After Bumpy Start, Microsoft Rethinks Windows 8

[steve2470]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/after-bumpy-start-microsoft-rethinks-windows-8/

REDMOND, Wash. — Windows Blue, the code name for an update to the Microsoft’s flagship operating system, sums up the current melancholy in the PC business pretty well, though Microsoft didn’t intend it that way.

PC shipments are slumping and the declines in the industry have gotten worse, not better, since a major overhaul of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 8, came out last fall. If it were possible for PCs to sing, there’s little doubt they would be singing the blues.

Microsoft’s basic vision for Windows 8 has not changed — an operating system flexible enough to run on traditional PCs, tablets and everything in between — but the company is for the first time confirming that it is making changes to the software to address some of the problems people have when using it. In a recent interview at Microsoft’s headquarters, Tami Reller, the chief marketing officer and chief financial officer of the Windows division, revealed that Windows Blue will be released this calendar year and will include modifications that make the software easier to learn, especially for people running it on computers without touch screens.

“The learning curve is real and needs to be addressed,” Ms. Reller said.

[trotsky]

1. Windows 8 is a fantastic interface for touch-screen devices.

Content-rich and easy to customize and navigate. And I say this as an iPhone and iPad user.

It's only on systems with a mouse and keyboard that it sucks and makes every task difficult.

[steve2470]

2. I have to say, as a M$ user for 20 years, they can be amazingly stupid

Start menu button = worked perfectly, why get rid of it ?

Forcing desktop users to wade through that forest of swipe icons = not well thought out

Not having an option to immediately boot into your desktop "application" = dumb

My only guess why M$ can be so stupid is groupthink and silencing of dissent within the company.

[arcane1]

4. They seem to have completely overlooked how many office cubicles have a PC in them

I can't imagine a business of any size wanting to upgrade all of their computers to something with such a steep learning curve. Every minute spent figuring out the functions is a minute spent not making money.

[steve2470]

5. totally agree nt

[gvstn]

3. I only tried win8

During the developer preview time period. It was faster at starting/shutdown so I assume the whole engine is more efficient. So I would still buy it if I were building a new machine.

I think the problem is the lack of touch screen. They are still too expensive to be ubiquitous but MS has always pushed the limits of hardware and put out OS that require new hardware to function optimally. I think hardware suppliers are happy about this, thus their cozy relationship with MS.

The idea behind win8 is fine. Simple synching with other devices. I think the problem is the completely new interface that requires so much mouse work/clicking/touch on a non-touch screen machine. They would be better off booting to the desktop and when another device like phone is attached having it launch the metro interface to begin synching etc.

Again, limited experience with Win8 but my initial impression.