In general, I think Windows 8 is a step in the right direction. It makes sense to combine tablets and notebooks into a single class of computers that run a single operating system.1 Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a stumbling half-step. Much of it is poorly executed; many of the UI mistakes seem unprovoked, and should have been avoidable.
My most-common response to Windows 8, which I unwisely installed on both my Windows PCs, is something along the lines of “oh, dammit.” That’s because Windows 8 has two completely different UI paradigms coexisting. I mostly use the Desktop to get work done just like I have in Windows for years, but it regularly kicks me out into a Metro app that (a) takes forever, and (b) is a completely different user experience. Menus work differently, things slide sideways instead of vertically, fonts are changed, there is no taskbar. So I have to stop and remember how to work things on the new screen, and how to get back to the one I was using before. I think I was right to compare it to Windows Vista, which was an intermediate step to Windows 7, which still rocks. Windows 9 will probably be awesome, but in the meantime, Windows 8 is a mess.
Read “Nielsen on Windows 8” on ignore the code, and “Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability for Both Novice and Power Users” on Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox.
“Windows 8 is … a stumbling half-step [in the right direction]“
by Sam Glover on November 27, 2012 in Legal Technology
My most-common response to Windows 8, which I unwisely installed on both my Windows PCs, is something along the lines of “oh, dammit.” That’s because Windows 8 has two completely different UI paradigms coexisting. I mostly use the Desktop to get work done just like I have in Windows for years, but it regularly kicks me out into a Metro app that (a) takes forever, and (b) is a completely different user experience. Menus work differently, things slide sideways instead of vertically, fonts are changed, there is no taskbar. So I have to stop and remember how to work things on the new screen, and how to get back to the one I was using before. I think I was right to compare it to Windows Vista, which was an intermediate step to Windows 7, which still rocks. Windows 9 will probably be awesome, but in the meantime, Windows 8 is a mess.
Read “Nielsen on Windows 8” on ignore the code, and “Windows 8 — Disappointing Usability for Both Novice and Power Users” on Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox.
Sam Glover has been writing about law practice technology, management, marketing, and other stuff on Lawyerist since 2007. He consults on appeals and motion practice in his solo practice. When he isn't blogging or lawyering, Sam drinks espresso and plays with fountain pens.
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