[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Windows 8 interface called 'disappointing' by usability expert here

[joseccz]

I just upgraded to windows 8. That interface..., well, I just installed an add on to have the "start menu". I agree with the writer... Windows 8's new interface needs a lot of improvements if it is going to replace the "start menu". First, it is too uncomfortable to be used to get utilities such as control panel, etc. I just hope I will not have to see commercial spots on my PC/tablet using those rectangles.

[mb01915bd24]

What a surprise - born to fail.

[thewazak]

Jakob Nielsen wouldn't be a Fanboi by any chance?
No shocks Newman reported on it!

[jmpreston]

I'm converting to Apple to avoid Win 8. It takes Microsoft a long time to make an excellent operating system when they pivot to a new design. They finally got Windows right with Win 7 although XP was decent. MS-DOS 5 was good, and then they pivoted to Windows and it took over a decade to get it right again.

Really, why stick around for another long ride when you can pivot to a very good and stable o/s now? I'm enjoying Apple products much more than I've enjoyed Windows based products since the magic of the first Compaq computer. I'll keep Win 7 going for a few more years though. It works fine.

[RSA1972]

"I'm converting to Apple to avoid Win 8. It takes Microsoft a long time to make an excellent operating system when they pivot to a new design. They finally got Windows right with Win 7"

Why not just stick with 7 a few more years until they get their $h!t together and produce a better OS? You know, you don't have to jump to the newest OS whenever it gets released.

It's not an Apple product, where you have to get the newest model every year.

[cabusse]

I upgraded about 10 days ago. I have a Pc bought in March, keyboard and mouse, no touch screen! I feel that the upgrade was of no real value to anyone in the same circumstance! Windows 7 Pro is a much better Os!
I may switch back!

[Dudeman44]

Can you imagine that you make your living as a "usability expert"? So, he figured out Windows 8 isn't all that, now what do you do with the rest of the day? And tomorrow? Wow, talk about an open schedule, LOL...

[stevepug2]

Honestly, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Windows 8 is still Windows. The Desktop looks virtually the same as 7 except for style changes. It functions almost exactly the same as it always has. It can be jumped to in one step and the entire Start screen ignored completely, if you don't like it. But I like the Start screen. It has some useful apps and I like the live tile feature. It works just fine with a mouse once you figure it out, which isn't hard. It's fun to explore. Links to a Windows Phone (which I have and love- goodbye iPhone), by the way. Lots of apps easily available and many free.

I just don't understand all this moaning and groaning. The desktop's still there virtually unchanged. MS just threw in a rather fascinating new goody on top of it, take it or easily leave it. Our choice.

[TsarNikky]

Not surprising at all.

Where are those people whom MS paid a lot of money to verify that the UI was usable? MS employees do not count--they will hardly say "no" to a bad UI (after all it is their employer). Where are those non-MS employees who have data entry/work to do in traditional offices? They would not have "okayed" the new UI.

Clearly the result of pandering to touch-centric tablets and smartphones, with a vague attempt to satisfy laptop/desktop users.

[silcott]

Quote

I just upgraded to windows 8. That interface..., well, I just installed an add on to have the "start menu". I agree with the writer... Windows 8's new interface needs a lot of improvements if it is going to replace the "start menu". First, it is too uncomfortable to be used to get utilities such as control panel, etc. I just hope I will not have to see commercial spots on my PC/tablet using those rectangles.

All new things take some getting used to. In response to your comment about difficulty getting to Utilities. Try this: Hold down the "Windows" key & the "X" key. A new handy menu pops up with 15 frequently used utilities. Doesn't get much easier than that.

[SDW48]

Quote

Honestly, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Windows 8 is still Windows. The Desktop looks virtually the same as 7 except for style changes. It functions almost exactly the same as it always has. It can be jumped to in one step and the entire Start screen ignored completely, if you don't like it. But I like the Start screen. It has some useful apps and I like the live tile feature. It works just fine with a mouse once you figure it out, which isn't hard. It's fun to explore. Links to a Windows Phone (which I have and love- goodbye iPhone), by the way. Lots of apps easily available and many free. I just don't understand all this moaning and groaning. The desktop's still there virtually unchanged. MS just threw in a rather fascinating new goody on top of it, take it or easily leave it. Our choice.

[SDW48]

So why change to windows 8
If windows 7 was good enough.

[groberts116]

The truth is Neilson, while he holds a PHD, isn't the best source to seek OS user advice from. Neilson denigrates all operating systems and according to another reviewer from MIT. I'll look for his article, I just read it. Anyway this guy from MIT, an avid MAC user, said that Neilson always has negative comments about all new operating systems. So what Nielsen says should be taken with a grain of salt, what ever that means. I've been using Windows 8 since Feb 2012 and I running it on 3 computers, two desktops and a laptop and firstly, I really like it and secondly it runs faster and is without any user problems. It hasn't crashed, it's fast and runs all games very well.

[stevepug2]

Quote

So why change to windows 8 If windows 7 was good enough.

No deeply compelling reason, especially if the Metro screen doesn't grab you. But it is the latest Windows and there are many speed, efficiency and stability improvements over 7. It's also only 40 bucks til January. I couldn't resist it at that price.

[gcv1]

It's human nature to grumble. It's human nature to resist change. I remember, years ago, grumbling that we were switching operating systems at work and that I would have to learn a new editor. I was expecting some sympathy from my manager. He simply looked at me and said "You're too young to be stuck in your ways". Whenever a new version of an OS or an app comes out and the inevitable grumbles begin, I always remember what that manager had said to me.

I switched to Windows 8 the day it came out. It took a few hours, but pretty quickly I had learned where things are. Once I had unlearned what I already knew, I was quickly productive. Actually, with all the changes I have been able to adopt to my workflow, I am now incredibly more productive. The reason is that rather than resisting going to the Cloud, I made the transition. I have reorganized myself and lots of the tedious steps I had to do to share information with my collaborators around the globe are now very automated - two button clicks and a simple form fill-out.

It's a big improvement if you decide to find reasons to like it rather than stubbornly try and stand against the tides of progress. Do you live to adapt or do you live to whine?

[MrRoboto5]

I love my Windows Phone after ditching iPhone and was really looking forward to Windows 8, however after using it for a few weeks I must say that Microsoft dropped the ball on this. The dual desktops is the biggest cause of headaches. I would have liked to see them just come out with Windows 8 RT without the desktop portion and just change the Windows 7 desktop to be more flatter and eliminate the Aero Glass and Translucent junk.

I'm telling people to stay away from Windows 8 for at least a year to see if Microsoft makes any major changes. This is like Windows Me and Vista all over again.

[HunterGuy2]

Quote

I just hope I will not have to see commercial spots on my PC/tablet using those rectangles.

There is a statement on the MS developer site that apps are not allowed to use the live tile for advertising.

[felitin2000]

it's been frustrating experience. How can such important company makes such irrelevant product in such important market. I mean I bought the pro version for my wife laptop and it's been frustrating.

[felitin2000]

frustating W8