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

 

[mdmd]

No. It is entirely logical - if they are attempting to provide both a desktop and a tablet environment.
They are providing 2 version of IE for example.

Well, 8 has a start menu. The WinRT start menu. It is designed for Windows 8. The desktop in 8 is an immersive app, not an environment. So you actually do have windowing in an immersive app.
There is only 1 environment in 8.

 

[SIW2]

I am not interested in your technical definition of an environment.

Either 8 is supposed to be for desktop users as well - or it isn't.

If it is supposed to be for desktop users - then it is entirely logical to include the start menu.

MS have made a marketing misjudgement that is costing them dear at the moment.

 

[mdmd]

You are extremely confused. If a business wants the customers to buy their goods, they need to give the customers what they want.It is not for the customers to bend to what that business wants.
( Unless of course, the customers have no choice )

Unfair characterization. Very clear and accurate. The importance of what the customer wants is quite clear. The definition of a customer is not necessarily what you believe. Customers often have no choice in many respects.

 

[SIW2]

No point in trying to explain. You carry on believing what you like.

 

[mdmd]

Thank You, Sir.

 

[whs]

People want a choice between the new and the traditional desktop. What is so wrong with people wanting that choice?

Right, and we are not going to stop screaming (because it currently hurts) until we get that choice.

I really don't understand what choice needs to be there. Remove the apps you don't want, install Decor8 if you want, and pin your Desktop things onto it. It's a start menu just full screen. It runs the Desktop, it is the Desktop, it is a Desktop OS. It seems by far frivolous to be crying about something so mundane like that at this point.

It is very simple. I want the whole new UI and the new UI applications off my PC - I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I see the congregation has joined together on this fine Sunday morning.

This is our hymn for today. Feel free to clap your hands or click your fingers to the beat.

[video=youtube;7XcTyEKSnYg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XcTyEKSnYg[/video]

 

[Corelogik]

The way Windows 8 exists today, is like having to close the cover of a book, to turn the page,... no thank you.

When/if they allow the Metro nightmare to be turned off, and return the system menu button to the Desktop where it belongs, I MAY at that point migrate the four systems in my house to Windows 8. Not until. I don't care what anyone says.

The ones who seem most eager for Windows 8 as it exists right now, is what I call the Facebook Generation. Those grown up on FB and Google and social media, sharing 20 screenshots of their dinner, and tweeting every thought they have every 5 seconds. For the rest of us adults that like to actually do work and creation and get things done, Windows 8 offers nothing.

Final thoughts;
Regardless of how many times one of the fanboys like to tout it, the system menu button IS NOT just about launching apps. If that's all you ever used it for before Windows 8 killed it, then you have entirely missed the point and the full features it offers.

 

[whs]

The way Windows 8 exists today, is like having to close the cover of a book, to turn the page,... no thank you.

That's a good one. I was just picturing that and really had to laugh. But you are right. You always end up on some 'Metro' page - what a pain.