How would you fix Metro on the desktop? My list:

[migo]

All of you who are dissing Metro for being touch focused and that the mouse is more precise are nuts. If you actually cared about precision, you would use a nice, large trackball, which is objectively more precise and more ergonomic than a mouse. Anyone arguing for using the mouse based on precision is just using it as an excuse to cover up that they're resistant to change - they don't care about what's better, they just don't want to learn a new UI.

[Dot Matrix]

2. Say what? And the keyboard is not? QWERTY is 134 years old, FFS.

I'm not arguing the keyboard, I'm arguing the mouse.

[migo]

Touch screens are one of the best things to come to the keyboard, makes it way easier to change the layout to something superior like Dvorak or Colemak.

[Active.]

Anyone arguing for using the mouse based on precision is just using it as an excuse to cover up that they're resistant to change - they don't care about what's better, they just don't want to learn a new UI.

I'm growing a bit tired of quoting Microsoft:

Using touch for input has the following characteristics:

Reduced accuracy. Users can't target objects as accurately using touch, compared to a mouse or pen.

[source]

I'm already using an iPad. How does that make me resistant to change? It simply doesn't work well for every use case.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

For three decades it's been the same. Computers have changed, but computing has not outside of mobile devices. The only real change to how we actually use the desktop PC in 30 years is the mouse. The only appliance/gadget I can think of that has stagnated this bad is the microwave. Even the refrigerator has changed.

The rest of your post follows the theme laid out in the opening, change for the sake of change. There is no benefit to fostering change unless is actually brings benefits to the table that outweigh the cost of retooling for that change. Currently Metro doesn't bring that to the table, for desktops.

The wheel has been the same for thousands of years... Doesn't mean we need to start using square blocks just because it hasn't "changed" in a long time :|

[SkyDX]

Actually since I spend a bit of timing thinking what I really don't like about the current build of Metro I came to the conclusion there's just one thing I miss from the old start menu:

Additionally to the start menu search put a little search button on the super bar like Spotlight in OSX that allows me to search and launch things without having the start menu taking over my entire screen.

The rest I can adapt to I guess^^

[Dot Matrix]

This isn't change for the sake of change, this change was thrust upon the market whether you want it or not. The way we interact with technology has changed drastically since Windows 7 and ultimately, the Windows 95 UI was introduced. Metro is nothing more than Microsoft adapting to those changes and unifying their platforms. This change is important because even if it "fails", it keeps Microsoft on their toes and in business. It shows us they can and will compete in the market and not pull an IBM or Kodak on us.

[Redz0ne]

Windows 9 will fix Windows 8 on the desktop. Microsoft are focusing on tablets then will probably catch up on the desktop for the next release, it seems to be the way they do things now and it works.

[Active.]

This isn't change for the sake of change, this change was thrust upon the market whether you want it or not.

It was thrust upon the tablet market. It's obvious why Microsoft needs to force Metro on Desktop users as well, but Occam's razor would tell you it's not because Metro is a superior solution. Desktop users are only pawns in the game here.

[Dot Matrix]

It was thrust upon the tablet market. It's obvious why Microsoft needs to force Metro on Desktop users as well, but Occam's razor would tell you it's not because Metro is a superior solution. Desktop users are only pawns in the game here.

T

Tablet market!? No, this change was thrust upon the entire computing market, not just the tablet market. Stand back and take a look at the bigger picture.

[butilikethecookie]

Not sure if you're using a touch interface or a mouse but you don't have to swipe up on either to change tracks. Swipe to the side with touch or click the phantom arrows that appear at either edge of the screen when using a mouse. Volume slider is in settings on the Charms Bar. Don't forget the Charms Bar is app respective. There'll probably wind up being one in the app in a later version. That's probably more ideal.

ID3 tags? Can't help you on that one. All my stuff shows correctly. Except, there's an entire Wu-Tang album that's not even in my collection that comes up. But, these sound like beta issues.

Thanks for your response. I hope MS fixes this soon! :rolleyes:

I thought of something else too: How about folders like iOS? You can group items (click the magnifying glass in the right hand corner of the start screen > right click group of tiles > Name group) but that really isn't the same. I think there should be a popup on how to use metro like there was in Windows 95 on how to use a mouse and the start menu. I think they should also buy start8 from strdock and incorporate it into the final os......like that'll happen......

[Dot Matrix]

It was thrust upon the tablet market. It's obvious why Microsoft needs to force Metro on Desktop users as well, but Occam's razor would tell you it's not because Metro is a superior solution. Desktop users are only pawns in the game here.

I have the feeling, this is what you picture when you use the term "desktop":

But the times' are a' changing, my friend.

This is also a desktop computer:

And so is this:

And this too:

The time has come where we need an OS that can fit all of these devices, and yet still maintain backwards compatibility.

[Calum Veteran]

See replies inline in red...

I think I agree with everything you said there :)

[Subhadip]

Let's not forget that all the ultrabooks releasing Windows 8 time will have touch, keyboard and trackpad. Most AIOs already have touch screens in addition to keyboard and mice. Of course, there's a new dimension to this equation with Kinect.

[TheSoftware Junction]

you can go back to using a windows 7 style START button by using a free utility called Start8. http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

[Dannydeman]

Remove it asap.

[techguy77]

Impossible to fix it

[xWhiplash]

I have the feeling, this is what you picture when you use the term "desktop":

But the times' are a' changing, my friend.

This is also a desktop computer:

And so is this:

And this too:

The time has come where we need an OS that can fit all of these devices, and yet still maintain backwards compatibility.

Wow you have got to be kidding me.

Rotating a tablet a certain way and attaching a keyboard does not magically turn it into a desktop.

If I showed a picture with my iPhone horizontal, and a keyboard connected to it, is that a desktop?

A desktop computer is a computer that you intend not to move. It is specifically made to be in a fixed location.

Oh wait, let me guess, laptops are now desktop computers right? My mom had a laptop that never moved for 5 years. She kept it on the desk at all times and never moved it once.

Those pictures you listed above are not desktop computers. No way.

[.Neo]

Face it, the desktop OS is dead.

How do you think videos like that are being made by the various people involved? Let me tell you, they won't be using Metro anytime soon. For any serious work on Windows 8 you'll most likely end up using the "desktop" for the years to come, so there's really nothing dead about it.

Starting Windows 8 you have to learn and deal with two completely different interface environments within the same OS. How practical.

[migo]

I'm growing a bit tired of quoting Microsoft:

[source]

I'm already using an iPad. How does that make me resistant to change? It simply doesn't work well for every use case.

Mouse isn't as accurate as trackball. If you didn't switch to trackball before, you never cared about accuracy before Metro.

Wow you have got to be kidding me.

Rotating a tablet a certain way and attaching a keyboard does not magically turn it into a desktop.

If I showed a picture with my iPhone horizontal, and a keyboard connected to it, is that a desktop?

A desktop computer is a computer that you intend not to move. It is specifically made to be in a fixed location.

Oh wait, let me guess, laptops are now desktop computers right? My mom had a laptop that never moved for 5 years. She kept it on the desk at all times and never moved it once.

Those pictures you listed above are not desktop computers. No way.

A desktop isn't a computer you never intend to move, because that would be cou ter productive. Years ago there was a trade off between performance and mobility. Now there isn't. Making a computer with the intention that it doesn't move,rather than lack of mobility as a consequence is shooting yourself in the foot.

[Active.]

Mouse isn't as accurate as trackball. If you didn't switch to trackball before, you never cared about accuracy before Metro.

This makes no sense whatsoever and is serously the stupidest argument yet. But I'm sure at some point you'll have people convinced that they didn't realize Metro was all they wanted and needed on the Desktop all along. Good luck! :laugh:

[Dot Matrix]

This is why we're getting Metro:

Stright from Microsoft.

[wahoospa]

"How would you fix Metro on the desktop?"

I'd get rid of Metro and call it 'Windows 7 SE..

[xWhiplash]

This is why we're getting Metro:

Stright from Microsoft.

Nobody cares if it is a unified ecosystem. Do you think parents and grandparents care if Windows 8 on the desktop is the same as on the phone? Nobody wants to forget 20 of UI history just because. They do not want to sit and read a metro book in order to use heir new computer. They do. It want to watch tutorials in order to use their computer. They will simply request an older operating system. It is simple, it is far more advanced than metro is on the desktop, and it is what everybody grew up with memorizing how to use the system.

Why is it so horrible to perform this slowly and 100% optional like Apple is doing? At least they are keeping their 10 years of UI design intact by still having the dock on.

Honestly, and I am not the only one to think this, Windows 95 seems way more advanced than Windows 8 in terms of UI.

[Dot Matrix]

Why is it so horrible to perform this slowly and 100% optional like Apple is doing? At least they are keeping their 10 years of UI design intact by still having the dock on.

Because the tech world doesn't move at a snail's pace anymore? 10 years is FAR too long to move over to a new paradigm, especially now. OS X is being left in the dirt.