Dunno how any self-respecting nerd can accept Windows 8 knowing the direction that MS is taking the OS.
No matter how many band-aids they slap on it, IMO the 'new direction' (or metro, or tablet UI or whatever you wanna call it) is and will always be Microsoft's way of controlling the UX on Windows to maximize the efficiency of their app store sales funnel. The end goal is obvious, a commission on every software transaction on the Windows platform ala Mac app store.
If Microsoft was instead focused on the strengths of their OS rather than clamping down and being an Apple copy-cat I would have no problems continuing my support for Windows, a platform I've used since 3.1
Clearly though, they are going the other way. This sentiment is shared by Gabe Newell and it's no secret that Windows 8 was the catalyst for Valve's decision to shift efforts to Linux. I hope anyone else with Windows software will do the same.
When I tried the public preview, my heart sank when I saw that "Store" icon in the start screen.
The new UI I can deal with or customise - I've been developing since DOS, I'm sure I can get used to it. But please don't remove the very reason Windows became so popular: a relatively open ecosystem.
As a result of that (and the destruction of VS), my personal projects are no longer under Windows, and my career is also shifting away from it.
I'm not anti-MS - I was once their biggest cheerleader. I just don't like their direction.
If having a store inside windows that becomes popular enough, there would be potential for windows to become free to install/use.. (hey pigs could fly) Would that alleviate concerns about it?
No matter how many band-aids they slap on it, IMO the 'new direction' (or metro, or tablet UI or whatever you wanna call it) is and will always be Microsoft's way of controlling the UX on Windows to maximize the efficiency of their app store sales funnel. The end goal is obvious, a commission on every software transaction on the Windows platform ala Mac app store.
If Microsoft was instead focused on the strengths of their OS rather than clamping down and being an Apple copy-cat I would have no problems continuing my support for Windows, a platform I've used since 3.1
Clearly though, they are going the other way. This sentiment is shared by Gabe Newell and it's no secret that Windows 8 was the catalyst for Valve's decision to shift efforts to Linux. I hope anyone else with Windows software will do the same.