I will not buy Windows 7 unless it has ... *Feature*

[Evolution]

Something over 2.5 years old isn't considered recent.

[markwolfe Veteran]

Something over 2.5 years old isn't considered recent.

Are you talking about home users for gaming systems?

Because in the business world, 3 years is still current technology.

[andrew_f]

I would, as others said love to see more consistency throughout the UI.

For example, Windows Media Player 12 on the left as it is so far in Windows 7 - and on the right, the small tweaks they could make to make it more consistent (which I made in photoshop in 5 minutes).

[Brandon Live Veteran]

Just what we need, a "useability research" to decide what's good for us. No science, beyond the fundamentals, can depict what people find comfortable. Aesthetics are a part of that. Hell, if you use science to depict what is good for people, Microsoft Bob would have been an immense success. You need a more human approach to this than leaving it to scientific research to try and analyze something as vague as aesthetics.

And it's funny, these research approven "improvements" you suggest that comes as a result of glass, are exactly the kind of things I get rid of at Vista's first installation. I get rid of all thick Window borders because they look very bloated and unnecessary (Appearance Settings -> Advanced -> Set "Border Padding" to 0).

I think dragging content was very clear in XP. And I'm not sure about focus being placed on a windows content, but millions of people did not have a problem with that in XP.

Most people I've talked to find Aero very unadaptable and more overwhelming to use, again, I don't know what your research poll suggests, but for sure I and many others find the Aero UI unintuitive when compared to other interfaces such as OS X's. (Don't mistake me, I use Windows (and already highly used to Vista and Aero) and not OS X, but I prefer Apple's UI design choices). There are many reasons why a vast majority of users despise Vista and have made it a point to stick to XP, and the aesthetics are a significant part of it. Not many had problems navigating around XP, really.

Let me make it clear: Functional wise, Vista is definitely an improvement (however not too much) over XP, definitely. But Aesthetics wise, it's highly a gimmick. It's done based on a manner very unbalanced between semi-sciences of what people might find useful and what looks "cool". Vista is overwhelming to look at and use for many, many consumer people, in comparison to XP. XP has a no-frills, highly usable UI. Vista is full of frills. IMO.

I think you misunderstand me. Useability research involves real people. Go watch some of the C9 videos or blog posts about the Windows useability labs. Basically, they found that real people had an easier time doing their day-to-day tasks with the Aero changes.

[y_notm]

So on Paul Thurrott's site, it says they aren't going to introduce additional incompatibilities with the driver model. Does that mean Vista drivers will work on Windows 7? I don't want to buy a laptop now and then be stuck on Vista later because there are no new drivers for 7.

Every vista driver should work with Windows 7, and vice versa. All drivers are required to have this compatibility to pass WHQL certification now.

I would, as others said love to see more consistency throughout the UI.

For example, Windows Media Player 12 on the left as it is so far in Windows 7 - and on the right, the small tweaks they could make to make it more consistent (which I made in photoshop in 5 minutes).

Consistency, sure. That? God, no. There's no need to shoehorn one UI metaphor into every possible scenario. Use the UI that works best for the task at hand. If you try to use one UI for everything you're going to wind up with one that doesn't do anything well.

[andrew_f]

Fair point. However in this scenario I disagree with you. All that's changed in my mockup is the search bar being moved up to the same position it is on arguably the two most used applications in Windows. Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer.

I can only assume that little things such as having search in the same place system-wide makes it intuitive for users to use programs?

This, and I think it looks neater if everything has a consistent style.

[Mr. Dee]

I would, as others said love to see more consistency throughout the UI.

For example, Windows Media Player 12 on the left as it is so far in Windows 7 - and on the right, the small tweaks they could make to make it more consistent (which I made in photoshop in 5 minutes).

I like this, good work! Keep it up. :)

Every vista driver should work with Windows 7, and vice versa. All drivers are required to have this compatibility to pass WHQL certification now.

Consistency, sure. That? God, no. There's no need to shoehorn one UI metaphor into every possible scenario. Use the UI that works best for the task at hand. If you try to use one UI for everything you're going to wind up with one that doesn't do anything well.

Just like shoehorning Office Fluent in Windows apps like Paint and Word Pad that don't really need it?

[ienhz]

Every vista driver should work with Windows 7, and vice versa. All drivers are required to have this compatibility to pass WHQL certification now.

Thank you for the straightforward answer.

[Kirkburn]

Just like shoehorning Office Fluent in Windows apps like Paint and Word Pad that don't really need it?

They aren't finished products, so it would be premature to complain.

[lalalawawawa]

Just like shoehorning Office Fluent in Windows apps like Paint and Word Pad that don't really need it?

They may not need it, but it surely makes the programs look better than they are right now and much more user-friendly. The Office ribbon is very cool once you learn your way around it. Trust me, you will not want the classic way to return. It would be great if they can integrate this style in other programs too, or maybe the whole OS. (well, at least for me)

[andrew_f]

KavazovAngel - I think Mr. Dee was counterpointing 'y_notm' who said that, "There's no need to shoehorn one UI metaphor into every possible scenario" with the fact Microsoft is rolling out Ribbon-style interfaces in Windows 7 even if the scenario doesn't REALLY call for it.

[Kirkburn]

KavazovAngel - I think Mr. Dee was counterpointing 'y_notm' who said that, "There's no need to shoehorn one UI metaphor into every possible scenario" with the fact Microsoft is rolling out Ribbon-style interfaces in Windows 7 even if the scenario doesn't REALLY call for it.

Thus I point to http://www.istartedsomething.com/20081016/...-pen-computing/ ... no, they aren't doing it to everything.

[andrew_f]

Nobody suggested they're rolling it out to everything.

I said there should be a higher level of consistency across applications.

y_notm was saying not every application should share the same interface, it should suit it's need.

Mr Dee was simply saying that Microsoft is using the Ribbon on a number of programs which won't nessisarily reap the same benefits from it as Office did.

Edited October 22, 2008 by andrew_f

[Shadrack]

Lol. A consistent UI would anger and confuse users. People would keep forgetting that they are using Windows.

Not really. That is a good idea. Windows Explorer, WMP, Zune, and Office 2007 all have a different look and feel. MS needs to make up their mind.

I can't think of any "features" off the top of my head. I can think of some improvements:

* The networking dialog box rats nest in Vista is god awful. XP was so much better in this department and actually had a "repair" feature that worked.

* The "All Programs" view within the new start menu sucks! But to get the old style back (where it was a pop-up list), you have to go back to the Windows 95-2000 start menu. I know you are just suppose to "search" now, but sometimes I can't even think of what I'm looking for.

* There should be an OS-wide "porn mode" feature. Seriously though. I was going to *ahem* "clean up" a computer to give to my little sister. After about an hour of searching for stuff that should probably be removed I decided to format/reinstall. lol

* Additional monitors, in an extended desktop configuration, should have their own taskbars. This shouldn't require a seperate program.

* Similar to the last one, there should be a way to setup the wallpaper for each individual monitor.

[Airlink]

This sounds interesting :: Lyon ::, just my curiosity. What do you not like about the feel of Vista or what would make Windows 7 make you want to use it?

I don't know about Lyon, but I want the option to make the visual style and layout of Windows' GUI revert back to something very close to XP and/or Win2k.

I mean the start menu, the dialogs, the control panel, the device manager... all of it.

Look, as far as I'm concerned, the Vista "look & feel" has been change for the sake of change. Personally, the Win2K general feel and look. I don't just mean the start menu: I mean EVERYTHING! Why did Microsoft have to get rid of the ability to right-click the desktop to bring up the Display Properties dialog box. Scratch that, why did they even get rid of the Display Properties box? WTF, microsoft?

I know, I know: It's taboo to say you don't like how Vista looks, but you know what? I'm not alone. A lot of us have been using Windows since the beginning (and yes, I do mean Windows 95). We got used to how the Win9x/Win2K layout was and we are resistant to change-for-the-sake-of-change. I have better things to do with my time than learn a new GUI just because some marketing hack at MS decided that it would help sell more copies of the latest version of Windows. At least with XP you could disable all the eye-candy crap and make it look like Win2K, but with Vista you're stuck. Want to make Vista look and act like XP? Sorry, you can't. Is it any wonder a lot of people upgraded to XP from Vista?

Look, Microsoft, I know you wanna compete with Mac in the pretty-desktop race, but would you mind giving a break to those of us who don't want all that crap? Just give me the option to make Windows 7 look like Windows 2000 and I swear to god I will use it.

[Shadrack]

It's not just the several variations, but the variations within the variations.

Mail and Calendar both have the search box in two different locations even though they share the same top bar. Explorer and IE share the same look, but the drop down arrow near the arrows are differently spaced. Explorer has a teal-green toolbar, while Calendar and Mail have a darker blue one. Menubars are seemingly random throughout different applications--just stick with one. Different control panels have different interfaces.

Awesome post! (Y)

What if we started writing documents with every header a different style? It wouldn't just look awful, but it would be harder to read.

[Kirkburn]

I was not suggesting more consistency is a bad thing, but it's not a great idea to criticise an alpha product for UI. There could many new features coming to paint and notepad, or improvements on the current ones. It's too early to say it's a worthless change.

Why did Microsoft have to get rid of the ability to right-click the desktop to bring up the Display Properties dialog box. Scratch that, why did they even get rid of the Display Properties box? WTF, microsoft?

The old tabbed box was not intuitive for new users. The new style allows the use of explanatory text for each section. And yes, new users matter.

I know, I know: It's taboo to say you don't like how Vista looks, but you know what? I'm not alone. A lot of us have been using Windows since the beginning (and yes, I do mean Windows 95). We got used to how the Win9x/Win2K layout was and we are resistant to change-for-the-sake-of-change.

It's not taboo - don't conjure up such demons where none exist.

Look, Microsoft, I know you wanna compete with Mac in the pretty-desktop race, but would you mind giving a break to those of us who don't want all that crap? Just give me the option to make Windows 7 look like Windows 2000 and I swear to god I will use it.

Yes, you are used to the old layout - it's understandable. However, what it isn't is feasible. The dev team cannot make changes to make PCs easier to use, and at the same time not change it for those who can't adapt. It would be a massive waste of resources, and could introduce more problems for compatibility, especially if items are moved to new places.

Theme-wise, quite possible. Architecturally and layout wise, not.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Kirkburn

[Thomas SG]

Get rid of any security measures that are hellishly irritating...

[Mr. Dee]

Get rid of any security measures that are hellishly irritating...

If UAC is such a PITA for you, then save yourself the trouble of waiting and disable UAC under User Accounts in Control Panel.

[Kirkburn]

If UAC is such a PITA for you, then save yourself the trouble of waiting and disable UAC under User Accounts in Control Panel.

But don't come here complaining if that breaks your PC :)

[y_notm]

Just like shoehorning Office Fluent in Windows apps like Paint and Word Pad that don't really need it?

That seems overkill to me right now too.

[Denholm]

Secure Delete and Virtual Desktops. Both are a must.

[CanOCope]

No clue if this was already posted, I read through 18 pages and got tired of hearing the same stuff over and over. As a student, I need some of the Office apps, but I don't like having to activate something that needs to be there. I also think they need to get rid of some of the fancy GUI effects. Fix the network setup, because my parents aren't going to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP, so I need a way to network XP with Vista or Windows 7, I know it can be done, but it's not so user-friendly. I think they should put customation to the whole start menu to fit your specific needs. Lower the resources it needs to run and make the OS pretty.

It most likely is not going to happen, theres always a dream.

[Olemus]

As a student, I need some of the Office apps, but I don't like having to activate something that needs to be there.

I dont think MS are allowed to do this by law nowadyas due to it being anti-competitive

I also think they need to get rid of some of the fancy GUI effects.

and make the OS pretty.

Well which is it?

[CanOCope]

Make it nice looking, don't have it so where that it seems like that's all you see.