On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 3:03 PM, Tony Wright <[email protected]> wrote:
> Um, people, as Ken so rightly points out, when you open the desktop, the > quickest way back to the start screen is the Window Key. Give it a quick > press and you're there. It's just like the Apple key in the Apple world. > Stop looking for the tiny pixel area in the bottom left corner - it's a > rookie mistake. > It's the second key I disable (the first is caps lock) Why? Hitting it in the middle of a game gets you killed. :^) > > The issue I have with Windows 8 is the mental contextual shift between > what you are doing (whether it's in Environment 1/Desktop or Environment > 2/Win 8 RT) and what you want to achieve next. > > Say I have a Word document open. I'm working on something and I now want > to do a calculation. Oh, ok, just click on the Window Key and select the... > oh the phone just rang...talking...off the phone now. Now I'm still on the > start screen. Now what was it I was doing? At least if the Word doco was > still on the screen you would figure it out quickly. But with the start > screen, I now have to say, that's right, I was writing a word document. So > Window Key to the desktop, then figure it out. Hmmm. Very easy to find yet > another distraction. > > I am a also a prolific user of apps. I have about 24 open at once (yes, > right now there are 24 apps in my task bar right now). > ANd many RDP's > Win 8 is not helping me every time I lose where I was because my screen is > completely wiped and replaced when I click the Window Key to display the > start screen. I also can't keep track of WinRT apps that I might have a > need to use because they aren't integrated well into the desktop > environment. So I now don't use any WinRT apps. I just use desktop > equivalents of the same thing. > > That said, because of the power consumption benefits of RT, I can see that > the future is with RT applications, and not desktop apps. But geez they > could do with a few usability pointers. > > It's first generation. THe question is, will it make it to a second? Windows 8 will, but RT is only a perhaps. > > > On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 2:49 PM, Ken Schaefer <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Caller: "Hello. I can't find my Windows desktop"**** >> >> Helpdesk: Press the Windows Key and the letter D at the same time**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Caller: "No, I can't see my start menu."**** >> >> Helpdesk: Press the Windows Key**** >> >> ** ** >> >> You should try managing server 2012 via RDP sometime. It really is just 1 >> pixel in the bottom left which is nearly impossible to click on unless your >> RDP is full screen. **** >> >> ** ** >> >> What do you need on the Start screen on Windows Server 2012?**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Cheers**** >> >> Ken**** >> >> ** ** >> >> *From:* [email protected] [mailto: >> [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *David Connors >> *Sent:* Thursday, 9 May 2013 2:13 PM >> >> *To:* ozDotNet >> *Subject:* Re: Is Surface really failing?**** >> >> ** ** >> >> On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 1:58 PM, David Burstin <[email protected]> >> wrote:**** >> >> I am neutral about Windows 8, but what I do find annoying is that when >> people voice their opinions they get labeled as 'haters'. While it's a >> convenient way to dismiss other people's concerns, what you are basically >> saying is "this doesn't bother me so it can't be legitimate and therefore >> only reason you are saying it is because you are a troll/hater". Not a >> great basis for a productive discussion imho.**** >> >> I agree. I have this game I play as a part of mentoring people working >> for me on usability. I call it "The Level 1 Helpdesk Test". Whenever I see >> something that is batshit crazy, I ask them to run it past The Level 1 >> Helpdesk Test which involves:**** >> >> 1. Sitting at your PC pretending you're on level 1 helpdesk.**** >> 2. Imagine you've just answered the phone and someone is ringing up >> about the feature you've just shown off.**** >> 3. Imagine the conversation with that person as you describe how to >> use the feature.**** >> >> Windows 8 fails the level 1 help desk test in style.**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Caller: "Hello. I can't find my Windows desktop"**** >> >> Helpdesk: "Can you see a picture of Seattle or a mountain with desktop >> written on it?"**** >> >> Caller: "Ummm... no, I think ... I can see a picture of Julia Gillard and >> the weather in Paris, but I'm in Brisbane. Should I click on the purple box >> about Victoria Beckham?"**** >> >> Helpdesk: "No, keep looking for a box with desktop written on it in tiny >> writing."**** >> >> Caller: "Oh, I've found a flower with desktop written on it."**** >> >> Helpdesk: "That's your desktop. Click on that. BTW it is a flower today >> but it might be a mountain or seattle tomorrow."**** >> >> Caller: "That's better, I can see Windows now." **** >> >> Helpdesk: "Is that all?"**** >> >> Caller: "No, I can't see my start menu."**** >> >> Helpdesk: "Oh, you were just at the start menu."**** >> >> Caller: "The boxes with Victoria Beckham?"**** >> >> Helpdesk: "Yes, that's it."**** >> >> Caller: "Where is it?"**** >> >> Helpdesk: "It is in the bottom left single pixel of your monitor." >> Caller: "What's a pixel?"**** >> >> Helpdesk: "Nevermind, just move your mouse to the bottom left and you'll >> see a start menu pop up."**** >> >> Caller: "Oh, I see. But when I move my mouse over the button it >> disappears."**** >> >> Helpdesk: "Oh, you're not meant you click on it, you just move your mouse >> to make it appear and then click on it without actually moving your mouse >> over it."**** >> >> ** ** >> >> etc etc etc**** >> >> ** ** >> >> Fkn fail. **** >> >> ** ** >> >> Don't even start me on the Charms "Nothing can be shared right now" bar. >> **** >> >> ** ** >> >> You should try managing server 2012 via RDP sometime. It really is just 1 >> pixel in the bottom left which is nearly impossible to click on unless your >> RDP is full screen. **** >> >> ** ** >> >> What did they do in previous versions of Windows? **** >> >> ** ** >> >> Helpdesk: "If you want a document or program, click start."**** >> >> Caller: "Thanks!"**** >> >> *click***** >> >> ** ** >> >> David. **** >> >> > -- Meski http://courteous.ly/aAOZcv "Going to Starbucks for coffee is like going to prison for sex. Sure, you'll get it, but it's going to be rough" - Adam Hills
