Prepare for Windows 8 induced user rage

[DainBramaged]

Those of us who live on the bleeding edge of technology are not normal. I've been using Windows 8, for example, on a daily basis, and while there are still bits of it that aggravate me, I've become more or less acclimated to its idiosyncrasies. But in less than a month, the general public will start having its first brush with Windows 8, and average PC users will suddenly encounter a strange new world that, based on my experience today, will drive them to the edge of frustration.

My wife was home sick today with bronchitis, and wanted to get some work done. But her laptop wasn't working (my daughter had mislaid the powerbrick), so she turned to me for tech support. I gave her a notebook I had loaded with the Windows 8 RTM and Office 2013 Home preview. I showed her a few basic things, and then went back to work.

That's right—I gave my sick wife a brand new operating system and an updated Office suite to use with 5 minutes of training. I'm surprised she didn't call a divorce lawyer.

I wasn't handing Windows 8 to a tech novice. My wife is the textbook definition of an information worker, and she spends a good deal of time helping out both colleagues and customers with tech issues. But the Start screen and settings were Chinese finger traps to her, and the navigation between "Desktop" and Metro was maddening.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/prepare-for-windows-8-induced-user-rage/

[onehandle]

1. This is going to be a turning point for Microsoft.

Young people are more and more, not using Windows at all. They're using iPads, iPhones, and Macs. Apple is at the top of teens Christmas lists.

And while PC sales are down since the introduction of iOS, Apple is at nearly 15% of the desktop market.

If Windows 8 doesn't 'take,' Bill Gates' college roommate is toast. And Microsoft's future will be in doubt.


Personally, I think Windows 8 'looks' pretty cool. But users may indeed lose their minds.


Additionally, they keep demoing 'Surface' (which is prone to crashing during the demo), but they won't let anyone use one. A bad sign.

[rocktivity]

3. DING DING DING! Onehandle, you're our grand prize winner!

If Windows 8 doesn't 'take,' Bill Gates' college roommate is toast. And Microsoft's future will be in doubt.

You're right -- they cannot afford a replay of what happened when they promised that the people who liked XP (which they did) would love Vista (which they didn't). I like Windowss 7, and I run it on a Mac.

Eeew, is THAT what it's going to look like? I'm creeped out already!


rocktivity

[Initech]

6. If Metro doesn't do them in that Xbox live bullshit will.

They've thrown a huge demographic under the bus already and that's the system builders and hardcore enthusiasts - we're not going to spend $1k+ on a desktop rig and have it run a cell phone operating system. If they lose us gamers as well - it'll be the point of no return.

[Logical]

7. LOL, I don't consider you an open minded tech user!

[KurtNYC]

2. my standard advice to all laptop owners is never upgrade the operating system

Just stay with whatever was on there when you bought it. It will run faster and more reliably than if you burden it with the newest bloated version of the OP which may rely on faster processors, more RAM etc.

Plus you can avoid the learning curve of having to find all the functions they moved or changed for no good reason.

[randome]

4. 'For no good reason'? That's technology! Progress! Modernity!

[jsr]

10. Yep. Ignore the hype and keep using what you've got.

[L0oniX]

5. Ubuntu is ready for you.

[qb]

9. Now that's pretty!

[randome]

11. Also very complicated for the average user, from what I hear.

Pretty desktops do not an operating system make. Not that I have anything against Ubuntu. I hear it's hard to find the right drivers and getting them to work.

[L0oniX]

19. Most new users try the live dvd first to see if it will accept all the hardware.

[spinbaby]

8. Is that really what it looks like?

Is there really an icon to get your thyroid removed and another to order hot cross buns? What the &^$# is a vimeo?

[jsr]

12. There will be a volcanic eruption of hate

It's a real piece of garbage.

[WhollyHeretic]

13. Even worse is that's what Windows Server 2012 looks like

There are going to be a lot of techs freaking out.

[The Revolution]

14. Just think of metro as a full screen start menu

I think the best way to think of Windows 8 is just Windows 7 with a full screen start menu. Honestly, it's not that different. Though I have used Windows Server 2012 more than Windows 8, so the desktop variant may have some additional quirks.

[dmallind]

16. So - a modernized 3.1 then? Good - never agreed with that hide everything fad.

Why the hell do I need to go through start and then numerous subfolders, or set up shortcuts myself with no easy way to organize or differentiate them, when there is acres of screen space wasted on boring standard desktop pics? They had it basically right from a user interface persepctive pre-Win 95. Give us as much as possible right there on one screen. Let us bury little-used stuff in drop down menus, but keep all the frequent programs front and center all the time.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. That looks as bad as the 'new' USAToday's web site. I stopped going there after

they scambled it up. I can't even get their crossword puzzle to work right.

[arikara]

17. They lost me at Vista

when the Mr brought home a new laptop with it installed and expected me to figure it out for him. He took it in and got XP installed and I got a Mac.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. Maybe it's time for Microsoft Bob 2.0