video Videos of Average people using Windows 8 for the first time.

[BeerFan]

Contradict, how? Metro is still in development for Windows 8, but it's not leaving the system. Windows 8 IS Metro. It's what Microsoft wants to use going forward, the old desktop OS of years past is dead to them.

You're responding as though i said the word "Metro". I did not even once say the word "metro".

You, sir, are hung up on metro-haters. I like metro, just get it off my desktop and keep it on my phone.

[MidnightDevil]

My girlfriend was able to browse by herself with no big problems.

But she's smart :wub:

[simplezz]

Beta OS, No Tutorial given

Beta is usually pretty close to the release version. Most features and behaviour are locked down at that point. Only minor bug fixes are usually put forward. And when was the last time you had to have a tutorial to use Windows?

People that look like playing "peek-a-boo" could give them a heart attack.

That's just insulting and ageist. This is how ordinary users are going to respond. We're not talking about tech geeks who know their stuff.

Yes, very accurate test of how Windows 8 will do after release. :rolleyes:

I'll reserve judgement until I see the finished product, but if this is anything to go by, then there's going to be a surge in returns once OEM's start putting this on PC's.

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Well I've always used CTRL+ALT+DEL to log into my computers ever since Windows 2000. That method still works in Windows 8, so that'll take care of every single business user of Windows in the world.

I think they'll add a subtle animated up arrow to the bottom of the lock screen that says "Drag up or press any key to unlock" or "Drag up or press any key to log in" depending on if its locked or logged out. Something like this...

Beta is usually pretty close to the release version. Most features and behaviour are locked down at that point. Only minor bug fixes are usually put forward. And when was the last time you had to have a tutorial to use Windows?

No they're not. I've been an official "Tech Beta" tester for every version of Windows since 2000 (sorry about Vista, they wouldn't listen lol) and never once has it been feature complete and containing all of it's help documentation and usability enhancements at the first beta stage. Not once.

And for the record, you seem to be forgetting Windows XP which had a tutorial the first time you logged in because they changed so much since Win 98/ME and 2000.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

My girlfriend was able to browse by herself with no big problems.

But she's smart :wub:

Video or it didn't happen ;)

[simplezz]

My girlfriend was able to browse by herself with no big problems.

But she's smart :wub:

Do you ask her to use the desktop app then try and return? A lot of people are having problems with that.

[The Teej]

I honestly don't see how the Windows UI, in any of its forms, is "intuitive".

Yes, there's an orb in Windows 7. Why would it make sense to click it? Where's my e-mail? What are those icons in the bottom right hand corner? How do I search the internet? Where do I click to access my videos? I've just learned to plug in my camera, but now its given me all of these options like "view photos using windows live photo viewer" and "view files in explorer" (whatever that is) I just want to upload them to facebook like my friend Tommy does but I don't see an option for that.

No UI on earth is entirely intuitive, I'm still teaching my mum the basics of Windows now - and she's not exactly a dumb person, just not very tech savvy. If it was vastly intuitive, she'd have picked it up a lot quicker by now. Same goes for OSX and definitely for Linux.

By default, just logging into my Microsoft account, I can already view my e-mail (by clicking the rather obvious "Mail" icon), view the photos either on my PC or on my Skydrive (which is automatically logged in thanks to Win8) as well as browse my music and to talk to my friends on the internet (by clicking the relatively obvious "Messaging" icon). Win 8 Metro definitely needs some sort of "user interface tutorial" for sure, but to say Metro is any worse for a very brand new computer user then Windows traditional UI or even OSX is just being silly. Just because it's new it doesn't mean it's worse, it means its NEW - and that requires some sort of UI tutorial which I'm certain will be brought around when it ships in October.

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Do you ask her to use the desktop app then try and return? A lot of people are having problems with that.

Clicking a classic app's tile takes you to the desktop, and it doesn't take much to remember that the windows key takes you back to Metro. I think most people would only need to be told that once. Besides, within a month or two of release I reckon the average home computer user would be covered by a myriad of metro apps, making trips to the desktop appcompat environment very rare.

[Dot Matrix]

For those still confused by Metro take a look at this infographic Microsoft made:

This represents "computing 2.0" and Microsoft's way forward.

[MidnightDevil]

Like I said, she opened some metro apps, mail, messenger, "people" which took her to the live feeds (she actually though was an interesting "concept") and went back to the desktop quite quickly by reading "Desktop" on the title. :p

The fact that start menu is missing might take some get used to but far as I can see people think Metro might be more simple to use.

I'm using W8 everyday since the CP came out, and for some reason I didin't went back to W7. I'm actually liking the simplicity. Maybe isn't "detail oriented" and it does have a learning curve (not by much, but it does have), but once you get used to it, I think will be easier after a while.

Every OS except when nothing much changes around the GUI has a slight learning curve, tech people should always adapt to the new technology that is being implemented without fearing it and try to see the good points. Only after a fair trial and use should comment if it's good or not good. I think most people are afraid to change or don't want to face that learning curve, even though that they might know it will be a lot easier after it.

Same for old people, I agree W8 is a unfinished product, hence is a beta, I believe there's a lot of stuff that will still be implemented even in the GUI (mostly in the GUI perhaps), adding a few labels and text will help most people getting a hang of it, sometimes isn't need much more than that.

I never expressed my opinion on W8 till today. I've been reading a lot of good and bad posts about it, and my opinion is as stated, I'm liking it, it's not finished, it might be easier to learn how to use it, simpler and easier. Just try not to avoid the learning curve, go with it, it's not like it's gonna kill your brains.

Also, since when we droped Windows XP on our parents face and said "good luck" ? I believe most of us were there for the fundamental tips. Most doubts including "login" were present in almost every way, one way or another. Yes, adding a text saying "scroll up" or something alike would clear any doubt, but it's unfinished people. I'm sure MS will do a nice work. If I'm not sure, at least I hope.

[Stoffel]

Like I said, she opened some metro apps, mail, messenger, "people" which took her to the live feeds (she actually though was an interesting "concept") and went back to the desktop quite quickly by reading "Desktop" on the title. :p

The fact that start menu is missing might take some get used to but far as I can see people think Metro might be more simple to use.

I'm using W8 everyday since the CP came out, and for some reason I didin't went back to W7. I'm actually liking the simplicity. Maybe isn't "detail oriented" and it does have a learning curve (not by much, but it does have), but once you get used to it, I think will be easier after a while.

Every OS except when nothing much changes around the GUI has a slight learning curve, tech people should always adapt to the new technology that is being implemented without fearing it and try to see the good points. Only after a fair trial and use should comment if it's good or not good. I think most people are afraid to change or don't want to face that learning curve, even though that they might know it will be a lot easier after it.

Same for old people, I agree W8 is a unfinished product, hence is a beta, I believe there's a lot of stuff that will still be implemented even in the GUI (mostly in the GUI perhaps), adding a few labels and text will help most people getting a hang of it, sometimes isn't need much more than that.

I never expressed my opinion on W8 till today. I've been reading a lot of good and bad posts about it, and my opinion is as stated, I'm liking it, it's not finished, it might be easier to learn how to use it, simpler and easier. Just try not to avoid the learning curve, go with it, it's not like it's gonna kill your brains.

Your girlfriend was introduced to Win8 by you, and you seem to like Win8, that makes all the difference.

The people I've showed it to all liked it.

But if you get introduced to it by somebody who doesn't really like it, you start with the wrong attitude and probably won't like it.

Sadly, this is what probably will happen.

[Dot Matrix]

Your girlfriend was introduced to Win8 by you, and you seem to like Win8, that makes all the difference.

The people I've showed it to all liked it.

But if you get introduced to it by somebody who doesn't really like it, you start with the wrong attitude and probably won't like it.

Sadly, this is what probably will happen.

It's what happened to Vista.

[MidnightDevil]

I didin't really "introduce her". I told her "it's windows 8, tell me what you think of it". I just stood by and watched. She never really stood next to me watching me using it, it was a while ago so I haven't been using it before that for long anyway. She knows I'm on a "trial mode" using it, I had no opinion in the meanwhile because of it. After a fair usage I can give my opinion. By then I can't really say influence played it's bit.

[drlacus]

I installed CP on my girlfriend's notebook. She's smart, but does not like to use her pc. Hell, she even asks me to do her excel sheets! But! She figured out how to log in, where to find the start button, how to use the new task switcher, how to snap or CLOSE metro styled applications! All by herself without any help. How the hell did she do it? SHE WENT AROUND ON THE EDGES!

[Stoffel]

It's what happened to Vista.

Exactly, I had people telling me they hated Vista, but they had never used it, somebody told them it was horrible.

[Dot Matrix]

I've been using the CP on my notebook since release day, and even with a trackpad, I've had no issues using Metro. I just don't see the issue some of you have with this shift. The way some of you argue, honestly come across as if you feel threatened. The mouse and keyboard aren't the only game in town anymore, even on a desktop, there are multiple input methods that need catered to.

[redfish]

Exactly, I had people telling me they hated Vista, but they had never used it, somebody told them it was horrible.

I have a neighbor who isn't that computer savvy and whenever she felt her computer was running slow, she gave it over to some tech geek who disabled Aero and installed Google Desktop. Of course, that made her computer run slower because disabling Aero turned off desktop compositing and, of course, her files were indexed twice now. The real problem with her computer is that she had 3 different anti-virus programs installed and running in the background simultaneously.

I think things like this are why Microsoft doesn't want to make Metro optional.

[Dot Matrix]

I have a neighbor who isn't that computer savvy and whenever she felt her computer was running slow, she gave it over to some tech geek who disabled Aero and installed Google Desktop. Of course, that made her computer run slower because disabling Aero turned off desktop compositing and, of course, her files were indexed twice now. The real problem with her computer is that she had 3 different anti-virus programs installed and running in the background simultaneously.

I think things like this are why Microsoft doesn't want to make Metro optional.

[-T- Member]

Hey old people, use the damn Windows key

[strotee]

<p>

It's what happened to Vista.

Yea because Vista didn't have its fair share of bugs/performance issues. Somehow a bad reputation turns a good OS into a sub-par OS all by itself.

[Wyn6]

It's somewhat amusing to hear folks talk about how intuitive Windows 8 isn't and how intuitive Windows (previous) was/is. While reading, I thought of something that occurred a few months back. Where I work there are several retail outlets including an electronics outlet. I know the guys that work there and we always talk tech. One of the guys, who pretends to know more than he does, helped a lady from the Eye Center set up a laptop she bought from him.

This is a guy that thought triple booting Windows/Android/Ubuntu on an Acer Iconia was a good idea and couldn't figure out why he was getting BSODs. Anyway... he thought he would set up her laptop like he sets up his own computers in order to make it "easier" on her. We've all done this, right?

She's talking to me one day and she's damn near in a panic. Telling me something's wrong with her laptop and something's different than her computer at home, she can't use it and she's just going to take it back. Well, I'm asking her questions. What's wrong? What's different? I dunno. I dunno, Is all she says. Okay, is it Windows 7 you're on? I ask her. I dunno. Fine, I tell her. Bring me the laptop and let me take a look at it.

A couple of days later she brings it to me. I'm expecting something terrible at this point. It turns out that what he has done is taken all of the icons off of her desktop and placed everything on the taskbar, which he left unhidden at least. This confused the hell outta this poor lady. The concept of one-click access on her taskbar escaped her like Snake Pliskin. I even tried to explain that he was trying to help her have easier access to programs she used most. She hated it and couldn't find anything and wanted me to fix it or it was going back.

I simply moved all of her icons back up to her desktop, showed her the laptop and she was like, yes! That's it! That looks like my computer at home! Even though taskbar access is a click quicker, she didn't like it and it completely threw her for a loop because she had been on XP this entire time, I finally figured out. But, had he explained to her what he was doing and why instead of just doing it and saying here ya go, she may not have been so confused.

But, this lady, without instruction, didn't find the wonderful Windows 7 intuitive at all. Same goes for Windows 8 or anything else. No user interface is automatic if you aren't told how to use it. You may be able to use some similar functionality in certain cases, but if anything changes, you're left in the lurch.

Microsoft will include the necessary instructions, in whatever form that may take, for users of all levels to successfully navigate their future OS or my name isn't Orville Redenbacher. ;)

[Ice_Blue]

I am using Windows 8 on this:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-XE700T1A-A01US-11-6-Inch-Slate/dp/B005OUQ9JC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332312926&sr=8-1

Good sex is only slightly better.

[simplezz]

Clicking a classic app's tile takes you to the desktop, and it doesn't take much to remember that the windows key takes you back to Metro. I think most people would only need to be told that once. Besides, within a month or two of release I reckon the average home computer user would be covered by a myriad of metro apps, making trips to the desktop appcompat environment very rare.

Except if someone gets a new PC with Windows 8 on it and there isn't a metro expert on hand (which will happen quite often).

[OOOOOOOO]

The thing is ... Microsoft's final release WILL have a tour guide that will show just like any other modern OS .... it will explain changes, new stuff etc. The consumer preview is making people go crazy but in fact, when the OS boots and says "GO HERE FOR START BUTTON" ... well, there you go. That'll be the only time anyone will need to be told. Previews like this aren't final. They're meant for geeks ... not the average consumer.

Except if someone gets a new PC with Windows 8 on it and there isn't a metro expert on hand (which will happen quite often).

Oh My God, NO .... Do you HONESTLY Think MS will release this **** without a billion tutorial videos, webpages, tours in OS etc ? By the time it comes out, and when it does hit, there'll be **** all over the web and in the OS telling you how to use it. They're not idiots you know! Some of the people on here are though.

[Dot Matrix]

Except if someone gets a new PC with Windows 8 on it and there isn't a metro expert on hand (which will happen quite often).

Heh. You reminded me of a Best Buy salesman who I saw steer a customer away from a PC to a Mac, even though she came in looking at a specific laptop. She still said no thanks, and walked away.