Windows 8 SP1: What We Hope To See

[Shane Nokes]

I agree completely with the article, my biggest problem with windows 8 is that it's a solid evidence for how "modern UI" and computing is going in the direction of dumbing down everything for the sake of making it simple. A good UI, IMO, is the one that achieves the balance between having too much options (like most of linux DEs) and providing too basic options and restricting customization. (like Metro/Modern UI).

Compared to mobile interfaces Windows 8 has pretty good amount of options (on the "Modern UI" side) but on a desktop it's absolutely pathetic; you can't use custom titles backgrounds without hacks for example. Imagine having to use an external application and various hacks to edit a shortcut icon. That's how limiting windows 8 interface is, and if this is the future, then the future of computing is quite bleak.

Wait what?

You can do everything on 8 that you can do in 7, and even more.

Have you even used 8?

[scratch42069]

All I want is some more apps and bug fixes.

[Mamoun]

Wait what?

You can do everything on 8 that you can do in 7, and even more.

Have you even used 8?

Yes, I have used it. I meant Modern UI of windows 8. Which, obviously, is going to be the UI that Microsoft continues developing in the future much more than the legacy desktop. Windows 8 Modern UI indicates the direction microsoft is taking for UI, the fact that desktop is still there doesn't change anything about it.

[MorganX]

I like Windows 8, Modern Apps, and Surface. But I won't insult the intelligence of experienced users who have long, well organized, efficient Start menus in Windows 7.

For that type of usage, Windows 8 is clumsy and inefficient. It's no secret Metro does not handle long lists well at all and there are no nested folders whatsoever. I myself, don't pin much to the start menu because after 1 screen, it becomes clumsy and cumbersome to use.

I believe the reason MS de-unified the search is to try to hide the major flaw in the Metro UI. Cannot handle long lists, period.

Compromises had to be made. I think it is an acceptable compromise but won't pretend the issue doesn't exist.

[Shane Nokes]

Yes, I have used it. I meant Modern UI of windows 8. Which, obviously, is going to be the UI that Microsoft continues developing in the future much more than the legacy desktop. Windows 8 Modern UI indicates the direction microsoft is taking for UI, the fact that desktop is still there doesn't change anything about it.

That entire statement makes no sense.

You basically are saying, 'Ignore everything that I want you to ignore and then my point makes sense.'

I'm sorry but things don't work that way. Metro is there for the purpose of giving you fast access to the personal side of things. The desktop is there to give you access to legacy and power user scenarios.

If I weren't so tired I would pop out an apt analogy for why this is ridiculous.

[Phouchg]

the future of computing is quite bleak.

It isn't. Computing will continue in new ways, more profitable than ever, too. And that's all there is to computing (or anything, for that matter) - profit. Mobile systems have opened eyes and opened wallets. As for people - now it is what it was meant to be all along - simple and so that it just works (or dumbed-down, if you prefer - I do). It is why OS X has kept itself at least a little bit relevant and why desktop Linux has failed so many times - it's not simple and it doesn't just work. It's trying to now, but the train has left the station now that Windows has finally become simple, too.

Bleak for a certain kind, including me and, it looks like, you, indeed. We will be an irrelevant minority. But the computing will live on.

[Arceles]

This post reflect the opinions of many, I'm very sure... problem is that MS is even intending to go away with the so called Service Packs, entering to an era of apple-esque os selling: pay little for our os but with more os releases.

[Mamoun]

That entire statement makes no sense.

You basically are saying, 'Ignore everything that I want you to ignore and then my point makes sense.'

I'm sorry but things don't work that way. Metro is there for the purpose of giving you fast access to the personal side of things. The desktop is there to give you access to legacy and power user scenarios.

If I weren't so tired I would pop out an apt analogy for why this is ridiculous.

Metro is not created to complement desktop, desktop is there for backward compatibility, nothing more, nothing less. If it did complement it we wouldn't have that much duplicate and overlapping features (two IEs, two different ways to switch opened applications, desktop applications being in taskbar and metro apps being in the "hot corner" gesture) and seriously, how faster would accessing a website would be for me If I used metro IE than the normal desktop IE? Nothing. I thought it was obvious that windows 8 is the transition between old and new. A way to make users familiar with the Modern UI so it becomes the default UI completely one day with no awkward transition to desktop on doing some tasks, that what always happens with windows development.

[MorganX]

This post reflect the opinions of many, I'm very sure... problem is that MS is even intending to go away with the so called Service Packs, entering to an era of apple-esque os selling: pay little for our os but with more os releases.

I believe MS has indicated constant incremental updates would replace Service Packs, not new OS releases. With persistent Internet connections, this is quite viable and preferable IMO. Why wait for a SP?

[Anthony Tosie Veteran]

So basically you just want Windows 7, then. Why not just continue to use Windows 7 in that case?

[notchinese]

User Interface

Let?s face it. The Windows 8 user interface is a complete disaster. I realize that some of you ? my tech-savvy colleagues, included ? are perfectly willing to write off Microsoft? inclusion of Metro/the ?Modern UI?/the ?new Windows user interface?/whatever the heck Microsoft?s calling it nowadays. I respect that opinion as a tech-savvy individual myself. But even though Metro is just a big, out of control search tool that you can theoretically ignore if you just want that classic Windows 7 look and feel, it?s just not good enough.

It?s not good enough because average people ? and don?t take my word for it, consider the surveys ? are being overly confused by Microsoft?s decision to slap a tablet (or smartphone) OS onto Windows 8 for desktops and laptops. So much so, that they

on their desktops.

The solution? Microsoft needs to refine the user interface, period. And this can take a number of forms. The most obvious solution is treating Metro the way it was meant to be designed: as a supplement to the ?core? Windows 7 operating system rather than a botched attempt at a primary UI. Let users boot into the desktop if they want. Give them their Start button back. Give them the option of restricting Metro?s interface to Metro apps only, which also solves the irritating issue of installed apps filling Windows 8?s new user interface full of crappy tiles.

I don?t really have any good suggestions for dealing with the ?bars? found in Windows 8, nor do I think Microsoft would be all that willing to abandon its Charms. It?s unfortunate that Windows 8 comes with two disparate settings menus ? at the very least, a link from PC Settings to the Control Panel, and vice versa, would be a pleasant touch. As for Share, well, that?s still fussy depending on the kind of content you?re actually trying to show off to others. Caveat emptor.

A complete disaster? According to who? I honestly cannot understand this point of view. Not liking the look of something is one thing (that is pure opinion) but claiming the usability is worse is just stupid - IT ISN'T. Also...yet again some idiot (the article writer, not you) posts that ridiculous video of the old man using Windows 8. But of course they COMPLETELY IGNORE the fact that the video is edited to make a point. What the entire video ACTUALLY shows is that after a short time using Windows 8 that guy's dad learns how to use it quite easily. As for the settings - they do need improvement. All settings should be duplicated across both Metro and desktop environments (well...no reason really for desktop only settings need to be exposed through the Metro settings but most things should live in both places).

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This (App) Wall

Why Metro doesn?t talk to Windows 8?s Desktop Mode, and why Windows 8?s Desktop Mode doesn?t talk to Metro, we?ll never know. Or, rather, we?ll never know the reason why Microsoft didn?t do everything in its power to break down the wall between the two halves of Windows 8 ? for apps, that is.

Windows 8 currently makes you run two browsers (one for the normal desktop and the other for Metro).

Here?s the confusing bit. If you go to load Internet Explorer, the Metro app, it doesn?t match up with the desktop-based version of Internet Explorer in the slightest. The same holds true for Google?s Chrome, or just about any other app that happens to have both Metro and Desktop versions on Windows 8. What you end up getting are two completely different experiences within ? arguably ? identical applications: Your tabs in one don?t match your tabs in the other, among other synchronization problems.

Whether this is a Windows issue or a development issue, Microsoft needs to make it easier for apps found on the two parts of its operating system to get along. And while we?re at it, let?s get a fix for the ?Can?t load Metro-based browser unless it?s set to be your default browser? issue. I?m not a huge Internet Explorer fan, but there?s absolutely no way I?m going to even be able to use Internet Explorer in Metro the minute I set another browser as my default. In some cases, maybe I?d like to ? or need to ? use IE. Why send me off to the desktop if you don?t need to, Microsoft?

Desktop doesn't "Talk" to the Metro environment because Metro apps live in a sandbox. They can only communicate through the Windows 8 contracts. This is for security reasons and like it or not will never change. HOWEVER. What he is explaining about Google Chrome has NOTHING to do with desktop apps not talking to Metro apps. It sounds like what he is expecting is the metro and desktop instance to be the same process? Once again, this cannot and will never happen. Perhaps though he is only arguing that it should sync tabs between both instances. Maybe it should, but I would ask what the hell he is doing running the desktop and Metro browsers at the same time? If you are on a desktop/laptop use the desktop version, if you are on a tablet use the Metro version.

Improved Metro Apps

I realize that Microsoft has the capacity to upgrade Windows Store apps as it sees fit, so there?s really no compelling reason to wait until the release of Windows 8 SP1 to do so. Even though we did point out the best Windows 8 apps out there, it sure does feel as if users are beta testing the most basic functionally Microsoft can see fit to release right about now.

Let's get more and better apps on there!

Let?s run through the quick laundry list. Mail app? A joke. Calendar? Doesn?t even integrate with the Mail app ? a peanut butter and jelly combination here one tastes a little bit awkward on its own but, together, make for a compelling meal. People? A complete nightmare of a contact list for anyone realistically looking to make edits on a semi-mass scale to the imported personas. Store? Make this app a live tile! Have it tell users when they need to jump in and upgrade their apps! SkyDrive? Kind of a pain in the butt to operate, at least compared to the ease that is the conventional Windows File Explorer. Messaging? Where are all the other supported services, let alone any of the other features one could find in a simple messaging app like, say, Trillian?

The list goes on. Microsoft needs to kick some spice into its Metro apps which, right now, make Web apps even look preferable to what Windows 8 has to offer. Take the apps off newbie mode, Microsoft: Give us some advanced functionality in SP1.

The apps will come. This has nothing to do with a service pack request. As time goes on there will be more and better apps, that is all there is to say about that. I do have an issue with hiss complaints about the stock mail, etc. apps. They are just like any other mobile app. WTF is he expecting? If he wants fully functional programs use the desktop version. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

As for the Store - it is a live tile that does tell you when updates are available. It could be updated to tell you which apps specifically have updates ready but my god that is really nitpicking for complaints at this point.

Increased Customization

Metro, by default, restricts your ability to add, change, or modify just about anything within the UI ? save the pretty background picture and the colors (see our Windows 8 tips guide). Why not open that up? Microsoft could be doing users a great service by giving them additional options to configure Metro?s column-and-row UI as they see fit.

This could include, but isn?t limited to: Changing the raw shape of Metro?s tiles themselves (maybe you?re a circle kind of a person); building in an easy means for developers to create live tiles or beautiful icons to use as their tiles and reducing the disparity between Windows Store Apps? prettier tiles and the uglier tiles of Desktop apps you install outside of the Store; giving users the ability to define the size and shape of columns as they see fit; giving users scrollable columns (Stardock's Fences, anyone?).

And, the biggie: Giving users some kind of method for selecting which of an installed app?s shortcuts they actually want Windows to make into tiles instead of defaulting to ?everything.? Even better, it would be great to have some kind of automated means for dumping certain tiles into previously established Metro columns instead of just some huge, default chunk. Perhaps Windows there could be some way to flag a program as a ?game? as a part of its installation routine, which would then allow Windows 8 to dump the program?s official tile into a ?Games? column that a user has already set up ? something like that.

There?s really no reason why Windows 8 users should have to turn to registry hacks or the freeware world just to be able to increase their control over their Metro experience. Let users experience Metro how they prefer to do so, not how Microsoft prefers them to do so.

They aren't going to let you make the tiles circle, this is perhaps the most absurd this I read in this article. I agree customization is always better - I have disabled the transparent charms bar hint that pops up when you hover your mouse in one corner. His complaints about the icons that get created on the start screen are a valid one - Visual Studio is among the worst offenders (even then it took about 10 seconds to remove them). However, while his wish to let the user choose which group an item's tile is placed is a good idea, it could only be done if: 1. Microsoft provided a mechanism for doing so. and 2. App developers updated their install routines to utilize it. No old application (we are talking every application currently in existence) could perform it, and Microsoft couldn't do it automatically because application and installer development on Windows is the furthest thing from standardized.

[buksnatata]

this is so stupid, that it does not deserve a comment.

[Shane Nokes]

Metro is not created to complement desktop, desktop is there for backward compatibility, nothing more, nothing less. If it did complement it we wouldn't have that much duplicate and overlapping features (two IEs, two different ways to switch opened applications, desktop applications being in taskbar and metro apps being in the "hot corner" gesture) and seriously, how faster would accessing a website would be for me If I used metro IE than the normal desktop IE? Nothing. I thought it was obvious that windows 8 is the transition between old and new. A way to make users familiar with the Modern UI so it becomes the default UI completely one day with no awkward transition to desktop on doing some tasks, that what always happens with windows development.

I didn't say Metro was there to complement desktop. I said that both exist. I said that there's nothing that in 7 that you can't do on 8.

Both exist, and both work and accomplish the purpose that they were created to accomplish. Desktop is there for the power users and legacy (see I said legacy which refers to backwards compatibility) and Metro is there for the personal side of things.

The Metro Start Screen is an app launcher, notification center, and basic command center on steroids. It's there to let you start anything you want to start, see all of the notifications for things that are important to you, and allow you to take care of the basic maintenance tasks for the PC.

The desktop is there to provide users with back-compat for existing apps, power user tools, and a familiar interface for those who are going to take a while to get acclimated to the newer Start Screen experience.

So yes in a way they do complement each other...but I never claimed that the Start Screen was created to compliment the desktop.

[f0rk_b0mb]

How about mini tiles like WP8?

[MorganX]

How about mini tiles like WP8?

You can already make them smaller, but I suppose even smaller ones would be nice. There is a fair amount of wasted space. I would prefer nested tiles which would be a major upgrade.

[Mamoun]

I didn't say Metro was there to complement desktop. I said that both exist. I said that there's nothing that in 7 that you can't do on 8.

Both exist, and both work and accomplish the purpose that they were created to accomplish. Desktop is there for the power users and legacy (see I said legacy which refers to backwards compatibility) and Metro is there for the personal side of things.

The Metro Start Screen is an app launcher, notification center, and basic command center on steroids. It's there to let you start anything you want to start, see all of the notifications for things that are important to you, and allow you to take care of the basic maintenance tasks for the PC.

The desktop is there to provide users with back-compat for existing apps, power user tools, and a familiar interface for those who are going to take a while to get acclimated to the newer Start Screen experience.

So yes in a way they do complement each other...but I never claimed that the Start Screen was created to compliment the desktop.

The question is: Do you think Microsoft will continue developing "desktop" as it was during the releases before windows 8? don't you think it will be considered legacy one day and to be replaced by non other than a Metro-ified UI? Not now, not soon, but in the future?

[argonite]

Metro is not created to complement desktop, desktop is there for backward compatibility, nothing more, nothing less. If it did complement it we wouldn't have that much duplicate and overlapping features (two IEs, two different ways to switch opened applications, desktop applications being in taskbar and metro apps being in the "hot corner" gesture) and seriously, how faster would accessing a website would be for me If I used metro IE than the normal desktop IE? Nothing. I thought it was obvious that windows 8 is the transition between old and new. A way to make users familiar with the Modern UI so it becomes the default UI completely one day with no awkward transition to desktop on doing some tasks, that what always happens with windows development.

As much as it 'looks like' Microsoft will go in that direction, as much as you think it's 'obvious'. No, it isn't. There's still plenty of people of people (businesses) that rely on backwards compatibility. And on the day that nobody needs backwards compatibility anymore... how relevant will your complaint be that the desktop doesn't exist?

[Shane Nokes]

The question is: Do you think Microsoft will continue developing "desktop" as it was during the releases before windows 8? don't you think it will be considered legacy one day and to be replaced by non other than a Metro-ified UI? Not now, not soon, but in the future?

I think Microsoft will continue developing the OS in whatever direction makes the most sense from a business and usability perspective.

I think they will continue developing the desktop side of things for the foreseeable future, but not from the releases before 8, but from what they've done in 8.

The desktop in 8 isn't the same as the desktop in 7. They are a good number of changes there. Statements are why I question if you've used 8 since it seems you don't know that the desktop itself has been changed from the 7 version in several ways. You don't take the time to really rework an interface that you're planning on killing in the near future. ;)

[argonite]

The question is: Do you think Microsoft will continue developing "desktop" as it was during the releases before windows 8? don't you think it will be considered legacy one day and to be replaced by non other than a Metro-ified UI? Not now, not soon, but in the future?

In the future, we probably won't have the desktop anymore because we won't need it.

We need the desktop now because there are still programs we want to run on it. That's why we're complaining. But complaining about the future using our current computing standards as a guideline is a broken argument. Nobody knows the future.

[Mamoun]

In the future, we probably won't have the desktop anymore because we won't need it.

We need the desktop now because there are still programs we want to run on it. That's why we're complaining. But complaining about the future using our current computing standards as a guideline is a broken argument. Nobody knows the future.

This is definitely true, but what I'm complaining about is the whole unified UI direction Microsoft is taking with windows, If I want to have a modern (as in recent, bleeding-edge) and functional UI for your desktop computer that makes use of the large screen and designed for the precise method of input of using a mouse there won't be any if Microsoft continued going this direction.

Legacy applications will be adapted to the same direction MS is taking when they are moved into the new platform. And desktop users will have to adjust to a UI that's not designed for their machines specific strengths. It's a like a console port of a game, would it work on your pc? yes. You wouldn't "need" mouse-friendly menus or controls, but you are going to have to adapt to something that is not efficient at all.

I think Microsoft will continue developing the OS in whatever direction makes the most sense from a business and usability perspective.

I think they will continue developing the desktop side of things for the foreseeable future, but not from the releases before 8, but from what they've done in 8.

The desktop in 8 isn't the same as the desktop in 7. They are a good number of changes there. Statements are why I question if you've used 8 since it seems you don't know that the desktop itself has been changed from the 7 version in several ways. You don't take the time to really rework an interface that you're planning on killing in the near future. ;)

I know there are plenty of new features added to desktop in 8, but I believe they are simply there because they have to provide something for the users so they wouldn't think that 8 is modern UI just thrown together with windows 7. Gradually, by time, I expect this attention to lower. I don't have a crystal ball. But it just makes sense to me (apparently only me :p)

[Phouchg]

Nobody knows the future.

Some do. Some make that future at this very moment. Different for each of us, but they do.

As for Microsoft planning to develop things in one way or the other - I say with complete confidence that Windows 8 (except the number) was not on any of their roadmaps as little as 3 years ago. It proved to be the right decision now, given the circumstances, but we'd never know that it was if Microsoft hadn't made it - instead we'd be fighting another Superbar vs Quick Launch war, or whatever new thing they'd think up.

Tech people are susceptible to suggestion from the overlords as much as everyone else. Sometimes even more, because we're closer to them.

[SoCalRox]

Microsoft is doing away with Service Packs, and even if there is one it will just be an update rollup. Good thing too because Windows 8 is fine as it is.

There is always room to improve every product.

[f0rk_b0mb]

You can already make them smaller, but I suppose even smaller ones would be nice. There is a fair amount of wasted space. I would prefer nested tiles which would be a major upgrade.

Yeah I'm talking about mini tiles like this: (The teal ones in the 1st pic.)

[xendrome]

Yes, I have used it. I meant Modern UI of windows 8. Which, obviously, is going to be the UI that Microsoft continues developing in the future much more than the legacy desktop. Windows 8 Modern UI indicates the direction microsoft is taking for UI, the fact that desktop is still there doesn't change anything about it.

Point is, the UI doesn't change the compatability of apps

[TPreston]

XBOX Movies with greater support for tagged files, The recent update lets it pull the release year form the files metadata doing the same for genre while allowing the files to be grouped by metadata properties instead of just a to z would be good and a right click > synopsis metadata viewer would be even better.

Oh and timed text subtitle support