[Computer Corner]

Great comments on this thread so far!!!

The problem with saying that Windows 8 isn't as bad as the majority of people make it out to be, is that such a statement puts the shame in the wrong place... the end user.. basically many I.T. enthusiast(especially Windows 'fan-boys') dismiss many of criticisms that people make as simple 'user error' or 'learning curves'.. There seems to be this belief in a minority of our society, especially at Microsoft, that people are simply resistant to change, and as a result the problem is not in the change, but in the people... This idea that people need to "Just get over it" seems to me ridiculous, and insulting..

Don't get me wrong.. I do agree on one part.. people are indeed resistant to change.. But generally speaking people are most resistant to change when it makes their life harder.. As an example; most reasonable people in Africa will not complain if you build a well for their village, even though this is new technology... But imagine if someone(even with the best intentions) tears down a village well, and builds a 'newer', 'better' well miles away from the village.. Most reasonable villagers would be well within their rights to be frustrated by this.. Now, some people may say 'their just resistant to change'.. but I think we all realize what is really going on. The people aren't the problem.. it's the change that is problem.. It's change that makes life harder.

Another great example this principle is the iPhone. I think we can all agree that the iPhone was completely revolutionary.. I mean sure, there were small computer phones before.. but nothing that the mass market could ever embrace. Yet out of the ashes of many of these failures Apple stood up with a Bold, NEW concept. One that would require people to radically change their interaction with communication.. Did people reject it? Did people have a 'learning curve'? Did people need to 'get used to it'? Absolutely not! Apple was able to create a brand new concept, that made sense. They delivered change that made people's life easier.. not harder. Case in point; I can remember the first time my grandmother used an iPhone... Within seconds she was able to make calls, and even send picture messages!! Without a manual! This is the kind of change that makes sense.. because it's change that makes life easier.. not harder. In contrast, I have known people who have spent hours trying to 'learn' windows 8, only to give up out of shear frustration.. many of which could not even figure out how to print a email from the mail app.

The same is true with Windows 8. People who don't like Windows 8, can take solice in knowing that they are not the problem. They can also know that they are not alone. Every functionality study that has been done on usability, and functionality of Windows 8, has agreed.. it's down-right horrible... especially when compared to Windows 7. Most tasks take 2, if not 3 times as long to perform(with, or without intimate knowledge of hotkeys), and has been proven to cause great amounts of confusion amoungst users. The majority of individuals tested, from all age groups, and demographics, simply cannot use it. It's riddled with hidden menu's and productivity killing features.

No.. Change that doesn't improve things should be called out for what it is... failure. Change, just for the sake of change is not anything that should be desired. Until Microsoft learns to accept what the marketplace is saying to them, and learns to respect it's users, and the market research, they will continue to flounder, as they have. Unfortunately, Windows 8.1 is more of the same. It's almost as if Microsoft believes the old mantra; If you say a lie enough times, and an loud enough, people will begin to believe it.

My personal biggest problem with this whole thing, is that I meet people all the time that are so discouraged by Windows 8, and comments of it's followers. They simply feel inadequate, and sometimes, downright stupid. Many of these people simply give up on using a computer altogether! But I'd like to encourage people to not give up. It isn't your fault, in this case, it is indeed the changes fault. Don't give up.. and don't quit learning.. If you need help with Windows 8, we understand, and we won't make you feel stupid, or inadequate about it. We realize the failures of Microsoft, and have ways to help you navigate through them.. It is true that Windows 8 is here to stay... but you don't have to give up your computer during this time, we can help you get your functionality back, and help you enjoy your new computer.. Then hopefully sometime soon, Windows 9 is coming.. and hopefully Microsoft will learn from it's mistakes.. If not... well, there's always Apple.. :-/

Once again, great comments so far.. and many props to Virtual Geezer for the great ideas for FREE ways to improve the usefulness of Windows 8!!!

#Eddie B. CEO of CflGeek.com llc.