Windows evolution:
When Windows 95 came out, it featured an improved interface that was easy to use, and brought PC based computing into a new era with the introduction of the Start button.
The Start button a small graphical way to launch programs and other common functions from the corner of the display using a mouse. Despite Windows 95 being unstable and experiencing the Blue Screen of Death regularly it was still a step in the right direction, and was far better than the 8/16bit DOS 5+ and Windows 3.1+ combination that was endured for most of the early 90’s.
Windows XP with all the service packs installed is still widely used by many users because it simply works well. Windows 7 has been compare to Windows XP in terms of popularity, and is widely seen as a good move from Microsoft understanding what a customers’ needs are.
So what is it about Windows 8 that has people scratching their heads?
It’s a new interface call Metro, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that is based on Windows Mobile touch interface. So what is wrong with that? Well nothing to be honest apart from one thing… You can’t turn off the Metro interface and use the classic interface with the beloved Start button. Yes you can still access the desktop, but to launch applications you have to go back to the Metro Interface to launch your applications.
By now many people have used Windows 8 either from a store demonstration or have installed it on their own computer and have formed their own opinions. People that are fierce defenders of Microsoft and PC gaming seem to be willing to accept such a radically new interface, despite the fact that it might slow them down or make them dumb down their use of Windows. For me and others we don’t care if it looks pretty, pretty doesn’t get work done or make anything else easier to do.
The problem with the Metro interface is it really is designed as if you were mentally challenged, or never do anything outside of this interface.
Why didn’t Microsoft include a function to default back to the Start button?
This question burns on people’s lips; simply put Microsoft wants Windows users to adapt to the new interface so that Tablet and Mobile computers that use a similar graphical interface will be more familiar. The problem with this is you also shoot down the corporate users that are using legacy software that conflicts with the new interface.
At this stage of the Technology game, the interface change to be more Tablet computing could be the worst move ever, because there are just so many situations in the corporate world where this is simply going to be difficult to adapt too. Not every computer is going to have a touch screen, and using the mouse in the huge Metro interface is just nasty.
Give many are alienated by this new Windows upgrade, there could even be a shift to MacOS as the interface using the Finder hasn’t changed much in terms of function for well over 25 years.
If Microsoft wants to do some damage control they need to release a patch to make the Metro Interface optional, and give a start button back users that still want it. Really this isn’t a big ask as there are already third party applications that are offering such a remedy. So if consumers go out buy a new PC with Windows 8 their options are either get a third party application to fix this major oversight, or get a downgrade to Windows 7. Or do what Microsoft fans do, just accept the changes.
Microsoft had better look forward to either fixing the problem, or prepare to support Windows 7 for the next 10 years like it did with Windows XP.
If you have a differing opinion, please feel free to contact us with lengthy well written response that will be published on the front page.