This is for the people of Windows 8 that have overshot the runway...

"It's a mobile OS with a desktop." "It's nothing more than Windows 7 and a gaudy interface." "Microsoft is killing the desktop." All words said by critics and cynics of Windows 8.

I start this thread to fend off these harsh reviews of an non-matured OS that is the turning point of design of software. The Start Screen brings people that love it or hate, I for one like it. I don't see it as a phone OS, or something that dumbs down Windows, or something that kills the desktop. Keep in mind, I use Windows 8 on a desktop, with my Microsoft Touch Mouse, Logitech solar powered keyboard, and my standard LCD non-touch monitor. I've used Windows 8 to PhotoShop multiple images, check hard drives for errors, did mass transfer of user data around, used it as my media player (Zune), and yes, even used the built in apps and games. From my use of it, I don't see how any cynic reviews of 8 are even true. I've used the desktop view more than the Start Screen. I've been in desktop view more than any other metro app combined.

I see the Start Screen as a new and different way to switch to apps or programs quite easily without folders or soley on the taskbar.

I see Start Screen as a commanding interface to literally "Start" any app or program easily. I can start a desktop program, I can start an app, all from one view.

Sure, Windows 8 is completely and utterly different, but that's what happens when change happens.

I want to explain what I think caused this change to happen. It started with Microsoft knowing they're lost ground with their outdated Windows Mobile 6 OS. They knew they needed a severe change to stay in the game. They designed the prototype of Windows Phone 7. They got their engineers to battle out for seven hours on what technology to salvage or scrap. What happened was they decided to restart everything they could, start from scratch. Knowing they had a blank slate to work with, that set them free to do whatever they wanted to do.

Now we're here with Windows 8, at a time where people question the use of a desktop, and even question the use of Windows itself. It hasn't been synonymous with great innovation and change. Microsoft knows that. And to stay prevalent in the game they made, they need to make a severe change to what they're doing. Windows 8 is that change. It's bringing new features, new design, and new ideas to the table to show the world what Microsoft can really do: change the game, again.

To me, I see the two technologies of Windows Phone and Windows 8 to have the same theme, the same idea, that when you're not afraid anymore of what you have to lose, it sets you free to do whatever. It's something we as humans seem to have lost. We're afraid of change. We're afraid of breaking the status-quo. We're afraid of doing something different and something extraordinary. We've lost that inspiration generations ago had. We need to recapture that.

That to me, is what Windows 8 truely is.

When the chat and conferences first started, regarding Windows 8, the hype was on the Metro interface. Boasts about its future were loud. from the blurbs, it was intended to be the outstanding selling feature for Microsoft.
On observation, I think the "advertising" has had quite the opposite effect. There has been so much emphasis on the Metro project, that many of the other advantages of the next OS have been overlooked. Apart from a few irritants, which hopefully will be resolved before the final release, I have found Windows 8 to be slicker all round. So far, like everyone, I have only had access to the (very) unfinished and unpolished public release, so cannot comment further.
Having said that, I must add, from my personal standpoint, with a very average computer budget, I would see no purpose at this stage in moving forward to that next version. The "extras" are not enough to entice me.

I have to agree with Dave, I see no benefit for myself to upgrade to Windows8, I have none of what this new O/S would be useful for
Microsoft Phone, Tablet computer, or a touch screen monitor. For myself this would be a useless upgrade/update. I also feel this is a O/S Microsoft should of waited to release for a couple more generations, so that people can have the chance to get those types of computing components. For at this moment this is a mute O/S for my usage.

Hmm, this sounds like the typical argument on whether or not to upgrade. It happens all the time, the question was should people go to a warmed over xp operating system that took a few years to become stable, to should people even trust another Microsoft OS after vista to does Windows 8 really offer anything that 7 doesn't?

I don't know...time will tell...and time usually tells...

I'm looking at it from a logical standpoint. A O/S needs the components that it was created for to be of any use. *Example* Seeing as how the Osbourne 1 was a floppy disc to floppy disc computer, you wouldn't go out and buy MS Dos for it, you needed a hard drive to get any benefit from the O/S.