Bold move from Microsoft

[ThisIsNotMe]

This is what happens when you try and shove a tablet OS onto a desktop.

Apple has the right approach. 2 distinct operating systems and integrating similar features/design elements for familiarity. But keeping them distinctly different for their designed function.

 

[Patriot24]

Then don't buy Windows 8, it's obviously not for you.

Now you're getting it.

When most consumers and IT managers around the world share the same sentiment, bad news bears for MS.

 

[boss.king]

Now you're getting it.

When most consumers and IT managers around the world share the same sentiment, bad news bears for MS.

Not really, it's not like there's any fear of them switching away from Windows 7 for a good while. MSFT has literally has years to get people onboard with the Metro (what's the new name btw?) UI before they even need to worrying.

 

[smoledman]

Not really, it's not like there's any fear of them switching away from Windows 7 for a good while. MSFT has literally has years to get people onboard with the Metro (what's the new name btw?) UI before they even need to worrying.

People will abandon Windows in droves to OS X when they see Metro in Best Buy.

 

[boss.king]

People will abandon Windows in droves to OS X when they see Metro in Best Buy.

I think you overestimate how often people buy computers, and how much people actually care. Most people, once shown the desktop mode, would be completely fine with Windows 8. It's basically the same OS as 7 but with a bonus mode (from the perspective of the less technologically-inclined).

 

[roadbloc]

People will abandon Windows in droves to OS X when they see Metro in Best Buy.

Really? They'll be that horrified that they can now only access the old UI by simply clicking a tile that they'll throw all of their Windows software purchases out of the window and start afresh with a much more expensive (and confusing in most cases) Mac that won't even be supported by Apple for that long?

Nah.

 

[dynafrom]

People will abandon Windows in droves to OS X when they see Metro in Best Buy.

Really? I've used Metro quite a bit now, and find it quite a nice change from the standard start menu. How bout you take your head out of the clouds?

 

[belvdr]

You misunderstand my question, I think. You don't have windows, so how do you work with several things at once (like two documents or across several apps) in Metro? Unless I've misunderstood it, everything in Metro is fullscreen, just like Apple wants it to be.

I just loaded the RTM bits in a VM. For IE, and my SQL tools, I was able to use them in the same fashion as before.

For Metro apps (i.e. the kind you'd want on a tablet), seem to act the new way.

 

[Heilage]

For now, then.

Also, you know something's missing when before the release there's a program to get back a start menu (i.e. basic functionality in the desktop environment).

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

 

[belvdr]

For now, then.

Also, you know something's missing when before the release there's a program to get back a start menu (i.e. basic functionality in the desktop environment).

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

I'll try that and see if it works in the RTM build. I like Stardock; I have used their Fences program for a few years now.

EDIT: It added the Start menu as well as went straight to the desktop on the RTM build.

 

[Prototypical]

I think you overestimate how often people buy computers, and how much people actually care. Most people, once shown the desktop mode, would be completely fine with Windows 8. It's basically the same OS as 7 but with a bonus mode (from the perspective of the less technologically-inclined).

Not to mention, it would make no sense to abandon an OS you half-understand for one that you don't understand at all.

 

[calb]

People will abandon Windows in droves to OS X when they see Metro in Best Buy.

I'm pretty confident that most people (and this forum, nor many blog users, are not representative of 'most people') buy computers on the price. Or, more accurately, what the sticker tells them they're getting in terms of GB for the price.

There will always be demand for £250-£500 laptops, even if we believe they run terribly. The people buying low-end, low-margin computers don't care what OS it's running - only that it's a fraction of the cost of the alternative.

 

[boss.king]

Not to mention, it would make no sense to abandon an OS you half-understand for one that you don't understand at all.

Exactly. If anything I see switching to OSX as a last resort. First, they would try live with Windows 8. If they really dislike it, switch back to 7. If that still doesn't work, then maybe consider a Mac (keeping in mind it comes at huge financial cost as well). It's not even really an option for most people, who would lose their entire software library, have to purchase new hardware, new software, and then learn a whole new OS. Anyone who sees that as a logical response to not liking Metro UI is a bit out of touch with reality.

 

[KnightWRX]

Not to mention, it would make no sense to abandon an OS you half-understand for one that you don't understand at all.

Except when the part you understand is the part you remove. So Windows 8 becomes an OS you don't understand at all.

When you "half-understand" an OS, it's usually the UI half. That's the half that is being changed...

 

[Titanium81]

A few years ago when Vista was released, my daughter bought a new laptop (with Vista) and asked me if I could put Windows on it. To many people, Metro isn't Windows. So if the customer is forced to switch from Windows to something that they don't recognize as Windows, they might as well switch to MacOS X. BTW. the same daughter picked up my MacBook and used it without hesitation. In Safari, she uses double-finger scroll without ever being shown. On Windows, she uses the scrollbars which is a pain.

Metro will lose Microsoft lots of customers to Apple.

+1

Microsoft's days are numbered...

Start buying Apple Stock!!!!

 

[MorphingDragon]

That's the half that is being changed...

Except in Linux.

I do some work for Fedora, it can be a massive pain, but usually changes are meaningless.

 

[blazerdude20]

Honestly i feel like metro will be a success in the marketplace. Think about how many computer users get frustrated by the interface daily. Us younger folks can figure out menu layers but we have grown up needing to.

For older people (35 and over) big icons with easy to decipher logos will make the experience easier. A tile with an envelope on it is mail, a tile says photos it obviously photos.

It might take a little getting used to but i feel as though the population will be appreciative overall.

 

[Peace]

Honestly i feel like metro will be a success in the marketplace. Think about how many computer users get frustrated by the interface daily. Us younger folks can figure out menu layers but we have grown up needing to.

For older people (35 and over) big icons with easy to decipher logos will make the experience easier. A tile with an envelope on it is mail, a tile says photos it obviously photos.

It might take a little getting used to but i feel as though the population will be appreciative overall.

Speak for yourself. i'm over 35 and dislike the metro gui very much.

 

[boss.king]

Speak for yourself. i'm over 35 and dislike the metro gui very much.

But do you dislike it because you don't understand how to use it, or for a different reason?

 

[Peace]

But do you dislike it because you don't understand how to use it, or for a different reason?

I dislike it because it belongs on a tablet not a computer screen.

 

[boss.king]

I dislike it because it belongs on a tablet not a computer screen.

Then don't use it on a computer. There's a big desktop button. The guys point was not that people over 35 would love it, but that they would find it relatively easy to learn. Just out of curiosity, do you like Windows 7?

 

[Peace]

Then don't use it on a computer. There's a big desktop button. The guys point was not that people over 35 would love it, but that they would find it relatively easy to learn. Just out of curiosity, do you like Windows 7?

So. You're walking me into a Windows love/hate scenario and I won't bite.

Windows 7 is fine if you like Windows.

 

[boss.king]

So. You're walking me into a Windows love/hate scenario and I won't bite.

Windows 7 is fine if you like Windows.

I'm not walking you into anything. I'm asking a simple question. I'd also be curious to see what you thing of the iOSification of OSX. I'm interested in seeing where your opinion is coming from, because in my experience most people who dislike the Metro UI didn't like Windows in the first place, which leaves me to question what it would take to impress them in the first place.

Again, I'm not trying to walk you into any sort of trap, these are just questions.

 

[Peace]

I'm not walking you into anything. I'm asking a simple question. I'd also be curious to see what you thing of the iOSification of OSX. I'm interested in seeing where your opinion is coming from, because in my experience most people who dislike the Metro UI didn't like Windows in the first place, which leaves me to question what it would take to impress them in the first place.

Again, I'm not trying to walk you into any sort of trap, these are just questions.

Sorry man . Your avatar tells me different.

I prefer shortcuts to apps not take up the whole screen. That's basically what metro is. A bunch of square icons that represent a shortcut to an app.

And since this thread is about windows I will refrain from sidetracking the topic.

But please. Do enjoy windows 8 .

To each their own.

 

[boss.king]

Sorry man . Your avatar tells me different.

I prefer shortcuts to apps not take up the whole screen. That's basically what metro is. A bunch of square icons that represent a shortcut to an app.

And since this thread is about windows I will refrain from sidetracking the topic.

But please. Do enjoy windows 8 .

To each their own.

Fair enough. I haven't used Windows 8 enough to fully make up my mind about Metro, but from what I've experienced so far it works better than the start button it replaces, and is a more effective way to access and use the basic functions of a computer.