Fixing Windows 8

By Draginol on March 1, 2012 5:10:56 PM from

We got a start button / start menu up and running this afternoon.

http://frogboy.joeuser.com/article/418946/Windows_8_Start_button_returns

I’ve already seen a lot of Microsoft fanboys complaining about how “Stardock always makes Windows look old” which is pretty ironic since it was Stardock that first introduced Windows users to the concept of ZIP files as folders, widgets, gadgets, docks (which we were doing before OS X), side bars, shadows, GUI skinning, composited desktops, open file dialog short-cuts, file version revisioning, etc. etc.

What we do at Stardock is take Windows to try to make it better. Normally, it means adding new features to the OS. Having to bring back the Start button and Start menu is something, ideally, Microsoft will do before Windows 8 ships.

While Microsoft is at it, here’s a few other things that would be nice:

Option to show Metro apps on the Windows desktop inside of window (there’s no reason they need to be full screen).
High DPI mode
Better multi monitor support
Option to have the charm hot spots activate on mouse over rather than mousing over and clicking
Being able to use the mouse to click drag around Metro (i.e. pretend the mouse is the finger)
Some sort of…design understanding that 99% of Windows users will be using this as a desktop computer, not a tablet. I love tablets. I have several. I’ll happily use Windows 8 as a tablet. But when I’m at a desk, I have a keyboard and a mouse. PLEASE design the user experience with that in mind.

+86 Karma | 16 Replies

I’ve already seen a lot of Microsoft fanboys complaining about how “Stardock always makes Windows look old”

Well, let them have the Teletubbie hills and the kiddie themes for them selves.
we know, and have better!

I love tablets. I have several.

I'll just go over to my corner and silently hate you.
I just want -one- tablet....

Option to show Metro apps on the Windows desktop inside of window (there’s no reason they need to be full screen).

Couldn't they be put on apps pages in Tiles?

You have not experienced computing hell until you have used the "new" Windows 8 mail app.

I dl'd the first version that became available....and as yet have STILL not installed it ....too depressed - disillusioned to bother.

I don't have a smart phone ....and certainly don't want a smart-style PC.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 4

I don't have a smart phone ....and certainly don't want a smart-style PC.

My problem exactly with the Win8 concept. I have no plans to upgrade...er, downgrade...

Some sort of…design understanding that 99% of Windows users will be using this as a desktop computer, not a tablet. I love tablets. I have several. I’ll happily use Windows 8 as a tablet. But when I’m at a desk, I have a keyboard and a mouse. PLEASE design the user experience with that in mind.

This. 8 is the first version of Windows that actually scares me a bit.

I'm very unimpressed with Win8 in general and I feel sorry for those that will have to use it when it comes out.

...I see Windows ME all over again...

M$ pushing something that isn't all that desirable is a huge win for you folks. You'll have my money anyway.

Dear M$ - Everyone is using a touchscreen. Thanks.

I guess the nutshell review of Windows 8 is w8 for 9.

Its a crusty sucker for sure.

Another thing that needs fixing in Windows 8: I can't download my old stardock games on Windows 8. Impulse refuses to allow it stating that they're incompatible with my OS... Only way to get them to work (for a subset of them) would be to rebuy them on Steam...

Quoting Kazriko,

reply 11

No, such things are specifically an issue of your playing with an as yet unsupported OS.

Win 8 is BETA.

Please don't assume ANYTHING can or will work with a BETA.

Quoting warreni,

reply 6

This. 8 is the first version of Windows that actually scares me a bit.

I blame the buzzword junkies. I saw a few pieces in the last week or so that were touting, yet again, 'the end of the PC.'

Sure, ludicrous numbers of people are happily spending most of their device time fondling grease-smeared little screens, and even a few greasy screens large enough to be actually worth using to read or watch something. But that class of interfaces is no replacement for the basic keyboard and mouse when it comes to actually using a computer for serious productive work, or even serious TBS gaming.

I'm keeping W7. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Windows 8 is flat, unappealing, and personally - if MS doesn't come out with a 2nd service pack for Win7 soon I am going to re-consider a dual-boot system. Windows 8 and the metro thing holds no appeal for me; none whatsoever.

In fact; I am sick to death of black and gray everything. The colors presented in this metro thing are all standard and pretty well yik. What has happened to 3D design?

But then, I am not opinionated or anything...

@Kazriko You can probably get it to work by right clicking the exe for impulse and telling it to run in compatibility mode for windows 7. I havent tested it yet, but it's something I would try first.

I am the owner of a computer repair and service business, I've installed windows 8 on almost all of my computers now in a vain attempt to make myself tolerate the new interface that I know I'm going to be forced to support. I laugh at their press releases on making a "unified" experience between their phone, 360 and computer/tablets. Sure, your interface may all look, I'll even go as far to say feel the same, but the entire back end to it is entirely different. So what again is the point of forcing a new ui on people? I find the 360 dashboard rediculously hard to navigate, I miss my blades, blades were bad ass and neatly organized. I waste about 30 seconds navigating to my video player on the 360. The new metro app for video doesn't even work on my netbook 1024x600 is below their supported resolution. All I guess I'm saying is that after 18 glorious years of having a start button, did some dev at microsoft have the brilliant idea "oh hey, OSX doesnt have a start button, lets ditch ours too and be unique!" Ubuntu's unity interface is a total and complete flop, what made MS think they could do better with oversized tiles and fix scaled text? I am not looking forward to supporting windows 8.

lol /end rant

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Fixing Windows 8