Your opinion please: Has Windows 8 anything to offer this desktop user?

[Drew1903]

#1. Whatever particular terms... same basic meaning. Really, just referring to the Modern UI w/ your adjectives doesn't actually get across what is supposed, in your mind, to be the big problem. You do not state what is or why whatever is so "irritating and distracting and potentially time-wasting" so all those who don't see it that way can have an idea what you're on about. So it doesn't just come across as arbitrary bashing.

#2. The bit about the Programs Toolbar, actually came from Ted. I tried it, suggested it was something people might want to use. Personally, I found it unnecessary & redundant, dropped it long ago.. As I said, nothing modified or added. Things, still, launch from Taskbar w/ 1 click so, again don't get the complaint. As for disliking the Power Users menu, again, you give no reason to support why. Most see it as very useful & makes useful things very handy. Unless it's on your dislike list cus it's not seen 'til one asks for it.

#3. So, cool, your saying MS is lying not, me, pheeew, what a relief. Point was sometimes it's easier for people to grasp something when they SEE it 1st hand rather than reading it explained. Most Folks are tactile.

That's fine, each to their own is always cool & in Windows there are usually a number of different ways to do things. But, the coercion & brainwashing stuff. Come on, seriously. A bit Orwellian not, reality. Yes, the Modern UI is or will be in a variety of devices... it's evolving technology not a surreptitious mind game. It's a design that works across the board, PDAs, Touch & non-Touch. And yes, an effort to compete w/ iPhones & iPads; again, so what? it's the nature of free enterprise not, plot or conspiracy.

You cry "Choice" but, yet, cut someone down for offering people the choice to use or work from Desktop instead of the Start screen. Make up your mind.

You want to, for some or whatever unstated reasons hate the new & emerging technologies we will be living w/ fine, there will always be such people but, to try telling people that some option is not available to them, be that correct or not, is some kind of subtle, devilish plot. We'll let people judge the merit of that one for themselves.

Many see value & coolness in what your saying is so dislikable & being rudely shoved upon them. They are, also, entitled to their views & to form their own conclusions & feelings by themselves. And I'll be one of them w/out any more discussion w/ you or your pal, Bruce.

And if I could close this thread I would or would have, already.

Over & out.
Drew

[jwitalka]

Now that I have Classic Shell installed, I find I can use all the positives of Windows 8 without having to deal with Metro/Modern UI. The biggest beef I have with Metro is its style that removes all chrome (menu bars) so you can be "immersed in the app". I have yet to see a Metro/Modern UI app I like. The Metro/Modern UI versions of Mail and IE 10 are terrible. With a Metro/Modern UI app, I'm never sure whether the control I want is in the charms bar>settings or via a right click. Give me a desktop app with chrome any day.

Jerry

[JoeP517]

Now that I have Classic Shell installed, I find I can use all the positives of Windows 8 without having to deal with Metro/Modern UI. The biggest beef I have with Metro is its style that removes all chrome (menu bars) so you can be "immersed in the app". I have yet to see a Metro/Modern UI app I like. The Metro/Modern UI versions of Mail and IE 10 are terrible. With a Metro/Modern UI app, I'm never sure whether the control I want is in the charms bar>settings or via a right click. Give me a desktop app with chrome any day.

Jerry

I found that after a short time of "adjusting" to Modern IE10 that I think it is OK. I don't find it to be better or worse than desktop IE. Perhaps on a tablet it may be better because of the lack of screen real estate.

I find the Mail app to be way too basic and lacking after having used Outlook and Live Mail for so many years. Outlook in particular has so many more features when it comes to mail. I think Microsoft will update the Modern apps rather quickly and I'll continue to look at Mail as the app is updated.

I'll be spending time in both the Modern UI and the desktop.
To each his own though. If you like the desktop stick with it.

Joe

[jwitalka]

That's why they are called "personal Computers".

I have IE (and all my browsers) set to show the favorites bar with my favorite sites organized into a series of 11 folders. One folder contains a list of 12 sites I visit every day. I just right click on it, click on open in a tab group and they all open in individual tabs. I read each site inorder and the close each as I finish. I do simler functions in Firefox and Chrome. Couldn't find any way to do a similar operation in Metro/Modern UI IE.

Jerry

[Medico]

I have set IE to always open in the Desktop version. I just do not agree that no add-ons are allowed as in the Modern UI. Plus the Desktop version just seems to work more efficiently for me.

I do go to the Modern UI more than I used to. I have downloaded several of the games (you all know of my like of Free Cell, now Mahjong as well). I also seem to be giving advice pertaining to Charms Bar and PC settings quite often. I also think most of the Modern UI apps are very basic. Heck I can't even set up my POP mail as yet.

For now I will continue do most of my work on the Desktop UI.

[Martin Gifford]

Drew,

"You do not state what is… so "irritating and distracting and potentially time-wasting"…"

This is factually incorrect. I have said repeatedly that I am irritated and distracted by Metro stuff popping up and the differences between Metro versions and Desktop versions of programs/functions, and that the metro apps can be time-wasting by diverting us into facebook or games etc. Also, I still find myself thinking twice to do some things because of the Metro changes, e.g. logging off, windows update, personalisation. Those are all specific examples.

"Things, still, launch from Taskbar w/ 1 click so, again don't get the complaint."

That wasn't a complaint. It was a reply to your claim that things are faster and more efficient with Metro. To prove your claim that Metro increases speed and efficiency, you would have to show that launching programs or whatever is faster and more efficient than a single click on the pre-existing non-Metro taskbar. Actually, can you list three things that are faster and more efficient with Metro? I can think of 3 contenders: start screen search, power menu, and shut-down. However, the start screen search is bad if you have many items found because you can't sort them according to date or whatever and the items spread horizontally across many screens and the search pane gets in the way, the power menu is hidden and no better than pinning items to the taskbar or start button menu, and shutdown doesn't include log off or switch user.

"in Windows there are usually a number of different ways to do things."

But they are removing many important ways, e.g. the start button, and win+tab.

"But, the coercion & brainwashing stuff. Come on, seriously. A bit Orwellian not, reality… it's the nature of free enterprise not, plot or conspiracy."

Brainwashing is about repeatedly and forcibly doing something to others now in order to control their future choices. That's exactly why MS is forcing the Metro stuff onto Desktop users. Removing the start button and having the system start with Metro obviously qualifies - it's forced and repetitious and intended to make you think of Metro so that you will buy a Metro phone and tablet.

"You want to… hate the new & emerging technologies…"

I love new and emerging technologies. I'm a futurist and want improvement everywhere. I love ALL the improvements in W8, except Metro for Desktop computers. I wanted to like Metro, and did for a little while, but then found it irritating and distracting and timewasting.

"We'll let people judge the merit of that one for themselves."

Sometimes it sounds like you work for MS directly or indirectly.

"Many see value & coolness… They are… entitled to their views & to form their own conclusions & feelings by themselves."

Agreed.

"And I'll be one of them w/out any more discussion w/ you or your pal, Bruce."

Bruce is not my pal because I don't know him, but he seems smart and reasonable.

[Drew1903]

Regardless, of your friendship w/ him or not & in spite of your insinuations, I told you I would no longer discuss w/ either of you & I meant it. Maybe others will bother but, not I.

Cheers,
Drew