TALLAHASSEE, FL – Microsoft is revamping
its software to compete with Apple and Google. The Windows 8 software has replaced its
well-known start button with colored titled applications. Windows 8 is
available on Thursday, October 24, and users have mixed reviews.
Start up page of Windows 8, CNET.com
Keith McCarthy,
a New York Copyrighter said, “It made me feel like the biggest amateur computer
user ever.” It took him several minutes to send an email.
John Ludwig, a
former Microsoft executive said the company made a risky decision by revamping
their software but it was the only way to keep up in the mobile market.
Ludwig said,
“Doing nothing was a strategy that was sure to fail.”
In the summer of
2009 Microsoft held focus groups to brainstorm ideas for new software. The
focus groups showed people the prototypes of the interface. They received
positive reactions said Jensen Harris, Microsoft’s director of program management
for the Windows users experience.
Older users of
windows are commending Microsoft for taking the risk. Windows 8 upstages
competitors because the operating system functions on desktop computers and
tablets.
Andries van Dam, a Brown University computer science professor is in favor of the update. He
said, “I think it’s functional, clean. I welcome it.”
Joanna Lin, a
sales marketer for New York hotel chain was asked to try Windows 8 last week. She
said, “The feeling was very fluid.” Lin said it’s a great update from Windows
7.
The user can
also switch from the older desktop screen to the modern Windows 8 mode. But this was difficult for some users said
Jakob Nielsen, a user interface expert at the Nielsen Norman Group. Nielsen
said users had “a lot of struggles.”
Microsoft offers
tutorials sessions for users to become comfortable and the company is spending
$500 million on marketing to familiarize customers with the operating system.
Antwon Roker, a
third-year computer information system Florida A&M University student owns a Dell powered by
Windows.
“For them to fully
revamp the model seems like a bad idea because it looks like the window phones.
How many people you know have a windows phone and is satisfied with it,”
said Roker.
He said even
though Microsoft is trying to stay competitive it doesn’t change the fact that
Apple is a trend for the younger generation.
By
Precious Dorch-Robinson
With contributions from The New York Times
With contributions from The New York Times
Photo, CNET.com
Video,
LifeHacker
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