Win8's Metro interface

[th3ophilos]

And there's no reason why a desktop app can't be touch friendly, I would suspect that a lot of even desktop applications will become more touch friendly as the universe of touch capable Windows devices grows.

I disagree to some extent, many desktop apps would suffer greatly from adaptation to touch. Vast interface changes are needed to allow my pudgy fingers to navigate photoshop menus, and this leads to the simplification of the software.

The main things missing from Windows 8 that I can think of is Recent Items and folder structures...

This is my main concern. The start menu allows for organization, be it pinning, folders shortcuts to script, etc. Though the start screen is customizable, it lacks folder organization.

Until Windows 8 in face I've NEVER heard anyone make the point that they had to see their desktop while opening an app. I still have no idea what importance that would have.

That is a valid point. I would, however, contend that that are reasons why it's still unhelpful.
Along the lines of the 'jarring' complaint; it makes sense in my work flow when opening a new program to be presented a small list of recent programs, select one with mouse or by searching the first few letters (extremely swift from the keyboard only). This compared to being pulled out of the current task into a new, full screen menu that cannot be searched (correct me if I'm wrong there). The task flow is broken. Obviously this is personal ease of use, but I think it is a valid point to consider.

It just seems a little excessive to jump to the full-screen Metro Start Screen just to open a new app.

I agree. I feel the notification/dashboard qualities are unnecessarily mixed with the start menu functionality. The whole 'dashboard' notion as a separate entity would be more desirable to me, with the program launching built in like it is.

In conclusion, I guess I want to propose that a convergence of tablet/phone and desktop OSs is not the best way forward. Wonderful and seamless integration yes (please!), but don't dumb down the desktop to meet its lesser cousin.

Oh, and hi folks! Second post as a new member,

 

[zero2dash]

Will Windows 9 be Metro-only? That's my fear...

Obviously it's their right to do that if they want....it's also my right to refuse to buy the new OS which is the right I'll be exercising as long as Win7 can run on my machines (which should be 'forever'). I will run Win7 through 20 iterations of Metro Windows before I die if I have to. Eventually when 7's not supported (which is highly doubtful considering the user #s), I'll switch to whatever flavor of Linux is the fan favorite at the time and probably run Wine.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as MS forces out Metro....I'll keep one version behind. Windows, Office, whatever....doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll get a free download of the final release of Win8 through school (MSDNAA), but I'm not going to even bother wasting the bandwidth.