The new Windows 8 Start Screen, making use of flat, colored live tiles and a full bleed canvas as used in Windows Phone and Xbox 360 Dashboard. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As a Managing Partner, and the founder of GEN5 Consulting, I always view new technology and innovation within the context of how it will benefit our clients. So when I had the chance to begin evaluating Windows 8, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m only a couple of weeks in (with a minimum of time to tinker), but here are a few of my initial thoughts and opinions. I’ll also be adding updates and additional detail in the future.
1. The Interface is a substantial departure from Windows 7. The new “tile” UI is designed to look and function very much like my son’s XBox. It definitely takes some getting used to. Like many users, and certainly like the vast majority of our SMB (Small and Mid-Sized Business) clients, I don’t have a touchscreen monitor on my laptop or desk machines yet. Since the new UI is clearly targeted at enabling touchscreen interaction, it felt to me as if I was “missing something” right out of the box – as though I could do much more, or perhaps do it better if only I had a touchscreen. It was oddly frustrating to use the mouse at times.
2. Simplification. One of Microsoft’s goals was to simplify access – to place the apps and items you use often right on the main screen. The XB0x-like screen achieves that goal. However, it has taken me a bit of “getting used to” time to get even remotely comfortable with accessing the things I need, but don’t use every day. It often feels like a treasure hunt, and if this was my production machine I’d probably have gone a berserk by now.
3. The basic apps interfaces have changed rather dramatically. I use Outlook, Word, Excel, and other MS productivity apps all day, every day. Win8 automatically directs the user to use the “basic” apps that behave more like Live Mail. Obviously I’m using pre-release versions, but in order for me to make the switch to the new apps, I’d probably need to do it across the board on all my devices. It’s just too hard to switch back and forth from a familiar productivity tool to an unfamilliar one without losing, well… productivity. The bottom-line is that I’m installing Office Professional Plus to regain some sanity and functionality.
As I noted above, I’ll provide an update periodically. However, I’d summarize my experiences thus far as:
Given that I’m using software that will undergo minor changes prior to release, I feel that many users will struggle to immediately embrace the changes. These aren’t minor adjustments to menus or placement of items ont he desktop. This is a complete overhaul of the user interface. For many business users, the value proposition around making the change would (and perhaps should) be a hard sell. Most feel that MS “got it right” with Windows 7 – and they’re working towards migrating to that platform. Now what? Skip Win7 and go directly to Win8 despite the changes? I’m anxious to hear what the response will be to that line of reasoning. Win8 will be more challenging for SMBs to embrace at first. This could slow adoption. Furthermore, it’s unclear what role (if any) BYOD (bring your own device) approaches will have on Win8 adoption.
More to come.
Here’s a link to a fun and informative article from Forbes that we hope you’ll enjoy. 
