Start Orb Removed in Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Perhaps one of the best quotes regarding the Metro UI was "Windows 8 is what you get when you turn your UX design over to middle aged women who've never used a computer for anything but Facebook and smartphone games." They were, of course, referring to Julie Larson-Green, the person responsible for much of the current UI thought. This includes the ribbon interface, which is a controversy in and of itself.

Metro may no be THE answer, but for the first time Microsoft is assimilating what a consistent user interface means, and the power it represents. Steven Grey and Brian Hill are holding on to what they are use to, and rightly so. First and foremost, a guy's gotta make a living. But they are holding on to false hope. Microsoft has no interest in supporting XP, and every reason to kill it. Microsoft is moving on to something else. If it works, Steve and Brian will have significantly fewer options over time. If Windows 8 doesn't work, Microsoft is in serious trouble.

@Steven Grey

Sometimes my Dad is right, I'm not too cool for school to admit that. Windows 8 [at least configured to Metro] is another Windows Me/Vista. Microsoft will make billions because it will be preloaded, but everyone who's stuck with it will long for either Window 7 or Windows 9 if they can't get rid of Metro.

If they can't, Enterprises in the majority will altogether reject it as a sad and obvious marketing scheme. Microsoft should focus on serving it's customers not trying to corral them into ugly marketing contrivances.

Don't get the wrong idea: I like Windows! And think Windows 7 is the cat's meow of PC operating systems. And Windows 8 set to Desktop only is nice too. But ..

Ugh. I do not like this. Metroseexual isn't all that. I find the flipping back and forth between the gaay Metroseexual screen and the proper Desktop so disconcerting. I really do not like it.

"Luddites like you also railed on Windows 95 for replacing DOS."

I railed on Windows 95 for not replacing DOS (because it didn't).

Merely because someone is opposed to something new doesn't automatically make them a Luddite. Not every change is for the better.

Microsoft's core business is PC software. The core Windows customers are PC users who use Windows on their PC. Alienating your core customer base is not a bright idea.

@Steven Grey, Brian Hill:

Luddites like you also railed on Windows 95 for replacing DOS.