248 replies to this topic 2 votes

[Neobond]

After installing Windows 8 Developer Preview in a VM, and then alongside Windows 7 on my desktop PC, I'm not totally convinced that metro UI belongs there on my desktop.

I know it's a DEV PREVIEW please don't bother reminding me, I also know that Microsoft is serious about having this on the desktop, as well as everything else (Tablets, Phones etc)

So, what's your opinion?

* Metro UI is the tiled interface, that replaces the desktop.

[GreyWolf]

Yes, with a N.I. (Needs improvement)

I'm sure there are features missing, but it needs to have the ablity to drag-scroll with the mouse for those without touch peripherals.
I would prefer a single press of the Windows key open the old start menu and maybe a double-tap or something similar to return to Start.

[Zain Adeel]

Its great!
but it needs alot of work.
I will be posting mockups in my topic i made earlier to show how they can add more functionality to this UI and allow us flexibility and more power.

[articuno1au]

IT'S A GOD DAMN TECH PREVIEW!!!



Yeah, I agree. It's interface doesn't react well to the mouse. I'm sure there will be changes made.

I'd love to keep Metro (because it's awesome) but with the normal start bar instead of the start panel or whatever it's called >.>

I remain hopeful >.<

[TheLegendOfMart]

Metro is **** and is for phones and tablets not a desktop os. They are going to destroy desktop usability for the sake of consistency between devices, Microsoft are ridiculous they go from one extreme to the other, Windows 8 is going to flop.

[Neobond]

TheLegendOfMart, on 15 September 2011 - 12:39, said:

Metro is **** and is for phones and tablets not a desktop os.

I agree

[articuno1au]

Metro is more then just the start panel guys :\

[~Johnny]

I don't think we can honestly judge yet. What makes the Metro interface what it is is its apps - without the apps it's quite literally nothing, apart from your user tile and a piece of text that says "Start".

And due to the fact that there are no proper apps for it, apart from a bunch of placeholders, I'd don't think it's right to judge it from a user perspective, because users just aren't going to be using it like this. Users are going to be using it in a far more personal, alive state, that simply doesn't exist today. When the programs are there, when they're all linked up to search contracts and share contracts and all working harmoniously, smoothly, fluidly and quickly with each other - with live tiles exposing all their personal data right there on their start screen - that'll be a better time to judge.

At the moment though, I like it's vision. I like where it's going - it's aiming to make the PC far more personal and far more integrated than what's the default right now. I like it on the desktop too - it's easy to use with the mouse, and it's fast. It's not harder to use, once you're properly introduced to the new workflow (which may take you a little while), it's a nice way of doing things.

I also like the way Microsoft have embraced the cloud with this new Metro framework - much better than what Google is doing with Chrome OS. Instead of killing off the desktop, they're bring down all your data from all your cloud services all over the place, and making them feel natively like part of your operating system. Extremely simple to get too and use all your content in the same UI's, no matter what service it's hosted on.

[SHoTTa35]

I don't think it works in it's current form - if anyone is interested in what I think it should be then you can read that here:

[IDEA] Immersive UI for non-touch devices

(hehe, not trying to spam my thread)

[TheLegendOfMart]

articuno1au, on 15 September 2011 - 12:41, said:

Metro is more then just the start panel guys :\

Wow no way, thats just changed my whole outlook on Metro, i am now a convert /s

Ive played with the Dev build and i despise the direction that its going, all the desktop and control elements simplified for the slate market, Windows Phone 7 isnt doing that great and if Microsoft think they can make a dent in the Android/IOS slate market with Windows 8 they are going to do it at all costs which means completely shafting over desktop PC users by making everything oversimplified, just look at the control panel ffs.

[+Phouchg]

Nope. I like the design, the overall look, as such but generally PC should not be dumbed down, it's must still be able to function as a workstation. Though I suppose Metro and Aero could be fused together rather well.

[GreyWolf]

articuno1au, on 15 September 2011 - 12:41, said:

Metro is more then just the start panel guys :\

It's a design philosophy:
- no chrome
- the data is the UI

but in this preview the only Metro component is the Start Page and the included apps.

(and my gripe - the scrollbar - is chrome )

[Fourjays]

Yes, but only providing it can actually replace the desktop. I keep reading conflicting information on this, but the last thing I want is a "browse the Internet on Metro, get dumped to the desktop for anything useful" type experience. For legacy/compatibility purposes I'd be fine with the desktop remaining for now, but if you want to you should be able to use Metro exclusively.

Done well (ie: follows the Metro design philosophy), Metro would make a computer much more fluid and productive, putting the focus on the task at hand and not on a load of superfluous graphics (like web designers have been doing for years).

[Neobond]

I edited the title and poll question to be more clear about what I mean.

[+Chicane-UK]

I think it has legs potentially so I voted Yes. Needs tweaking, needs refinement, needs to all hang together a lot better.. but I think the potential is there.