l33t-g4m3r wrote:Even if I did cite a million examples, you probably wouldn't read them, because your intent is to make me waste my time, and then you'll still not address what I was talking about.
leet, thanks for some links. I'll address each one in terms of what Windows 8 issues are addressed.
http://ozar.me/2012/10/why-im-returning-my-microsoft-surface-rt/
No criticisms of Windows 8. Addresses Windows RT and Word for Win RT
http://www.techspot.com/news/49914-windows-8-contacts-microsoft-every-time-software-is-installed.html
Windows 8 issue addressed: windows tells MS what programs you install. Functions is easy to disable.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411531,00.asp
Not Windows 8. Microsoft Surface
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/17/3514556/windows-8-vs-windows-rt-surface-confused-microsoft-store-employees
No criticisms of Windows 8 or Windows RT. Article criticises lack of info regarding differences between the two
http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-an-exceptional-os-undone-by-dreadful-marketing-7000005475/
Angry criticism about removal of the Start menu, but says that otherwise Windows 8 is "exceptional"
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/gabe-newell-windows-8-is-a-catastrophe-adobe-should-try-hat/
Not to be considered objective criticism, or even a specific negative of Windows 8: Gabe Newell doesn't like Windows 8.
http://allthingsd.com/20120725/valves-gabe-newell-on-the-future-of-games-wearable-computers-windows-8-and-more/
Exact same Gabe Newell comments as link above
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/notch-refuses-to-certify-minecraft-for-closed-windows-8-platfo/
Windows 8 is more of a closed platform than previous Windows versions (finally some real meat!)
http://windows8tabs.com/brad-wardell-perceives-3-killer-problems-with-windows-8
Tries to be both desktop OS and tablet OS. Not visual cues for accessing parts of the interface, it is bad that Metro apps want to be full screen
Huh? Is that a bad thing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4boTbv9_nU
Video of an Average Joe senior citizen seeing Windows 8 for the first time and being unfamiliar with it ( BIG surprise! Really? )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyc1RVCXvAk
Another video of another dad using Windows 8 for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxmIsv88xO4&feature=watch_response
Someone's grandma sees Windows 8 for the first time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4VtNLl6Ca4&feature=fvwrel
System admin sees Windows 8 for the first time - 30 second video of a guy saying "what is this" several times.
http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2012/03/05/13-things-microsoft-should-improve-in-windows-8/
13 suggestions to improve Windows 8, mostly regarding improving usability (but just getting familiar with the OS will improve usability!) but nothing in terms of objective criticisms.
http://vr-zone.com/articles/windows-8-is-tricky-according-to-sample-of-typical-users-/17594.html
Reports that feedback from typical users is that the new UI is sleek and attractive, but unfamiliar.
Summary:It took a fair bit of time to go through those and type and format this response. Just a few issues have been raised, though:
1 Windows 8 is a more closed-off platform than previous versions of Windows. Is this just the "Metro" side of it, though? Regardless, this has upset Gabe Newell and some other developers. Who knows where it will lead. Will hoards of developers move to Linux? Apple? Who knows. One thing it is not is an end-user problem.
2 Windows 8 phones home when software is installed. This can be disabled. Really, average folks just won't care at all about this. Those that are privacy fanatics will disable it. The only big issue is that I think Microsoft should pop up an alert at first log on and make people opt-out
3. People who have never seen Windows 8 before are generally confused the first time they see Windows 8. I'm failing to see this as a major issue. I remain confused about much of Linux after having used it off and on for several years now.
3a. An extension of point 3 that has to do with familiarity is that there are some legitimate usability issues. I feel these usability problems are legitimate, but at the same time they are problems that will vanish once the user becomes familiar with the OS. There are no visual cues that there are "hot spots" at the corners of the screen for UI interaction. Heck, I think it would make a ton of sense for Microsoft to have a list of hotkeys that pops up in a sidebar of the help screen when you hit F1.
I hope that you've found my summary to be objective and rational. Of all of these issues, the most alarming to my mind is that Windows is becoming more of a closed system. The usability stuff will clear up. I once hated the Ribbon interface that MS introduced with Office and that Autodesk then adopted since they're MS's puppet, but now that I'm used to it it's not a problem and it's probably more usable than the old menu interface. But I don't see any dealbreaker issues that would have me cautioning people to actively avoid Windows 8.
I wish I could say this has been fun. At least I can say it has been educational!