Concept for Window 8 Metro File Explorer

[Aethec]

So...handling files the Metro way is bad because you have no control, and handling files the "traditional" way is bad because it's not Metro. :rofl:

[Dashel]

I'm not sure how I can state it any clearer. Desktop Explorer is a superior solution, Metro has little to no solution. A user created file browser has no chance next to Explorer, yet they can't develop one for Metro that needs it. You didn't really address my core point though (RE file oriented vs app).

[Aethec]

I'm not sure how I can state it any clearer. Desktop Explorer is a superior solution, Metro has little to no solution. A user created file browser has no chance next to Explorer, yet they can't develop one for Metro that needs it. You didn't really address my core point though (RE file oriented vs app).

Look at it from normal users' point of view, not from a developper's. People care about their documents - photos, videos, letters, spreadsheets, whatever.

Most people don't care about the fact these documents are in C:\Users\XXX\Documents - they just want them to be on their computer. Same with contacts - who care they're files? They're contacts and they represent people. The "Modern" interface abstracts the notion of a physical file which is on your hard drive - they're just files stored somewhere. Conveniently, the ones you put in your SkyDrive are accessible everywhere.

You think the desktop explorer is a superior solution because you care about where your files are, and you sometimes want to see files that are not "yours". So do I. But that doesn't make it a superior solution, just a solution adapted for power users.

Yes, that will change people's habits. But that's the point of Windows 8.

[Dashel]

That still doesn't really address my points, you already stated as much. 1) 'Good' users have been taught to use file associations (so they do have a conception of 'where' their data is and not rely on the App to 'manage' their data (I dunno, my documents are in Word is a rally cry for data loss everywhere). 2) 'Cloud' storage presents a unique new problem because, due to MS ridiculous TOS, you have to then mentally 'sort' your data based on content - which is counter to what they want to achieve of not thinking about locations.

[Aethec]

1) Yes, and now they'll have to change that. Windows 8's "Modern" UI was made with change in mind.

2) What ToS are you talking about?

[etacarinae]

Thanks for comments. It is my first try of GUI for an OS.

For testing I did another screen with File Explorer Libraries:

Probably it is still too heavy weighted with the purple :-)

I really like what you've done. You're definitely an accomplished UI designer.

Some gripes:

• The favourites icon at the top left of the explorer navigation pane is a little too large and shifted a few too many pixels to the right.
  
• The network icon on the left hand navigation pane is not as distinct as Microsoft's own pitchfork overlaid on a monitor. I'd suggest mimicking their icon but with your monochromatic theme.
  

Overall it's really nice, but I'm not a fan of monochromatic themes. I like textures and gradients (yes, I prefer aero and do not discern it as cheesy as the Windows team have decidedly panned it). Plus from a UI aesthetic the texture and gradients allow for a better distinction between UI elements as is evident in the 'metro' ribbon vs the 'aero' ribbon.

[honolulu110]

Thanks for replies and interesting arguments pro and contra metro concepts.

Last week I was in holidays without computer, sorry for my late reply.

The next days I'll post some new screens with further updates.

[honolulu110]

Current concept Office route. I decided to remove as many lines as possible.

Next step is to try out how other content displays work.

[LAMj]

^kudos, keep 'em coming. Maybe Microsoft will take notice!

[George P Global Moderator]

Honestly, it's the old icons in explorer that mess things up. The ribbon itself isn't so much of a problem, you can minimize it and it should be minimized by default iirc. If they ever get around to changing the whole icon set and tweaking the ribbon a bit more then it'll be good IMO. I expect we're in store for the Office 2013 UI in the end though, but they'll release it in Office first then move it over to Windows. I think the same can be said for the overall window borders etc, switching to the Office 2013 style ones probably.

Out of all the concepts the Office Style one is the one I like the best. The Zune one is interesting but I just don't see that level of change coming. Designers love to go crazy with mockups and then the coders and focus group testers get their hands on it and it never turns out how it was originally drawn up. This is the same for most things really.

[honolulu110]

@GP007

this is exacly what I think.

They should drop all shadows of elements inside a window.

Current concept ? office route ? image gallery

[honolulu110]

I know, it is off-topic, but I wanted to show my first concept of office analog the office route of windows 8 file explorer:

I made the ribbon gray and separated by white 1px lines.

Some lines around the ribbons and the window I kicked off and I added the Windows 8 scrollbar.

Office is much better designed than file explorer so I had not very much to change.

The category names of the ribbons should probably be uppercase. We'll see.

[FMH]

I know, it is off-topic, but I wanted to show my first concept of office analog the office route of windows 8 file explorer:

I made the ribbon gray and separated by white 1px lines.

Some lines around the ribbons and the window I kicked off and I added the Windows 8 scrollbar.

Office is much better designed than file explorer so I had not very much to change.

The category names of the ribbons should probably be uppercase. We'll see.

That's really nice. I really have nothing bad to say about the Office concept.

However, the taskbar seems out of the place, and a bit inconsistent with the rest of the interface.

[Seahorsepip Veteran]

I can make that win8 mockup of yours reality when panda-x has released his visualstylebuilder tool ^^

[honolulu110]

This sounds great! I can deliver icons in Png format. I will work on the office route. Next step is to get more office icons.

Yes, the taskbar has to be opimized. The question is what and how :-)

[Seahorsepip Veteran]

This sounds great! I can deliver icons in Png format. I will work on the office route. Next step is to get more office icons.

Yes, the taskbar has to be opimized. The question is what and how :-)

The easiest part should be the taskbar and explorer UI to modify, modifying office is kinda hard I can't be sure if thats possible.