So, when someone says that much criticism in regards to W8 is unfounded, it isn't a case of arrogance or looking down on others opinions, it's a case of distinguishing fact from fiction....
I take it then that the 'fact' is criticism of 8 is unfounded.
Good, as long as we're clear on that.
So, when 8.1 is released...with a remergence of a 'traditional' start button interface - indicating MS has understood 'evolutionary' works and 'revolutionary' clearly does not - they do so because the criticism is unfounded.
The very real popularity of Start8 is purely accidental and coincidental and has exactly nothing to do with the truth that criticism of 8 is unfounded.
It is not whether an OS Kernel is solid or bullet proof that makes it a success [though it does help]....it's POPULAR OPINION that does that.
It's called a 'concensus'.
Microsoft has now discovered...if you mess with the mechanics of an interface and impose change you can and will alienate your user.
Let's leave all the chest-beating until 8.1 /blue /whatever is released.
If it's more of the same...Metro-not-Window ...then fine. It's phone interface uber alles.
If it's a half-baked return to 'normal' historical Window interface then it's clearly a case of Microsoft NOT herding the 'sheep' quite so forcefully.
If there's also been some shuffling of MS GUI dev team personnel that's obviously coincidental and has nothing to do with sheep herding.
This intention to fast-track updates to the OS should have been handles entirely differently. 8 should have been a new kernel version of 7 with the odd cosmetic reference to phone interfacing...and on each successive point release it SLOWLY TRANSITIONED to the pure bull-shit version it currently is....giving people enough time to see the changes as EVOLUTIONARY .... and not stupefy them into disgust.
NONE of this is about looks/appearance/how pretty. It is meaningless whether there is transparency or not...or any such BLING. It is ENTIRELY about the human-to-computer/OS interaction - and it is entirely undeniable MS GOT THAT WRONG .... particularly in methodology of introduction.
Yes, I know. An intelligent person can 'work it out' and even get 8 to behave almost as acceptably as 7. If one spends long enough 8 is nothing more than a 'new language' when it comes to GUI interaction...and anyone can learn a new language.... so that's not an issue at all.
...unless you realise Microsoft has been teaching you one language FOR DECADES ...and even the less-than-intelligent can manage to grunt passably in it....but then said 'no....we're gonna learn you a new one - because it's understood in other countries you aren't interested in visiting'.