Why Windows 8 Sucks

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added by Noldorin
10/15/2011 2:12:12 AM

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Michael's Techbox offers a blog post on why Windows 8 is not the next desktop OS that consumers are desiring. He explains why it is far more suited as a tablet OS, whilst admitting that the final RTM of Windows 8 could still result in a decent OS.

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6 comments
dpeterson
10/15/2011 9:53:07 PM
I agree with the authors conclusions completely. Microsoft really seems to have left their core users out in the cold.
Noldorin
10/16/2011 6:20:59 PM
Indeed. I myself feel largely deserted by them; as if they're trying to appease the tablet fan-boys while not really focusing on further improvements to the desktop (like a decent window manager I feel). Still, what they've publicised so far has often been quite vague. I'd like to see the Metro side of Windows 8 simply turned off on the desktop version, and activated for the tablet version. Sharing the same kernel is no problem... just having the same UI for desktop and tablet *is* in my view.
bradygaster
10/17/2011 9:19:52 AM
I think this is really harsh and under-thought-out. Yes, I agree Microsoft is trying to dominate the tablet industry with a more touch-centric GUI, but I don't think anything's wrong with that, nor that it's a bad idea. I do worry about LOB applications, MDI windows, and things like that. However, I think MS has decided to concentrate no longer on the LOB as a first-priority and rather, on the consumer as a top priority. I don't think that's a bad decision, but I do worry about the way they're making their moves right now. Either way, this article is a bit rash and opinionated, and I'd like to see a more realistic and thought-out approach to this sort of critique. Posts like this cause further fracture of our community into "this camp or that camp," and I think we've got enough problems than to worry about infighting or pot-stirring.
vijayst
10/17/2011 3:20:21 PM
The first version of any Microsoft's new release is not that good - be it Windows 95, .Net 1.0, ASP.NET MVC 1, etc. Win8 is Microsoft Tablet OS 1.0. I do not really expect too much from it. As long as it works like Win7, I might upgrade.
dpeterson
10/17/2011 3:27:58 PM
I think what those of us who have voiced their displeasure with Windows 8 are concerned about is that it doesn't work like Windows 7. The entire desktop experience has been pushed away into a secondary interface, and the tablet interface is the default.

As the author points out, you have to click and drag the mouse on the screen to even log in. That represents a fundamental shift in who Microsoft has designed their operating system for. With a mouse, you click a button, with a touchscreen you use gestures like this. Forcing mouse and keyboard users to use the same interaction paradigms as touch screen users is not going to improve the user experience for the bulk of their market.
vijayst
10/17/2011 3:51:07 PM
Maybe, MS believes that most new users would prefer a tablet compared to a desktop or laptop. If that is the case, as a developer, I will prefer to have something like Win8 for desktops (win8 DE - Desktop Edition).
dpeterson
10/17/2011 3:53:48 PM
I think it's more than just developers, anyone who has ever needed more than one open window at a time is going to want a desktop. But I agree with your sentiment, there needs to be two separate versions, or at least a way to make the desktop version the default interface.
Noldorin
10/17/2011 4:35:05 PM
We're all more or less agreed here: two separate versions, even if the tablet/desktop OS versions are based on the same kernel/core system... don't desert your desktop power-users Microsoft, please! We like it how it is (just keep improving it?)