How Windows Red can fix Windows 8

I haven't seen this article referenced anywhere in this forum, although it's a few months old. Nevertheless, I think this one is well worth reading, IMHO. It contains a number of good suggestion on how Microsoft could transform the disaster that is Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, into a viable OS for professional use.

 

While I understand M$ is new to ARM with RT it does need RT to be more robust. Since they are so well educated with x86 it should be easy for them to keep capabilities in line with one another for Modern UI. This is a good point of the write up as both Android and IOS have robust apps.

Now divorce of Modern UI from the PC to me is a bit too drastic. The "DUO" concept is fine but should be implemented on both Desktop and convertibles. Also the reboot concept is too drastic, a simple easy to access and true mode switch is fine.

 

I see problems with this as well. Lets say I want a tablet with a powerfull processor. With this I run the tablet version which means I run dumbed down tablet apps. Or I run the full OS which means I lose the touchscreen. gak.

I don't see why you have to make a one design fits all approach. Why not make something that can be custimized to fit users more.

And I still don't know why my OS can't keep track of file metadata. For example if I want to rate pictures, or flag them with multiple catagories, I need to use third party software. I also want to rate programs I download, or documents I create. Instead I get files like "Report to branch-system dynamics-keywords-seattle-portland-version 2.34.doc"

 

LOL, all Microsoft had to do was offer two versions of Windows Home and Business. The Home version would have been W8 and the Business version would be an evolution of Windows 7. Problem solved.

Windows 8 is nothing more than a consumer based OS without Media Center and in MS infinite wisdom they screwed that up too by not including it with Windows 8. If ever a consumer based OS cried out for media center, Windows 8 was it.

 

Well i am home user and i don't want that crap metro in front me every time.

 

All Microsoft had to do was stop trying to turn PCs into iPads and all would have been good.

 

Or alternatively they should've gone all the way and removed all traces of the desktop and other non-Metro content like Windows Explorer and the Control Panel, instead of the Frankenstein-esque mess they ended up delivering.

That way, we'd at least have one clear OS of choice for each type of device: Windows 7 for PCs, Windows 8 for tablets, and Windows Phone 8 for smartphones.

 

Whoever wrote this has no experience with convertible devices. Why would I want to change from a system where I convert my device in half-a-second without interrupting what I'm doing--simply by sliding--to a system where I have to save and close all my programs and reboot just to slide out the keyboard? Thanks but no thanks...and I'm sure all the OEMs making convertible devices (Lenovo has nine as of last count) would say the same.

And "Red Mobile" sounds a lot like Windows RT...which has tanked. Lenovo has increased the Windows 8 convertible offerings to nine while abandoning Windows RT. Asus has also abandoned Windows RT and HP and Sony refused to get involved with it in the first place. People who want Windows tablets do not want a separate, less capable OS. They want touch-friendly interaction with full Windows 8.

Microsoft has work to do to improve both the touch experience and the KB&M experience in Windows 8...but going to a three OS scheme is not the answer. The idea of a two OS scheme--with one OS serving tablets, PCs, and convertibles, and the other serving phones, is a good one.

So let's "fix" Windows 8 by taking choice away from users? Awesome *facepalm*

 

Some interesting ideas in the article, although "Red Mobile" approach should be completely redone.

I'm waiting for W9 to see if anyone in MS actually bothered to listen...

 

Disaster is a huge stretch....

 

When in the end it results in the CEO leaving along with other recent events, well............................

 

Three serious questions:

(1) Does anyone here think it's a good idea for touchscreen support to be removed from the main version of Windows? That you should have to buy a limited-functionality version of Windows to get touchscreen support?

(2) Does anyone here think that you should be forced to reboot a convertible tablet each time you deploy or fold away it's keyboard, even though there's no practical reason why a reboot is necessary?

(3) Does anyone here think that that Windows should automatically deactivate the touchscreen on a convertible device when the keyboard is deployed, so that users cannot use both touch and keyboard simultaneously?

Because all three of those were put forth, in complete seriousness, as part of this proposal. This is not a serious, well-thought-out proposal by someone trying to make Windows better for all consumers. This is a rant by someone who has a serious, visceral aversion to all things touchscreen and wants to intentionally make them so difficult to use that people give up on the idea. The author didn't like Windows 8, so now he's trying to punish...convertible tablet owners? Because it's their fault he's unhappy. Or something like that.

 

Correct. People run against Windows 8 because it made an unnecessarily painful for those that weren't into metro-touch. Microsoft contrary to what made them great attacked itself. Its flexibility. Its appeal to different users.

Windows needs to be back to the roots of catering to most people possible. So that means more options and those should be the choice of the costumer/user not some mandarin in Microsoft HQ : Kboard+Mouse, Touch, why not add Voice too...
Everyone should choose what wants, even a mix of all options.

 

I agree Windows should be catering to the most people possible. I think it'd be good if they added a "classic UI" mode that gave you a Windows 7 feel. I don't think it's the end of the frickin' world (TM) if they don't, given the various third-party UI customizations out there and the improvements coming in 8.1 that mitigate (but not eliminate) the issue...but I think it'd be better if they just offered a "enable Windows 7 UI" option for the people out there who want it. Cater to the most people possible. Don't force everyone to use Windows like they have a convertible tablet (which is what 8.0 is clearly geared toward), but also don't force everyone to use Windows like they had a KB&M setup (which is why Windows touchscreen devices languished before 8...there wasn't a good UI for touch).

The Windows Red proposal was written to punish people who don't use a keyboard-and-mouse setup. There's simply no other way around it. The forced deactivation of touchscreens, the forced reboots when you convert a device...there's simply no other reason to have those issues in the proposal itself.

 

I agree with this. "Classic UI" tick mark option is all they need to add. Done. It's not complicated, but MS seems to be making it so.

I think Windows 8 is great as a touch OS. And as more users migrate towards tablets they may choose to use it on their laptop or desktop as well. But it just boggles my mind that they are so stubborn as not to make a classic desktop start menu.

 

That is all we ask, a DT mode without touch and more importantly the new UI. TBH I do not want windows 7 with windows 8 as the back end. I still want the new task manager etc. I just also want to not have to see the new UI along with the DWM fixed and gadgets back.

 

"How Windows 9 Can Fix the utter disaster that was Windows 8"
Fixed the title for you.

As stated by myself and countless others, all MS had to do was either make the metro crap as an option that you select, or simply add another version of windows - Win 8 home, win 8 pro, win 8 ultimate, win 8 touch.

 

Another way Microsoft could improve usability is to use the Windows key/super key that comes standard on almost all systems to toggle between Metro and desktop interface and ensure all programs and system tools are compatible with both user interfaces. So you could boot to either desktop, Metro, or a choice screen. Then you could use the system with your preferred UI, and all your programs would be compatible with it. If you're using a convertible device and/or you want to use the other UI, you can change it with one keystroke and all your currently open programs will instantly convert to the desktop/Metro version of themselves while maintaining current state (work process, tabs, charts, page placement, video/audio timing, etc.). With this model, users would never be forced to change UI, and would only do so when it was beneficial for them. The UI switch button could also be an icon on the desktop/Metro screen, making it easier for those who prefer using mouse or touch to select.

 

Making touch support only available in a separate Win license is unnecessary and only makes sense if you are trying to artificially segregate touchscreen devices. There is no software reason why touch support needs a separate license or a reboot or a limited-functionality version of Windows.

I don't use a mouse or trackball with my Duo 11...but do I want mouse and trackball support removed from my Duo 11? Of course not. I simply don't use it myself. Touchscreens are the same. Allow more UI customization but don’t start stripping support for periperals that some people don't like.

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