Earlier quoted context omitted.
I prefer Win 8.1 to 7 any day. I spend 99.9% of my time in desktop mode and it's fine. I prefer it! EDIT: I don't have many/any ongoing issues with bugs, and I even use Visual Studio CTP/RC on a day to day basis, without any major issues. Microsoft do software _really_ well. The crap they have to get right on an ongoing basis is nothing compared to Google and Facebook, we should give them some credit.
As a power user and developer, I agree with you. On the other hand I would never recommend casual users like my parents to upgrade from 7 to 8.
Hopefully 10 will be familiar enough for casual users with the start button back and all!