Removing start for 8 was the right thing to do.
I just returned from Best Buy a few minutes ago, and overheard, and watched a couple of people looking at 8 demo models. They asked the salesperson if they could buy one with 8 now, ... the salesperson said they would have to wait for Oct 26. The interested people said, ok, we will return later when we can buy one with 8 on it. Probably just an anomaly...
While I do agree Microsoft has made a few missteps with Windows 8 (removing the Start button, auto
pinning installs to Metro)
IMO, MS has made no misstep here. For many, not for all, especially for new users and young people who catch on very quickly and don't have a chip on their shoulder, the start menu will not be missed, or even noticed, that it is gone. I am not speaking about people, that have been using Windows since DOS, but rather, people who have never used a computer before. They may have never even seen a start menu. But what about the base of users you say...regular customers for years...a change could be seen as a misstep or a mistake, but that is what MS has for sale today. My neighbor likes to upgrade his car every 2 or 3 years to stay new. Everyone does not need to buy a new car every few years to stay new, nor can they afford to do so. It can be a fine plan to continue using XP, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mint, Vista, Apple, Windows 7 or anything else that works for you. 8 is not a must have upgrade for some. (8) It is, however, an improvement on 7 if that is what you believe. There are technical reasons why the new UI is better or worse, for use, based on opinion. Removal of the start menu is what MS chose to do based on their perception and agreement that the product has been reimagined and conceived to be new and better.
Touch has no business being on desktop. Then don't use touch, and don't use Metro. Simple. While I
partially agree touch in its current state really doesn't work on desktop, primarily because I don't want to get fingerprints all over my monitor, a really interesting 3rd party solution is coming out next year. And, if it does well, perhaps other developers will start including them in laptops or on keyboards. That magical device? Leap Motion.
IMO, a touch pad is a nice thing to have on devices or keyboards and it is useful, sometimes, on the desktop. I find a touchpad useful when no mouse is available or when getting tired of clicking. Touch monitors (on the desktop) are not so useful, IMO, since any movement that requires me to lift my arm is unacceptable while working on the desktop. The "Leap Motion" thingy is kinda, a little like, a gaming device. The demo is interesting but requires arm work (lifting) which is unacceptable at my work station.
The real problem is the removal of choice.
The "choice" ... is a request for legacy preference. Back to the auto analogies, Why not offer Wing Tipped fins, or headlight auto retract covers...a convertible...you like blue, I like red, ... leather seats or vinyl, v4, v6, or v8...diesel or gas, when will enough be enough. How many options will be satisfactory? With all the problems that seem to happen when installing and all the complaints about lack of customization features, ... This version of Windows cannot be for everyone everywhere. Everyone will never be satisfied completely.