hopefully there will be an improved old UI for business. metro is complete waste of time when you need to real work, last thing i need is people checking facebook and twitter at work more.
Theres already an improved desktop UI in the dev preview. Works the same as usual for the most part. And you access the new Start Screen (metro) to get to programs the same way as you would by clicking on the Start button on the desktop.
Programs are now alphabetically displayed full screen using the metro UI - it's a lot easier to find stuff. No more hunting through folders in the "All Programs" start menu thats inside some tiny area that you constantly have to scroll. So no, metro isn't a waste of time even for work, it also makes stuff quicker. You dont even have top open a search box, just start typing and it will display results.
Under my start menu at work (WinXP) I count 32 applications that I use (3/4 of which I use on a regular basis). Most of these applications have multiple Icons for settings, documentation, and the likes.
The above screenshot shows 17 Icons across the entire screen (if you include the ones that are half cut off). You could get 24 Icons if they were all square types. I find it far easier to get to what I want to use with the old start menu as I can see a much larger subsection of what I have in a logical (alphabetical) order. As shown in the above screenshot, the default ordering in metro, by default, scattered. To get to the rest of your programs, you have to swipe the whole screen. While this works very well for a tablet interface, it is quicker for a mouse to click or double click that to drag the entire display. Further, even though they don't get used often, settings, documentations, and the likes that get bundled in a folder in the old scheme don't have a logical binding in the metro scheme. You would have a harder time finding the associated settings and documentation, especially when you can't easily check whether or not they exist.
Eventually developers could simply integrate this functionality directly into the UI of the program in questions. However, in some cases it doesn't make sense to do so as you need to exit the application and do things outside of the program with the information (think shells, environmental variables, settings in applications that the current one is dependent one, etc.). Even when this isn't the case, it's just one more thing to clutter up the application UI, so what do they gain by changing.
That said, the above statements aren't really an issue for the average home user. Even an office worker that does a limited number of tasks probably wouldn't really be inconvenienced by the metro scheme. However, the IT professional, Engineer, program manager, enthusiast, and office workers that use many programs may find the new interface less efficient. I'm still unclear of any set of users (outside of tablets) that would find the metro interface functionally superior to what is currently available.
You can zoom out on the new start screen, persistently. This allows you to view many more applications at once than the current Start Menu, which only shows 20 by counting.
What you see in the screen shot is just one part of Metro. It's not the replacement for the cluttered "All Programs" list found in Vista / 7 that shows a very limited area space to scroll through.
Improved? The users here come into work and sit there at their desks and hardly EVER touch the start menu... ever. They launch applications from the task bar and files from the desktop. That's it.
All I have to do is move those files to their working drive and attach links to those files as tiles on the front of Windows 8. Done. They won't need anything else. Ever.
As for Facebook... that's stopped at the firewall.
You've just solidified his argument by confirming that users are confused as shit by the classic start menu. Metro fixes that. You will see "normal" users actually using it regularly.
I don't know if I agree with that. I am not at all confused with the start menu, but I VERY RARELY use it. Only if I have to search for a program that I use once in a blue moon, and even then, I usually prefer just opening up explorer and finding it in Program Files.
What a broad, ignorant statement to make. You sound more like someone who resists change because you're inept at adapting to new user features, than someone who's trying to get "real" work done as you so eloquently put it. Microsoft is trying to improve it's products by innovating to a more user-friendly experience. No one is stopping you from continuing to use Windows 7, nor will it's security updates stop anytime soon. But if you're hoping for Microsoft to continue printing the same OS year after year, perhaps you should exit the technology sector, and switch to a craft that doesn't cause you to rely so heavily on computers. For the average user (by that I mean non-technical types), this is will most likely be hands down a huge improvement in daily tasks and productivity. If you're really concerned about a Facebook app being part of the home screen by default, you should easily be able to disable it via the operating system or worst case block it via your business firewall. How exactly do you deal with this issue now anyway?
This is the kind of mentality that caused us to see very little change between Windows 95 and Windows XP. It's also the reason Microsoft is slowing losing it's market share in the home sector. Microsoft has been productive for the first time in many years, and all you can do is shun them for any innovations they attempt to make.
Thank You! People are just scared of change. We still have people (even on these boards) that won't switch from XP to 7 because they think XP is good enough! Now Metro is a bigger change, but Windows 8 still has the standard OS view if you don't like the Metro look.
I've using the Windows 8 Dev preview on a VM a few times, and to say the least, it's a jarring experience switching from the "old" Aero desktop to the new Metro UI. I wish the UI would at least have some consistency, so everything is Metro themed or everything is Aero themed. I would prefer Aero themed, I like the glass look, and I think even just removing the green background and making it Aero transparent instead would remove a lot of this "whoa what's happening moment" experience i have everytime i move my mouse down to the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
Mac OS X (Lion) has a start screen very similar to what you describe called Launch Pad. I never use it. Like a Windows 7 user, frequently used apps are on my Dock, and everything else I can get to using Spotlight desktop search (Command+Space Bar). The new Metro Style start screen is complete "Over Kill" and I think Desktop/Laptop users are going to hate it. It's really a Tablet feature.
Yep, so does Gnome 3. I thought about mentioning it, but didn't want to confuse my point.
I agree it is overkill, but as far as when you're in that situation where you have to find that program you use very occasionally, a nice interface doesn't hurt. Really, the Gnome interface is like a google image search (but for programs) that automatically filters as you type text in, which is neat. Of course, it also has an up/down scroll for when the filtered list is bigger than the screen.
Still, it sucks to not have the old interfaces for when you need to quickly get somewhere that you often go.
Pretty much every time there's an sort of article about Windows 8 there'll be a bunch of people whining about the new interface, with hackneyed soundbites like "I use my PC for work, not Facebook and Twitter" etc. etc. Just like they did with Windows 7.
The Metro UI's main screen is just a grid of shortcuts with your most used applications closest to the bottom left since it's pretty well established by Fitt's law as the fastest area to click. It's hard to think of a faster and more efficient interface, certainly a big improvement for 90%+ of users.
All you dumb asses complaining about how it looks has now place here.This topic is stating when beta will be released.Its not not a post saying anything about how the start menu looks.if you wanna bitch about it go to those areas.Or complain to microsoft but i doubt they will listen to you cause this feature is what most people want otherwise they wouldn't bother making it in the first place.There will be an option to change it to the classic start menu that you so dearly love.And this new interface is so easy to use.you can even change where you want the news feeds to be placed and put all of your apps that you use right at the front instead of the back.this feature is laptop and desktop friendly as well.use your arrow keys to move to the side or use your scrolling mouse to move to the side.I agree that the old start menu is to small for my taste.And any haters that try to prove me wrong.dont bother your just wasteing your time and makes you look even more stupid.If you dont like it dont get it.its as simple as that so dont hate.
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noxipoo - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
hopefully there will be an improved old UI for business. metro is complete waste of time when you need to real work, last thing i need is people checking facebook and twitter at work more.B3an - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Theres already an improved desktop UI in the dev preview. Works the same as usual for the most part. And you access the new Start Screen (metro) to get to programs the same way as you would by clicking on the Start button on the desktop.Programs are now alphabetically displayed full screen using the metro UI - it's a lot easier to find stuff. No more hunting through folders in the "All Programs" start menu thats inside some tiny area that you constantly have to scroll. So no, metro isn't a waste of time even for work, it also makes stuff quicker. You dont even have top open a search box, just start typing and it will display results.
JPForums - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Under my start menu at work (WinXP) I count 32 applications that I use (3/4 of which I use on a regular basis). Most of these applications have multiple Icons for settings, documentation, and the likes.The above screenshot shows 17 Icons across the entire screen (if you include the ones that are half cut off). You could get 24 Icons if they were all square types. I find it far easier to get to what I want to use with the old start menu as I can see a much larger subsection of what I have in a logical (alphabetical) order. As shown in the above screenshot, the default ordering in metro, by default, scattered. To get to the rest of your programs, you have to swipe the whole screen. While this works very well for a tablet interface, it is quicker for a mouse to click or double click that to drag the entire display. Further, even though they don't get used often, settings, documentations, and the likes that get bundled in a folder in the old scheme don't have a logical binding in the metro scheme. You would have a harder time finding the associated settings and documentation, especially when you can't easily check whether or not they exist.
Eventually developers could simply integrate this functionality directly into the UI of the program in questions. However, in some cases it doesn't make sense to do so as you need to exit the application and do things outside of the program with the information (think shells, environmental variables, settings in applications that the current one is dependent one, etc.). Even when this isn't the case, it's just one more thing to clutter up the application UI, so what do they gain by changing.
That said, the above statements aren't really an issue for the average home user. Even an office worker that does a limited number of tasks probably wouldn't really be inconvenienced by the metro scheme. However, the IT professional, Engineer, program manager, enthusiast, and office workers that use many programs may find the new interface less efficient. I'm still unclear of any set of users (outside of tablets) that would find the metro interface functionally superior to what is currently available.
damianrobertjones - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Ctrl+arrow key instantly moves the focus from one screen to the next left or right depending on the arrow key pressed.dcollins - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
You can zoom out on the new start screen, persistently. This allows you to view many more applications at once than the current Start Menu, which only shows 20 by counting.B3an - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
What you see in the screen shot is just one part of Metro. It's not the replacement for the cluttered "All Programs" list found in Vista / 7 that shows a very limited area space to scroll through.This is what i was talking about...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KYliUSoUwdc/Tq3...
It's accessed in a similar fashion too but it's also one less click away now.
damianrobertjones - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Improved? The users here come into work and sit there at their desks and hardly EVER touch the start menu... ever. They launch applications from the task bar and files from the desktop. That's it.All I have to do is move those files to their working drive and attach links to those files as tiles on the front of Windows 8. Done. They won't need anything else. Ever.
As for Facebook... that's stopped at the firewall.
crispbp04 - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
You've just solidified his argument by confirming that users are confused as shit by the classic start menu. Metro fixes that. You will see "normal" users actually using it regularly.lbeyak - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
I don't know if I agree with that. I am not at all confused with the start menu, but I VERY RARELY use it. Only if I have to search for a program that I use once in a blue moon, and even then, I usually prefer just opening up explorer and finding it in Program Files.damianrobertjones - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
That's what I'm saying... standard users will love MetroMundtly - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
What a broad, ignorant statement to make. You sound more like someone who resists change because you're inept at adapting to new user features, than someone who's trying to get "real" work done as you so eloquently put it. Microsoft is trying to improve it's products by innovating to a more user-friendly experience. No one is stopping you from continuing to use Windows 7, nor will it's security updates stop anytime soon. But if you're hoping for Microsoft to continue printing the same OS year after year, perhaps you should exit the technology sector, and switch to a craft that doesn't cause you to rely so heavily on computers. For the average user (by that I mean non-technical types), this is will most likely be hands down a huge improvement in daily tasks and productivity. If you're really concerned about a Facebook app being part of the home screen by default, you should easily be able to disable it via the operating system or worst case block it via your business firewall. How exactly do you deal with this issue now anyway?This is the kind of mentality that caused us to see very little change between Windows 95 and Windows XP. It's also the reason Microsoft is slowing losing it's market share in the home sector. Microsoft has been productive for the first time in many years, and all you can do is shun them for any innovations they attempt to make.
sigmatau - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Thank You! People are just scared of change. We still have people (even on these boards) that won't switch from XP to 7 because they think XP is good enough! Now Metro is a bigger change, but Windows 8 still has the standard OS view if you don't like the Metro look.danrien - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
I've using the Windows 8 Dev preview on a VM a few times, and to say the least, it's a jarring experience switching from the "old" Aero desktop to the new Metro UI. I wish the UI would at least have some consistency, so everything is Metro themed or everything is Aero themed. I would prefer Aero themed, I like the glass look, and I think even just removing the green background and making it Aero transparent instead would remove a lot of this "whoa what's happening moment" experience i have everytime i move my mouse down to the bottom left hand corner of the screen.TEAMSWITCHER - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Mac OS X (Lion) has a start screen very similar to what you describe called Launch Pad. I never use it. Like a Windows 7 user, frequently used apps are on my Dock, and everything else I can get to using Spotlight desktop search (Command+Space Bar). The new Metro Style start screen is complete "Over Kill" and I think Desktop/Laptop users are going to hate it. It's really a Tablet feature.danrien - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Yep, so does Gnome 3. I thought about mentioning it, but didn't want to confuse my point.I agree it is overkill, but as far as when you're in that situation where you have to find that program you use very occasionally, a nice interface doesn't hurt. Really, the Gnome interface is like a google image search (but for programs) that automatically filters as you type text in, which is neat. Of course, it also has an up/down scroll for when the filtered list is bigger than the screen.
Still, it sucks to not have the old interfaces for when you need to quickly get somewhere that you often go.
Malphas - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Pretty much every time there's an sort of article about Windows 8 there'll be a bunch of people whining about the new interface, with hackneyed soundbites like "I use my PC for work, not Facebook and Twitter" etc. etc. Just like they did with Windows 7.The Metro UI's main screen is just a grid of shortcuts with your most used applications closest to the bottom left since it's pretty well established by Fitt's law as the fastest area to click. It's hard to think of a faster and more efficient interface, certainly a big improvement for 90%+ of users.
karma77police - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
PC is not a TabletWPLJ42 - Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - link
Metro UI is for tablets and touchscreens. I HATE it, and will either stay with Windows 7 or return to the Mac.Toxin07 - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - link
All you dumb asses complaining about how it looks has now place here.This topic is stating when beta will be released.Its not not a post saying anything about how the start menu looks.if you wanna bitch about it go to those areas.Or complain to microsoft but i doubt they will listen to you cause this feature is what most people want otherwise they wouldn't bother making it in the first place.There will be an option to change it to the classic start menu that you so dearly love.And this new interface is so easy to use.you can even change where you want the news feeds to be placed and put all of your apps that you use right at the front instead of the back.this feature is laptop and desktop friendly as well.use your arrow keys to move to the side or use your scrolling mouse to move to the side.I agree that the old start menu is to small for my taste.And any haters that try to prove me wrong.dont bother your just wasteing your time and makes you look even more stupid.If you dont like it dont get it.its as simple as that so dont hate.WPLJ42 - Friday, January 13, 2012 - link
Your insults are not welcome on a respectable website like AnandTech.