[Scourge of Ages]

Actually, that's kind of a weird thread title, but I didn't want to spoil everything.

Anyway! Windows 8.1 was released as a free update to Windows 8, and addresses some issues with 8, namely, it returned the Start Menu and gave the option to boot straight to Desktop. http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/17/4845142/windows-8-1-review

But you knew that already. The UI still, in general is pretty bad, but you know that MS is committed to the new design philosophy.

So this guy, Jay Machalani, figured a way to make everyone happy. Desktop users get to relax with a desktop that combines the comfort of the old with the features and style of the new (not as bad as it sounds). Metro users get better touch interface, and get to do a lot of things that they weren't able to before.

It's just a mock-up, and not actually functional, but brilliant to read how MS should have designed 8 from the start.

http://jay-machalani.squarespace.com/blog/2013/12/12/fixing-windows-8

[Luis Dias]

So a guy is bidding to be hired by Microsoft.

snore.

[Klaustrophobia]

i'll consider 8 'fixed' when there is ACTUALLY a start menu again (not just a link to the start screen) and this "apps" bull**** is gone forever.  i'm not using a damn smartphone here, i want to run PROGRAMS and actually be able to close them without the task manager. 

[Flak]

My complain about 8.1? It just screw up various antivirus

[Ghostavo]

My complain about 8.1? It just screw up various antivirus

Out of curiosity, why not use the included one?

[Kopachris]

The mock-up looks good, but I don't like the guy's writing style, and I have issues with the sentence: "Linux is a usability nightmare the second you get out of the fake easy-to-use illusion layer they added with the new GUIs. Unless you’re a coder, don’t even think about it."

The "Linux is for hackers" stereotype was old five years ago.

On topic, though, the guy's idea seems so obviously correct I'm wondering why Microsoft didn't do exactly that in the first place.

[headdie]

Because Microsoft is a like a super freighter, once it sets of in a direction and gets some momentum up it takes a monumental effort to make a significant change in direction