Even before Microsoft launched Windows 7 in 2009, development on Windows 8 had already begun. By September 2011 the first preview build of Windows 8 was available to developers. It showcased the operating system’s new interface which featured the new tile-based start screen and metro style applications. On February 29th 2012, Microsoft released the consumer preview of Windows 8 which introduced the redesigned desktop experience. The most notable change was the removal of the start button.
(Oh no, my start button is gone!)
The release preview build would follow on May 28th 2012, in which the only major additions were the inclusion of sports apps and integrating Adobe Flash Player into Internet Explorer 10. Windows 8 is scheduled for release on October 26th 2012.
The Metro style interface is based on tiles that are shortcuts to programs, pinned to the start menu. The Desktop is still available but not in the conventional means as before, it functions more like an app on a phone in that it has to be opened first manually instead of automatically showing up on startup like all previous versions of Windows. With the start button removed, users can bring up the full screen start menu by either moussing over the lower left corner or pressing the Windows key.
With such a different feel to it, almost like a mobile phone, many people are concerned that treating the desktop PC as a tablet may lead to a steep learning curve for people who are used to the standard desktop experience, and may even cause people to not try Windows 8 at all.
With the introduction of the Windows market, things feel more closed than open. Being open in terms of platform has been one of the major advantages to using Windows. Microsoft is aware of this and to help alleviate some of the concern, they have decided to rename the Metro style to simply Windows 8. How that helps anything, no one knows. Changing the name of the style seems to do little for people who already have a bad impression of ‘Windows 8’. Gabe Newell, co-founder and managing director at Valve, gave this statement on Windows 8 at Casual Connect in July of 2012: “I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space.” Newell went into detail on how Windows 8 is bad for his business and PC users in general. Not only is Valve showing its concern over this operating system, but other developers are as well. Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, who goes by the name “Notch,” has expressed his concern and outrage over the drastic redesign to an operating system many have come to appreciate over the years. His Twitter feed posted two statements reflecting his opinion.
Despite the negative opinions of many, Windows 8 does offer technical advantages over its predecessors, including better memory management, faster startup time, native antivirus support and better support for burning disk images. Would small advantages like these be worth relearning an interface? Let us know what you think or your opinion on Windows 8 in the comments below.
Guest Post by John Wheeler: Technologist with Mainstreethost