that are able to adapt and think outside of the box, and the ones that can’t.

By: soujisama

soujisama — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Metro applications are sandboxed like the WP7 model. Legacy applications run just like as you’d expect in Windows 7.

By: rnwilis

rnwilis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:20:00 +0000

I have no problem being productive using Windows 8. If switching between apps is what makes a person “productive”, then they have bigger problems than the OS they are using.

By: soujisama

soujisama — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:20:00 +0000

It does.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Wow a lot of people here are saying “Metro” looks like crap… Keyword “looks”… that means they never tried or tested it… Are people here techies or granmas?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Great minds think alike!

By: surethom

surethom — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:16:00 +0000

On a phone you have a button that gets you out of the app your on, Android a back button or home button, iphone 1 button & on windows phone a home button.

On a windows device with a keyboard, microsoft should enable the Windows key to send you back to the metro screen.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:15:00 +0000

What’s so C R A P P Y about it?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:12:00 +0000

So anything that has lotsa squres is a phone? What are you, a monkey?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:10:00 +0000

There is a “Start Menu” dumbo!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Yes, it confuses old people.

By: seronac

seronac — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:32:00 +0000

I’ve looked at Win8: it’s a turkey. Whoever the lead designer is needs to be kicked out on his/her backside.

I will either stick with Win7 or switch to some form of Linux; probably dual boot with both. Either way, Microsoft will be getting none of my money. They need to do some extensive usability testing (using old people, and/or very inexperienced users) and seriously fix Win8, or start finding new jobs, because Win8 will be the death of Microsoft.

By: rnwilis

rnwilis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:27:00 +0000

‘Windows 8 is shaping up to join Vista and Win ME on the list of MS biggest OS flops.’
—
According to whom? You? lol

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:26:00 +0000

“Windows 8 is shaping up to join Vista and Win ME on the list of MS biggest OS flops.” According to whom? you? lol

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Drag your finger/mouse from the top of the of the screen to the bottom of the screen, that’s how you close it. Mr. IT Pro!

By: rnwilis

rnwilis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Did you ever think that maybe you are not that logical? I had absolutely no problems learning Metro.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Drag your finger/mouse from the top of the of the screen to the bottom of the screen, that’s how you close it.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:18:00 +0000

uh.. no… you exit by dragging your finger from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen.