Final thoughts on Windows 8: A design disaster

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Final thoughts on Windows 8: A design disaster[/h]By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
June 7, 2012, 8:59am PDT

Summary: The biggest problem with Windows 8 is that it wasn’t born out of a need or demand. Its design failures, particularly with ‘Metro UI’ will likely be its downfall. Here’s why.

A week ago, Microsoft delivered the Windows 8 Release Preview, the final pre-release of the platform before the forthcoming operating system hits the release-to-manufacturing stage. OEMs get their hands on the final code at this stage, followed by Windows 8’s general availability where it’s available to us all.

I’ve been following Windows 8 closely over the past few months, spending a lot of time not only with the official releases but also with a number of leaked builds, and I’ve had the chance to install the operating system on a variety of hardware platforms, both old and new. However, since my primary working platform is a desktop system, this is where I’ve had the chance to spend the most time with Microsoft’s new operating system.

I’m now ready to sum up my Windows 8 experience with a single word: awful.

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The Developer Preview failed to install here on any VM. Likewise the RP refused to go on a VM as well while the CP went on two different releases of VM Player without a hitch except no internet connection on one VM Player release(Dec. 2011) but would connect on the later(Feb. 2012). Besides those two issues that last line would seem to sum things up on how many feel about where MS is going!

 

[SIW2]

Lol.

 

[windude99]

Lol.

I don't get what's funny, lol...

 

[HPDeskjet]

Don't worry, Win8 will come with a startup tutorial for dummies.

A tutorial, no doubt, written by the dummies that have designed the Windows 8 Metro UI.

 

[windude99]

Don't worry, Win8 will come with a startup tutorial for dummies.

A tutorial, no doubt, written by the dummies that have designed the Windows 8 Metro UI.

 

[Night Hawk]

Don't worry, Win8 will come with a startup tutorial for dummies.

That title will never have been more literally true. An alternative in academic style could be, "An Essay on Design Failure".

That would be a good title for a new thesis on W8!

I think a great deal of the MS motivation was mentioned before about MS being labeled a copy cat of the other OSs. After the lengthy delays before Vista was released people got too acquainted with the XP look and Classic themes and then Vista comes along with a new Aero look and what..??? "How do you get rid of that side bar?" was one thing on people's mind's back then.

With 7 desktop gadgets were then able to run directly on the desktop without any side bar required. MS must have finally realized how awkward that looked and saw it disabled in 7 by default. "Well gosh with the side bar gone and the task bar the new hot ticket item seen with 7 we need something totally new to keep 'em guessing!" "You're absolutely right! Mr. BG We need something that can really dumbfound everybody!"

And then there was... "Metro UI"! TaDaaaaa daaaaa.... Meanwhile back at the MS graphics design drawing board someone is saying: "We got 'em good this time! " But what's in a desktop anyways. Well that can depend on which OS you run as well as which release.



Now as someone was saying before the Fruit Company and open source people say MS is copying their stuff. Well does 8 look like a copy of...

 

[BillWindows]

Damn, I seem to have accidentally clicked on an Apple forum, sorry fellas have fun, see ya.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Linux Mint 13 looks promising

View attachment 6699

Now as someone was saying before the Fruit Company and open source people say MS is copying their stuff. Well does 8 look like a copy of...

I created a Linux Mint 13 (MATE) VM the other day.

It looks promising.
IMO, it's definitely better than Metro, Unity or Gnome3.

 

[Night Hawk]

I still have to go after that one. The LMDebian only saw one release back in Sept. 2010 with this release being for cleaning up some coding glitches in the updated kernel.

Otherwise LMD is generally a one time only download without any newer versions. You simply watch everything on it sees updates instead. The regular LMint is otherwise just like any other distro seeing a new flavor every so many months. Ironically I never did get the "8" when first looking LM over but downloaded Linux Mint 9 which was just out at the time! Funny how ironic that is now!

Gosh I wish that were true for 7! since that seems to be the "Lucky number" for MS lately!

 

[SIW2]

LOL.

Damn, I seem to have accidentally clicked on an Apple forum, sorry fellas have fun, see ya.

 

[Night Hawk]

LOL.

Damn, I seem to have accidentally clicked on an Apple forum, sorry fellas have fun, see ya.

That wasn't anything from the "Fruit Company" I posted in that screen!

Meanwhile had a chance to try out the new form of a "Repair Install" on 8! The other day 8 started seeing things freeze up for no apparent reason. When looking at the "Refresh PC" option it reported some files missing? Thought the inititall install of the RP had gone well.

Well let's see how the advanced form of System File Checker or repair install works I thought! Surprize in order when it offers to save all files and data... but not the programs already installed however.



That shows the restart into the refresh process grabbed quickly as well as a few other shots using a cell phone cam.



Finally about 20minutes later after a few more restarts it picked up on the 7 install as expected for the new boot options menu.



The new basic black Welcome screen everybody knows by now.



Finally running a local account the Start screen only appears briefly for so many seconds and then arrives at the desktop! And look a text file left on the desktop to look at. All programs "removed"! Well time to reinstall everything including board, video, sound, and other drivers along with the apps! Grrrrrr....

Might as well have simply ran another clean install for the effort!

 

[lehnerus2000]

The regular LMint is otherwise just like any other distro seeing a new flavor every so many months.

You don't have to update.
I still have my Linux Mint 11 VM.

I still use Ubuntu 10.04 (actual install and VM) since it seems to be the last good release.

 

[Night Hawk]

LM 13 is out now as well as another release of the Linux Mint Debian which only sees an update kernel and a few expected OS fixes no other changes except may be a few additional backgrounds to choose from. Other then that it's a one time build never seeing a new version coming out.

The programs you choose to install automatically or manually are what will see changes there. But that'/s a different type of release entirely from any other distro since it's a cross mix of LM with Debian.

Now something else was found out as far as 8 is concerned here lately! You won't have to worry about not arriving at the desktop but only the Start screen if you set up a "local account" once you get through the initiial install and logging in for the first time signing in with Windows Live usually.

The Live login obviously needs the lock screen and user name, password while the local account with no password assigned by passes the new lock screen and only sees the Start screen for so many seconds while W8 finishes up the initial startup. I think MS did this intentionally so people wouldn't be clicking on things before the OS finishes loading! and wonder why things aren't working.

Want to arrive much faster at the desktop simply create the local account! So far after the refresh seen here with getting everything on again each restart arrived at the desktop after about 10-15 seconds.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I don't follow

LM 13 is out now...

I installed LM13 (MATE) in a VM last week.

Want to arrive much faster at the desktop simply create the local account! So far after the refresh seen here with getting everything on again each restart arrived at the desktop after about 10-15 seconds.

I don't follow.
I've always used the "local login" option, but it always takes me to the Metro screen.
I haven't got around to putting "desktop" in the startup folder, though.

 

[FSeal]

After 30 years of fanatic windows user i have already decided to switch to a complete new Apple system (mac mini, time capsule, ipads and iphone) as soon as i have the coins together this summer.

I have been using the W8 previews (on a Acer Iconia W500 tablet w/o keyboard) and as a consumer I get more and more annoyed that things just do not work / integrate nicely. I do like the MUI (both with and without keyboard) but wish i could switch off the old desktop initerface. But we cant do without because then i can not enjoy my media files stored on my Synology server. MUI cant find them (and the Truelink+ app is not a good alterative). The old Media player can. Toooo Confusing ......

Yes, things will work with updates etc in the future but with Apple such things just work out of the box (i have seen it), let along the fun of airplay.


Sorry guys ....... but for consumers Windows is not the first choice (anymore) if you ask me

While I agree that Mac actually may be more Windows like than WIndows 8 is... It wont be for long. Apple is turning OSX more and more into iOS and will have all the same tablet based GUI lunacy that Win8 has in the next rev or two. People are already complaining about the iOSification of the last release.

We're all doomed together...

 

[Night Hawk]

"7 Lives on Forever!" will likely be the new concept for Windows users! The rivalry between MS and the others in order to grab mobile market shares is seeing a detrimental side effect for desktop users! There's no doubt about where that trend will take things.

 

[crawfish]

While I agree that Mac actually may be more Windows like than WIndows 8 is... It wont be for long. Apple is turning OSX more and more into iOS and will have all the same tablet based GUI lunacy that Win8 has in the next rev or two. People are already complaining about the iOSification of the last release.

We're all doomed together...

Tim Cook has repeatedly and recently dismissed Microsoft's attempt at homogenizing mobile and desktop in Windows HE. Of course this is not binding in any way, but given its past and current ever-growing success, Apple doesn't seem likely to desperately crapify any of its products any time soon.

 

[tcman50]

The geeks shall inherit the Earth....

 

[Night Hawk]

It looks like they will soon be in control of the market at least for the time being! That won't too good for the Windows desktop users however. It seems like the desktop concept of an OS got "8(ate) up" along the way when someone thought up ideas for the next Windows version.

 

[Jakamarra]

I do not agree. Running under Windows 8RP I would say it is a design triumph, and for me to say that it is not coming easy. I would be one of the last persons to give Microsoft any praise. If it was not for some Apps that I have that cannot run under WINE I would be running Linux long ago.


Running on a desktop machine I just love the Metro it is clean end snazzy and no problem to use a mouse. Thank goodness that Start menu has gone it was horrible and once a few things were loaded you could not find anything. Now I can go to All Apps and everything is so cleanly laid out.


Installation is a breeze and pretty fast compared to Windows 7. Also I did not have to load any additional MOBO or video drivers Windows 8 handled that very well.


My only problem I had was the WiFi card but I replaced it with one that works.


Yes I can see that Microsoft will regain their position in the market.

 

[SIW2]

I am glad you enjoy it.

I don't know what you mean by this - what market ?

Yes I can see that Microsoft will regain their position in the market.