I have yet to meet anyone in person who actually likes it

[Coke Robot]

Is that necessarily a bad thing?

 

[Mystere]

Those of you clinging to the hope that Microsoft will change their mind on the Start page should just look at Office. Since 2007, Microsoft has converted Office to use the Ribbon, and despite much pushback by a large percentage of their user base, they have steadfastly refused to go back to menus, or even allow the option of them.

Why? You might ask. Because Microsoft doesn't make these decisions lightly. They don't just say "Hey, let's mess with everyone". They have very specific reasons for the changes, and those reasons are strong enough that they decide to make major changes they know will be unpopular at first. Those reasons do not go away just because 25% of their user base whines a lot.

The reasons for the Ribbon were necessary for scalability, and it has been largely accepted after much initial rending of garments and wringing of hands. They're now on their third version.

The start page will similarly not go away, no matter how much you want to whine or complain. They won't be providing an option to go back to the old way. There are real, and very important reasons to Microsoft's very survival as to why they chose to move in this direction. Your unwillingness to go with progress (Note: I didn't say inability, I said unwillingness) won't matter. Seriously.

Keep on complaining... By all means... don't let me stop you. Just understand it won't make any difference.

 

[Ray8]

The ribbon that replaced the older menu style is really a different kettle of fish, as much as it did confuse and can still be a pain to use; but it was a step in unifying the Office suite with a completely common set of menus. It made sense, considering the disparate history of Office programs.

The only thing in common with that is that Microsoft is trying to unify the start menu across all devices, but it will be completely overridden by third party software, unless Microsoft completely locks down the OS so no one can add or modify anything. I doubt very much that that will happen. One of Microsoft's long standing conventions has been to allow third party developers scope to enhance Microsoft products.

When it comes to apps, I can see the merit in having stricter controls like Apple has in place. But when it comes to the desktop, the ability for developers to work in that space, relatively unhindered, is a cornerstone of Microsoft's success. A mobile phone environment will not work on a desktop, unless you want to dumb down every program to suit the simplistic and cut down requirements for apps to function. That is not going to happen.

 

[jeffrys]

"I have yet to meet anyone in person who actually likes it'

You found him.

Jeff

 

[Ray8]

"I have yet to meet anyone in person who actually likes it'

You found him.

Jeff

That would have merit if you personally know the OP. As a Belgian, do you know the OP from Oregon USA?

 

[Tanzanos]

Ribbon and Metro are nothing more than change for change sake. After all these years I still have a hard time with Ribbon which is a nuisance and Metro is nothing more than a smartphone OS forced upon PCs. It is a waste of time complaining in forums as anyone who complains is either a brain dead Australopithecene or 0.00000001% of the total users.

Fanboys here totally refuse to accept that Win8 is nothing short of a PERFECT Godsent OS.

I use 3rd party applications that give me drop down menus and classic menus and to think that these are for my Win 7. Going to Win 8 is definitely a DOWNGRADE for me and all hell will freeze over before I even consider Win8. This post will probably get me branded as a troll or worse, but it is my honest opinion! If MS gives me the OPTIONS it removed then and only then I may consider Win 8.

 

[Mystere]

It doesn't help when you put words in peoples mouths.

Nobody has said Windows 8 is a perfect OS. And yeah, it is a waste of time complaining about it, because it's not going to change anything. But don't let that stop you.

 

[CargoMatatu]

"I have yet to meet anyone in person who actually likes it'

You found him.

Jeff

And here too!

 

[CargoMatatu]

I wonder sometimes if people do any research before they undertake such an upgrade.
Before I did mine I read as many discussions on fora such as this, watched many of the numerous tutorials and demos on YouTube and got a good impression of what I would be letting myself in for.
If that research had shown that the system was unlikely to be satisfactory for me I wouldn't have bothered.
As it was, it looked good and I CERTAINLY haven't been disappointed.

 

[JOD]

My words exactly. In addition, having spent some time on the Start Screen, I have also paid (a small, in my opinion) sum of money for Start8 and am using both Start Screen and "old" start menu now, because each has its own uses for me. Best of both worlds...

I wonder sometimes if people do any research before they undertake such an upgrade.
Before I did mine I read as many discussions on fora such as this, watched many of the numerous tutorials and demos on YouTube and got a good impression of what I would be letting myself in for.
If that research had shown that the system was unlikely to be satisfactory for me I wouldn't have bothered.
As it was, it looked good and I CERTAINLY haven't been disappointed.

 

[labeeman]

I wonder sometimes if people do any research before they undertake such an upgrade.
Before I did mine I read as many discussions on fora such as this, watched many of the numerous tutorials and demos on YouTube and got a good impression of what I would be letting myself in for.
If that research had shown that the system was unlikely to be satisfactory for me I wouldn't have bothered.
As it was, it looked good and I CERTAINLY haven't been disappointed.

I wish I had done the same thing if I had I would be running Windows 7 instead of Window8. Metro ui is designed for a kids toy a tablet unable to multitask yes some kids like it but I am not a kid any more and do not like being force fed metro.

 

[Tanzanos]

I wish I had done the same thing if I had I would be running Windows 7 instead of Window8. Metro ui is designed for a kids toy a tablet unable to multitask yes some kids like it but I am not a kid any more and do not like being force fed metro.

You and millions of users have the same opinion of this Toy UI called METRO! Well said!

 

[gazz9496]

that's true Labeeman, at first glance it does seem well toyish.

I've been using it since the dev preview came out so i'm used to it now, I don't have the same view of it I did over a year ago, funny thing is it has barely changed since then.

off to do final fantasy 14 testing now.

 

[mbratch]

[snip]
Keep on complaining... By all means... don't let me stop you. Just understand it won't make any difference.

And that pretty much sums up the relationship between MS customers and MS.

 

[CargoMatatu]

[snip]
Keep on complaining... By all means... don't let me stop you. Just understand it won't make any difference.

And that pretty much sums up the relationship between MS customers and MS.

And Apple, and Google, and Samsung, and....

 

[Gavin]

It doesn't help when you put words in peoples mouths.



Nobody has said Windows 8 is a perfect OS. And yeah, it is a waste of time complaining about it, because it's not going to change anything. But don't let that stop you.

No it certainly doesn`t help that people put words into peoples mouths. As rule 1 states

1) Rudeness, insults, racial/hate slander, flaming, attacks, stalking, and trolling will not be tolerated.
I have seen some of these rules broken
It depends on how much Microsoft pays attention to all the negaatives.It may not be a waste of time complaining, if they think that the complaints may make it a better OS.

 

[Yorky]

I wonder sometimes if people do any research before they undertake such an upgrade.
Before I did mine I read as many discussions on fora such as this, watched many of the numerous tutorials and demos on YouTube and got a good impression of what I would be letting myself in for.
If that research had shown that the system was unlikely to be satisfactory for me I wouldn't have bothered.
As it was, it looked good and I CERTAINLY haven't been disappointed.

Well said Sir, My thoughts exactly. The information has been out there for some time which allowed one to look before they bought. I'm somewhat at a loss to find so many people downloading 3rd party software to revert to an earlier OS and equally so many using software to emulate, in part, a new OS interface. Of course we could also just have stuck with an Abacus, chalk & slate.

 

[labeeman]

[snip]
Keep on complaining... By all means... don't let me stop you. Just understand it won't make any difference.

And that pretty much sums up the relationship between MS customers and MS.

And Apple, and Google, and Samsung, and....

The din about iMaps changed Apples mind.

 

[tseven]

I'm sure there are people who like it and some who don't. I'm sure some people I know probably like it. Since it's not exactly a conversation piece I usually don't talk about it. Once someone told me they don't like it. But I haven't surveyed everyone. At work we use Mac OSX to do design so there isn't much to ask there. I've heard a few conversations about windows 8 but I was busy working so I never fully listened or got to ask. I'm sure it depends. I'm actually the person that is in between I both hate and love it. I love the idea that we can have a touch interface but there are user-experience things that bug me. I can even get over the flatness if the re-worked it a bit. That's not to say that I don't have anything I like about it. I do like that finally the desktop doesn't require third-party software from companies such as dell/hp to make the operating system touch friendly.

 

[Ray8]

Well said Sir, My thoughts exactly. The information has been out there for some time which allowed one to look before they bought. I'm somewhat at a loss to find so many people downloading 3rd party software to revert to an earlier OS and equally so many using software to emulate, in part, a new OS interface. Of course we could also just have stuck with an Abacus, chalk & slate.

People aren't installing third party software so they can resort to an earlier OS. They are installing third party software so that they can return functionality and practicality to a forcibly restricted OS. There are lots of benefits to Windows 8, but it's the interface and usability restrictions that are annoying so many people.