Hi
When Vista 1st came out.
I was possibly, the only person I know who liked it.
Had no problems whatsoever...... ever.
Mind you I did build a system specific to Vista.

Now we have Windows 8.

Now I have no problems with this OS.
Despite no "Start menu" included.

Already there are ways around the start bit.
If using a dektop.

I find Windows 8 a much cleaner/faster setup alround.

If using cross platform... ideal.

I currently have,

Windows 8 Pro on my PC.

Work laptop with touch screen.


Add to this 2 Nokia Windows 8 phones.
1 work, 1 personal.

Now to the title "Why 1 want"..... to work.

No only for the cross platform aspect.
But because I believe the both Apple & Google need the challange.

So it could be in everyone's interest.

The recent Apple vs Samsung shows both looking for a way to overcome the other.
Without doing it via software/features/performance.

It shows Apple has an agenda to focus on rivals patents.
Note how they started with Samsung & not Google.
This leaves options to have a go at others like HTC etc.

Whilst I would not state that the end for Apple is in site.
They face tough challenges ahead.
Escpecially with the others now turning to tablets for revenue.

Just looking at the mobile phone market.
Google (Android) phones.
With such an array of manufacturers & models.
To say nothing "customisation".
Are up there with Apple.
Apple's latest the iPhone 5.
Seen by many as a let down.
I don't believe this.
Apple's approach appears to me as that of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Born out by the more of a tweaking process than a revolution.
RIM lost a lot of ground in the last few years, sticking with what they had proven to itself.
Hence slow to change to the concept full screen with capactive k/b.
The Blackberry 10 may be too little to late.
Looking like the bastard from a mix of iOS & microsoft.

(Nokia) Windows phones.
Well Nokia have gone a long with MS to have a good "throw of the dice".
Nokia as good as forsaking Symbian.
Have (1st with Windows 7.5) with Windows 8 gone all in.
Their own apps like Nokia maps/Nokia drive + many photo type apps.
Are likely to help push this newbie.

Nokia maps/Nokia drive are to be a feature of all Windows 8 phones.
Regardless of manufacturer.

HTC & Samsung putting forward some pretty competitive models.

For marketing purposes alone then.
I want Windows 8 to work.

Windows 8 will likely have the same track record as Vista. That said, I tried Vista, hated it. I have now tried Windows 8, don't hate it. I like they they simplified it to two versions; I don't like the "metro shell" over the top of the Explorer interface. But if I get a touch pad or touch monitor (unlikely there), I may find it more tolerable. Apple is indeed at a crossroad. Apple Fanboys are finding that Android is actually innovating more than Apple has. Apple has the edge on the App store; but I predict in a years time that will swing and balance. Microsoft app store... hmmm... Not having faith in it.

Apple is also a software company used by creative professionals. Final Cut and Aperture have a strong base of film makers and photographers. That said, I use Adobe Lightroom over Aperture. They also say Final Cut is stripped down and I agree to a point, but they re-wrote the app to be 64-bit from the ground up with the future in mind and with each update it gets better and better.

I use all platforms... I have an open mind and feel they all need to succeed to drive the others. Apple is getting a little loco though in their battle with Google. Microsoft has an opportunity to get back into the game. And right now the game is tablet/cloud computing. Surface does not impress me... yet. Android and iOS do, as the tools they provide are exceptional to my hobby (there is contrast though with both). Microsoft does have a perfect storm opportunity to get into the game. Waiting to see how it plays out.

I look at Linux and the desktop experience there... It is not good compared to Mac OS X and Windows. Even with Windows shortcomings with "metro" it is still more usable. Looking more forward to the next Windows release as I have to imagine this is a step for them. I would like to say good-bye to limiting drive letters and a few other tired Windows things. Office, bah. Enhance the browser experience to offer this functionality. I'm tired... off to bed.

The Metro GUI sux big time. But u can get Win8 to look like Se7en with the help of a 3rd party tool.

Stardock Start8

Another good tool is......Winstep Nexus. It's a advanced docking system for windows.

A thing that's good with Win8 is that it use rather little system resources.

That Winstep Nexus looks like the Apple OS X style dock. Looks pretty cool.

After a short while with Windows 8, I seem to have adjusted to the subtle changes in the desktop mode and am working fine in it. Metro is still rubbish and the App Store is crap. I have used the Apple App Store, Android/Google Play, and the Amazon Kindle App store. The MS store is not as user friendly as those and all of those need improvement, but the user experience is much much better in my opinion. I think the only thing I added through the Microsoft store is the Google app, but I never use it because it is from the "Metro" interface. I think this is a key point where Microsoft needs to improve the Windows 8 experience.

Another thing with the "Metro" interface that might make it cool is better management of the tiles. Perhaps allow stacking them and when you open a stack, it expands. Kind of like how iOS and Android do folders on the interface. Who knows, you may be able to do this, I just have not tried to figure it out as the experience with the interface on a traditional desktop PC is just plain bad.

A little long, but this guy does a good job explaining why Windows 8 is struggling and needs them to put the Start button back.

As I continue to use Windows 8, I find it is a functional operating system, but only in desktop mode with Start8 pushing it there. I cannot imagine sticking with it without this add-on. I see that tablet is failing bad. I have no desire to even evaluate it. The one interest I have for it would possibly be using Adobe Lightroom, but to get a device with that much horse power, it would cost a fortune and consume battery like crazy.

From a Tablet perspective, I adore my Nexus 7. It is used by someone in the house a lot and when I go out with my camera, it has a spot in the bag. I can see a market for Adobe to make a Lightroom product for a table. I already have Photoshop Touch, but only because I got a deal on it for cheap. I have not played with it much. My point on that is that iOS and Android can evolve to the desktop and provide a good user experience. I don't think the Desktop can evolve to a tablet.

Still like Windows 8 with the add-on, but because if the third party add-on, I am not completely satisfied with Microsoft. I don't see Windows 8 as a failure because it still has gamer and PC user appeal, but it is fading as the iOS and Android tablets evolve. Just my $0.02. Take it with a grain of salt... Hoping MS realizes this and patches Windows with a Start Menu Classic look for the desktop.

I will be picking up Office '13 soon. Hated '10, expect the same, but work flips the bill on it so why not.

Hi
I am amazed.
I am truly senile.
I love Windows 8.
Don't miss the "Start Menu" at all.
I have Windows 8 everthing........