3 ms·

The problem is the bigger picture here--Microsoft wants to phase out the desktop and move us all to Metro so we have to buy all software through their app store

by m8urn 14y ago

The problem is the bigger picture here--Microsoft wants to phase out the desktop and move us all to Metro so we have to buy all software through their app store. I would guess that in the near future we'll be talking about jailbreaking windows just to install our own stuff. It's the only explanation I can find for Microsoft completely ignoring how much everyone hates Metro.

panacea 14y ago
I see a different picture. One where they're desperately trying to kick-start their mobile plaform, so they're unapologetically shoving it under the noses of as many customers as possible, and the only way they can see to do this, is by shipping it as the interface of Windows. Once they've got app developers making enough apps for the mobile platform to have a viable evosystem, they can uncouple it from Windows desktop somewhat.
- andybak 14y ago
  This is the clearest explanation I've read. Microsoft may have convinced themselves that Metro is a viable desktop UI but that is post-facto justification. The real reason is 'developers, developers, developers'.
  - mkup 14y ago
    If the real reason was 'developers, developers, developers', Microsoft would not have created the walled garden, a clone of iOS App Store. 'Developers, developers, developers' want open, bazaar-style platform, like Win32, they do not want curated cathedral-style shop where Microsoft can kick out the competitors from.
    - recoiledsnake 14y ago
      Is that why developers are trampling over each other in a stampede to the iOS store? They're fearful of malware and battery-sucking-always-running services and apps like some Android apps. This way, they start with a clean slate on WindowsRT and Metro apps and then maybe relax some rules
      - mkup 14y ago
        I'm not trampling over anybody in a stampede to the iOS store, and also I'm staying at Win32 and ignoring WinRT platform completely precisely for that reason: lack of developer freedom. I'm pretty sure that Microsoft will drop entire WinRT thing someday, or there will be alternative Win32 implementation from other vendor. As for WinRT, they have invented a lot of similar toys last years, played them for some short time, and abandoned them. In any case, Win32 code base and user base is too large, so this platform will be supported in some way for the next 50+ years.

by m8urn 14y ago

panacea 14y ago

I see a different picture. One where they're desperately trying to kick-start their mobile plaform, so they're unapologetically shoving it under the noses of as many customers as possible, and the only way they can see to do this, is by shipping it as the interface of Windows. Once they've got app developers making enough apps for the mobile platform to have a viable evosystem, they can uncouple it from Windows desktop somewhat.

andybak 14y ago
This is the clearest explanation I've read. Microsoft may have convinced themselves that Metro is a viable desktop UI but that is post-facto justification. The real reason is 'developers, developers, developers'.
- mkup 14y ago
  If the real reason was 'developers, developers, developers', Microsoft would not have created the walled garden, a clone of iOS App Store. 'Developers, developers, developers' want open, bazaar-style platform, like Win32, they do not want curated cathedral-style shop where Microsoft can kick out the competitors from.
  - recoiledsnake 14y ago
    Is that why developers are trampling over each other in a stampede to the iOS store? They're fearful of malware and battery-sucking-always-running services and apps like some Android apps. This way, they start with a clean slate on WindowsRT and Metro apps and then maybe relax some rules
    - mkup 14y ago
      I'm not trampling over anybody in a stampede to the iOS store, and also I'm staying at Win32 and ignoring WinRT platform completely precisely for that reason: lack of developer freedom. I'm pretty sure that Microsoft will drop entire WinRT thing someday, or there will be alternative Win32 implementation from other vendor. As for WinRT, they have invented a lot of similar toys last years, played them for some short time, and abandoned them. In any case, Win32 code base and user base is too large, so this platform will be supported in some way for the next 50+ years.