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Will Missing Start Menu kill Windows 8?

Posted by Mahesh Chand Blogs | Windows 8 Oct 20, 2012
What do you think? I would like to hear from you if you like Windows 8 or not.
Microsoft is ready to launch its Windows 8 to public next friday but after reading several articles and comments posted by average Windows users, it does not sound good.

Windows 8 does not have a start menu. Almost everybody I talked to or know who are using or try to use Window 8 were expecting it and found themselves confused when they can't find a quick way to launch their applications from the start menu. I personally upgraded a few PCs from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and I was asked to put Windows 7 back. 

It's human nature. People don't like changes. People don't like complexity. Microsoft may be thinking they are making Windows experience simpler but people are confused.

What do you think? Personally, once you get used to it, I like Windows 8. But if you ask me, I still want my Start menu.

In an article published on HT, it seems like Windows 8 is a very confusing. Here are some of the comments from the article.

"It was very difficult to get used to," he said. "I have an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, and they never got used to it. They were like, `We're just going to use Mom's computer.'"

"I am very worried that Microsoft may be about to shoot itself in the foot spectacularly," said. Michael Mace, the CEO of Silicon Valley software startup Cera Technology and a former Apple employee. Windows 8 is so different, he said, that many Windows users who aren't technophiles will feel lost, he said.

"In the quest for simplicity, they sacrificed obviousness," said Sebastiaan de With, an interface designer and the chief creative officer at app developer DoubleTwist in San Francisco.

"There are many things that are hidden," said Raluca Budiu, a user experience specialist with Nielsen Norman Group. "Once users discover them, they have to remember where they are. People will have to work hard and use this system on a regular basis."

"Most Windows users don't view their PCs as being broken to begin with. If you tell them `Oh, here's a new version of Windows, and you have to relearn everything to use it,' how many normal users are going to want to do that?" he asked.

"After a bit of a learning curve and playing around with it a bit more, you get used to it, surprisingly," he said.

Are you using Windows 8? What are your thoughts on Windows 8? 

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Good points guys. Microsoft is betting on Future, not immediate tomorrow. Future of computing and PC is touch and this is where Microsoft is going with Windows 8.

Posted by Mahesh Chand Oct 21, 2012

I somewhat agree with Abhimanyu... But lets think about this from the future point of view (lets say next 5-10 years)... Will people be using the same Windows XP or Vista or Windows 7? I don't think so, though people currently think that they do not want to change to some other OS right now because it is complex, but some or the other day they will have to, since the technology keeps on changing and gradually people will start getting used to this OS as well... This is what I personally think... What would you say about this??? :)

Posted by Shivanand Arur Oct 21, 2012

Look, we are developers n able to understand technologies quickly, but what about others? I know any non-tech ppl can understand after quick guidelines like move mouse on top right corner or left-bottom to bring such n such menus but this is really going to be difficult for Microsoft sales team.I remember when I installed Windows 8 (first release) on one of the PC in my office, boss asked me pls remove it 'i'm happy with XP', don't have time to learn new things. Everyone is not curious about learning new things. I feel there should be an start button on task-bar to bring this metro tiles up to help ppl who is not curious.This is going to be very difficult for Microsoft ppl to reach Windows 8 in offices.

Posted by Abhimanyu K Vatsa Oct 21, 2012
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