Windows 8 designers are blind.


Recommended Posts

I just installed Windows 8 RTM, I thought that Windows 8 RP is still a work in progress and the RTM will be much better (in terms of visual), but I was completely amazed but what I've noticed in the first 30 minutes of using it, take a look at the screen shot.

I guess the white stuff just made them blind, they missed out so many things, a small screenshot couldn't contain them all, I'm wondering if they would be able to make any changes or this is the very final build which will come out, anyway ugly is too less to say, they weren't able to follow simple BASIC design rules...

Also making your Windows Borders black will make the Title text disappear completely as it is black too.

Click to see the image large.

post-348440-0-11046200-1345295606_thumb.

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1099489-windows-8-designers-are-blind/
Share on other sites

Yep, the theme is awful. However you can use the theme from the RP which is a bit less awful (although I don't think transparency has been enabled successfully yet)

It's not about the theme, it's about the whole desktop interface, they left it so messy - I think they are trying to move the users away from desktop to the metro interface, lol.

  • Like 2

Yeah, this is why the theme should have been included in the Release Preview so that real world testers could provide feedback.

If you want thinner Window Borders, save below as window_border.reg and merge (restart required)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]
"BorderWidth"="0"
"PaddedBorderWidth"="0"

Result:

post-2-0-94812700-1345296378_thumb.png

Aero transparency -> subjective. I can't comment

Taskbar -> Since I always use black wallpaper, it's not much of a problem for me.

Messy Explorer Interface -> in what way?

No wallpaper -> Don't we always just download wallpapers from the internet anyway?

1-Pixel stuff -> I can't see that on first glance so I don't think that is something that will make me hate.

All others (inconsistencies) -> Agreed.

  • Like 2

It's not about the theme, it's about the whole desktop interface, they left it so messy - I think they are trying to move the users away from desktop to the metro interface, lol.

I agree, it strikes me as being unlikely that they could make it that ugly and not realise how awful it looks.

  • Like 1

Eh some people are more focused on looks than anything else, and can agree, there are a few places where it could be improved. Personally, changing it out anyway, so for me it's squarely in the "don't give a f*" category, non-issue.

@Messy Explorer Interface -> in what way?

I use black color and a dark wallpaper, and you can't see the black text in the top border.

Very bad design, the RP with tranparent+white glow background behind/around the top border text was a lot better.

Well, as a user of dark wallpaper, that's problem for me too but wasn't it that way on transparent+glow as well? It's barely readable when it's just the wallpaper behind it. In Windows 8, I just used the black taskbar + white borders/titlebar and moved on :p

I noticed the Areo Snap missing line the first time I used it. I can't remember if it was like that in Windows 7.

The Up/Down control looked like that in Windows 7, and it always drove me nuts. Same for the inconsistent spacing for links in the Control Panel.

I noticed the Areo Snap missing line the first time I used it. I can't remember if it was like that in Windows 7.

The Up/Down control looked like that in Windows 7, and it always drove me nuts. Same for the inconsistent spacing for links in the Control Panel.

It wasn't like that in Windows 7, neither Windows 8 RP, they messed up in the RTM as it removed the 'glossy reflection' from the Aero Glass effect and other stuff.

  • Like 1

Yeah, this is why the theme should have been included in the Release Preview so that real world testers could provide feedback.

If you want thinner Window Borders, save below as window_border.reg and merge (restart required)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]
"BorderWidth"="0"
"PaddedBorderWidth"="0"

Result:

post-2-0-94812700-1345296378_thumb.png

For even thinner, Windows 7-like settings:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]
"BorderWidth"="-15"
"CaptionFont"=hex:f4,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,\
  00,00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"CaptionHeight"="-270"
"CaptionWidth"="-270"
"IconFont"=hex:f4,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,00,\
  00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"IconTitleWrap"="1"
"MenuFont"=hex:f4,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,00,\
  00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"MenuHeight"="-285"
"MenuWidth"="-285"
"MessageFont"=hex:f4,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,\
  00,00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"ScrollHeight"="-255"
"ScrollWidth"="-255"
"SmCaptionFont"=hex:f3,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,\
  00,00,00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"SmCaptionHeight"="-285"
"SmCaptionWidth"="-285"
"StatusFont"=hex:f4,ff,ff,ff,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,90,01,00,00,\
  00,00,00,01,00,00,05,00,53,00,65,00,67,00,6f,00,65,00,20,00,55,00,49,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
  00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"Shell Icon Size"="32"
"AppliedDPI"=dword:00000060
"PaddedBorderWidth"="-15"
"IconSpacing"="-1125"
"IconVerticalSpacing"="-1125"
"MinAnimate"="1"

Result:

Computer.png

Well, as a user of dark wallpaper, that's problem for me too but wasn't it that way on transparent+glow as well? It's barely readable when it's just the wallpaper behind it. In Windows 8, I just used the black taskbar + white borders/titlebar and moved on :p

Well. see the picture, you can read the black text because of the white glow behind/around the black text in msn window.

post-187318-0-65572400-1345298549_thumb.

Complaining about thing's that aren't aligned to the search box might mean something if they were meant to be, but they weren't :p The search box spacing from the edge matches the other spacings between the boxes in that row - it's not meant to line up with the scrollbar, and I don't see why should it. It's how it's meant to be frankly.

I agree, the 1 pixel stuff really irks me. It's not that I notice it during daily usage but it makes everything look a bit rushed. :/

EDIT: Which reminded me of the stuttering busy cursor in Windows 7.

I remember back in the days when Windows 7 build 7000 had the "Send feedback" link right on the title border of the windows, I'm wondering what was so hard to include it in developer & release preview so that they can fix their ****ty effects.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Dude, it's a .reg away from a permanent modification. If you're a power user, look it up and keep the .reg and stop being a crybaby expecting MS to include customization for everything on a generalist OS. The default is what's the best UX for the majority of the userbase, non techie people.
    • Logitech MX Creative Console is down to the lowest price by Taras Buria Having a Stream Deck-like device next to your keyboard could be a massive productivity boost. It lets you map specific actions and shortcuts to speed things up, and Logitech has such a device for you with a big 20% discount. Right now, you can save $40 on the Logitech MX Creative Console. The MX Creative Console is an unconventional accessory that consists of two modules. One module has nine customizable buttons, with each having a built-in display for mapping. You can assign apps, shortcuts, actions, or something else. There are nine buttons, plus two more for switching between "pages" of actions. The second module has no displays. Instead, there is a big twisting knob and a small roller for precise adjustments in creative apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity, and more. There are four additional buttons as well. The MX Creative Console is available in two colors: Graphite and Pale Gray. Both are now 20% off, saving you $40. Just keep in mind that the MX Creative Console requires the Logitech Options+ app, which is only available on Windows and macOS. By the way, each unit comes with three months of Adobe Creative Cloud. Logitech MX Creative Console Graphite - $159.99 | 20% off on Amazon Logitech MX Creative Console Pale Gray - $159.99 | 20% off on Amazon This Amazon deal is US-specific and not available in other regions unless specified. This is a first-party seller link (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you also purchase from a first-party seller link only. If you don't like it or want to look at more options, check out the previous deals that we have covered, OR you can also visit Amazon US deals page. Get Prime (SNAP), Prime Video, Audible Plus or Kindle / Music Unlimited. Free for 30 days. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Because someone else reported theirs was unusable, genius. But being a Linux user you should be used to that. Next time you think you have a "gotcha", check first.
    • Studio MDHR reveals Cuphead sequel and an 8-bit platformer spin-off by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Studio MDHR has been rather silent about its next major gaming project since the release of Cuphead back in 2017. However, that ended today during the Summer Game Fest presentation, with the studio revealing not one but two project announcements. First, the studio confirmed that it is currently in the middle of developing a brand-new Cuphead game, bringing back the iconic characters for another adventure. Just like the last game, this is slated to be a fully hand-animated endeavor. This also means there isn't a release date attached to it yet. “Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do here at Studio MDHR,” says co-founder Chad Moldenhauer. “When it came time to peel back the curtain and share a little bit about what we’ve been up to, we couldn’t imagine a more fun way to do so than with today’s Special Bulletin. The studio is working on this new Cuphead with help from Toronto’s Stop Motion Department and Continue Agency. At the same time, Studio MDHR also revealed that another part of the team has been working on a different Cuphead installment. Dubbed the Mighty Cuphead Adventure, this is taking a different art direction to the original. "In true Studio MDHR fashion, this game goes beyond just taking inspiration from the classics of the 1980s… it is actually built with technology of the era," the studio explained. "That's right: Mighty Cuphead Adventure is programmed in assembly language and designed with the exacting specifications of the Sega Master System home gaming console in mind." Aside from releasing on PC and modern consoles, Mighty Cuphead Adventure will even be playable on the 1985-released Sega Master System. A release date has not been announced just yet.
    • Any decent ITSM will A) have a web form that allows a user to raise a ticket, if you're writing an email you can write a ticket. B) Monitor a mailbox and auto-generate tickets based on inbound mails for those users that really can't get their heads around the concept that if you have an issue you go to support.mycompany.com and fill in the box. From your description you're having users email the desk, and then having a human read each one and manually raise a ticket on behalf of the user.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Mentor
      grik went up a rank
      Mentor
    • Dedicated
      JKR earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • One Year In
      CHUNWEI earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Conversation Starter
      FBSPL earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Week One Done
      I2D earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      480
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      272
    3. 3
      Skyfrog
      78
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      68
    5. 5
      +Edouard
      61
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!