Windows 8 and peoples' issue with using a 3rd party start menu

[Brandon H Supervisor]

ok, so as far as I remember people have liked being able to use 3rd party programs to extend what windows can do. programs suck as objectdock/rocketdock or rainmeter

it's all well and good. it's always been a unspoken philosophy with Windows that if it doesn't do something you want there's probably a program out there for you

now my question is, now that Windows 8 is out why is it that so many people are suddenly complaining that they don't want to use a 3rd party app?

I find that the start screen works just fine (though i'll admit i still have Start8 installed). but why are people making such a big deal about installing a 3rd party app to bring back the start menu (especially when many of the options have little to no effect on system performance)?

It gets very tiring hearing people complain "AH THE START SCREEN SUCKS BLAH BLAH BLAH" but when you suggest install a 3rd party app that brings back the start menu they complain that they shouldn't have to or they just don't want to bother with messing with it.

it gets just as tiring people trying to convince that the start screen is perfect and you should get used to it but that's honestly still not as bad as those who continuously complain about the start screen but are unwilling to compromise in any way

I know these topics are getting old but really, those who continue to complain and have no willingness to compromise ... i just can't understand it

[Xerxes]

Simple, people are not happy unless they are bitching and moaning about something. I just ignore them, you can't please everyone and even if you genuinely try to help some of them out, they still find a way to shoot you back down. This is obviously a gross over generalization but is how I generally feel about it. So take with a grain of salt.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

I have no issue with this- do what you want, it's your computer. Can't say I understand it though. The Start Screen works better than the Start Menu ever did (for me).

[theyarecomingforyou]

Many people don't like to have to use extra programs to do what Windows should do out-of-the-box. Since Windows Vista I haven't needed to use third-party skinning applications or UI extensions because Windows worked out of the box and I imagine the same is true for most other users. Personally I don't have a problem with the new Start Screen - it has improved functionality and while it's a bit clunky and inelegant it is better than the old Start Menu.

The biggest issue I have with Windows 8 is the implementation of the hot-corners and the Charm bar, which really are terrible for mouse & keyboard users; I'm constantly triggering UI elements that I don't want during normal usage. I haven't seen any third-party software that offers a viable alternative to the hot-corners and Charm bar without reverting to the traditional Start Menu, which I don't want. It's possible some software does that but I haven't really been bothered enough to search for it.

I know these topics are getting old but really, those who continue to complain and have no willingness to compromise ... i just can't understand it

These topics are getting old because people like you don't understand why people are complaining about Windows 8. I like Windows 8 and use it as my primary operating system but that doesn't mean there aren't substantial design issues and people shouldn't have to find third-party software when they didn't need to with previous versions. Like with Vista, many people have legitimate concerns about the operating system and disagree with the direction that Microsoft is taking Windows - by speaking out against it people are seeking to make sure Microsoft doesn't make the same mistake again.

People need to stop baiting the other side to respond.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Sits back and waits for "Not this topic again" haters.

[Growled Member]

I genuinely enjoy using third party start menus because you get more features with some of them than you would get if Microsoft offered one. It's fun trying them all.

[vcfan]

there is no issue. the start menu isn't an issue, but it is something they can use to complain about windows 8. if there was a start menu,they would have found something else instead. you gotta understand a lot of this negativity comes from android and iphone users who were constantly bashing windows phone,and vowed never to use it. now that windows 8 is similar,and they've had already chosen their allegiance, they gotta bash windows 8.

Many people don't like to have to use extra programs to do what Windows should do out-of-the-box.

what a bunch of crock. people cite this as the reason they use android,because if they don't like the keyboard or whatever,you can use 3rd party ones.or if they want to change anything,they can. this is just a poor excuse.

[Growled Member]

there is no issue. the start menu isn't an issue, but it is something they can use to complain about windows 8. if there was a start menu,they would have found something else instead. you gotta understand a lot of this negativity comes from android and iphone users who were constantly bashing windows phone,and vowed never to use it. now that windows 8 is similar,and they've had already chosen their allegiance, they gotta bash windows 8.

I think you are reaching here. I do use Android but I also use Windows 7 and love it. I just don't care for the new start screen in Win 8. It doesn't fit my style.

[MorganX]

I genuinely enjoy using third party start menus because you get more features with some of them than you would get if Microsoft offered one. It's fun trying them all.

I don't mind Start8, I think it's better than the Win7 menu and integrates with Modern apps well. Typically, I don't like using 3rd party apps for basic functionality. They also add a layer of troubleshooting when something doesn't work. Many of the GUI enhancers could have compatibility issues in the past. I never really liked many themes more than those in Windows anyway.

I think people use/d them because they were left with no choice. Want to change more than the basic desktop icons, third party app. And so it is with Start menu.

I think the main problem is MS took something or things away people found useful and the Modern UI on top of the Desktop Environment is a kludge and can be annoying/irritating. Modern UI search is terrible in the opinion of many, me included. Lack of context menus is horrendous but really doesn't affect the desktop environment at all. I'm not sure why people feel the need to vehemently defend obvious and blatant shortcomings in many areas of Windows 8. The ecosystem and developers were clearly not ready for RTM.

I think MS is pulling an Xbox RRoD. Release it now for marketing, fix it later. Only problem, there's much more competition (tablets) and devs need money too, they may never come if it doesn't proliferate with "consumers." Yet it is the latest version of Windows and will sell lots by default.

[Rickkins]

Well, uh...geez, I dunno man. I use classic shell, and I have no issues to speak of. I never ever have to see metro-turd, and that makes me especially happy. So, from where I sit, it's all good.

[The Laughing Man]

Back in 2001-2004, With XP ,Customization was was rampant on this site we had dozens of artists who would pour hours of work into themes,programs wallpapers icons etc.

Now this place is filled with fanboy baby asshat trolls who criticize people for wanting something different than the usual vanilla install. Too bad, those were some good times.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Back in 2001-2004, With XP ,Customization was was rampant on this site we had dozens of artists who would pour hours of work into themes,programs wallpapers icons etc.

Now this place is filled with fanboy baby asshat trolls who criticize people for wanting something different than the usual vanilla install. Too bad, those were some good times.

Watercolor FTW!

[Davo]

The biggest issue I have with Windows 8 is the implementation of the hot-corners and the Charm bar, which really are terrible for mouse & keyboard users; I'm constantly triggering UI elements that I don't want during normal usage. I haven't seen any third-party software that offers a viable alternative to the hot-corners and Charm bar without reverting to the traditional Start Menu, which I don't want. It's possible some software does that but I haven't really been bothered enough to search for it.

I used StopMetro or something for a little bit because I don't like how they exist on every monitor in a multiple monitor setup. It had different options so I left everything unchecked except "Disable Hot Corners". I got tired of running it though.

[MorganX]

Back in 2001-2004, With XP ,Customization was was rampant on this site we had dozens of artists who would pour hours of work into themes,programs wallpapers icons etc.

Now this place is filled with fanboy baby asshat trolls who criticize people for wanting something different than the usual vanilla install. Too bad, those were some good times.

Go way back, not too long after I threw away my Timex Sinclair, and you have Norton Desktop. That was better than a Mac. Of course, Microsoft learned how to make a proper desktop and now Norton does, other things and AV, lol.

It's very difficult to take something away from someone that works well, if you're not going to replace it with something that works equally well. Better to have given them nothing at all.

[+Warwagon MVC]

It's very difficult to take something away from someone that works well, if you're not going to replace it with something that works equally well. Better to have given them nothing at all.

QFT