# Re the Windows 8 interface Microsoft has lost it's \*\*\*\*ing mind! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199 "2011-06-12T05:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/1 "2011-06-12T05:41:06Z")
Apparently everything will[converge on being a ‘touch interface’ design.](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386551,00.asp). I can’t even wrap my hard around how stupid this is. At least Apple has enough common sense to [understand there is a difference.](http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/265435/os-x-lion-vs-windows-8-feature-by-feature) > [@](#): > > There are, of course, important differences between Microsoft and Apple’s overall OS strategies, as outlined by Peter Pachal in “Mac OS X Lion vs. Windows 8: Who Will Win the Post-PC World?” It all hinges on tablet support. Pachal points out that Apple is aligning its tablet and phone OSes, and keeping the desktop OS separate, though mobile-influenced. Microsoft, on the other hand, is creating one OS for tablets and desktops, while keeping the phone OS separate—for now, anyway. Microsoft may even have its ideas for a grand unified OS for all devices. > [@](#): > > Microsoft is making the bigger bet on the mobile-centric philosophy, though, as it appears to be all but throwing out the familiar Windows interface in favor of the touch-friendly tiles, simplified menus, and full-screen modes that are the norm on smartphones and tablets. (I should point out there is a “legacy view” in Windows 8, which brings back the folders and Windows, though it’s certainly not the emphasis.) Here’s one reviewer’s take on it. -[Will Windows 8 Kill Microsoft?](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386343,00.asp) > [@](#): > > Reports by PCMag’s Lance Ulanoff and others indicate that Windows 8 may take a hard left turn down a cliff with a complete UI redesign that will dumb down the interface but make it more practical for tablets and phones. > > From what I’ve heard, this new approach, which mimics the iPhone and Android OS GUI as well as the Phone 7 GUI, will essentially kill desktop computing once and for all—at least, for Microsoft. > > The description was an eye-roller and then a shocker, as the demo of this turkey turned up with a pop-up on-screen keyboard, which is the way the keyboard crops up with a phone or tablet. I’m not sure what Microsoft is thinking, but a typical desktop computer actually has a real keyboard. You know, Microsoft even makes such a device. I’m using one now. > > I’ve been waiting for quite some time to see Microsoft do something incredibly stupid that would open the door so Linux could waltz in and take over the desktop. Right now, there is a mistaken belief that Linux will never be a desktop OS. I disagree. With a few lucky breaks and a misstep by Microsoft, Linux could instantly be on every desktop. From what I hear about Windows 8, this moment may be at hand ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/2 "2011-06-12T06:27:06Z")
It’s obvious that Microsoft wants to move toward blending all computing devices – desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet, smartphone – together until the only question is form factor. It’s…not a bad goal? I mean, I expect that the evolution of the PC as we know it will progress toward a dockable tablet. But this is the exact wrong path to take, and Windows 8 is going to be one giant turkey for desktop computing. Here’s hoping they support Windows 7 alongside 8. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/3 "2011-06-12T06:50:21Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > But this is the exact wrong path to take, and Windows 8 is going to be one giant turkey for desktop computing. Of course, and the reason why is that no matter how much “imagineering” they think they’re doing, the design of the human hand isn’t going change for a long time. The vast majority of data input and manipulation on computers–the day-to-day working-world interfacing with all kinds of programs–is done by people who take advantage of ten fingers on a _three-dimensional_ surface to maximize what they do with the greatest efficiency and speed. If they created some kind of touch screen that you could use with ten fingers at once, its two-dimensional character would slow down human hands–and what would be the point, anyway? They’ll probably have to back-peddle and make the “legacy” component more prominent. ---
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/4 "2011-06-12T06:50:48Z")
The new interface certainly isn’t for everyone but you can switch it off and use the standard Windows 7 interface instead so it makes no difference really, it’s a new feature that you can take or leave, you aren’t forced to use it. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/5 "2011-06-12T09:20:55Z")
Of course, with Unity, the biggest Linux distribution has done something similar, if less extreme, going for the small-screen, highly-portable market. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/6 "2011-06-12T11:38:24Z")
What bothers me about this interface is that it can update from the web. So suppose some jerkweed out there decides to build some malware that takes advantage of this feature. Now all of a sudden you can’t get to your desktop anymore. Thus, you can’t Google (or Bing) the problem and you can’t run any malware removal tools. Oops. The first thing I will be doing with the Win8 start screen is shutting it off. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/7 "2011-06-12T13:30:18Z")
> [@mittu](#): > > The new interface certainly isn’t for everyone but you can switch it off and use the standard Windows 7 interface instead so it makes no difference really, it’s a new feature that you can take or leave, you aren’t forced to use it. This is how I understand it, too. Tech News Today (sorry, can’t find the correct link at the moment) gave their impression on what they saw and gave it mostly high marks. Personally, I think it is a great idea and a great direction for Windows. As I understand it, this is basically just a “skin” that manipulates the OS to support a touch device UI. You simply change that skin over to Windows 7 to experience a traditional UI. If the two modes of UI interact seamlessly, then what is the problem? Personally, I would love, love, love! a tablet that I could plug into a dock at work and switch the UI over to a traditional interface. For most users, the current computing power of a tablet is all they need. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/8 "2011-06-12T15:33:08Z")
In addition to tablets and phones, touchscreen all-in-one desktop computers are available from all the major PC manufacturers: Dell, Sony, HP etc. Here’s just a generic list of different models for sale: > **[nextag.com domain name is for sale. Inquire now.](https://www.nextag.com/)** > > nextag.com is available for purchase. Get in touch to discuss the possibilities! There’s also a growing market for separate touchscreen monitors. Here’s a list from Newegg: > **[Touch Screen Monitors and Displays - Newegg.com](https://www.newegg.com/Touch-Screen-Monitors/SubCategory/ID-514)** > > Shop Touch Screen Monitors from Acer, Planar, Viewsonic, HP, Dell and more! Newegg offers the best prices, fast shipping and top-rated customer service! Bringing the Metro interface into the desktop world, where people are increasingly using touchscreens even on their PC’s, is a smart idea. The truth is, very few general users need the full access to the guts and innards that the traditional desktop OS interfaces allow. For people who just want to do email and a little web surfing - ie, most people - the Metro UI gives them everything they need and ties seamlessly into their mobile device, if they choose that route too. LOL at “this is going to _kill_ MS!!!” ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/9 "2011-06-12T16:05:18Z")
_shrug_ the current Zune software has a Metro-ish touch-style UI, and it works fine with a mouse and keyboard. but I guess this is the rock and a hard place MS finds themselves in. If they don’t change much, people gripe that they’re not innovative. If they do change things considerably, people gripe because they’re just trying to alienate their customers (or, trying to force people to upgrade. but how can they be doing both at the same time?) ---
**Author:** ![BDoors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BDoors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BDoors)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/10 "2011-06-12T16:18:22Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Here’s one reviewer’s take on it. -[Will Windows 8 Kill Microsoft?](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386343,00.asp) The reviewer in question being John C. Dvorak, noted for his inability to predict anything correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/11 "2011-06-12T16:24:33Z")
The unfortunate thing is that Apple seems to be driving innovation, and Microsoft is playing catch up. Microsoft has the money, people and influence that they should be able to have an original idea, but they rarely do so. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/12 "2011-06-12T16:43:09Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The unfortunate thing is that Apple seems to be driving innovation, and Microsoft is playing catch up. Microsoft has the money, people and influence that they should be able to have an original idea, but they rarely do so. All of Microsoft’s innovation seems to be on the Xbox nowadays. Aside from letting Nintendo get a jump on them with motion controls this generation, the Xbox 360 has become the new standard for game consoles. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/13 "2011-06-12T16:50:00Z")
I could see technology based on the Kinect system being used as the next interface with the home computer. Imagine a wall-sized screen that’s the display for a home computer and that you interact with using gestures. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/14 "2011-06-12T16:52:42Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > All of Microsoft’s innovation seems to be on the Xbox nowadays. Aside from letting Nintendo get a jump on them with motion controls this generation, the Xbox 360 has become the new standard for game consoles. I dunno, I think Windows Phone is a very well thought out touch interface. iOS kind of makes Apple look “lazy” in comparison. They’ve certainly added more features over the generations but at its core iOS is still grids of icons launching apps. IMO _Android_ is the one perpetually playing catch-up, since aside from widgets it doesn’t really do anything iOS doesn’t do. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/15 "2011-06-12T17:01:19Z")
Windows Phone isn’t bad from what I’ve seen, but it comes a couple of years after iPhone and Android. And actually, Android is kind of the phone equivalent of Windows, in that it’s an OS that Google offers to any phone manufacturer. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/16 "2011-06-12T17:03:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I could see technology based on the Kinect system being used as the next interface with the home computer. Imagine a wall-sized screen that’s the display for a home computer and that you interact with using gestures. This is already in the works as the next Xbox Live update will change the system dashboard to work with Kinect. It’s based heavily on the Windows 8 design and could probably be ported to the PC with little effort. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/17 "2011-06-12T20:42:26Z")
> [@BDoors](#): > > The reviewer in question being John C. Dvorak, noted for his inability to predict anything correctly. Nonsense! Why, he’s predicted at least twelve of the last four tech company conspiracies! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/18 "2011-06-12T20:50:17Z")
> [@BDoors](#): > > The reviewer in question being John C. Dvorak, noted for his inability to predict anything correctly. His big example of bad design is the onscreen keyboard, which has been a utility in every version of Windows since Windows 98. The presence of an onscreen keyboard does not mean a physical keyboard will not work anymore. Moron. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/19 "2011-06-12T21:15:59Z")
I STILL don’t like what they did to Excel. It’s not like the original layout couldn’t be improved but they tossed the baby out with the bath water. It was an established program used by millions and didn’t need to be “user interfaced” back to square one. When I buy a product, like a car, I don’t want to have to relearn how to operate it. The general layout doesn’t need to be improved, the power and efficiency needs to be improved. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199/20 "2011-06-13T00:28:19Z")
The biggest change (but unnoticed by many) is that it’s intended to move from software packages that you purchase and install to ‘apps’ that you download online and use. Thus moving from a big selection of software, from many different makers, to an ‘apps store’ controlled by Microsoft, with them raking off a percentage of the price of each one, and them controlling it to make sure that inappropriate apps (like ones that compete with Microsoft products) are kept out of their store. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-windows-8-interface-microsoft-has-lost-its-ing-mind/585199.md?page=2)