Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability

Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability for Both Novice and Power Users

Summary:
Hidden features, reduced discoverability, cognitive overhead from dual environments, and reduced power from a single-window UI and low information density. Too bad.

Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability for Both Novice & Power Users (Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox)
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[Ray8]

After a couple of weeks, and tweaking things a bit, I would argue that Windiws 8 is remarkably fast, stable, and customizable. I'm wondering what PC brand others are using? I am running Win8 on a Custom-build Maingear PC; I couldn't be happier!

The brand of PC should not matter one jot, a serious worry if it did. But that's not what many are on about. Nevertheless, you'll receive five elephant stamps and a brownie for you positive post.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Eight Forums btdevo. A Guy

 

[BillWindows]

After a couple of weeks, and tweaking things a bit, I would argue that Windiws 8 is remarkably fast, stable, and customizable. I'm wondering what PC brand others are using? I am running Win8 on a Custom-build Maingear PC; I couldn't be happier!

You and I and many others find exactly the same thing, but there are some who fell in love with round corners, menus and aero. Windows 8 looks especially good on a large TV when used as a HTPC, I also notice a lot of websites are now using the large tiles on their websites as well as sideways scrolling, even Apple websites.

Windows 8 is the future, but some lament for the past, maybe MS should bring out a Windows XP B for those people.

i used to alternate between 7 and 8 for quite a while, but now very seldom go into Windows 7, except to access some older files.

 

[Ray8]

You and I and many others find exactly the same thing, but there are some who fell in love with round corners, menus and aero. Windows 8 looks especially good on a large TV when used as a HTPC, I also notice a lot of websites are now using the large tiles on their websites as well as sideways scrolling, even Apple websites.

Windows 8 is the future, but some lament for the past, maybe MS should bring out a Windows XP B for those people.

i used to alternate between 7 and 8 for quite a while, but now very seldom go into Windows 7, except to access some older files.

Noting that Windows 8 is but a few months old, it's somewhat twee to call Windows 7 users and those who critique Windows 8 as living in the past. And you still can't help but throw insults at anyone who doesn't see things your way.

 

[BillWindows]

You and I and many others find exactly the same thing, but there are some who fell in love with round corners, menus and aero. Windows 8 looks especially good on a large TV when used as a HTPC, I also notice a lot of websites are now using the large tiles on their websites as well as sideways scrolling, even Apple websites.

Windows 8 is the future, but some lament for the past, maybe MS should bring out a Windows XP B for those people.

i used to alternate between 7 and 8 for quite a while, but now very seldom go into Windows 7, except to access some older files.

Noting that Windows 8 is but a few months old, it's somewhat twee to call Windows 7 users and those who critique Windows 8 as living in the past. And you still can't help but throw insults at anyone who doesn't see things your way.

No, you're taking my comment as a direct insult to you, what about the 5 Elephant stamps and a brownie to someone who just happens to like Windows 8.

You won't be happy until you can get everyone to hate Windows 8 and that's not going to happen, the world is starting to wake up to the new way of doing things. Even the the Defence Department is going Windows 8.

I'm not insulting anyone just saying it like it is, some people just won't accept the future, and the future is Windows 8.

And it's not just a few months old its been out for around a year on this forum and we've heard all the negatives, now it's time for some positives, like the new wave of convertibles and the new 27" touch screens for businesses.

 

[Ray8]

No, you're taking my comment as a direct insult to you, what about the 5 Elephant stamps and a brownie to someone who just happens to like Windows 8.

You won't be happy until you can get everyone to hate Windows 8 and that's not going to happen, the world is starting to wake up to the new way of doing things. Even the the Defence Department is going Windows 8.

I'm not insulting anyone just saying it like it is, some people just won't accept the future, and the future is Windows 8.

And it's not just a few months old its been out for around a year on this forum and we've heard all the negatives, now it's time for some positives, like the new wave of convertibles and the new 27" touch screens for businesses.

You were directing your comment at anyone that has an issue with Windows 8 ie, insinuating that they are Luddites who cannot accept change. That's pretty much an insult in anyone's language. My gentle rib was a reflection of how anyone who praises Windows 8 immediately gets resounding hurrahs and what a jolly good fellow he is.

Windows 8 has only been available as a final release for a few months, all the previous iterations were previews and not a full reflection of the final version. I remember people who made critical comments about the previews being reminded of that fact very quickly. I don't hate Windows 8, but I'm very disappointed with the way it's been implemented for desktop users. Also, so many potentially good opportunities have been missed, because the focus has been only on tablets, not large screens, multi-screens and the like.

I come from a Defence background, I know that no new enterprise level software will be rolled out without extensive testing and that takes years. The compatibility etc has to be tested for every single application that is in use, not just Office and the like. There may be 1000s of internally and externally developed applications that have to be thoroughly tested so that there are no issues. And that is just part of the process.

And you'll keep hearing about the negatives if this is all that anyone is to expect from Windows 8 for the foreseeable future.

 

[BillWindows]

Microsoft have made a lot of money out of business and consumers, I don't think that this is a half baked thing, and I'm sure that MS doesn't want to leave too many people behind.
There's also the fact that some people can't accept change, like I said look at XP. There is no way on this planet that Microsoft will be able to keep everyone happy, so some people will be lost.
I also know for a fact that even some people using Macs have installed Windows 8 and are loving it, so there will be some new people coming in to make up for those that are lost.
I think it was you who said that no one wants Microsoft to die, well I can assure you there are, most of the media for a start, and anyone that won't accept change.

 

[Ray8]

Microsoft has made a lot of mistakes over the years, but fortunately has been able to recover from those mistakes, in most cases. Do you realise that in 2004, nearly 25% of smartphones ran a Microsoft OS, now it's less than 2%. In 2002, Internet Explorer dominated the browser market at around 85% (and higher before that), now its share is about 15%. Remember Windows ME, Bob? Clippy? Zune (talk about leaving people behind - made the Zune Guy really mad)? Why didn't people accept changes that Microsoft introduced?

 

[BillWindows]

I wonder how many companies have never made a mistake, none. Look at Google how many projects have they started only to shut them down. Have a look at Apple, I think they've made more bloopers than Microsoft.

I never had any problems with ME, I had more problems with Windows 98. I had ME running for years.

I'm also happy with Windows 8, it makes my computers more responsive, I've got it running on an old Netbook with 1GB Ram, I find that pretty amazing.

It may not be 100% perfect in every aspect, but it seems to pretty bug free and I'm sure Microsoft will improve on the overall design eventually.

The main thing for me is it runs all my programmes with no hiccups, it looks neat and modern and it's breathed new life into older computers, and I don't miss anything from the past.

 

[Ray8]

I wonder how many companies have never made a mistake, none. Look at Google how many projects have they started only to shut them down. Have a look at Apple, I think they've made more bloopers than Microsoft.

You have just agreed with my entire argument. Microsoft makes mistakes and it takes them some time to realise the fact. The realisation only comes through poor sales or public outcry/ridicule. Guess what were seeing and hearing about Windows 8 when it comes to the desktop?

 

[BillWindows]

Yes but I don't agree that this is a mistake, it's just going to take a while for people to understand that the world is changing and Microsoft has to change with it.

I like the idea of one operating system across multiple devices, less confusing.

 

[Nemix]

I lost $15 and two days of my life upgrading to Windows 8. I didn't run into any problems with important drivers or software but I mean does the market really need Windows 8? Is there a demand from consumers for such an operating system from Microsoft? I think for the time being the world is not ready for Windows 8 which makes me a part of that, I'll be re-installing Windows 7 and taking my leave from this forum.

 

[SIW2]

That's fine, Nemix.

You are not alone.

 

[pparks1]

You don't need to leave the forum...many of us aren't running Windows 8, but pay attention and like to see it evolve and hopefully improve.

 

[Ray8]

You don't need to leave the forum...many of us aren't running Windows 8, but pay attention and like to see it evolve and hopefully improve.

Which is why dedicated Microsoft users need to keep pointing out its shortfalls, despite the outrage that it generates in the fanboys.

 

[BillWindows]

I lost $15 and two days of my life upgrading to Windows 8. I didn't run into any problems with important drivers or software but I mean does the market really need Windows 8? Is there a demand from consumers for such an operating system from Microsoft? I think for the time being the world is not ready for Windows 8 which makes me a part of that, I'll be re-installing Windows 7 and taking my leave from this forum.

You lost $15 and two days of your life, it's a good thing you weren't around in the old DOS days, you would have lost a lot more.

I paid $39 and have gained at least two days maybe two weeks, because Windows 8 is so much easier and faster to use than Windows 7. The best thing Microsoft did was take out the start menu which I rarely used.

You don't have to leave the Forum, just come on here and complain everyday about how bad Windows 8 is, it's become a sport on this Forum. It would be a tragedy to lose a hater.

 

[Max Peck]

You don't need to leave the forum...many of us aren't running Windows 8, but pay attention and like to see it evolve and hopefully improve.

Agreed. I went through the cycle myself. Installed 8 Pro, then went back to 7 for awhile because a few things I needed didn't work. Re-installed last week and those problems appear to have been addressed.

Maybe the thing will flop [relatively speaking]. Who knows for sure? In my case I'm using it mainly as a "Windows 7 Plus". I'm primarily a back-end developer and do most of my GUI work in the desktop but having 8 on my system lets me at-least study the thing. Everything I had before runs fine here, I don't really miss Aero that much so my system is at-least as fast and stable as it was before. To me it's mainly a research project. I doubt I'll ever buy a touch-based PC (at least not anytime soon) ... I've got all pretty new iPads and iPhones. Win8 is fine on my primary notebook machine. I've been waiting a bit before I replace my Win7 image with the Win8 one but I think I'm about ready to do that.

Microsoft may have a tough go of it in the tablet/phone space but let's not forget their DEEP penetration into enterprise level computing and the huge installed base of desktop systems. Win8 doesn't break anything significant so they are at-least maintaining a toe-hold on the enterprise and existing desktop systems even if the new GUI doesn't gain wide acceptance.

Despite all the hand-waving and gnashing of teeth I think Microsoft's approach is at-least competent if not completely relevant to the marketplace they're trying to crack. They'll be OK I think. Everybody wants to be a critic (including myself at times) but considering how well the system still retains its backward compatibility (I speak as a developer) I'm pretty amazed they managed to pull this off without breaking everything. If the new GUI approach goes Tango-Uniform Microsoft will at-least have not broken the base platform (and I don't consider the absence of the Start Menu a platform break ... that's just GUI, they can always return it if they want to).

- Max

 

[labeeman]

Bought a laptop in late November turned it on and booted it for the first time set it up and every thing then did a windows update and the first time the download was over 150 mb the second time it was 250+ mb I do not remember what it was the third time. NOT a good omen for a system just released less than thirty days tells me not enough testing was done. Then to find out there will be in six months a major service pack (windows blue) NOT a good omen either. This tells me it was really rushed out the door half baked.

 

[PaulGo]

It would be a shame to lose someone who tells the truth and hopefully if enough people complain Microsoft will again make a functional desktop OS.

 

[BillWindows]

Bought a laptop in late November turned it on and booted it for the first time set it up and every thing then did a windows update and the first time the download was over 150 mb the second time it was 250+ mb I do not remember what it was the third time. NOT a good omen for a system just released less than thirty days tells me not enough testing was done. Then to find out there will be in six months a major service pack (windows blue) NOT a good omen either. This tells me it was really rushed out the door half baked.

If this was rushed out the door what were all the beta testers doing for 12 months or whatever. Instead of worrying about what's coming, why don't you try to get used to what's here. Not that it takes much getting used to, it's almost child's play really.