This is one of my long ones again, so if you don't like long posts just skip it. I wrote the outline of this in Notepad. I think I wore a server out (Or at least it's smoking) editing and previewing this.
Beg to disagree on this one. Having everything on one screen is the definition of clutter. I bet you use sub-folders to orgnaize your documents instead of dumping everything in My Documents. The sub-menus are the menu equivalent to sub-folders.
The Start Menu has always been horrible because it's laborious to navigate, and it GOES AWAY when you select something from it, forcing you to do the navigation all over again the next time.
The desktop has always been horrible because it's usually covered by windows, obscuring the things it contains. Also, Windows has always been horrible about remembering where you placed icons.
The Metro Start Screen is horrible because it's an infinitely scrolling roll, a full-screen, modal monstrosity, that depends upon things like "The 4 Corners", which are certain to appear in the next edition of "GUI Bloopers". The "live tiles" are worthless because they aren't visible when I'm actually using my computer, and they're too small to convey much useful information anyway. Metro would never have been invented if Microsoft wasn't so desperate over losing the mobile market and so lacking in confidence in their mobile efforts they're trying to leverage their success on the desktop to make mobile happen. I think it's going to backfire in a big way.
The Windows 7 taskbar is brilliant because it combines the original taskbar purpose of helping one locate and activate windows with program launching. By pinning programs, you always know where to look for a program to launch it, activate its window, check on its progress indicator, access its jump list, etc. Programs stay exactly where you pin them, which improves efficiency over time through familiarity and muscle memory. On a relatively small 1680x1050 monitor, it's possible to fit 18 icons on a single row, taking up about 70% of the horizontal area, leaving room for some folder shortcuts and the notification area. The taskbar really comes into its own when you use multiple rows,
like I described in this message. I use a lot of different programs, and people who use fewer will easily get by with 1 or 2 rows.
Crawfish, I think out of all of us I gotta' say you make a very good valid point and explanation. The good 'ole Taskbar. A good answer to the Metro Start Screen, Start Menu, and desktop......For now. I think the Metro Start Screen will remain, the desktop will go bye-bye eventually in due time just as the Start Button and Start menu has. I will explain below.
I'll admit that even for me, a FanBoy, sometimes i get frustrated with the Metro Start screen for it gets in the way while working on the desktop then navigating to the Metro start for an app to use. While one is on the traditional desktop and needs to open a Metro app -> WinKey to Metro start -> open the app -> use it -> close the app -> and poof! there's that Metro Start screen again when I want to be back on the desktop. I know this sounds all so mundane, but I want to lay it all out here.
The desktop in 8 is actually treated as a Metro app "taking second in place". A "Desktop" behind a "desktop" (if you will) or a "Metro app" behind a "desktop" in that the Metro Start screen is presently both a desktop and menu combined since it's 1st in line. Again, the traditional desktop being treated as a Metro app.
Ok, so, what if all traditional programs are written in the Metro style as a Metro app or more appropriately a M$ app? That would solve the whole problem, wouldn't it? I believe this is what M$ has in mind with this drastic change of an OS called Windows 8. All programs will eventually be M$ apps. They are being written as you read now. Imagine the possibilities here. They can totally do away with the desktop all together. One will open an app in stand alone window or -> Open another with an option to snap along side -> Open another app with the option of a 3rd pane -> Open another for a 4th pane and so on. Just like the big screen TVs with multi-pane viewing a zillion channels in live time. Or perform on multiple monitors. (I know there's a long way to go so far as snapping and multi-monitors, so I don't want to hear the slack.
I think this will be worked out in the future)
Z3r2d2
(Don't taze me, Dude!) could open a zillion on his monitor posted here just above my post:
http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...3-customer-preview-released-2.html#post103814
For convenience I'll paste here:
View attachment 7433
One can even navigate pages in each app within those zillion panes. A somehow-added Taskbar could be added on the screen at command with one's most-used apps for more convenience. Just think of the possibilities. If it can be imagined, it can be written.
A plausible reason for the M$ store: The problem for any OS is that one may use a device or PC for one purpose and another for another purpose. A modern computer is a multipurpose machine. Therfore, why should I load programs or apps that I wouldn't use for my purpose or another user for theirs? What? To take up data storage space, resourses, and/or add to the overall cost? How obsurd is that? I can't find the thread where the poster stated: (I'm paraphrasing here) "Why don't they just sell a KERNAL for a certain cost and then add apps as needed". What a novel idea! One could then purchase the KERNAL and then buy what one needs and/or desires. No more, no less. I think this is where M$ is headed with Metro, their store, touch, and the like.
A Jimbo quote:
High there
considering that still nearly 50% of computers are STILL RUNNING XP I don't think you'll have any problems running W7 for as long as you want to.
I also read posters (mostly Pros like Jimbo) on this subject with relatively the same statement. I think most enterprises will stay with 7 or upgrade to it, creating some revenue. M$ will support it for quite a while. This gives M$ time to win the hearts of the general public with there
Allfecta (PC, phone, and Tablets) to take on iMe. In the mean time, they'll be perfecting an 8 SP1 or a 9 that works for enterprise. Most likely a 9.
I'm a forum addict....Give me feedback!....I need more feedback!.... :shock: