Windows 7: Don't make Windows 7 too Mac-like.

Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the difference between “simple” and “easy” in the context of Windows 7.

Sure, Windows 7 is still in the pre-beta phase, meaning the user-interface elements still will be tweaked considerably before the product is released to manufacturing. But Thurrott raises a number of points that left me nodding my head in agreement.

I am a Windows user by choice, not simply because I blog about Microsoft. When I saw the recent demos of Windows 7 — with its JumpLists, AeroPeek, AeroSnaps and lots of other eye candy — I was torn. I want some of what’s coming in Windows 7, such as fewer UAC prompts, simpler backup and restore, better peripheral handling. But I really do not care if I get more fancy bells and whistles that just clutter my desktop.

Thurrott blogged:

“Windows 7 basically takes Windows one step closer to the design aesthetic of the Mac, where form is valued over function. I’m not sure this is the right strategy. Simplicity, taken in isolation, may seem like a good idea. But I’m afraid that in Windows 7, Microsoft is sacrificing too much in its bid to be more like Apple. And it’s the users of Windows who will pay the price.”



If you are a PC user like me, you definitely will pay the price. I value ease of use far more than fancy graphics. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive — and given the direction Microsoft ends up taking once it provides testers with the Superbar — maybe they won’t.

(Given Beta 1 of Windows 7, which many are now expecting around January 13, is supposed to be feature-complete, I’m expecting we’ll get to see what the Superbar will look like real soon now. Me? I still think we might see Win 7 Beta 1 on or around December 17, but in either case, it’s not too long until we see the latest Windows 7 look and feel.)

If I wanted a Mac-like environment, I’d buy a Mac. I want an computing environment that helps me get my work done and doesn’t require a how-to manual to figure out which icon does what. Maybe Microsoft could introduce “Windows 7 Luddite Edition” for those of us who value function over form?

What’s your take? Do you think Microsoft is too focused on making Windows 7 in Mac OS X’s image?

A plea to the Windows team: Don’t make Windows 7 too Mac-like | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

I like the new taskbar. Will like it more when it is fully functional. Nothing wrong with things working *and* looking good at the same time. I also like things to be as simple and easy as possible while retaining functionality. He complains about having to click on a UAC prompt once in a while, but doesn't mind clicking 3 extra times to get to a program he wants. Keyboard shortcuts still work. Start menu still works.

If you don't like Aero or you think it slows things down too much, don't whine, just turn it off. I haven't added that bit to the right click menu yet, but will if I can as I turn it off to do video rendering and I know some gamers like to turn it off. Fine, it's your comp, do what you like. I like the looks of Aero and the new snap features.

Not sure what he means by having a manual to figure out which icon does what. Each program has the same icon it had in previous versions of windows except Window Explorer which is a blue folder. If your new to windows, then a mouse over still gives a balloon with info.

As someone said, finally the date is displayed under the time.

I am looking forward to the public beta when supposedly everything works. Hope he's right about December.

Just my 3 cents worth.

Gary

I agree with garysgold. My personal take is that Windows 7 is in no way removing from the functionality of Windows; rather, it is adding onto it a more pleasant aesthetic, and in some ways even improving that functionality as well. The new taskbar doesn't hinder anything in my opinion, and in fact I find it helpful for previewing applications and making my desktop less cluttered. By its automatic grouping, it helps me get to what I need, when I need it, more quickly, as I don't have to go around searching for a particular app or window as before. Even when you disactivate grouping, it still subtly groups your applications, which I find convenient and pretty.

But above all of this, the important thing for me is having choice, which is why for me windows has always been the operating system of choice(no pun intended, kinda sorta). If I don't like the new taskbar? Just turn on small icons, and voila, I'm back to something simlar to the vista taskbar, that is still prettier and works better. I don't want aero on? I turn it off manually, or I customize individual apps to turn it off when I open them. Being a gamer, thats something that is extremely useful for me. I think Windows represents ultimate customizability, and I don't really feel they are trying to copy mac.

Oh, and aero peek, snap, and jumplists aren't exactly aesthetic clutterifications imo. I use all three features and I find they just make my life easier. Whenever I boot into vista or ubuntu, I miss those everyday features of windows 7.

Yeah! I like what you said

But from the Beta build, it just seems as if 7 is just an updated Vista service pack with some visual tweaks lol...

I use 7 now a lot, but still find the 2 about the same. Not sure what it is, but Vista at the moment just seems to have a little edge just in my opinion, but when 7 is released i am sure I will go out and buy the 64 bit ultimate edition lol.

Hi Gary,



That's not new it did it on my vista

Hi Nigel,

Not in mine and even in 7 it doesn't show the day. Is it an Ultimate thing? You have an app that does that?



Gary

Hi gary

No plain taskbar, unlock it, click and drag on the top of the taskbar to make it double height and the date appears, if you Autohide the task bar you don't lose any screen space. It's also useful if you tend to have lots of apps running as these have double the space to fit in

Ahh. I don't autohide the taskbar as I often want to open a pic in say PhotoPaint instead of the default photo gallery. I can easily do this by dragging the file from explorer onto the paint icon on the quick launch bar. If the taskbar is hidden, it won't pop up while I'm dragging the file. I could autohide in W2k no problems, but not in vista. Hmmm haven't tried it yet in 7. It does work in 7 so I can use autohide again.

Gary