What's wrong with W8 and what MS should do to fix it....

Welcome. Hate to say it, but threads dealing with this sort of issue are "all over the place" here. You might get some annoyed sounding replies. But, OK:

I would like to have an improved Windows 7-style start menu, available from MS, on the desktop. I would like the option, available in Win8, of starting directly to the desktop or to the "metro" start screen. I am not sure what all it should do, but I'd like to have a "metro" desktop icon available through Win8 via desktop > personalize > Change desktop icons. One thing the icon could do is allow access to the charm bar. I would like to be able to, via Win8, disable the charm bar.
 

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Yet another person that a) doesn't know how software works, and how software development in general works and b) doesn't understand the direction that Windows is going, and the way its getting there.

Windows 8 is not an "unfinished product", in that it contains all features that were intended for it. But it is a part of an overall transition that is not yet finished. It's like when they build a bridge in-place with an existing bridge. Pieces of it are added, and opened up for the general public to use one step at a time. Each piece is finished, but the overall project isn't done until the last piece is in place. That last piece is many years coming in Windows case (the removal of the legacy desktop).

Complaining about the "non-cohesiveness" or "inconsistency" is pointless because this is an expected, and known disadvantage that is part of the process. The only way they're going to "fix" it is to finish the transition.

Again, as in the case of the bridge. It's like complaining that the partially completed project is inconsistent, because the bridge has two designs. One side has three lanes, and the other side has 2, why didn't they just make it all 2.5 lanes? See how silly that sounds?
 

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I see your points. The article says "feels" like an unfinished product. But it is usable and responsive. It is no secret that MS wanted to make a hybrid OS. But they could've done a better job. ie: removing utility duplicates, Make desktop UI more touch friendly. The article merely explores solutions to these problems, but does not complain of usability. Both UI's should complemet each other. Switching from desktop mode to metro and vice versa should not 'drastically' change how one uses the OS. It should be a smoother transition.

EDIT: The way I see it, They slapped the metro UI to a better windows 7 while not thinking too much about integration. Since they wanted the OS on tablets, they could've done a better job. Also about your bridge analogy, that just sound like bad planning to me.:D
 

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Are there (undeclared) Microsoft employees on this forum? Some responders seem to indicate a very deep and intimate knowledge of Microsoft's planning, policies and procedures, and its future directions. Or are they just extracting opinions from a dark, wet, place?
 

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Are there (undeclared) Microsoft employees on this forum? Some responders seem to indicate a very deep and intimate knowledge of Microsoft's planning, policies and procedures, and its future directions. Or are they just extracting opinions from a dark, wet, place?

I think they are just passionate.

But you have to be realistic and point out flaws when you see them. Its not about taking sides. It's about what's best for us, the consumers.
 

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It really is about what is best for MS/its shareholders, where business and general user interests are not always as well aligned as one might want or expect.
 

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@ Mystere

Another great post as always. :thumbup:

@ Ray8

It's simply collective opinions on where MS is going with this thing. In any endeavour one begins to see the "big picture" after awhile. It could be anything. In my case, it's seeing the big picture of building a building. It's performed in a step by step process with a plan. After some time it becomes 2nd nature.

With MS it's them being "reimagined" and their vision on they think the direction of computing is going. The ingenious attempt to change computing for the better with a "transitional" OS. I'm quite sure they did studies on all this. It just doesn't simply appear from thin air. The wheel has always been bettered with use and time. The only thing they have in common is that they roll. The same with OSs. They all manage electronic components.

It really is about what is best for MS/its shareholders, where business and general user interests are not always as well aligned as one might want or expect.

I have to not agree with you totally here, znod. Yes, in the end they have to answer to stockholders with earnings, but it's rather a great balancing act to reach earnings. First, one has to put out a good product that consumers will take to. MS overall through the years has performed this.

I think MS to be rather daring in taking the risk of creating and releasing Windows 8. But, at times if one doesn't take risks, one loses at the game. I'm sure we all have experienced taking risks in life. Setting fear aside to endeavour change, we soon find ourselves in a better position. 8 is simply a start. I'm quite sure MS has something in their plan for enterprise.

That's my thoughts anyway, for whatever they're worth. :)
 

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@ Ray8

It's simply collective opinions on where MS is going with this thing. In any endeavour one begins to see the "big picture" after awhile. It could be anything. In my case, it's seeing the big picture of building a building. It's performed in a step by step process with a plan. After some time it becomes 2nd nature.

With MS it's them being "reimagined" and their vision on they think the direction of computing is going. The ingenious attempt to change computing for the better with a "transitional" OS. I'm quite sure they did studies on all this. It just doesn't simply appear from thin air. The wheel has always been bettered with use and time. The only thing they have in common is that they roll. The same with OSs. They all manage electronic components.

Said posts don't come across as opinions, but as authoritative statements of fact. It's not unknown for companies to have employees sign up to forums and promote their products and shoot down criticism. The ferocity with which some fire back at genuine points worthy of discussion may imply more than just over-zealous fanboyism. Like trolls, some can hide their true nature quite well, others trip over their tongues the moment they open their mouths.
 

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Yet another person that a) doesn't know how software works, and how software development in general works and b) doesn't understand the direction that Windows is going, and the way its getting there.

Windows 8 is not an "unfinished product", in that it contains all features that were intended for it. But it is a part of an overall transition that is not yet finished. It's like when they build a bridge in-place with an existing bridge. Pieces of it are added, and opened up for the general public to use one step at a time. Each piece is finished, but the overall project isn't done until the last piece is in place. That last piece is many years coming in Windows case (the removal of the legacy desktop).

Complaining about the "non-cohesiveness" or "inconsistency" is pointless because this is an expected, and known disadvantage that is part of the process. The only way they're going to "fix" it is to finish the transition.

Again, as in the case of the bridge. It's like complaining that the partially completed project is inconsistent, because the bridge has two designs. One side has three lanes, and the other side has 2, why didn't they just make it all 2.5 lanes? See how silly that sounds?

The bridge anology is perfect. I think MS started building this bridge with the Search box in Vista's start menu. Most of us were just assuming it was a great feature add-on. At least those of us who used it.
We have to give MS credit for knowing people are going to opt for light weight & small enough to put in a pocket kindle, android etc instead of lugging heavy laptops.

Since I don't have problems with the missing start button & menu!

The one thing I would change. That huge clock on the lock screen. Let me put that on my Logon screen and get rid of the lock screen.
I know I can get rid of the lock screen but the functional ez to read clock goes with it.
 

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The thing about the Start Screen and the decision that eludes my understanding is WHY didn't Microsoft put the items that were used on the start menu, such as the Libraries, Computer, and such, onto the Start Screen? I've installed Windows 8 on several peoples' PCs and EVERY time I will go and pin these Desktop items onto the Start Screen and arrange them neatly, I've yet to hear a freak out melt down. Things can be found as they would normally.
 

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Spare me the conspiracy theories Ray. Every time someone says that crap, it can just as easily be turned around. You obviously must work for Microsoft's competitors to frequent a forum for an OS you clearly dislike, and spend all your time talking about how much it sucks. That's the only possible reason that makes sense... After all, it's not the first time it's happened, right Ray? And wouldn't a competitor want to sow distrust among the members of said forums, seems like you fit the bill perfectly.

Or, maybe you just have a personal opinion and want to share it. Wow, that seems so improbable. Let's go with the conspiracy theories.

Microsoft has made it abundantly clear the direction they are going. They've published thousands of articles, blog entries, presentations, videos, books, and technical papers on the subject. They've had several major conferences in which they have discussed these things as well. It can't be helped if you have simply been too busy to take notice of any of them. It's not like MS hasn't tried to educate anyone that would listen.

So to spout conspiracies about "inside knowledge" is patently ridiculous. Do yourself a favor, and if you plan to keep talking crap about the OS, then do your homework on it. But then, if you did, you probably wouldn't hate it so much. Most people that understand what Microsoft is doing, and where it's going are quite upbeat about it, because knowledge is a lot better than random speculation.



Mountain: It's not bad design to rebuild a bridge in place, particularly for extremely busy bridges that cannot simply be shut down and traffic rerouted. Microsoft tried to do that, actually. It was called Windows Longhorn, and it took 6 years to get out the door, and still wasn't nearly what it was intended to be. Large software rewrites almost never work, and the only reasonable approach is to do it in manageable pieces. Imagine if Linus Torvolds had waited to release the first Linux kernel until it was everything he wanted it to be. You'd still be waiting for it. In fact, Linux is the ultimate expression of this "build it piecemeal" philosophy, so it's rather ironic that Linux fans seem to be complaining so much about Windows 8's "consistency".

Why didn't they do a better job of integration? Because they're not intended to be integrated. One of them is intended to go away. That was my point about "Just make both ways 2.5 lanes", Integrating two pieces of a multi-step rebuild takes time away from the rebuild to do things that will just get thrown away in the next cycle. It's pointless, expensive, and accomplishes nothing.

Let's say you're going to rebuild your house. You can't just tear it down and start from scratch because you're living there, and doing that would make you homeless. So instead, you do it one room at a time. Are you really going to spend money at each stage of the renovation to make the rest of the old, 100 year old house look like it belongs with the new part? Only a crazy person would even try that, you're just going to tear it all down anyways, and attempting to "integrate" them would result in terrible architecture and structural stability, not to mention tripling the cost of your rebuild.

If you're still going to complain about how "why didn't they just integrate everything" even after that explanation, then I guess there's nothing that could be said that would satisfy you. Anyone that actually thinks about what would be involved with that (rather than just magic, which is the way most people seem to view software development) would also reject that idea.

A lot of people get the idea that because software is so easily copied, that it doesn't really exist. That it just more or less appears out of thin air because someone decides it should do something. They don't understand the very real effort that goes into all software development. And hour of work as a software developer is still an hour of work, just as an hour of work as a plumber, or a carpenter is an hour of work. And Windows 8 is the result of Millions of man hours of work.

Windows 8 is the way it is *intentionally*. They intended it to be this way, because they knew it was a temporary situation, and would have to put up with inconsistency for a few versions, but that inconsistency would steadily get less and less.

You're not telling them something they don't know when you complain about it. You're the guy standing in the middle of an empty room and saying "Hey, did you know you don't have any furniture?" Yeah, I know... I haven't bought any yet. "Well, I have a suggestion, you should buy some furniture". Gee, thanks Einstein, I never would have thought of that if you hadn't suggested it. We all know that guy. We've all rolled our eyes at him. Don't be that guy.

So please, stop thinking you're so smart because you've managed to identify the glaring problems of Windows 8. All you're doing is stating the obvious, and annoying everyone involved.
 

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Whoa! Conspiracy theories and confected outrage indeed.

Voluminous retort submitted (which no one will read).

Your honour, I rest my case.
 

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:thumb:Mystere:thumb:

 

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@ Ray8

It's simply collective opinions on where MS is going with this thing. In any endeavour one begins to see the "big picture" after awhile. It could be anything. In my case, it's seeing the big picture of building a building. It's performed in a step by step process with a plan. After some time it becomes 2nd nature.

With MS it's them being "reimagined" and their vision on they think the direction of computing is going. The ingenious attempt to change computing for the better with a "transitional" OS. I'm quite sure they did studies on all this. It just doesn't simply appear from thin air. The wheel has always been bettered with use and time. The only thing they have in common is that they roll. The same with OSs. They all manage electronic components.

Said posts don't come across as opinions, but as authoritative statements of fact. It's not unknown for companies to have employees sign up to forums and promote their products and shoot down criticism. The ferocity with which some fire back at genuine points worthy of discussion may imply more than just over-zealous fanboyism. Like trolls, some can hide their true nature quite well, others trip over their tongues the moment they open their mouths.

Actually my name is Bond.....James Bond. :cool:
 

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Whoa! Conspiracy theories and confected outrage indeed.

Voluminous retort submitted (which no one will read).

Your honour, I rest my case.
Sorry, but I read the whole post, and must say it was well written. It was also, to the point. . . .:D
 

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Whoa! Conspiracy theories and confected outrage indeed.

Voluminous retort submitted (which no one will read).

Your honour, I rest my case.
Sorry, but I read the whole post, and must say it was well written. It was also, to the point. . . .:D

Nothing using that many words can be to the point. And you'd have to have the patience of a corpse to read a forum post that long.
 

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