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Comment by re_todd | Hacker News Reader

I was shocked for a second, I thought it said "Windows 8 hits RTFM status"!

Given the fact that many interface functions in the Windows 8 UI are undiscoverable from within the UI, and require advance knowledge of mouse gestures, etc., this isn't quite so far off from the truth.

"Given the fact that many interface functions in the Windows 8 UI are undiscoverable from within the UI"

such as?

Hot corners?

Start Menu

All of the examples given are discoverable, even with a mouse and keyboard IMHO - particularly given that all of the keyboard shortcuts (such as the Windows key for the start screen and Alt + F4 for closing an app) all still work.

The thing most desktop-oriented criticisms of Win8 overlook is that the overwhelming majority of computers that are going to ship with Win8 installed WILL HAVE TOUCH. Comparing the experience on an existing PC and extrapolating that to how the experience will feel on devices that are sold starting in October is Apples to Oranges.

The thing most desktop-oriented criticisms of Win8 overlook is that the overwhelming majority of computers that are going to ship with Win8 installed WILL HAVE TOUCH.

What? Why would that be? Most non-touch desktop and laptop models will continue to be non-touch but will start to come with Windows 8. These non-touch Windows devices will continue to vastly outnumber the Windows 8 tablets that are shipped, unless Surface or Windows Phone 8 devices are runaway successes beyond anybody's dreams...

Because OEMs aren't going to want to sell devices that are awkward to use with Windows 8, and this gives them a good ability to differentiate and incentivize upgrades from Win7 / Vista machines. Why do you think Microsoft announced Surface when they did?

Expect more laptops and notebooks to ship with touch screens.

That market is so price competitive (and so based on differentiation within each manufacturer's product line), that I'll be surprised if we see a huge shift toward touch screens as an "expected" feature. No doubt there will be more than there are today, of course. Guess we'll see!

Imagine having your arms in front of your face for an 8+ hour workday. That will be terrible. Chiropractors are going to make a fortune off Win8.

-how to exit Metro apps

-how to shut down the computer

My boss occasionally uses my PC at work. He still hasn't figured out how to switch users after W8 being on my PC for a couple of months now.

Did people have trouble figuring this out on their iPad when they first got it? It's pretty much the same deal. Press the Windows key on the front of the tablet/keyboard.

I'll give you an example from this morning. Guy in my office wanted to print a PDF from within Windows Reader. Know where the print button in Windows Reader is? Nowhere. You have to press Ctrl+P to bring up the print dialog.

How, exactly, is that going to work on a tablet?

Also, since when did we have to think about how a tablet (with one button, and hence, limited options) would handle a task, when GUIs have been handling the same task the same way for decades?

  How, exactly, is that going to work on a tablet?

Charms bar > Devices > (your printer).

How, exactly, is that going to work on a tablet?

Has Microsoft ever shipped an OS without a tutorial? Also, how easy/intuitive is it to print from an iPad?

Also, since when did we have to think about how a tablet would handle a task?

Since people started buying iPads. Microsoft could continue to cater specifically to you then go out of business, or they could cater to both markets and give you the option of using a desktop with all your traditional printer options. Both of these things exist.

Me too!

If only companies compiled manuals for their products these days. I miss my old hard copy System 7 manual. Good times.

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