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

[ThePitt]

[remixedcat]

Ph warwagon never ceases to dissapoint. I loled so hard at that poor old woman....buuutttt Wheee they used VMWARE!!!!!!!!!

Yayayayayaya

[thealexweb]

So basically what I see here is something a two minute tutorial will fix.

I'll agree with that. There's a needless transition for loading some really basic apps. I hope it goes away.

2 minute tutorial? It will take the average user days if not longer to learn and remember how to do everything.

Does the iPad come with a how to screen when you boot it for the first time?

Nope. but it's so easy to use my gran can use an iPad.

[HawkMan]

2 minute tutorial? It will take the average user days if not longer to learn and remember how to do everything.

Nope. but it's so easy to use my gran can use an iPad.

Days to learn to click enter or drag up to log in and to move the mouse to the corners.... Yeah if you're REALLY slow.

Nope. but it's so easy to use my gran can use an iPad.

And she know how to use the app switcher? Without you telling her ? She knows about the 4 finger swipes and pinch?

Win8 is no harder to use once you're told to move your mouse to the corner, or click the windows key. Which is basically the same as hitting the home key.... OMG the iPad is impossible to use, no one told you how to get to the home screen. There is no OEM key to press on the screen to get there....

[simplezz]

Days to learn to click enter or drag up to log in and to move the mouse to the corners.... Yeah if you're REALLY slow.

The problem is that it's unintuitive - a path of greatest resistance if you will.

Win8 is no harder to use once you're told to move your mouse to the corner, or click the windows key.

And who's going to explain this to a person who's just bought a new PC with WIndows 8 on it?

[Solid Knight]

Mouse gestures are the worst.

[HawkMan]

The problem is that it's unintuitive - a path of greatest resistance if you will.

And who's going to explain this to a person who's just bought a new PC with WIndows 8 on it?

How's it unintuitive compared to other paradigms.

Gee I dunno. The tutorial that WILL pop up when you start up the final version of win8 for the first time perhaps?

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

And she know how to use the app switcher? Without you telling her ? She knows about the 4 finger swipes and pinch?

She wouldn't need to use any of the gestures you mentioned. Pressing the home button once is really all you need for basic usage. The app switcher is a slightly more efficient, but certainly not the only way to switch between apps. More advanced users will find out about the gestures at some later point - it's kind of like keyboard shortcuts. Having said that, even the iPad has to be learned in parts, but it is way more discoverable than Windows 8, and certainly the basics are easy to do for a first-time user basically just by looking at and trying out the UI.

Of course, I'm strictly thinking of Windows 8 on the desktop/laptop here, I would expect Metro to be far more usable on a proper tablet.

[BillyJack]

Here is an example that I feel applies to this topic. All of my experience with touch devices is mostly with Windows Mobile 6 and Windows 7. I only use Windows and Linux. A month ago I used a friends iPad for the first time. I have never even seen someone use an iPad. Someone in the room wanted directions so I picked up the iPad, found the map and located the location. Then I panned around, zoomed and pinned the directions. It was all intuitive for me. I tried it and it worked. Then navigated to the main screen and opened up a picture app and started to look at pictures. Once again I was able to figure out how to navigate and use the app with gestures. I did not do anything else so yes my experience was little. I was able to pick up the device and start using it with no problems. Then my friend decided to show me his Mac Book. I have not used an Apple PC since Apple II. I started up the notebook and started navigating my way around. I could find things, and open and close things. Less then five minutes and I could use Apples OS.

I know somethings are strange and somethings need to be fixed. Like the hidden corners. But I really feel that anyone can learn how to use Windows 8. Specially if they have experience. I remember when I got my first 286 PC with GeoOS. I just played around and learned. That is where all of my experience today comes from. My persistence and willingness to learn. Overtime learning something related to what I have learned becomes easier.

Not everyone will like it and that is fine. I do not even expect people to have to start using Windows 8. They can keep using Windows 7, Win 98, or even MS-Dos if they like. But I don't agree that the average person cannot figure out how to use Windows 8.

[HawkMan]

She wouldn't need to use any of the gestures you mentioned. Pressing the home button once is really all you need for basic usage. The app switcher is a slightly more efficient, but certainly not the only way to switch between apps. More advanced users will find out about the gestures at some later point - it's kind of like keyboard shortcuts. Having said that, even the iPad has to be learned in parts, but it is way more discoverable than Windows 8, and certainly the basics are easy to do for a first-time user basically just by looking at and trying out the UI.

Of course, I'm strictly thinking of Windows 8 on the desktop/laptop here, I would expect Metro to be far more usable on a proper tablet.

Yes, pressing the home button once is all you need for basic usage, you know, that sounds an awful lot like hitting the windows key....

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

Yes, pressing the home button once is all you need for basic usage, you know, that sounds an awful lot like hitting the windows key....

Except that the Windows key is one key out of ~100, while the home button is the only physical button on the front of the device, so it's not exactly hard to locate(EDIT: ...or figure out its importance).

And don't forget about the Charms bar...

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Except the physical button would be easier to explain over phone support.

You mean the big physical button on the keyboard with a windows flag on it? the one that Windows 8 will not be removing?

[tHE_uKER]

How's it unintuitive compared to other paradigms.

Gee I dunno. The tutorial that WILL pop up when you start up the final version of win8 for the first time perhaps?

Because a UI should be self-explanatory instead of relying on previous knowledge, perhaps?

[HawkMan]

Except that the Windows key is one key out of ~100, while the home button is the only physical button on the front of the device, so it's not exactly hard to locate(EDIT: ...or figure out its importance).

And don't forget about the Charms bar...

It's not exactl hard to locate or figure out the importance of the big windows flag key either. I don't think I've met one computer user, windows, Mac, or linux who doesn't know. Even the old ones who go to the senior classes to learn to use a computer for the firs time a 60+

The thing is the people who wine the most are the advanced users who have used computers for a long time are fairly advanced and are stuck i their ways and unwilling to change. Even if it is better and more effective.

The unskilled and average users. They don't have preconceptions and such about how the OS should work. The will pick it up no nderstand it faster, at a basic level anyway.

Just like when vista changed around stuff. You had the "power users" whining that network options now required an extra click. Ignoring the fact that the options now where more logical and explained better where you where, what you where doing and how to do it. For regular users and support techs, it was great. And well worth the extra click for a small group of users who only used the network settings a few times a year when something needed fixing anyway.

Because a UI should be self-explanatory instead of relying on previous knowledge, perhaps?

Butit is.

[MAkhdar]

Go Metro! I think it is a needed change that I personally welcome with open hands! :)

[PyX]

Like said in the article on the main page: I honestly have no idea whatsoever why Microsoft expects people to learn all these gestures, keyboard shortcuts and whatnot by heart. How the hell is anyone supposed to know that you can just type away to search Start unless they're being told via via? It's a usability nightmare for no apparent reason. On iOS there's a "Slide to unlock" message so people at least have a clue as to what needs to happen, why can't Microsoft do the same with Windows 8?

You forget that Apple always had in their core values that they want to make products that don?t need a manual.

The folks at Microsoft, on the other hand, they?re are madly in love with thick documentation.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

The folks at Microsoft, on the other hand, they?re are madly in love with thick documentation.

"this book, with all that's in it, is still just an overview of all the capabilities"

;)

[brink668]

This is only going to drive people away and start using Apple Macs I see it it now, I see it in the near future. By the time Microsoft launches Windows 8. Apple has already seen all of this, they are going to start integrating touchscreens on their iMacs and laptops I'm sure of it and they will be beat to the punch again.

I am would love to hear what Microsoft has to say about the videos though.

• Touch First Interface should be for Tablets and TouchScreens Computers first (makes sense)
  
• No matter what the Original Classic Desktop UI should be available to both Tablets and Computers if desired
  
• ---------- However, this question should be asked on startup unless the the Device is strictly TouchBased system
  

From what I see the only place I will be installing Windows 8 in are the Police Cars, I have a lot of different uses I can use those Touch Screens for =D. iPads will be used in the field for other applications and I will just keep the transition moving from XP to Windows 7. (Slow process if you understand how software deployment works)

There are books for 3rd party vendors to learn how to use Microsoft products. Apple has hundreds of VIDEOS to learn their products for free. Believe me....the switch is much easier than you think.

[-=Outlaw=-]

the first time I used windows 8 I was fine, I had no trouble getting around with it. in the videos it shows that its their first time using the OS. why didn't you record it when they used windows vista the first time or even windows 7. i am sure that my parents who don't even speak English and that only recently started using windows (this is their first year of using an actual computer or even touching one) would be able to use windows 8 after few days of trying it out.

Just an example, the first time i used photoshop i hated it with passion, i thought it was stupid because of all the buttons that it had and just confused me, but after about a week of using it i fell in love with it, and now find it really simple to use.

[BajiRav]

You forget that Apple always had in their core values that they want to make products that don?t need a manual.

The folks at Microsoft, on the other hand, they?re are madly in love with thick documentation.

So did Microsoft put that short tutorial when Lion boots for the first time? ;)

[Dot Matrix]

For those mentioning Apple, it's funny you should cower to them, because they're doing the same thing, albeit on a geological timescale. So, sometime during the next epoch they'll have finally converged iOS and OS X as well, while Microsoft will have combined the two over the next three Windows' releases.

[xWhiplash]

For those mentioning Apple, it's funny you should cower to them, because they're doing the same thing, albeit on a geological timescale. So, sometime during the next epoch they'll have finally converged iOS and OS X as well, while Microsoft will have combined the two over the next three Windows' releases.

I have never once heard Apple say they would remove the dock and force you to use Launchpad no matter what. Do you have a source? Then do not simply say "Apple is doing the same thing!" Yes, they are bringing in SOME iOS features and SOME UI elements with it.

Why the hell are people complaining about Apple saying they are doing the same thing. They are not. They are bringing in notification center, reminders, Messages, and Notes in their new version.

If you wake a look at Windows 8, and then take a look at Mountain Lion, guess what? Apple has kept the same way everybody uses OS X for the past 10 years intact. The dock is still visible, and if you do not like the new iOS features, they are 100% completely optional.

Apple, also, has a single UI design, even with Launchpad. Microsoft seems to be throwing two UI designs and expects users not to get confused.

So tell me, how does forcing Metro on users mean the same thing as to what apple is doing? I am not forced to use Launchpad in Mountain Lion. I think Apple understands that you just do not bring some touch elements to the desktop operating system.

And no, do not tell me "They do not force metro" because the minute you hit "Start", you are back in metro.

Why are you so against people wanting the smaller Start menu back? If they have the desktop mode in the first place, just bring back the old start menu. I do not want my entire screen filled when I accidentally press the Windows key.

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

The relevant distinction between OS X and iOS really is that AppKit ≠ UIKit. UIKit is not used on the Desktop since it was specifically designed for touch screens. Cocoa Touch apps would be awkward to use on the Desktop - just try using one in the IOS simulator. The Mac App Store only sells Cocoa applications, and not a single Cocoa Touch application. iOS and OS X are already mostly the same below the UI layer. And the UI is separate for a reason.

Maybe you (Dot Matrix) are just looking at screenshots, thinking, hey, that OS X application kinda looks like that app from iOS, so that must mean they will be merging the two OSs?! There really is no basis for your assumption.

EDIT: Or, to make it clearer, there is no need to merge OS X with iOS since they are already one and the same OS except for the very top frameworks, which have a very good reason to be different from each other. You have to remember that iOS wasn't created out of thin air but basically by taking OS X, removing some stuff and adding some other stuff

[Dot Matrix]

I have never once heard Apple say they would remove the dock and force you to use Launchpad no matter what. Do you have a source? Then do not simply say "Apple is doing the same thing!" Yes, they are bringing in SOME iOS features and SOME UI elements with it.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that that is a goal of Apple, especially after Metro matures a bit in Windows 9. After LOLkitteh is released next year, I expect to see a huge change is Mac OS XI.

Why switch between two devices, when I can use just one?

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

Why switch between two devices, when I can use just one?

Find me a single "transformer type" device that combines all of the advantages of an iPad with all of the advantages of a powerful laptop with a decent size screen. (And that's not even bringing desktop computers into the discussion).