Is Microsoft ignoring the desktop again?

[Rippleman]

no. Windows XP through 7 had a place for a user to install total themes

 

 

http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

[Dot Matrix]

looks like you moved your theme from "start menu is dead" to now "desktop" is dead. What will be next for you?

Did you see anything where they're returning to desktop only paradigms?

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Care to prove me wrong? Today has showed that Windows 10 is all about responsive computing. Universal apps, cloud computing, and mobility is driving Windows forward. Not once did I see anything related to the classic desktop. Not even a hint of anything forthcoming. Microsoft is moving past the desktop. It's dead.

 

Prove me wrong.  Where did Microsoft proclaim:  "Desktop is dead" ?  You do understand that "universal apps" can run windowed on a...wait for it.............DESKTOP?

 

Per the Microsoft Windows 10 page:  "The next version of the Office desktop suite is also currently in development, more on this in the coming months."

 

Yea, the desktop is dead.  

[Dot Matrix]

Prove me wrong.  Where did Microsoft proclaim:  "Desktop is dead" ?  You do understand that "universal apps" can run windowed on a...wait for it.............DESKTOP?

 

Per the Microsoft Windows 10 page:  "The next version of the Office desktop suite is also currently in development, more on this in the coming months."

 

Yea, the desktop is dead.  

I think you and I have two different definitions of "Desktop". The desktop only stuff you saw in Windows 9x, XP, and 7? Yeah, all that's gone now. Universal apps, and the cloud are the future of Windows.

[+Zagadka Subscriber²]

As for Cortana, its focus is clearly mobile and tablet devices. Also I'm pretty sure MS doesn't give a rats ass about people with old desktop pc's, their target clearly is

 

Their target, I think, is in encouraging app development by a broader ecosystem.

 

The lines are already so blurred between the larger smart phones, phablets, tablets, Surface etc, and laptops that a unified OS is much more functional than anything restricted to one set of devices.

 

I think they do care about desktops... they just view the desktop alongside every other system. They are making it work in concert, not in competition.

[Jim K Global Moderator]

I think you and I have two different definitions of "Desktop". The desktop only stuff you saw in Windows 9x, XP, and 7? Yeah, all that's gone now. Universal apps, and the cloud are the future of Windows.

 

uh what?  The desktop is...the desktop?  

 

Your definition is apparently wrong since you're referring to applications/programs or whatever.  Not the same thing.

 

If anything, with Windows 10, Microsoft is bringing the desktop back into focus by allowing windowed Modern UI apps.  

[Rippleman]

I think you and I have two different definitions of "Desktop". The desktop only stuff you saw in Windows 9x, XP, and 7? Yeah, all that's gone now. Universal apps, and the cloud are the future of Windows.

 

This could be the source of the misunderstanding and clear definaitions can clear things up a lot. 

 

 To most, a desktop is what you see when you sit (or some stand) at a desk/table/couch/chair and use a computer to navigate the web, use programs, through chat, using a keyboard/mouse/or touch while viewing on a large (15+" typically)  screen....

 

Could you define what a "Desktop" is you? This whole time you weren't talking about apps that can be used on all devices have you?

[PGHammer]

Google Voice and Siri are used on mobile devices which have built-in microphones so I can actually use it, I don't have a microphone on my desktop PC.

 

edit: Its seems that my post which just asked what the purpose of Cortana was on a desktop PC was deleted.. that is odd..

Do you have a keyboard on your desktop PC?  Do you have a webcam?

 

Either can be used to leverage Cortana - it's not limited to voice-only.

 

And if it were, it can use the mic built in to your webcam - if you have a working webcam at all.

[PGHammer]

Doesn't matter if you have a mic now, you will soon. It isn't like it is a huge investment. I've had a USB mic that I rarely touch for years.

I have a rather common beamforming mic (came with my Recon3D in PCI Express - it's the same one that ships with current Creative sound cards).  Even if I didn't, if you have a webcam, Cortana can leverage its built-in mic (just like Skype - or any application that supports audio-in - can leverage that same mic).  You're thinking of Google Now or Siri (which use ONLY vocal input, can't leverage keyboards - which Cortana can - and are limited to mobile hardware).  If you use ANY sort of voice application (TeamSpeak or Razer Comms or Curse Voice), what do you use with it?

[chrisj1968]

let's not disparage others. we want good honest dialog. some may have bad info, be nice and correct that. but we should never disrespect others. opinions are just that, opinions.

 

I'm saddened by the apparent trashing of msstyles. I can't see msstyles in modern UI, just might not be feasible. I'm a hobby user and gamer. straight up. I don't need frills or eye candy as they tend to get old fast.

 

if I had a tablet like surface, I'd strictly use modern UI and some mix of desktop for browsing. as a gamer, a combo of desktop and DX12 is my specialty. I'll do what I can to completely alter the look of the default desktop and add some sort of theme for my enjoyment. can one install icons? reason I ask is, most sites i saw today shocked me with flat icons that should fit 8.1 and 10. 

[+Zagadka Subscriber²]

Well, I wasn't saying the use in Windows would be limited. I already use Cortana for non-voice on WP8.

 

On Teamspeak etc I usually use headset with a mic, but when Win10 is installed, I'll definitely use my desktop mic always on.

 

Regarding someone last page who said Win has had voice control for several versions... yea, it did, but that voice control sucked and was very limited in application.

[Dot Matrix]

This could be the source of the misunderstanding and clear definaitions can clear things up a lot. 

 

 To most, a desktop is what you see when you sit (or some stand) at a desk/table/couch/chair and use a computer to navigate the web, use programs, through chat, using a keyboard/mouse/or touch while viewing on a large (15+" typically)  screen....

 

Could you define what a "Desktop" is you? This whole time you weren't talking about apps that can be used on all devices have you?

To me, "Desktop" is the whole ecosystem. Programs. Workflow. Etc. - All that encompasses "desktop" in my books. What Microsoft used to do with Windows XP back in 2004, they're not doing today with Windows 10. The difference between the two is like night and day. While we still have familiar concepts such as the taskbar, and 'windows' on the desktop, they are still very much different, and point to a future where the 'desktop' is no longer a player in computing. Manual window management, manual file management, manual searching through the Start Menu, Mouse only navigation, etc - None of these are primary "features" anymore. Microsoft is very much wading away from the desktop everyone here is referring to.

[Guest]

I don't quite understand why "desktop" and "cloud" are mutually exclusive. The main functional use of "desktop" is running multiple apps simultaneously in the same space. The second is the file system. Both are sorely lacking on mobile systems.

 

Just keep the taskbar and windowed apps. This is essential in work and play.

 

I have everything of that on my Surface without having to go into a masterrace mancave.

[TAZMINATOR]

I think you and I have two different definitions of "Desktop". The desktop only stuff you saw in Windows 9x, XP, and 7? Yeah, all that's gone now. Universal apps, and the cloud are the future of Windows.

 

Can you see the wallpaper in front of you with start menu on your left hand side of your screen on your Windows 10 TP build on your PC right now?

 

Yes? Then you have the desktop. It's right there with the taskbar at the bottom.

 

No? Then you must be a troll staring at the start screen and saying "Oh, That's neat! Mommy, look at the live tiles all over the screen! Yay!"

 

[Jim K Global Moderator]

To me, "Desktop" is the whole ecosystem. Programs. Workflow. Etc. - All that encompasses "desktop" in my books. What Microsoft used to do with Windows XP back in 2004, they're not doing today with Windows 10. The difference between the two is like night and day. While we still have familiar concepts such as the taskbar, and 'windows' on the desktop, they are still very much different, and point to a future where the 'desktop' is no longer a player in computing. Manual window management, manual file management, manual searching through the Start Menu, Mouse only navigation, etc - Microsoft is wading away from the desktop everyone here is referring to.

 

You're describing an operating system called Microsoft Windows, which has undergone many changes since Windows 1.0.  You're not, however, describing the desktop.

 

I guess Microsoft is "wading" so far from the desktop it ...

 

 

 

Microsoft is giving us an early look today at how Windows 10 will run on tablets, and it

[Rippleman]

Desktop is dead. 

 

here is where you say this...

To me, "Desktop" is the whole ecosystem. Programs. Workflow. Etc. 

 

and here you say this.....

 

 

I am still confused on your claim.

[+Zagadka Subscriber²]

I have everything of that on my Surface without having to go into a masterrace mancave.

 

Good for you? I can't seem to find the file system and taskbar on my phone. My masterrace mancave is sadly lacking, I suppose. All I have is a desk.

[timbo_sf2]

I though desktop is all about mouse, keyboard, and large monitor.

[Ian S.]

Care to prove me wrong? Today has showed that Windows 10 is all about responsive computing. Universal apps, cloud computing, and mobility is driving Windows forward. Not once did I see anything related to the classic desktop. Not even a hint of anything forthcoming. In fact, Microsoft went out of their way to decommission old desktop only paradigms from Windows past. Microsoft is moving past the desktop. It's dead.

I wouldn't say the desktop is dead, but it is dying or at least taking a back seat. There have been no mouse specific features added to the OS or new utilities (yet) same old disk management, device management, and defragment and clean disk dialogs. Hopefully that will change. I also want proxy icons and spring loaded folders.

[Andre S. Veteran]

The Windows Desktop is vital to content creators and anyone needing large, complex or high performance software. To say that this is unimportant, dead or something Windows is moving away from shows a profound misunderstanding of the software industry and how computers are used. As a major player in this industry Microsoft understands this better than anyone.

 

If anything the Windows Desktop has seen more evolution in Windows 8 and 10 than in Windows 7. Its interface and functionality are increasingly catering to the needs of power users, virtual desktops being an obvious example.

 

Of course Windows has done extremely well on the desktop so far and not so well in the mobile space, so that's where most of the low-hanging fruit is and that's what gets most of the attention right now especially in a consumer-oriented event like yesterday's conference. To go from there to saying that Microsoft is neglecting or letting the desktop die is simply unwarranted.

 

Then again, this discussion will pointlessly go on for 20 more pages at least.

[neo1911]

looks like you moved your theme from "start menu is dead" to now "desktop" is dead. What will be next for you?

Cloud computing and Metro is dead.

Some years down the line, he will switch to a Mac.

[BajiRav]

Ignoring desktop? Did OP forget the first "Technical Preview" where they introduced new desktop only features?

[hagjohn]

Whats the purpose of Cortana on desktop PC?

 

Who has a microphone connected to their desktop PCs? 

 

 

Personally I think we're screwed. the search bar on the taskbar is probably even uglier than metro and I sure hope there's a way to remove it cause I'd rather chew glass than look at this every day. my two cents

 

 

 

I do for skype. of course your point still stands it's freaking useless (just like it is for mobiles except the novelty probably wears out even quicker)

 

Did you both watch the video? If you did, you would know why Cortana will be good for the desktop.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

It's not the desktop that's dead. Windows 10 clearly shows MS is listening to user feedback and improving the desktop with virtual desktops, Cortana integration and what have you.

 

No, what we will see (IMHO) is a push away from Win32 and towards universal applications. It would not surprise me if not too far from now even Office for the desktop will be turned into a universal application. 

 

Win32 apps will still be supported for some time to come, but they'll be relegated to legacy status.

[onewarmslime]

Did you both watch the video? If you did, you would know why Cortana will be good for the desktop.

 

I haven't watched the entire video but I have a good idea of what Cortana does. I still don't see the purpose of including her at all.