[..] many users will find this change as scary and painful and strange as the WinVista/Win7 change was to users who were accustomer to Win2k/WinXP environments.
Yes, but Windows Vista or 7 are nearly the same as XP (speaking about the user interface). Sure they added some more graphical touches, made a different organization to the start menu, a basic graphical approach to the control panel (which I've always found slower to navigate through than classic style). They also decided to remove Computer (aka: My Computer) from the desktop (another thing I always pin to the desktop and quick launch immediately when using a fresh install). Also a wacky, yet better, stacking system on the start menu that took a lot of time for most people to adapt to.
I've had a Windows Phone 7 and I honestly did not like it. I found it beyond basic. Not just visually, but technically. I know that it was just a phone, but it was actually a step backwards from where the Windows Phone 6.x was. WP6 was the only reason I bought the WP7 without looking at any reviews. I didn't think they'd make an operating system that was even more basic than its predecessor.
After having used that phone for a year, its "blah" interface drives me batty just looking at it now. Those fucking squares and the stupid color choices. With Win8 following the same path, it's definitely not going to win me over. "Let's make blocky squares with ONE color on the inside; it'll be white."
Why does this have to be so basic looking. Why do the tiles have to be 2x1? You couldn't customize it on the WP7, so I wouldn't doubt that you can't here. It looks like you can change the colors, so maybe you can also change the tile size.
I found with the phone, having those "fancy" live-tiles, I spent more time waiting than I did doing stuff. When you have text messages or emails, then press the home button to see the live-tiles that have anything new. You'd have to wait at least 1-2 seconds until the animation changes from its previous number to the new number. I don't want to wait. Change the bloody thing in the background. I don't care that you have a fancy transition that changes to show how many texts I have. I don't like waiting. The animation is NOT worth the time.
In most circumstances it wasn't a problem, but when I was texting multiple people at once and going back and forth, it definitely became cumbersome. Also not having the Notifications drop-down that Android and the iPhone, really sucked. Pressing home All the time. Waiting. Pressing the tile. Waiting for the fancy transition that took too bloody long. Waiting again. Some dots rolling by the screen constantly.
Lol Yes. I got very annoyed of that phone. Which is why I only had it for a year even though I had a 3 year contract on it. It wasn't worth it. That's why I worry Win8 will fall into the same boat.
I've always been a Windows supporter, but maybe in several years when Win7 is behind the times, I may end up switching to its competition. Of course I'll give Win8 a try first, using someone's computer. But if they stick to this style, I'll likely be gone.
Let's just hope the fancy metro tiles style isn't forced down your throat with Win8. I need to have it turned off, or I'll never use it.
