"Microsoft has been furiously ripping out legacy code in Windows 8 that would have enabled third parties to bring back the Start button, Start Menu, and other software bits that could have made this new OS look and work like its predecessor. In fact, I've seen that several well-known UI hacks that worked fine with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview are no longer functional in the coming Release Preview. And those with hopes that Microsoft would allow businesses, at least, to boot directly to the desktop should prepare for disappointment. That feature not only isn't happening, it's being removed from Windows Server 12 (Windows 8's stable mate) as well." When you buy a new machine later this year, you will use Metro, an environment wholly inferior, incomplete, and not at all ready to replace the traditional desktop in any way, shape, or form. Whether you like it or not.
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Member since:2005-06-29
Those 15 windows are in what is essentially a virtual operating system instance, but without any 'coherence' mode to integrate those into Metro. In other words, when you inevitably end up in Metro, you can't go straight to the window you want - you first need to switch to the desktop, and then find the window you want.
This is NOT, I repeat, THIS IS NOT the same as Windows 7. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
On top of that, the desktop is on its way out, quite clearly, even though Metro has lightyears to go before it's even 50% as functional as the desktop is now.
Edited 2012-05-31 17:25 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
Thom. You hit W-key, click the app you want, it starts and gets focus.
Start menu, you click the app you want, it starts, it gets focus.
I really must be missing something to your point. What is it you are doing that is so special, so customized that it requires the start menu to function properly? Once in the desktop it is the same.
Help me understand how I am wrong/missing your point.
Member since:2006-07-04
Someone commented in your "Whats wrong with Win8" piece that alt-tab allows one to go directly to a particular window within the desktop, even from metro. So you don't have to first switch to the desktop, then switch to the desired window within the desktop.
Member since:2006-02-15
"Secondly, I simply juggle between a whole bunch of open windows constantly and often I have to see 4 windows simultaneously, ie. Metro simply wouldn't work at all for my needs."
How is it any different with W8? I have up to 15 windows open at a time... Eclipse, server window, SQL Developer, MYSQL Workbench, other editors, etc.
It's no different from W7?
As I said, I was talking about Metro, ie. if the applications I used were Metro-applications. That is again in relation to the usefulness of Metro as a new concept: it doesn't provide me any benefit, only hindrance, and thus I'll be sticking to the "regular old desktop."
I'm not lambasting Windows 8 per se, I'm only questioning the usefulness of forcing Metro on people even when the old-style desktop would suit them better.
Member since:2005-07-06
Ah! I get it now. Basically Metro, at this stage, is rather useless and desktop app integration is lacking.
Now I understand where you are coming from. I just wasn't clear on what you were concerned about.
Still... OS's are changing. I started out on VT-52's and VT-100's... then X-Windows, Motif, Mac OS, Windows v1... things have changed a LOT since then. Tho' in many ways nothing has changed.
When I was in college they still had punch card machines. 
Member since:
2005-07-06
I don't understand this:
"Secondly, I simply juggle between a whole bunch of open windows constantly and often I have to see 4 windows simultaneously, ie. Metro simply wouldn't work at all for my needs."
How is it any different with W8? I have up to 15 windows open at a time... Eclipse, server window, SQL Developer, MYSQL Workbench, other editors, etc.
It's no different from W7?