Evolving the Start menu

re: Evolving the Start menu

TheRichman — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:52:01 GMT

Thanks @Karl,

I only spent about 2 days on my slides and I know there's a lot of smart people at Microsoft who have spent many many "Red Bull" days in front of white boards. I think they have a noble goal to provide a unified experience across devices. I've used a boatload of device interfaces and franky grow weary of dealing with a bazillion ways to essentially do the same few thing - lanuch apps and switch apps. Especially as relates to work - personal stuff it's less an issue, even fun to see what eveyone's doing.

Speaking of unified, I'd also like to Microsoft offer 1 PC OS to buy instead of the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate thing. It does seem to make sense to offer the option of booting to the Start Screen or Desktop. It's not like you can totally avoid the Start Screen since you have to go there to run Metro Apps.I wouldn't mind sitting down in Starbucks, having my overpriced coffee, browsing around news and whatever, and then open up the desktop to do some work. I'm sure alot of people would opt to leave it the default.

As to Metro Apps in a window on the desktop or shown as Apps in the desktop taskbar, one could argue that also falls under the umbrella of a unified experience. Minimally, it's a workflow issue imho. The power of Windows, even under a Win 8 desktop is...windows - the ability to see multiple content sources next to tools to create or process content. I would have thought that Microsoft would want to allow them to next to other Apps not only to promote their use, but to allow users to integrate them into workflow.

But at this point it's just speculation based on a pre-beta so I'll reserve judgement for now until I have some quality time with the beta.

Thanks again and looking forward to the beya to see how Win 8 shapes up.

re: Evolving the Start menu

Jon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:40:46 GMT

So you're changing the OS out on me because your data suggests that I'm no longer an important demographic? This isn't a style choice, it's a functionality one. I understand changing the visual style, because users can adapt-- but telling me that it's 2011 and nobody needs quick access to more than 3 items at a time is totally bogus. I do.

re: Evolving the Start menu

Karl — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:35:18 GMT

@TheRichman MS can learn a lot of these concepts, very good!

re: Evolving the Start menu

TheRichman — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:07:26 GMT

Love what I see so far and can't wait for the beta. Thanks for all the posts. I had too many comments so I put them and some concept slides in a pdf.

skydrive.live.com

re: Evolving the Start menu

Dennis — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:35:41 GMT

FYI: Windows experience info (stats) are bogus. Any knowledgable windows user knows to shut that service off, or at least to opt out. If you want to know what improvements we would like to see in Windows 8, why not just ask?

re: Evolving the Start menu

CPA Office — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:19:54 GMT

Second attempt...

CPA staff not interested in social media, photos, or entertainment - in fact, they are forbidden to access them at the office. Windows 8 appears to be a glorified graphic DOS platform designed for app and social media users, not down-to-nitty-gritty business users. If we lose desktop icon capabilities and have to click A to fumble around to get to B, this will be a huge step backward - waste of valuable time in a business where time is absolutely money. Up-front access to our tax programs is an absolute must. Don't try to simplify to the point of being inconvenient. Give us option of having instant program access (the multiple programs that we use), right up front - no monkeying around.

Also, in these economic times, we do not have the money to change-out our peripherals just for Windows' sake. We trusted you and did that a few years back with Vista. If Windows 8 won't easily "fit" our needs, or if it requires all new equipment, we may as well start seeking out another that will - especially since we'll be changing platforms anyway.

Don't Netflix it.

re: Evolving the Start menu

mil_ — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:11:19 GMT

@hauper12: You will need to define better what do you mean when you say “average user”. On the desktop an average user has enough brains to use Windows fine. If they don’t know how they do learn by either asking somebody or by watching some videos or by reading a book/Internet. The Metro UI is not something so natural that they end up needing no training and as you mentioned in your post it doesn’t even work nicely with keyboards and mice.

Case in point, (as I said in a previous post somewhere) my 6 year old can use Windows 7 fine and believe me his brains are as average as his father, nothing special. I demoed the Metro UI to him, he was interested at the beginning because he thought it is a new game, when he realized it is just a skin, he lost interest.

re: Evolving the Start menu

hauper12 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:58:39 GMT

I think the metro interface has a nice look and feel. The only issue is with the keyboard and mouse it can be a little difficult to use. But since this was not the complete build believe they will probably improve this experience. From a standard user perspective I think that it will work out nicely. Microsoft is not only trying to cater to the sys admin or the power user but the average user as well. So I think that they will like it and buy the operating system. I agree with it being the next step.

re: Evolving the Start menu

Ronbeau — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:21:12 GMT

Why can't the Windows 8 install determine whether a touch device is installed on the PC? If a touch device is present on the PC then give the user a choice of whether they would like to use the Metro interface.

On the other hand, if there is not touch device make the Windows desktop the the default interface.

This sounds like it should be obvious and straight-forward.

If the user add a touch device to the system later the use could be asked if they wish to use the Metro interface for that PC.

Notice that I am strictly referring to PC, notebooks etc as opposed to tablets & cell phones.

re: Evolving the Start menu

mad_win_7_user — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:38:03 GMT

#IN before major FAIL .

Windows 7 Start menu was flawless. You guys gonna mess it up and destroy microsoft with Metro. Write my words. Now that Steve is dead, Apple will unleash OS X to the PC market and you all be doomed!