Another Poll about the Desktop Start Menu

[mbratch]

Does Windows 8 have a "recently items" list?

Good thought. Go run > type "recent." That's a potential helper with or without a start menu.

Thanks znod. That's something that I like about having the start menu. Two clicks away for recent items. I use that frequently. But perhaps it's something that could be pinned to Start. Maybe I'll tinker with it.

 

[znod]

You are very welcome. And, good idea: why not pin it if possible?

 

[Wenda]

I voted for option 'B'.

Although I can get around W8 perfectly well without a start-menu replacement, I do have Classic Shell installed, simply to keep some UI consistency between this machine (W8) and my other machines (7, Vista and XP).

Wenda.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Invented the Rectangle

Not the least is Microsoft, the brains that developed the means to make it all understandable to the masses.

I think IBM is a remarkably talented and resilient technology company in light of the many market forces and changes that work against them. Microsoft has smart people, too. But they mostly take existing ideas, fiddle with them a bit, and do a great job marketing them and convincing people that MS invented them. Clever marketing and positioning is a significant driver of business success.

Apple is the company that excels at this, "We invented the rectangle."

I actually think that MS marketing has been rubbish, for the last 10 years or so.

 

[pcRat]

Many members who use 3rd party start menus seem to be doing so for speed & productivity.
Lets say we want to open Wordpad.
Click mouse on start button, click All programs, click on Accessories, click on Wordpad

Does anyone really believe that is faster than while keeping hand on mouse
Press Window key with other hand, press W key, press the enter key or click mouse on Wordpad tile.

I've been saving time since vista using the widow key & typing letter(s) of program or file

 

[znod]

I voted for option 'B'.

Although I can get around W8 perfectly well without a start-menu replacement, I do have Classic Shell installed, simply to keep some UI consistency between this machine (W8) and my other machines (7, Vista and XP).

Wenda.

I am glad you participated.

 

[sygnus21]

This poll is interesting to me, but it doesn't substantively or clearly get at what I'd most like to know in relation to having a desktop start menu and our proclivities to accept Windows 8 in a post-purchase, Windows 8 in-use environment. In conducting this poll, I am trying to get at the proportion of the Windows 8 Forums users experiencing that having a good desktop start-menu replacement enhances their acceptance of Windows 8. This approach is intended to distinguish primarily between the responses of two disparate groups: (1) those experiencing that having a good desktop start-menu replacement enhances their acceptance of Windows 8 greatly or to a lesser extent and (2) those not having such an experience--not having the experience of a good desktop start-menu replacement enhancing their acceptance of Windows 8 greatly or to a lesser extent. Individuals might not have such an experience because they don't use what they consider to be a good start menu replacement (e.g., no start menu replacement) in Windows 8 or the good replacement they use in Windows 8 does not enhance their acceptance of Windows 8.

I'm flattered my poll gave you inspiration to start your own. Cool.

BTW, to be clear, my poll asks if the OS came equipped with a start menu, would it have been readily accepted. We can debate the verbiage, but that's what I meant.

Peace

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Interesting poll, znod, but so as to make it clearer I think the last choice should be "I'm fine with the Start Screen" or "8 is fine the way it is". Not that I think you did it intentionally, but I think it is prejudice in that #1 Members that use 3rd party menu will be more attracted to the thread to vote. (this is my 2nd visit here after thinking on it awhile). #2. It's confusing as to the context of your OP.

I voted the third because I didn't use the Start Menu all that much in Vista or 7. I also think I picked up 8 faster than most, not because I'm any smarter or proficient, but because I use a lot of shortcut keys. I rarely touch the mouse unless I'm zeroing in on something where it would be faster with the mouse. The WinKey has been my friend since Vista using 3D flip. (Or Alt/Tab) I think I navigate 8 faster than I did 7. It wasn't true at first, but with time I think I am, mostly due to the Start Screen.

e.g. I even copy and paste whole words or sentences with the Shift/arrow keys -> Ctrl/C or V. If I'm copying a paragraph, then I'll use the mouse, for it's faster. I'll use keys to scroll in any direction of web pages, Start Screen, docs, Excel sheets, etc.

With that, I'll post with Alt/S.

 

[znod]

This poll is interesting to me, but it doesn't substantively or clearly get at what I'd most like to know in relation to having a desktop start menu and our proclivities to accept Windows 8 in a post-purchase, Windows 8 in-use environment. In conducting this poll, I am trying to get at the proportion of the Windows 8 Forums users experiencing that having a good desktop start-menu replacement enhances their acceptance of Windows 8. This approach is intended to distinguish primarily between the responses of two disparate groups: (1) those experiencing that having a good desktop start-menu replacement enhances their acceptance of Windows 8 greatly or to a lesser extent and (2) those not having such an experience--not having the experience of a good desktop start-menu replacement enhancing their acceptance of Windows 8 greatly or to a lesser extent. Individuals might not have such an experience because they don't use what they consider to be a good start menu replacement (e.g., no start menu replacement) in Windows 8 or the good replacement they use in Windows 8 does not enhance their acceptance of Windows 8.

I'm flattered my poll gave you inspiration to start your own. Cool.

BTW, to be clear, my poll asks if the OS came equipped with a start menu, would it have been readily accepted. We can debate the verbiage, but that's what I meant.

Peace

Yes, I am trying to get at something different than you although the polls are somewhat akin. Thanks for clarifying and posting here.

 

[znod]

Interesting poll, znod, but so as to make it clearer I think the last choice should be "I'm fine with the Start Screen" or "8 is fine the way it is". Not that I think you did it intentionally, but I think it is prejudice in that #1 Members that use 3rd party menu will be more attracted to the thread to vote. (this is my 2nd visit here after thinking on it awhile). #2. It's confusing as to the context of your OP.

I voted the third because I didn't use the Start Menu all that much in Vista or 7. I also think I picked up 8 faster than most, not because I'm any smarter or proficient, but because I use a lot of shortcut keys. I rarely touch the mouse unless I'm zeroing in on something where it would be faster with the mouse. The WinKey has been my friend since Vista using 3D flip. (Or Alt/Tab) I think I navigate 8 faster than I did 7. It wasn't true at first, but with time I think I am, mostly due to the Start Screen.

e.g. I even copy and paste whole words or sentences with the Shift/arrow keys -> Ctrl/C or V. If I'm copying a paragraph, then I'll use the mouse, for it's faster. I'll use keys to scroll in any direction of web pages, Start Screen, docs, Excel sheets, etc.

With that, I'll post with Alt/S.

Thank you for your comments. You are exactly one of the types of individuals that I hoped would/expected to choose the third option. I think that the poll is easy to reply to without thinking. That is, if neither the first choice nor the second choice applies (which should be clear), then your forced choice is the third one--which I think obviously implies that you are not having either of the experiences noted in the first two responses. I explained up front in more detail when the third choice would apply, and anyone can change their vote or choose to vote at any time. The dichotomy first (choice/second choice) versus third choice gets at exactly what I was trying to find out--the percents of those having the two "positive" experiences I elaborate on in post #1 versus the percent of those not having either of those experiences. I suppose that putting the first response first might attract some to the poll, but something has to go first. I guess I could have drawn the order out of a hat. But, I thought it would be better to have a logical flow that makes it easy to figure out how to respond. I am slightly concerned that some may not have responded that could have. I will add something up front to help out on this point. It will apply to everyone that might not have responded for some reason, but could have. Best to you.

 

[mbratch]

Many members who use 3rd party start menus seem to be doing so for speed & productivity.
Lets say we want to open Wordpad.
Click mouse on start button, click All programs, click on Accessories, click on Wordpad

Does anyone really believe that is faster than while keeping hand on mouse
Press Window key with other hand, press W key, press the enter key or click mouse on Wordpad tile.

I've been saving time since vista using the widow key & typing letter(s) of program or file

If I were using Wordpad that much, I'd pin it to the start menu, the task bar, or have an icon on my desktop for it. A prime candidate to pin to a Windows 8 Start screen if I were using the Metro UI for other reasons.

There are functions that the desktop start menu gives you quickly that I haven't found in Windows 8, such as Recent Items. Two clicks, and you have a list of most recent opened documents. I find this quite handy. I don't know if anyone's gone through the start menu to ferret out each piece of functionality and compare each with how it's done in Windows 8. Some things are just as quick in either case, and some aren't.

 

[Coke Robot]

I wouldn't really care for a start menu on Windows 8. These start menu replacements, I have an opinion to give.

See, the Desktop is kind of regarded as an app more or less, it's more less than anything. To have a start menu on the Desktop UI, I believe it would make the Desktop literally a Windows 7 app on Windows 8. It makes little sense to have two UI elements when one can accomplish the goal of one and the goal of the other.

Personally, I don't understand why for some people it's difficult to learn. When you boil it down, the Start Screen is just a king size start menu that uses larger icons than smaller detail icons. The VERY SAME functionality is there, just not seen until you mouse over to the Start corner. Yes, you need to tweak it some, but functionality is the same, except for having the power settings in the Settings charm.

 

[SIW2]

It is not difficult to learn.

It is not the same.

It is not as good.

It is not to benefit the desktop user. It is to benefit MS.

It is not hard to understand.

I wouldn't really care for a start menu on Windows 8. These start menu replacements, I have an opinion to give.

See, the Desktop is kind of regarded as an app more or less, it's more less than anything. To have a start menu on the Desktop UI, I believe it would make the Desktop literally a Windows 7 app on Windows 8. It makes little sense to have two UI elements when one can accomplish the goal of one and the goal of the other.

Personally, I don't understand why for some people it's difficult to learn. When you boil it down, the Start Screen is just a king size start menu that uses larger icons than smaller detail icons. The VERY SAME functionality is there, just not seen until you mouse over to the Start corner. Yes, you need to tweak it some, but functionality is the same, except for having the power settings in the Settings charm.

 

[mbratch]

Coke, that would all make sense if the Start screen handled all the elements I use from Windows 7 and in the same way that I find convenient. But it doesn't. Perhaps it does for you, but it doesn't for me. It has nothing to do with difficulty in learning. I've been learning systems all my life and Windows 8 I find easy to learn. It just doesn't work the way I like to work. The Start screen is not just a king size start menu. It almost is, but not quite. Unless you can, for example, show me the thing to pin to the start menu that will pop up a Recent Items list, it's different. It's also a different way of organizing which not everyone has a taste for. And not everyone likes the fact that when you're working on one thing and you want to temporarily work on or access something else, the king size "Start" thing has to take over your whole screen for you to browse for what it is you want to click on. Some people like that and find it productive and I get that. It's not right or wrong, it's just not for everyone.

 

[brummyfan]

I voted for "Neither of the above" as I don't miss start button and got used to navigating without one.

 

[Mystere]

It is not difficult to learn.

No, it's not.

It is not the same.

No, it's not.

It is not as good.

No, it's better.

It is not to benefit the desktop user. It is to benefit MS.

I'm a desktop user. It's a HUGE benefit to me. Stop speaking for everyone else, your personal taste does not equal everyone elses opinion. This is the problem with you haters, you ASSUME that your opinion is everyone elses. Either that or you're being dishonest. I chose to believe the former.

It is not hard to understand.

Apparently it must be, because you seem totally incapable of understand its benefits to a desktop user.

 

[R0bR]

But, I thought it would be better to have a logical flow that makes it easy to figure out how to respond. I am concerned that some may not have voted out of lack of understanding. I will add something up front to help out on this point. Best to you.

You shouldn't have to explain or guide anyone in answering your poll, the questions should do that for you. You have two very specific questions followed by a general "catch all" question that is open to interpretation. If I were to answer yes to either the first or second question I wouldn't have to explain my answer. If I answer yes to the third question you don't know why. I could be answering because I like the Start Screen over the Start Menu, or I could be answering because whether it had a Start Menu or not I still hate Windows 8. Someone visiting the site and looking at the poll results without reading the thread is going to think it is a poll of people who hate the Start Screen. In other words it creates a bias in the results. I didn't answer the poll because my explanation for choosing the third question would not be captured correctly in the poll results, unlike the first two questions.

 

[kmint]

I purchased Start8 and I don't even use it anymore. It's faster for me the Metro Start Menu one although it requires some work to organize my icons. But it's just faster and more comfortable once organized, it doesn't need any accuracy on clicking.

What I definetely miss is Aero Glass. I can't get used to these flat windows and colors. I really liked the Aero Glass and squared windows in the W8 Previews, and it also didn't have as much shadow as in W7, that was really cool visually for me. I hope someone makes some hack one day to bring it back.

 

[znod]

Many members who use 3rd party start menus seem to be doing so for speed & productivity.
Lets say we want to open Wordpad.
Click mouse on start button, click All programs, click on Accessories, click on Wordpad

Does anyone really believe that is faster than while keeping hand on mouse
Press Window key with other hand, press W key, press the enter key or click mouse on Wordpad tile.

I've been saving time since vista using the widow key & typing letter(s) of program or file

I agree with what you say, but, if Wordpad is used frequently, then it can be pinned to the taskbar. Still what you say has got to be valid for some program usage for most.

In general, some of us are more efficient users than others whether using the start menu or the start screen. I am not overly efficient so I generally don't do what you mention. In this regard, I think that there are various reasons individuals might be fans of the start menu. But, the reason I think I have seen most frequently is that using a start menu facilitates staying on the desktop--which tends to be more efficient that going back and forth between the metro area and the desktop to start new programs, access the control panel, use Network, assess Computer, etc., etc. In this regard, I choose to show all desktop icons using personalize > Change desktop icons.

 

[znod]

I purchased Start8 and I don't even use it anymore. It's faster for me the Metro Start Menu one although it requires some work to organize my icons. But it's just faster and more comfortable once organized, it doesn't need any accuracy on clicking.

What I definetely miss is Aero Glass. I can't get used to these flat windows and colors. I really liked the Aero Glass and squared windows in the W8 Previews, and it also didn't have as much shadow as in W7, that was really cool visually for me. I hope someone makes some hack one day to bring it back.

I like glass, etc., too. As I recall, there is a 3rd-party app that gives glass, etc., back. Can't remember its name. I think I remember some questioning its quality in doing what it is supposed to do (could be wrong).

Edit: Searched on "aero glass in windows 8." Found several possibilities. Here is one interesting one--no third party app required for the first possibility. Then, there is discussion of some third-party stuff that doesn't seem quite ready for prime time.