Why didn't Microsoft do this instead?

[Seketh]

So, I'm one of those weird guys that actually like Windows 8. I love Metro, how fast it is, the new functionality...

But still, why not do this instead (MS Paint baby!):

It would fix lots of the critiscim Windows 8 gets, and I honestly can't think of any disadvantages. So, why not?

[nyolc8]

open a window > a wild problem appear! (window overlaps the metro ui)

[ArialBlue]

That would be less pleasant than being impregnated by a face hugger.

[Crisp]

Would look better at the bottom... :rofl: :shiftyninja:

[McKay]

Because wheres my wallpaper? I use my startscreen as an app launcher so my desktop can live free of icons.

[simplezz]

But still, why not do this instead (MS Paint baby!):

It would fix lots of the critiscim Windows 8 gets, and I honestly can't think of any disadvantages. So, why not?

Simple. Microsoft can't get anybody to use their Phone or Tablet software on their own merits so they're exploiting their existing desktop monopoly to do it. Microsoft's hoping by forcing everyone to use the same Metro/Tiles/Start Screen interface, they can create a demand and expand the same monopoly to mobile devices.

Will it work? Who knows. It's possible I suppose. But if you compare Windows Mobile to the desktop, it had a lot of similarities, yet it couldn't dominate the market like the desktop version does. This leads me to believe this time around won't be any different.

[f0rk_b0mb]

Would look better at the bottom... :rofl: :shiftyninja:

So really like this?

[foan]

No like this.

[f0rk_b0mb]

No like this.

It should be illegal to tease like that! :laugh:

[jakem1]

Simple. Microsoft can't get anybody to use their Phone or Tablet software on their own merits so they're exploiting their existing desktop monopoly to do it. Microsoft's hoping by forcing everyone to use the same Metro/Tiles/Start Screen interface, they can create a demand and expand the same monopoly to mobile devices.

:sleep:

I think your tinfoil hat might be cutting off your circulation.

[HawkMan]

I'm thinking, because they're not morons and want something that works.

[Max Norris]

So really like this?

It's an interesting idea.

Personally, I wouldn't have minded a mix of the old and the new, at least on the desktop, touch devices are fine as is. Know on the Windows 7 start menu where you have your pinned applications on the left side? Replace that area with smaller tiles that can scroll in that given area, kinda sorta like WP7. Keep them live and dynamic as that's actually a pretty spiffy feature to have, have the jumplists still available on the right. But you've still got the known method of accessing the menu, still got the various sub-menus as before, etc.. hit "All programs" and the tiles get replaced by the traditional collapsible tree. Best of both. I'd doodle up something to make it clearer but my drawing skills are non-existent.

Foan -- purty; Rainmeter?

[George P Global Moderator]

Putting tiles on the desktop doesn't help much because your windows will be over them anyways, blocking them and the info they can give. I'm all for having an option to snap the start screen though. I think it'd be better that way instead of trying to merge it into the desktop area like the above pictures. Honestly if I could have it snapped to the left of the desktop and then scroll it or have it somehow shrink the tiles a bit so that I can see most of them that way that it could be pretty interesting. It would almost be like having the WP start screen snapped to the left for example.

[Dot Matrix]

This has been asked over, and over, and over again. This design opens up severe usability issues with the desktop - accidental clicking, open windows hiding information, etc.

[Noir Angel]

Having the superbar at the top of the start screen like that would be largely redundant given that the start screen already functions as an application launcher. It's a compromise that wouldn't really help anyone in my opinion.

[theyarecomingforyou]

So really like this?

Exactly. The whole point of the taskbar is to allow you to quickly change between open applications and it was unnecessary for Microsoft to remove it, especially on desktops which have dramatically more screen space and typically have higher resolutions. I can understand the advantage of running in fullscreen on a tablet - especially when there are touch gestures to very quickly move between open applications - but it is incredibly inconvenient when using a desktop with mouse and keyboard. The task switcher in Windows 8 simply isn't fit for purpose, as it is hidden from view and doesn't individually identify programs running on the desktop (they're simply grouped under 'Desktop').

Microsoft was too busy trying to obsolesce the desktop environment that it failed to address the significant usability issues with mouse and keyboard. Just look at the change to the All Apps button on the desktop, which was changed in the RP. It used to be on the left - which was logical, even if it was hidden behind a mouse click - but Microsoft decided to move it to the right. That means you have to click the bottom left corner to bring up start, right-click, then move the mouse to the very right of the screen, click the button, then scroll all the way back to the left to launch an app. Such a change shows complete contempt for mouse users. Same with the new hot-corners - try dragging a desktop app to a corner and rather than snapping to the side it will maximise; do the same with a Metro app and it will snap. And try maximising a side-snapped Metro app by dragging it to the top... yup, it doesn't work; instead you have to drag the divider bar. The gestures are completely schizophrenic and show absolutely no consistency. The RP was actually a backwards step in terms of usability in many respects. It's clear that Microsoft is rushing through changes without properly testing them.

[Ambroos]

Having the superbar at the top of the start screen like that would be largely redundant given that the start screen already functions as an application launcher. It's a compromise that wouldn't really help anyone in my opinion.

Sigh. It's not about the 'launcher' aspect of the taskbar, it's about the task switching aspect. For me, having an overview of what Windows are opened at all times is essential to using my computer.

I'd be fine with Windows 8 if it'd just have an option to disable launching of any Metro environment apps. Aka opening anything from the start screen kicking you back to the desktop with regular Windows. That'd be a good compromise, and I sincerely hope I can disable all Metro applications by uninstalling them or blocking them with Group Policies.

[foan]

Attention : Severe eye-candy below.

[Dot Matrix]

Attention : Severe eye-candy below.

Ok, great, but how does this work on tablets?

(Hint: It doesn't)

[foan]

Ok, great, but how does this work on tablets?

(Hint: It doesn't)

Who cares about tablets?

[Dot Matrix]

Who cares about tablets?

Um. The entire freakin market..... Microsoft's share holders... etc.

[Ambroos]

I still don't get how Microsoft can't see that the vast, vast majority of users will still be running Windows 8 on a desktop with mouse and keyboard or laptop with touchpad and keyboard. It'll be a horrible, horrible experience.

[Noir Angel]

Sigh. It's not about the 'launcher' aspect of the taskbar, it's about the task switching aspect. For me, having an overview of what Windows are opened at all times is essential to using my computer.

I'd be fine with Windows 8 if it'd just have an option to disable launching of any Metro environment apps. Aka opening anything from the start screen kicking you back to the desktop with regular Windows. That'd be a good compromise, and I sincerely hope I can disable all Metro applications by uninstalling them or blocking them with Group Policies.

I hope someone somewhere will find a way to hack it out but I'm starting to wonder.

[Dot Matrix]

I still don't get how Microsoft can't see that the vast, vast majority of users will still be running Windows 8 on a desktop with mouse and keyboard or laptop with touchpad and keyboard. It'll be a horrible, horrible experience.

And, Windows 8 works just well with these devices. I've been using the previews on nothing but.

[HawkMan]

I still don't get how Microsoft can't see that the vast, vast majority of users will still be running Windows 8 on a desktop with mouse and keyboard or laptop with touchpad and keyboard. It'll be a horrible, horrible experience.

umm, why is it a horrible experience ?

the start screen works great with a mouse and keyboard. I have instant access to 100+ pinned favorites, that's far faster access to far more apps than any method the start menu ever offered, and I still have my most used apps on the superbar that can fit 30 or so on my 1080 screen.

I'm not seeing why I'm having a horrible experience, could you explain to my why I'm supposed to have a horrible experience ?