Windows 8 takes a licking, but keeps on ticking

As I anticipated, last week’s post about Microsoft’s latest desktop/tablet operating system (“The great Windows 8 debate“) brought forth a torrent of divided opinions, both in the comments fields and in my inbox. Today I’ll quote from some of that correspondence on both sides of the coin.

I’ll start with a strong defense of Windows 8 from Cringester G.K:

Look, I use Windows 8 on my existing desktop, [and] it’s actually better than Windows 7. … It’s definitely faster than Windows 7, on the same hardware. Windows 8 is not a version 1.0, as you state. It’s Vista 3.0.

As for the start screen, I hardly ever see it. I click the desktop icon, or press the Windows key after the system boots and I’m at the desktop. I created the shortcuts on the desktop, to the programs I use, I pinned some to the taskbar and I run Windows 8 just like I used to run Windows 7.

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On the flip side, reader J.M., who says he goes back to the days of MS-DOS and considers himself a “literate end-user,” if not a techie, was more lukewarm:

I have been using Windows 8 since it debuted in October. … Upon downloading, i immediately installed Classic Shell. By so doing, I have been able to completely ignore the Metro UI and act like it is not there. I run a dual-boot system with Win7 and Win 8 and so am able to switch back and forth between the two and check out similar features in both. My honest evaluation is that, for a desktop PC, I just do not see any compelling reason to upgrade from Win7. I did so just because I could and was bored that day.

Back to the pro-Win8 camp. Cringe fan M.W. says he’s sick of all the Windows 8 bashing that’s going on at InfoWorld. He writes:

My laptop died and I needed a new one before I went on a business trip. I got a Fujitsu Lifebook T902 with a touchscreen. It came with Windows 8 Professional. I didn’t know if I would like it, but frankly it was love at first sight. This business about the missing Start button is ridiculous. My general impression is that Windows 8 is great and I think easier to get used to and get work done than moving to a Mac. You must really love to make a business of being a professional curmudgeon.

Yes, “professional curmudgeon” is printed on my business cards, right next to the phrase “Will blog for food.” Thanks for asking.

Reader J.O. serves up more love for Win8, along with a helpful history lesson:

I am “all in” with Windows 8. Upgraded my home PC to 8 and recently bought a Win8 phone (HTC 8X). I may even give my wife my iPad and get a Surface Pro. …

Win8 search is great (context sensitive) and Picture Password is both cool and smart … [and] while I DO own a 23″ Planar touchscreen, you can ABSOLUTELY navigate Win8 without a touchscreen. You just won’t get to enjoy the Metro apps. BTW, I’m no MS fan boy … but just think Win8 is getting a bum rap. Remember, we all HATED WinXP when it first arrived!

Meanwhile, reader D.K. is among those who said adios to Microsoft a while ago and never looked back:

I personally left the Windows world for Ubuntu. I completely wiped out my PC of Windows 7 Professional OS and installed Ubuntu. I’m tired of the shoddy track record Microsoft has with OSes, especially in the area of security. Bye, bye Windows!

Finally, regarding The Interface Formerly Known As Metro (TIFKAM), frequent correspondent G.W. cites a blog post by Paul Thurrott comparing the schizo tablet/desktop OS to an old “Saturday Night Live” skit about a product that’s both a floor wax and a dessert topping. (If you remember that one, you’re as ancient as I am.) That faux product was known as Shimmer. G.W. writes:

There we have it, the new name for the Metro interface: Shimmer. May I count on your support to drum up support for this new name?

Consider it done. From now on, Metro will be known as Shimmer in this space.

Is there a shimmer of hope for Win8? Continue the debate below or email me: cringe@infoworld.com.

This article, “Windows 8 takes a licking, but keeps on ticking,” was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Follow the crazy twists and turns of the tech industry with Robert X. Cringely’s Notes from the Field blog, and subscribe to Cringely’s Notes from the Underground newsletter.