>Microsoft's argument on the UI changes are that you now have one UI across all devices (desktop, laptop, phone, table). Additionally, we're moving toward a world of moble and touch devices and the old UI doesn't work well for touch. It makes things easier for the user. I'm not saying Microsoft is right or wrong on this. I can tell you, it wasn't developed in a vacuum. Microsoft typically does lots of actual user testing on these things.
>
>But people complained when moving from DOS to Windows and Windows to Windows 95 and then again to XP, etc, etc. Apple has changed their UI more than once and people complained there too. It comes down to humans are creatures of habit and don't like change, so any change is bad. Microsoft could change the name from Windows to Doors and do nothing else to the product. People would still complain. Yes, we're all just a bunch of whiners. (and please note, I'm putting myself in that group)

Craig the group you are in (have always been in) is Microsoft evangelist drum beater.

The removal of the Start button is beyond stupid because it was the #1 starting point for millions of end-users to get to their programs. If I removed a thing like that from our products we would go out of business. MS will survive this because most people will only see Win8 when they get a new PC.

The problem with Windows 8 is not Metro - its the removal of the Start button. Instead of removing the Start button they should have added a Metro button. Then one could still switch between desktop modes without being frustrated. But clearly MS want to force users off the desktop into using Metro apps which ... see next point...

The other problem with Win8 is the endless chatter back to MS that the installed Metro apps and OS does. Who knows what's all being sent back plus all the end-user usage activity being collected. Run an outbound firewall and see how often explorer.exe wants an internet connection plus all the other W*.dll and W*.exe applications. It's like Grand Central - Comodo firewall is overheating.

The end of the Aero glass interface is just a design choice to match the Metro look. I liked Aero but its just an opinion.