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Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

channelregister.co.uk

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Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#2

Post by SlipperySlope »

Essentially ...

"There’s much to be excited about. Yet, not many in the channel are excited. In fact, the Microsoft ecosystem – component makers, PC manufacturers, distributors and resellers – is bracing for a lull rather than a surge in Windows-related sales."

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#3

Post by SoftwareMaven »

It almost feels like MS is setting itself up to be able to throw their whole OEM ecosystem out the door. MS is seeing their market shrink, so they may decide to stop sharing it with other people like they have in the past. They are starting by getting their toes in the water with Surface, Azure and direct-licensed upgrades to Windows.

If so, that would be the boldest thing I've seen from Balmer (which is why I'm very hesitant to actually believe it).

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#4

Post by walru »

I went to go use a Windows 8 PC at Best Buy the other day and was shocked.

In screenshots everything looks clean, crisp, and modern - then comes the task of using it. I don't understand who at MSFT thought it was necessary to preface every action by a splash screen and inordinately long loading times. Also, am I missing something? Does everything you do have to be full screen? Is having multiple windows open and multi-tasking a thing of the past?

I know I'm coming from a place of ignorance - having only used it for about five minutes. I'm sure I don't quite understand how to use the OS yet. However, I design software for a living. If I'm not able to immediately figure out how to use everything and why this is a better approach than what they've done before, or what their competitors are doing, then how is the mass populace?

I hate to come on here to be so negative, but the usability of Windows 8 is simply abysmal.

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#5

Post by darrenkopp »

walru wrote: post #4

I went to go use a Windows 8 PC at Best Buy the other day and was shocked. In screenshots everything looks clean, crisp, and modern - then comes the task of using it. I don't understand who at MSFT thought it was necessary to preface every action by a splash screen and inordinately long loading times. Also, am I missing something? Does everything you do have to be full screen? Is having multiple windows open and mult…

On the metro side, you can snap an app to the side and have one app be the primary (http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-featu...)

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#6

Post by gvnonor »

walru wrote: post #4

I went to go use a Windows 8 PC at Best Buy the other day and was shocked. In screenshots everything looks clean, crisp, and modern - then comes the task of using it. I don't understand who at MSFT thought it was necessary to preface every action by a splash screen and inordinately long loading times. Also, am I missing something? Does everything you do have to be full screen? Is having multiple windows open and mult…

Windows 8 only makes sense on tablet/laptop hybrids. I think you'll feel differently about the usability of the system once you get to try it out on newer devices that are coming out. Here's an interesting article about one such device http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/3475334/acer-iconia-w510-p...

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#7

Post by digisign »

walru wrote: post #4

I went to go use a Windows 8 PC at Best Buy the other day and was shocked. In screenshots everything looks clean, crisp, and modern - then comes the task of using it. I don't understand who at MSFT thought it was necessary to preface every action by a splash screen and inordinately long loading times. Also, am I missing something? Does everything you do have to be full screen? Is having multiple windows open and mult…

I don't know if this is the case, but sometimes knowing too much can be a detriment to an open mind.

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#8

Post by larrik »

Well, when both Vista and 7 came out, Microsoft would tout the great adoption rates they were seeing with their sales numbers. They would conveniently leave out that purchasing a PC with XP on it at that point involved buying Vista/7, and then "downgrading" it, which went on the books as a Vista/7 sale, but went to the customer as an XP sale (ish).

So yeah, when Microsoft declares victory, I NEVER believe it.

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#9

Post by marshray »

SoftwareMaven wrote: post #3

It almost feels like MS is setting itself up to be able to throw their whole OEM ecosystem out the door. MS is seeing their market shrink, so they may decide to stop sharing it with other people like they have in the past. They are starting by getting their toes in the water with Surface, Azure and direct-licensed upgrades to Windows. If so, that would be the boldest thing I've seen from Balmer (which is why I'm very…

Out of curiosity, how do you see Azure fitting in to this plan?

Re: Windows 8: Microsoft will declare victory, but will anyone believe it?

#10

Post by ewest »

SlipperySlope wrote: post #2

Essentially ... "There’s much to be excited about. Yet, not many in the channel are excited. In fact, the Microsoft ecosystem – component makers, PC manufacturers, distributors and resellers – is bracing for a lull rather than a surge in Windows-related sales."

On the same note, with today's economy it's likely the majority won't bother upgrading since their Windows installs work, so why upgrade now?
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