Microsoft's Windows 8 approach: Bold, arrogant, or both?

I believe Microsoft’s motives were sincere, but their decision was mistaken

Ed Bott has always shown a very balanced view of the Microsoft products. This article is an excellent summary of the Windows 8 problems and the challenges ahead.

Microsoft’s role as the kingpin of computing is long gone and some already consider it irrelevant or obsolete. Windows 8 and its ecosystem have all the ingredients to change that perception and make the next generation of computing devices very interesting. But even with flawless execution there’s no guarantee of success.

Microsoft's Windows 8 approach: Bold, arrogant, or both? | ZDNet

 

[SIW2]

Eventually they absolutely will have to realize that the vast majority of desktop users do NOT want the lame assed turkey they call metro( or whatever the f they're calling it today) "Fixing" metro won't help Windows 8, period.

Hard to tell what went on there.

Maybe they thought people would just put up with it - but the resistance is greater than expected.

Or, maybe they don't care much - maybe they think desktoppers are a dying breed and just get in the way of where they want to take the users.

 

[labeeman]

I think all they had to do was include a start menu and ability to boot straight to the desktop. Once I did both of these things, Windows 8 was fine. I don't use charms, and I almost never see the start screen.

The advantage MS was hoping to gain is clear.

They want everyone in the mobile phone as much as possible. That is how they push their services and their bundled ( read deeply integrated ) flagging products, like Bing.

Not sure why they haven't been challenged about that.

Perhaps it is because they are not seen as a threat.

M$ has also been pushing there Bing desktop on Windows 7 updates also.

 

[Ray8]

M$ has also been pushing there Bing desktop on Windows 7 updates also.

Yes and unlike previous updates that one doesn't want to install, you can't get rid of it at all. It's just waiting there for you to mistakenly install it.

I had an issue with Google search; I had to hunt for it so that it could make it the default search engine. I still can't even install it in Windows 7 x32.

 

[whs]

M$ has also been pushing there Bing desktop on Windows 7 updates also.

Yes and unlike previous updates that one doesn't want to install, you can't get rid of it at all. It's just waiting there for you to mistakenly install it.

I had an issue with Google search; I had to hunt for it so that it could make it the default search engine. I still can't even install it in Windows 7 x32.

I always 'hide' this Bing thing. But from time to time they try their trick again and try to slip it in. But I check all the updates before I install them.

 

[Ray8]

Other than the fact that Bing is a pretty pathetic search engine, here's another reason not to use it: Bing Serves Up Five Times More Malicious Sites Than Google | Gizmodo Australia.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Like I said, doesn't anyone across the pond believe in or like the "free" enterprise system?

Yes, that is why we are pointing out what is going on here.

I don't recall anyone demanding that MS be "Nationalised".

 

[mdmd]

Although I am upset that someone took my quote and bolded it and highlighted it in red which was not my wish, (completely inappropriate - at least they should fix the quotes...)
my point was that the presentation of Windows 8 onscreen is like a marketplace not a production tool.
The tools are there but everyone does not need powershell or administrative tools.
One can slam and deride social media types but they exist in the millions.

 

[whs]

One can slam and deride social media types but they exist in the millions.

Nothing wrong with social media - I would not use them though. But for social media you do not need a PC and certainly not Windows 8. A Chromebook or a $60 Android tablet will do.

 

[mdmd]

One can slam and deride social media types but they exist in the millions.

Nothing wrong with social media - I would not use them though. But for social media you do not need a PC and certainly not Windows 8. A Chromebook or a $60 Android tablet will do.

I don't use it either but what if one does not have a smartphone, does not have a tablet, does not have a Chromebook or Android, does not have an Ipad or Ipod, or any other device other than your home PC ?
I initially thought it was kinda nice to have this new stuff. Still do.
It's amazing that start menus are $4.99 or free.

 

[whs]

The start menu is not the whole story - by far not. But that was discussed a gezillion times. A PC is a PC and a tablet UI is alien for it. How would you like to steer your car with a tiller because they are so practical on boats.

 

[Ray8]

I don't use it either but what if one does not have a smartphone, does not have a tablet, does not have a Chromebook or Android, does not have an Ipad or Ipod, or any other device other than your home PC ?
I initially thought it was kinda nice to have this new stuff. Still do.
It's amazing that start menus are $4.99 or free.

But you can do everything you want on your traditional desktop interface, as people have been doing for years; you don't need Windows 8 or the MPI. Microsoft's intent is that you do buy a Windows Phone, you buy a Windows tablet you buy Windows 8 and kneel before the MPI.

 

[mdmd]

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/9766-proper-desktop.html

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/9190-suitable-enterprise.html

Sorry, I disagree. How is this a tablet UI ?

 

[mdmd]

Could someone please fix the quote before posting ?

 

[mdmd]

But you can do everything you want on your traditional desktop interface, as people have been doing for years; you don't need Windows 8 or the MPI. Microsoft's intent is that you do buy a Windows Phone, you buy a Windows tablet you buy Windows 8 and kneel before the MPI.

But I like the immersive channel surfing. That's just me. I like the duality. It is different.
If their intent was to get me to buy those things, well, that's not going to happen.
I don't kneel before the MPI, I just like it. There is a difference. I think others will like the channel surfing model as well.

 

[chrisa]

Although I am upset that someone took my quote and bolded it and highlighted it in red which was not my wish, (completely inappropriate - at least they should fix the quotes...)
my point was that the presentation of Windows 8 onscreen is like a marketplace not a production tool.
The tools are there but everyone does not need powershell or administrative tools.
One can slam and deride social media types but they exist in the millions.

View attachment 20009

I tend to think of it more as a variation on TV Channels. Which Channel would you like to be watching? I personally think its decent for tablet computers and media consumption(it is somewhat TV based after all), but you need something with a lot less linearity when actually working and creating content and simply flipping back and forth doesn't cut the mustard. I need to actually see more than one thing on the screen and constantly having to play snap games doesn't cut it either because that assumes that you'll always have a set breakdown for what goes where.

I don't mind the Blue Upgrades to help channel surfers watch more than one channel at a time, and for some people that may be ideal, it just doesn't replace the desktop for me, and would rather they simply stopped the crossover between paradigms. And as third-party applications have shown, it wouldn't be hard.

 

[SIW2]

They might. If they want to do something to stop the haemorrhaging.

 

[whs]

Could someone please fix the quote before posting ?

View attachment 20012

Yeah, that has happened before.

 

[sygnus21]

I believe Microsoft’s motives were sincere, but their decision was mistaken

Ed Bott has always shown a very balanced view of the Microsoft products. This article is an excellent summary of the Windows 8 problems and the challenges ahead.

Microsoft’s role as the kingpin of computing is long gone and some already consider it irrelevant or obsolete. Windows 8 and its ecosystem have all the ingredients to change that perception and make the next generation of computing devices very interesting. But even with flawless execution there’s no guarantee of success.

Microsoft's Windows 8 approach: Bold, arrogant, or both? | ZDNet

Great article whs. I just reposted it here: More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8 - Page 82 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Coke Robot]

I listened to the Windows weekly podcast and they were discussing Windows 8. They made some good points

1. Historically, MS has been behind the curve in lots of areas. This time they are really trying to get ahead of the curve and get people onboard in the infancy with touch and such
2. Had Microsoft just released another Windows 7 and called it Windows 8, the people would complain that MS just doesn't get it and touch screens and such are the future and they are missing the curve and have screwed up and will be too late.

So, more or less, they cannot win.

The other thing they discussed was the "death of the PC". As Paul Thurrott said, iPad's sell 100 million and people rave about how unbelievably outstanding sales are, but yet the PC comes in around 78 million and they declare an apocalypse. It is what it is.

Basically, that's pretty much spot on.

 

[Coke Robot]

I don't use it either but what if one does not have a smartphone, does not have a tablet, does not have a Chromebook or Android, does not have an Ipad or Ipod, or any other device other than your home PC ?
I initially thought it was kinda nice to have this new stuff. Still do.
It's amazing that start menus are $4.99 or free.

But you can do everything you want on your traditional desktop interface, as people have been doing for years; you don't need Windows 8 or the MPI. Microsoft's intent is that you do buy a Windows Phone, you buy a Windows tablet you buy Windows 8 and kneel before the MPI.

Oh boy this is the most absurd thing I've heard in a while....

So I guess Windows xp and 7 tablets were just such hot sellers?