Windows Desktop to stay for the foreseeable future!

icet

Member
Member
Messages
38




Many of us think that by the time Windows 9 or 10 arrives the desktop would disappear. But according to the following MSDN blog, Microsoft considers desktop important and intends to keep desktop for the foreseeable future :thumb::




"We believe in the Windows desktop. It powers the experiences today that make a Windows 7 PC the most popular device in the world. So, even if we believe that over time many scenarios will be well-served by Metro style apps, for the foreseeable future, the desktop is going to continue to play a key role in many people’s lives. So we are going to improve it. We’re having a good dialog about what folks might think about our design choices but also wanted to put these choices in a broader context of the unmatched utility of the desktop."



Designing for Metro style and the desktop - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs


 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Desktop is the important thing. The other stuff is just for playing.

That post is a year old.

Before MS panicked.

Be better if they didn't keep ripping stuff out of the desktop - that is going to cost them dear.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I don't know, we'll see what happens. Remember what happened with DOS? Once Windows 95 came out, it eventually lead up to the point in Windows 2000 where it was nothing more than just a simple black box where one can type in text commands. It wasn't the basis of Windows anymore. I think that will happen with the Desktop UI, it will become something that will be there, only for the people that need to use it. There was speculation over two years ago that Microsoft was going to make the Desktop as a service, that one can disable or enable at will....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Remember what happened with DOS?

Optimistic and pro-Metro as always Cokie. :D

All things phase out eventually but some did improve over time, without taking away the original concept. (Wheels are still round for example because round always worked)

I think this is not that similar with the situation of the DOS at that time. DOS had much much less user base than the standard Desktop right now so it will take much much longer for the Desktop to phase out, especially that it has established a huge user base, with the Average Joe as the majority, many of which unwilling to change or find the "new Windows UI" strange. Many are in the enterprise level who would not want to make effort to train on a new learning curve. Could take a lot of time. Windows 8 could have a good potential on the tablet and smartphone universe, but not much on the PCs.

The Desktop is not going away as simple as you think or feel it will, Cokie.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
True.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
The desktop is the most important part of win8 Pro.

It is the USP.

Win8 Pro allegedly offers offers a phone UI and the Most important bit - the Desktop.

It couldn't compete against the Ultrabook end just as a glorified phone without calling ability.



I don't know how MS think win 8 RT is going to take on Ipad.

It doesn't have a huge app. store, it doesn't have the "must have " branding.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Windows 8 is the desktop with a phone UI haphazardly bolted on. It's not a phone UI that includes a desktop "app."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 RTM (Retinas taking damage...)
    CPU
    i5 2500
    Motherboard
    msi p67a-g43
    Memory
    16 GB DDR3 1333
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Nvidia 9800 GTX+
I don't know, we'll see what happens. Remember what happened with DOS? Once Windows 95 came out, it eventually lead up to the point in Windows 2000 where it was nothing more than just a simple black box where one can type in text commands. It wasn't the basis of Windows anymore. I think that will happen with the Desktop UI, it will become something that will be there, only for the people that need to use it. There was speculation over two years ago that Microsoft was going to make the Desktop as a service, that one can disable or enable at will....

That "simple black box where you can type in text commands" is not DOS by the way. Its a command shell with similar commands but its not DOS. Windows 2000 did not have DOS. DOS was there because it needed to be there. The Windows Command shell is somewhat of a replacement for it.

I do believe there are a lot more people that want, need, and use the desktop environment, than you think there are. You really don't get it do you? You can't seem to understand that there are people that do things on their PC that you don't do? And there are a lot of use. You can dismiss us if you wish but I think it could be a very big mistake for Microsoft to do that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Windows 8 is the desktop with a phone UI haphazardly bolted on. It's not a phone UI that includes a desktop "app."

I beg to differ. Windows 8 is the beautiful, new M$/Metro interface with the naked -> no-start-button <- legacy desktop taking second place. I think it will remain for a while until all software is written in the new M$ interface. Then as McCartney ended the song "Helen Wheels" -> "Say bye-bye" Paul McCartney and Wings-Helen Wheels - YouTube
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I beg to differ. Windows 8 is the beautiful, new M$/Metro interface with the naked -> no-start-button <- legacy desktop taking second place. I think it will remain for a while until all software is written in the new M$ interface. Then as McCartney ended the song "Helen Wheels" -> "Say bye-bye" Paul McCartney and Wings-Helen Wheels - YouTube
I'll continue the trend of being in disagreement. Windows 8 is the sacrifice of functionality over eye-candy. Until these "apps" are able to be adjusted in screen size to any size that I want (not just snapped left or right in a 320p) panel, it's absolutely USELESS. The "only" time that I only have 1 thing going on my computer is when I am gaming. Otherwise, I want multiple apps open, a taskbar that I can see and interact with.

The new interface is just like a tablet in my opinion. It supplements the real computer (legacy desktop) and could easily be skipped altogether. If I could install Windows 8 without Metro I would do it in a heartbeat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I don't know, we'll see what happens. Remember what happened with DOS? Once Windows 95 came out, it eventually lead up to the point in Windows 2000 where it was nothing more than just a simple black box where one can type in text commands. It wasn't the basis of Windows anymore. I think that will happen with the Desktop UI, it will become something that will be there, only for the people that need to use it. There was speculation over two years ago that Microsoft was going to make the Desktop as a service, that one can disable or enable at will....

That "simple black box where you can type in text commands" is not DOS by the way. Its a command shell with similar commands but its not DOS. Windows 2000 did not have DOS. DOS was there because it needed to be there. The Windows Command shell is somewhat of a replacement for it.

I do believe there are a lot more people that want, need, and use the desktop environment, than you think there are. You really don't get it do you? You can't seem to understand that there are people that do things on their PC that you don't do? And there are a lot of use. You can dismiss us if you wish but I think it could be a very big mistake for Microsoft to do that.

Yeah, that's my meaning of the simple black box, it's not DOS, but just a text based command input.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
The Desktop in 8 is quite honestly probably the selling point of a WinRT tablet. apple may have the "must have" appeal to the ipad, but a WinRT tablet with the Desktop and Office 2013 has the "more bang for buck" appeal. When you shop on a tight tech budget, what wins? An interface will simple icons that just has more spacing with the icons from the phone variant or an interface that can be used to copy and paste files to a flash drive, I say the latter wins be over. The Desktop will be used a lot, but it will eventually leave. Maybe not Windows 9, maybe until 10 or the 11th version; but it's fairly inevitable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I beg to differ. Windows 8 is the beautiful, new M$/Metro interface with the naked -> no-start-button <- legacy desktop taking second place. I think it will remain for a while until all software is written in the new M$ interface. Then as McCartney ended the song "Helen Wheels" -> "Say bye-bye" Paul McCartney and Wings-Helen Wheels - YouTube
I'll continue the trend of being in disagreement. Windows 8 is the sacrifice of functionality over eye-candy. Until these "apps" are able to be adjusted in screen size to any size that I want (not just snapped left or right in a 320p) panel, it's absolutely USELESS. The "only" time that I only have 1 thing going on my computer is when I am gaming. Otherwise, I want multiple apps open, a taskbar that I can see and interact with.

The new interface is just like a tablet in my opinion. It supplements the real computer (legacy desktop) and could easily be skipped altogether. If I could install Windows 8 without Metro I would do it in a heartbeat.

I think they will work out the snap and multi-monitor problem in time. One will be able to multi-pane as described in one my posts here: http://www.eightforums.com/general-...dictions-if-windows-8-success.html#post106867
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Windows 8 is the desktop with a phone UI haphazardly bolted on. It's not a phone UI that includes a desktop "app."

I beg to differ. Windows 8 is the beautiful, new M$/Metro interface with the naked -> no-start-button <- legacy desktop taking second place. I think it will remain for a while until all software is written in the new M$ interface. Then as McCartney ended the song "Helen Wheels" -> "Say bye-bye" Paul McCartney and Wings-Helen Wheels - YouTube

Do you expect huge multiplayer games and professional software to be writen in Met...uhhm... "new Windows 8 UI" and be available on the Windows Appstore only? I think its the song by McCartney called "Friends to Go" will be more suited on Windows 8 at the moment. Micrsoft's "friends" such as OEMs may not adopt Windows 8 that much and users might skip Windows 8 or go adopt Linuxes or Macs instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
The Desktop in 8 is quite honestly probably the selling point of a WinRT tablet. apple may have the "must have" appeal to the ipad, but a WinRT tablet with the Desktop and Office 2013 has the "more bang for buck" appeal. When you shop on a tight tech budget, what wins? An interface will simple icons that just has more spacing with the icons from the phone variant or an interface that can be used to copy and paste files to a flash drive, I say the latter wins be over. The Desktop will be used a lot, but it will eventually leave. Maybe not Windows 9, maybe until 10 or the 11th version; but it's fairly inevitable.

Maybe, but the thing is, The Desktop environment on the RT is very restricted. Current Windows software won't run on it without being modified and or rewritten. Office 2013 is one example. And the version included on the RT is incomplete, no Outlook for one thing. I am almost certain that if I buy an RT, every time I use it I'll wish I had bought a Pro instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
It depends what you mean by the "Desktop".

If you are interested in managing your own files and creating content - you need a workspace to do that, some kind of file manager, and of course you need to be able to multitask in that space.

That is a Desktop.

It might change in appearance, the name might change too, but it is still a Desktop.



If you are only interested in consuming content - you don't need that.

I expect those who are calling for it's removal are content consumers.


@Cokie - the so called desktop in win8 rt looks pointless at the moment.

I don't see how that gives any advantage over what Apple is offereing.

Yes, the win8 Pro does offer something different from ipad - but it looks like it will be a completelty different price point and therefore competing with ultrabooks - not with ipad.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Maybe, but the thing is, The Desktop environment on the RT is very restricted. Current Windows software won't run on it without being modified and or rewritten. Office 2013 is one example. And the version included on the RT is incomplete, no Outlook for one thing. I am almost certain that if I buy an RT, every time I use it I'll wish I had bought a Pro instead.

You are aware that the use of the desktop, is limited to Microsoft applications only, right? They won't allow or provide access to API's and such to any third party vendors. So, your list of software will be signficantly limited due to this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Maybe, but the thing is, The Desktop environment on the RT is very restricted. Current Windows software won't run on it without being modified and or rewritten. Office 2013 is one example. And the version included on the RT is incomplete, no Outlook for one thing. I am almost certain that if I buy an RT, every time I use it I'll wish I had bought a Pro instead.

You are aware that the use of the desktop, is limited to Microsoft applications only, right? They won't allow or provide access to API's and such to any third party vendors. So, your list of software will be signficantly limited due to this.

Yes, that's my point? I personally am not all that interested in buying Windows RT and being limited to just Metro APPs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Windows 8 is the desktop with a phone UI haphazardly bolted on. It's not a phone UI that includes a desktop "app."

I beg to differ. Windows 8 is the beautiful, new M$/Metro interface with the naked -> no-start-button <- legacy desktop taking second place. I think it will remain for a while until all software is written in the new M$ interface. Then as McCartney ended the song "Helen Wheels" -> "Say bye-bye" Paul McCartney and Wings-Helen Wheels - YouTube

Do you expect huge multiplayer games and professional software to be writen in Met...uhhm... "new Windows 8 UI" and be available on the Windows Appstore only? I think its the song by McCartney called "Friends to Go" will be more suited on Windows 8 at the moment. Micrsoft's "friends" such as OEMs may not adopt Windows 8 that much and users might skip Windows 8 or go adopt Linuxes or Macs instead.

Correct. I think that is exactly where M$ is headed. The introduction of the new Metro GUI, placing it in first in priority, and placing the classical desktop GUI as second is directional in a plan of drastic change. Their plan is like time -> It flows in one direction. The removal of the Start Menu and replacing it with the Metro Start Screen is also another huge clue. I think this is their plan, whether anyone likes it or not. One may dam a river as it flows to the ocean, but sooner or later it will reach the ocean.

I understand the rewriting of any legacy programs in the new M$/Metro interface, whatever software it may be, will be a big undertaking. It will not happen overnight. I'm thinking a 2 to 3 year time period. We may think of the M$ store as their new means of a software retailing business. They are simply mimicking Apple, Google via Android, Walmart, Cosco, one's local grocery store, gift shop, etc. Nothing new -> One buys wholesale and sells retail for a capitol principal called profit. In this case on consignment. Let's see....We've been selling OSs for 30 some-odd years, so why don't we get into a software retail business just like others are? Dah! If M$ is accused of anything, it should be that they're slow in this department!

Also -> LQQk at all that money OEMs are making on hardware. Why don't we get into that business too?!! It's called capitalism. It's what generally makes the world go around. We all have the right to get into any business we so choose. God help us if the government or anyone takes that right away!

I think all this will lead to better, less complicated, and more efficient computing. If one wants to remain nostalgic and remain in the way things are performed now, that's one's choice. I for one, very much like and will go with the change.

@ SIW2

It depends what you mean by the "Desktop".

I believe it was the first "Windows" GUI added to DOS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Desktop

I believe once all software, which is being performed now, is rewritten and M$ works out the multi-monitor and multi-pane problem, the "Desktop" GUI will disappear. We will view it in the new GUI called Metro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I think, it would have been a better solution if Windows 8 has a full-Metro and full-Desktop mode but either one can be disabled at will or have both of them running side by side but we know its too late for this now. Imagine, OEMs for Desktops, laptops and netbooks will have the Desktop as the default UI, complete with the Start button and Menu but still has the "new Windows UI" to be enabled as an option and tablets like the Surface will have the "new Windows UI" as Default to promote this new platform but still have the ability to run in full Desktop mode at will. If Surface was like that when I have enough money, I would choose that over any tablet any day and I swear that to God.

If you think OEMs make most of their money selling hardware, think again. They have started into the apps or cloud business as well, suggested by the ton of bloatware preinstalled on their machines, most of which only add up to the long list of Startup items that I would rather not use. I just had a new Asus Netbook, 2 weeks ago. It came with Windows 7 Starter bundled with a ton of bloatware (as expected). When I open the My Computer window, it has an Asus Web storage link in there. The netbook also came with a cloud-based OS from Asus as well that I might never use cause the places I spend my time don't have their Wifi connections for public use and are probably slow.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
Back
Top