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In every previous version of Windows it has also been possible to change the settings to get it to behave much like previous versions. However, in every previo

In every previous version of Windows it has also been possible to change the settings to get it to behave much like previous versions. However, in every previous version it has also been the case that the configuration in question is not terribly discoverable. This situation is compounded by the way that the default settings create an environment that is confusing to people who were used to previous versions of Windows - the result being they feel alienated or intimidated enough that they're unlikely to attempt to discover these changes. And I don't see much indication that Microsoft will succeed in avoiding this situation. I'm sure they've got UI experts thinking about it, but their marketing department has a solid track record of seeing a good idea paperclipizing it because they think it needs to be more visible. There will also be, as there have for every other Windows update, many UI changes which may be less advertised than the Metro UI is, but which have just as much ability to alienate users. Ribbons in the Explorer come to mind. (Not that ribbons are bad, mind you, just that an all-at-once switch to them is unnecessarily jarring.) Though I will say that on the other hand it is nice to see that this may be the first major Windows release in a decade to forgo the traditional Reshuffling of the Control Panel.

ekianjo 15y ago
I see your point, if you are talking about the general population, but for the audience of HN, discovering how to change the configuration to return to a win7-like desktop is no challenge. Plus, I would be very surprised if companies started shipping Win8 with the Metro interface by default. All productivity environments will be set up on the regular desktop version. Frankly, implementing changes while allowing people to use the interface they prefer is not that bad. Ubuntu, for one, is clearly imposing you to use Unity and that's it. Don't like it ? Well, forget about using it then. Re: Ribbons, I have never liked that very much, however it may be more positive than we think in the end, as it is going to provide visual consistency for users between applications.

ekianjo 15y ago

I see your point, if you are talking about the general population, but for the audience of HN, discovering how to change the configuration to return to a win7-like desktop is no challenge. Plus, I would be very surprised if companies started shipping Win8 with the Metro interface by default. All productivity environments will be set up on the regular desktop version. Frankly, implementing changes while allowing people to use the interface they prefer is not that bad. Ubuntu, for one, is clearly imposing you to use Unity and that's it. Don't like it ? Well, forget about using it then. Re: Ribbons, I have never liked that very much, however it may be more positive than we think in the end, as it is going to provide visual consistency for users between applications.