Win8 Start Button Follies

First, take a look at this little gem.

Back when MS user interface (UI) designers actually studied how humans used computers, they came up with the classic Windows desktop interface. It worked so well, other OSes copied it. That’s because it’s one of the best balanced compromises between what a computer can do and what people tend to do by reflex. You can’t imagine how much work went into it and how many man-hours of study and testing were involved. It’s still the best paradigm for a desktop interface. It may not be true in future generations, but for as long as people use desktop computers, I’m quite certain the original UI research was not flawed. There’s nothing wrong with a cellphone interface for cellphones and tablets, but not on the desktop.

So because MS steadfastly refuses to hear what their paying customers are saying, here’s a few fixes.

1. Spotted in the comments on a ZDNet article:

For a simple “start button” at no expense, create a quick launch toolbar and point it to ProgramData> Microsoft> Windows> Start Menu. Inside that folder is a Programs folder with most if not all of the shortcuts there. If one is not there, just put it there.

You will have an arrow on the taskbar instead of the Start Orb, but it works just as well and is actually less confusing for the average user.

2. IObit Start Menu looks good.

3. Pokki takes a different approach that might be better for some.

4. Classic Shell is what I would be more likely to use.

The one real problem no one seems to be able to fix is the serious networking problems in Win8: It keeps dropping connections, wireless and wired. I’m waiting to see how that comes out.