MS talks about how inefficient the start menu is because it requires scrolling. Yet, it was the users who screamed about the lack of real estate the vista/7 start menu used which required scrolling and the removal of classic start menu in 7.
Now they agree and come up with a touch driven "menu" that is clearly not drivable with a mouse. Yes, I've been trying.
Instead of forcing this metro UI on users they should do what they did with the start menu change in xp/vista. Offer the new UI but allow for users to go "classic" and don't force the metro UI for another 2-3 releases.
I won't move to win 8 without a familiar start menu option
What follows are my thoughts and feelings related to Microsoft’s latest post over on Building Windows 8 about the Windows 8 Start Screen.
Over on Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft’s latest post works hard at trying to convince the reader that the classic Windows Start Menu is both inefficient and outdated. I agree with this so there’s no argument from me. The post then goes on to argue that the Windows 8 Start Screen is so much better for both mouse users and those who will be using touch. On this point, I remain unconvinced.
Before I begin
Before I begin, one point I want to make. I’ve been using Windows 8 now on several setups for many hours, and overall I’ve very pleased with what I’m seeing. The OS features many improvements that I feel will be of enormous benefit to home, small office and enterprise users alike.
I like Windows, and I like Windows 8.
A lot.
But.
I’m still not convinced that Microsoft plan to shove a touch interface into what is essentially isn’t designed to be used that way is flawed, and I’m worried about what effect this may have on both users and the Windows ecosystem in general.
Some assumptions
I’m going to make one assumption here about the PC landscape during the years that we can expect Windows 8 to reign (2012 to say 2015). That is that touchscreen technology on the PC (both on desktops and notebooks) won’t become mainstream in this time and that the default input devices that most home and business users will be relying on will still be the humble keyboard and mouse. I make this assumption with absolute confidence. Sure, we’re going to see touch-enabled PC from OEMs, but these will feature a premium price tag and as such remain high-end, luxury items. As far as the budget and mainstream markets are concerned (and those two categories will represent over 85% of Windows 8 users), Windows 8 might as well not be touch-enabled.
In other words, touch might one day be big, but expecting it to go big during the three or so years that Windows 8 will shine for is crazy.
Solution looking for a problem
So, what Microsoft is proposing to do in Windows 8 is replace the Start Menu, something that even I admit is kludgy and even with the best will in the world can rapidly degenerate into a confusing hellstew, with a mechanism that’s designed primarily with touch in mind. Sure, you can drive it with a mouse, but the overall idea here is to make it capable of being driven with the simplest pointing device - the finger. Problem is, that’s not going to be an option for the majority of Windows 8 users. So in other words, Microsoft is making sweeping changes to the OS for the benefit of a tiny minority or users.
And there, in a nutshell, is the problem with the Start Screen - it’s a solution looking for a problem to solve. If people were clamoring for touch-enabled PCs then the Start Screen makes sense, but they’re not, and they’re unlikely to be for the foreseeable future.
I have a question for Microsoft. Exactly how is this (something that to me looks like a throwback to the Program Manager days of Windows 3.1) …
… any easier (to use and on the eye) for keyboard and mouse users than this … ?
Both involve scrolling, but at least the Start Menu focuses the eye and the user’s attention on a small portion of the screen.
. 
looking forward to it! 
