_{Ok first off let me just say, I am trying to be as non-biased as possible when I write this, so do forgive me.}

So, I've been trying the Windows 8 consumer preview for a little while and I have to say I'm really in two minds with it. I don't understand Microsoft's logic behind the Metro UI at all. I don't see how it's "touch friendly" never mind "mouse & keyboard friendly." I'll come back to those points.

Being a Linux user for almost 2 years now, I installed Linux to keep me away from the hell that is Windows, the only reason I kept Windows in a dual-boot was because I need my media programs for photo post-production and video editing, etc. That's the only reason I've ever kept Windows. Anything like web-browsing, downloading movies, etc, all happens in Ubuntu.

My thoughts of Windows 8 are really at both ends of the spectrum. One side I love it, on the other I hate it. Here's why.

When you first load Windows 8, you immediately notice the new "Start" menu called the Metro UI. Sure squares are cool, but for a desktop UI really? I don't get that, why would you make them squares? Clearly they're obviously thinking of people with big hands, or people that have sight problems which is fine by me, but for the regular user, or the more hardcore end user, they want something that appeals to them and looks cool. Squares do enter that category unless you make them transparent to fit with the set of the Aero theme... Which brings me onto my next point. The background for the Metro UI is really really dull. I admit, it very easy on the eyes when contrasted with the bright colours of the apps, but not with installed desktop applications as those are transparent squares. Let the end user change the bloody background to something of their more personal taste. The themes are quite nice, very contrasted, but simple and effective. I like them.

I also love the Aero theme that's been continued from Windows 7. I also love the blur it gives, which is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, nice. I love the window appearance as well. It's soft toned, straight edges, no fancy shmancy stuff. Just simple and effective and it works!

I really dislike how they've removed the start button from the taskbar, although once you finally get used to the Metro UI being the start menu, it feels somewhat natural. I also dislike how using any other web browser other than IE breaks them in someway. Also to add to this, I hate how Windows didn't pick up my laptops wireless adapter, or sound card, or graphics card.

When I first installed Windows 8, the Metro UI really confused me. I didn't understand it, and it wasn't very user-friendly to say at the least. Having once realised that, IT IS the start menu, I finally was able to get some things done. One thing to note, if you install a program and it installs a folder to the start menu like it would in previous version of Windows, expect to be doing a lot of right clicking and unpinning things like the "Unistaller.exe." or the "ReadMe".

I'd advise you get VERY familiar with Metro and give it a chance before hopping back to Windows 7.

So what about things that irritate me? Or hardware compatibility?

Well like I mentioned before, if you install another web browser that isn't IE it will break it somehow. For Firefox/Aurora it happens to be the images for buttons and tabs which get VERY glitchy due to the transparency of Windows 8. Does it blow chunks? Yes. Have I used IE because of it? No.

Webpages are still functional as are, the most important parts of the web browser so it's not a BIG issue for me, but it is irritating.

Like I also mentioned earlier, Windows 8 failed to detect my wireless adapter, my sound card AND my graphics card for my laptop which I was expecting, as this is WINDOWS, so I had them downloaded and at the ready. I got the latest versions available for the latest version of Windows which happened to be Vista (ew) but they still worked, so it'll all roses now... or is it?

Well no it's not. My laptop is nearly 4 and a half years old, it was one of the first laptops ever to come with a Bluray drive and Dolby Digital certified surround sound. It has a Intel Core 2 duo processor and an NVIDIA 9500GS M graphics card with 3GB of RAM. Not really a slow cow to say at the least but with Windows 8, you can kiss your ass goodbye on anything less than this if your on the x86 architecture. Windows 8 is slow on my machine, it may be because my hardware is getting old, but then if that's the case then that slightly worries me.

It worries me because Windows 8 feels like it's been made to cater for newer, younger models. Us oldies are being left behind, we're becoming legacy peripherals that MS couldn't really give two pence about. Microsoft have really gone the wrong way about marketing Windows 8, and that's the thing that worries me. Yes ok, I run Linux and I'm a Linux fanboy, but a world without Microsoft or Windows really? I couldn't imagine it. Microsoft's dominance is clearly being reduced, manufacturers are starting to fight back as are the small businesses like Canonical, and Apple. Windows isn't as superior as it once was. Bigger, better things are out there now. Developers are seeing this. There is new platforms for them to explore.

Our old machines will soon become Linux-based which is good, it gives them a life extension but this non supporting of older hardware is what will really mess Microsoft up with Windows.

People like to change, and if they change to this newer, shinier Windows and then find out there hardware isn't capable of running it. They'll be mad. It's like the poor integration of mouse & keyboard usability.  It's all aimed too much to one market and rather than going about it methodically, they've went straight in with the lawnmower and cut the garden straight down the middle splitting the two sides apart.

I'm sadden to see such a co-operate company die slowly but at the same time relieved, and it's harsh but times have changed and Microsoft are trying, they just haven't nailed it. Apple & Google have, they have tablets coming out of they're noses but in my opinion trying to make Windows something that it isn't, is like giving a size 4 teenager food and forcing them to eat it.  It's kind of cruel, but yet a step in the right direction.

I believe they've taken away the essence of what Windows originally was, and in my opinion it's a damn sad sight to watch.

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