As such, I was predisposed to hate Mission Control, which promised to screw with all of my carefully designed spaces and adjacencies.
But to tell the truth. MC is better.
You need to do four things to use MC effectively. One is to go to the Control Panel for MC and uncheck "Automatically rearrange spaces...". This will let you setup and maintain side-to-side adjacencies between specific spaces.
Then assign specific apps to specific spaces. Mail is always in space 1, RSS in 2, DW in 3, etc. As you navigate this way, your subconscious learns that Mail is to the always to the left and DW to the right if you're in space 2, and so on.
Third is to assign different backgrounds to each space. I actually have a color scheme for the leftmost, middle and rightmost spaces. (Communications, Development, Miscellaneous) It's subtle, but color-coding your spaces is another mental anchor, always letting you know where you are in the scheme of things.
Finally, if you haven't, you need to bite the bullet and buy a Magic Trackpad if you're using a desktop. Learn the gestures, especially the three-finger side-to-side gestures and the swipe-up/down gestures used to bring up MC and the application window view. Beats the hell out of Snow Leopard's "hot corners".
With all of the above, and by using gestures, MC really sings.
Lets just be honest here guys. No matter what MS does with Windows 8 you will say it is terrible. But if Apple added the exact same feature into OSX you would praise it as revolutionary.
These things are just operating systems some people like OSX some like Windows, both have their advantages; does it have to turn into a war?
Nope, I was critical of Lion in many ways, but after using it, I like it. But I still criticise certain parts of it, as is evident by my posts.
Yes, some will love to bash Windows for the sake of it. But really, it's just too easy. Why does the Explorer need a ribbon? It makes no sense.
You need to do four things to use MC effectively. One is to go to the Control Panel for MC and uncheck "Automatically rearrange spaces...". This will let you setup and maintain side-to-side adjacencies between specific spaces.
Then assign specific apps to specific spaces. Mail is always in space 1, RSS in 2, DW in 3, etc. As you navigate this way, your subconscious learns that Mail is to the always to the left and DW to the right if you're in space 2, and so on...
Ah... I didn't think I'd like Mission Control but I like "chucking" an app off fullscreen into it's own "space" so I become more app-oriented when working rather than screen-oriented. Or, screen-oriented for apps I am working at once with, keeping aside in fullscreen stuff that's always open eg. iTunes and Mail.
Your idea about assigning "spaces" (MC order of apps) is a good one. I'll consider it.
Also performance has improved for my MBP 13" 2010 with Nvidia 320M in 10.7.1 so MC is more pleasant to use now.
Your mom doesn't represent to majority of the world. My mom knows them too but unfortunately now she's a stroke victim and is paralyzed on her left side. This new interface would actually be easier for her because most of the buttons are big and clearly labled. I also know plenty of people who don't know any keyboard shortcuts. You don't have to use the ribbon, you can collapse it, but it doesn't mean it isn't useful for other people.
That's a very sad situation. I have treated a number of stroke victims and I still find it upsetting when their body doesn't allow them the capacity to express their mind freely. My point is that it would be great if you could set up the tools your mum need to use in a layout that made sense to her rather than have to conform to some arbitrary layout decided on by a Microsoft employee.
It's not that big of a deal. I'm just pointing out that you really can't get enough functionality out of the quick access toolbar to permanently collapse the ribbon. I'm stuck with it whether I like it or not and annoyed that my productivity has to take a nosedive for the sake of being able to open .docx files. It's like your boss asking you to hammer a bunch of nails with a spanner. Just because you can "get by" doesn't remove your right to point out that it's not efficient.
P.S. My mother is most definitely, even by her own admission, a representative of the lower echelon of computer users.
Nope, I was critical of Lion in many ways, but after using it, I like it. But I still criticise certain parts of it, as is evident by my posts.
Yes, some will love to bash Windows for the sake of it. But really, it's just too easy. Why does the Explorer need a ribbon? It makes no sense.
Agreed, my comment was a bit sweeping. But you say you bashed Lion but after using decided you liked it. How do you know the same is not true for this new ribbon for some people.
I think the real reason for this move to ribbon is because MS want the interface to work for all form factors, Desktop, Notebook and Tablets. Keyboard shortcuts and context menus do not work so well for touch. By using the ribbon the people who want to use shortcuts or context menus can collapse the ribbon but people using touch have the ribbon that is much easier to use than the old drop down menus.
[*]"Select" section is also after thought. If they care about usability, learn from how email clients handle selection and put checkbox next to each file and directory.
Webmail interfaces use checkboxes next to each item for lack of select (and highlight) functionality that we are used to in selecting text, selecting Finder/WindowsExplorer items.
I doubt that checkboxes would simplify the situation. It is an "Linux-can-also-do-it nerd - include as much functionality as possible - never mind if the GUI is acceptable" approach.
My point is that it would be great if you could set up the tools your mum need to use in a layout that made sense to her rather than have to conform to some arbitrary layout decided on by a Microsoft employee.
It's not that big of a deal. I'm just pointing out that you really can't get enough functionality out of the quick access toolbar to permanently collapse the ribbon. I'm stuck with it whether I like it or not and annoyed that my productivity has to take a nosedive for the sake of being able to open .docx files. It's like your boss asking you to hammer a bunch of nails with a spanner. Just because you can "get by" doesn't remove your right to point out that it's not efficient.
P.S. My mother is most definitely, even by her own admission, a representative of the lower echelon of computer users.
Why do you have to see it as conforming? I personally like the Ribbon. It puts items front and center with clearly defined tabs. For those who won't use it, such as myself, I'll just collapse it.
Obviously, Office is a different story and it's impossible to keep it collapsed forever. However, I still feel that it is better than the old menu bar. I wasn't a fan at first in Office 2007 but realized it actually was a lot more functional.
Lets just be honest here guys. No matter what MS does with Windows 8 you will say it is terrible. But if Apple added the exact same feature into OSX you would praise it as revolutionary. These things are just operating systems some people like OSX some like Windows, both have their advantages; does it have to turn into a war?
Agreed. Most sensible post I've read.
You can always turn off the ribbon if you want. It's very simple, only takes a second.
I use both systems in my day to day work and they both have good bits and bad bits. I prefer OSX but it's not perfect. For example I hate the way OSX splits the Menu Bar from the Application Window. That is a real pain in the ass. Equally there are lots of things about Windows that drive me up the wall sometimes.
Speaking of Office and iWork what has happened to iWork 10, 11, 12? Has Apple abandoned iWork for Mac updates like they did with AppleWorks? Would be nice to know what the hell is going on.
Having used Windows for many years, I might not be 100% objective, but I feel that Explorer is vastly superior to Finder for anyone who actually uses the file system. As a developer and enterprise worker, I routinely deal with hundreds of files. Finder makes saving and opening files much more difficult than it should be. An indication of Finder weakness is the number of Finder add ons that have found a market. You just don't see that among Windows users. Another indication is the typical Mac user's overloaded desktop.
That said, I'm not overly impressed with the ribbon.
I hardly ever drill down through Finder these days, I do nearly all of my file placement/retrieval using Spotlight. As for Desktop clutter...
The Lazy Person's guide to an Uncluttered Desktop.
1) Create a folder on the desktop and call it 'Tidy' or somesuch.
I actually like the ribbon in Office and find most of my users do once they quit moaning and just learn to use it. It can also be used to develop some nice interfaces in custom VBA apps even though it's a pain to work with.
All that said, that screenshot from Explorer looks like complete overkill. The idea of providing quick access to the most-used functions is sound, but cramming every possible action into that space seems to defeat the object.
Also, I guess these things often change in the final release, but I think that the icon design and general look/feel of it doesn't really go with the new Windows 8 style, it could end up looking a bit of a mess compared to the slick look of Windows 7.
Speaking of Office and iWork what has happened to iWork 10, 11, 12? Has Apple abandoned iWork for Mac updates like they did with AppleWorks? Would be nice to know what the hell is going on.
There's been continuous updates for iWork in the past couple years, most recently full Lion support and coming soon updates for full iCloud support. They're giving these updates away for free, don't complain that they haven't put a new year tag on it and put it up for sale for another $60.
I must be getting old or Lion's Finder must be all that because I don't get all the love for Finder.
Have people here forgotten what FTFF stands for? I think that Finder has gotten better but it still isn't as good at file management as Windows Explorer. If you copy and move a lot of files around WE is going to be better than Finder despite WE's garish user interface.
I love the contrast in simplicity between iWork and Office.
Oh, and CultOfMac mentioned that the buttons on the new Windows Explorer, according to Microsoft's own research, will be used by less than 50% of users. And they're still putting them on there.
With the ribbon, Microsoft was responding to a very real concern for users. Users were constantly asking for new features - features that were already in the product. They just couldn't find them. Thus the ribbon. Try to put features in a place that's visual. I'm not sure hiding everything as done in iWorks is better. It certainly does look better aesthetically, but does it make it harder to find functionality?
Thanks for that link. Interesting read. Had to giggle on occasions. Like this:
"Finally, there are quite a few third-party add-ons that some of our more advanced customers use with Explorer today. These add-ons will continue to work in the right-click context menus in Windows 8, which is by far the most common access point for experienced customers running these add-ins (where discovery and occasional usage are not the primary design points). However, add-ins will not be able to plug into the ribbon UI. This was a difficult engineering choice for us and we expect that many of you will read this and suggest we add the capability--of course if we could get it right this time around we would have done that. A big part of this blog is sharing these choices--tradeoffs--between new features and adding everything we can dream up and finishing. We also think the customization we provide and the improvements are worthwhile this time around."
I am liking Windows 7 and hating Lion so far. Win 7 can zoom with Res. Independence while Lion has managed to ruin Expose, Dashboard and Spaces...all the biggest advances in the last half decade for OS X at least for my personal use. Although in general OS X is vastly superior to Windows for my purposes so I'll probably just stay with 10.6 until perhaps 10.8.
The ribbon in Win 8 though, that'll go over like a lead balloon. I'm surprised anyone has upgraded office. I bet they wouldn't have without .docx. I hate the Ribbon. I don't know anyone who does not hate it actually. It's almost as retarded as the "hoppping" tabs that Windows dialogue boxes have always had, that move positions on you.
Why are interfaces getting worse and uglier!? From iCal and Lion to Windows 8. What happened to all the good interface people!?
Windows 7 isn't bad, but the whole ribbon thing is lost on me - more an annoyance than anything. I'm not sure what the Win7 zoom thing has to do with Expose/Dashboard/Spaces issue - in fact unlike you, I really like the new Launchpad setup - for me it's a clean interface that improves upon the whole Expose/ Dashboard /Spaces conglomerate of Snow Leopard.
But to each their own I guess. We are agreed on the Win8 ribbon thing being a non-starter.
More Microsoft focus groups. That ribbon is a clusterfu*k. Look at how much space is wasted and how displeasing to the eye it is.
The effort to consolidate all the user functions has actually had a negative effect. They eliminated the menu bar because most people didn't use it. Now they have text AND icons that take up 3x more vertical space on the screen than Windows XP.
Exactly. All these moves to "simplify" the UI have made things more difficult.
Leopard/Snow Leopard was probably the peak so far in terms of UI for me. Windows 7 isn't bad, but both Windows 8 and Lion look like UIs in transition. They have good elements, but need more work.
Lion can use some polishing. Once more applications are updated to take advantage of its gestures and UI concepts, it will get better. There are also some inconsistencies to be fixed (e.g. natural scrolling makes sense on a trackpad but not a scroll wheel mouse), but I'm pretty confident it will get there. It looks a little disjointed right now (sort of a mix between Snow Leopard and iOS), but it is usable and a relatively easy migration from either Snow Leopard or Windows 7.
Windows 8 has some good ideas (e.g. the Metro UI, which I think will work well for tablets), but from what I've seen so far, it looks too disjointed (much more so than Lion). The Ribbon interface doesn't mesh very well with Metro and adds complexity. While the Ribbon has gotten a little better in Office 2010 vs. Office 2007, it still can be more complex, and takes up too much vertical room, leaving lots of wasted horizontal space, at least in Word. It might be OK from a space perspective on a tablet that's in portrait mode, but it still looks too complicated for a touch environment.
Third is to assign different backgrounds to each space. I actually have a color scheme for the leftmost, middle and rightmost spaces. (Communications, Development, Miscellaneous) It's subtle, but color-coding your spaces is another mental anchor, always letting you know where you are in the scheme of things.
It's nice that you can put a unique background on each desktop in MC, but I'd like the option to rename the various desktops to something more useful than Desktop, Desktop 2, Desktop 3, etc.
Maybe the should ask Google to provide some statistics on searches along the lines of "where did the frickin' Convert Table to Text option go in Word 2007 and why can't I use a keyboard shortcut to get there like I used to. or why isn't Print Preview on the menu bar anywhere anymore. Or why can't I add my own macro to the toolbar anymore - or why can't I change the icon of my macros that I added to the (whatever they call that quick access toolbar at the top) in excel? or - well I think you get the idea.
I think the title was the author's perhaps - would't Microsoft decides to follow a different design path with Windows 8 than Apple chose with OS X Lion? (or perhaps something simpler - that doesn't imply that Windows design has always only ever been a copy of Mac OS, whether that is true or not).
Comments
...the Ctrl-Arrow which has been in use since virtual desktops were first invented)...
Okay, I liked Spaces too. In fact, I loved Spaces. In fact, I was a Space-oholic, running 9, and even sometimes 12 of the silly things.
http://www.isights.org/2007/11/confessions-of-.html
As such, I was predisposed to hate Mission Control, which promised to screw with all of my carefully designed spaces and adjacencies.
But to tell the truth. MC is better.
You need to do four things to use MC effectively. One is to go to the Control Panel for MC and uncheck "Automatically rearrange spaces...". This will let you setup and maintain side-to-side adjacencies between specific spaces.
Then assign specific apps to specific spaces. Mail is always in space 1, RSS in 2, DW in 3, etc. As you navigate this way, your subconscious learns that Mail is to the always to the left and DW to the right if you're in space 2, and so on.
Third is to assign different backgrounds to each space. I actually have a color scheme for the leftmost, middle and rightmost spaces. (Communications, Development, Miscellaneous) It's subtle, but color-coding your spaces is another mental anchor, always letting you know where you are in the scheme of things.
Finally, if you haven't, you need to bite the bullet and buy a Magic Trackpad if you're using a desktop. Learn the gestures, especially the three-finger side-to-side gestures and the swipe-up/down gestures used to bring up MC and the application window view. Beats the hell out of Snow Leopard's "hot corners".
With all of the above, and by using gestures, MC really sings.
Lets just be honest here guys. No matter what MS does with Windows 8 you will say it is terrible. But if Apple added the exact same feature into OSX you would praise it as revolutionary.
These things are just operating systems some people like OSX some like Windows, both have their advantages; does it have to turn into a war?
Nope, I was critical of Lion in many ways, but after using it, I like it. But I still criticise certain parts of it, as is evident by my posts.
Yes, some will love to bash Windows for the sake of it. But really, it's just too easy. Why does the Explorer need a ribbon? It makes no sense.
You need to do four things to use MC effectively. One is to go to the Control Panel for MC and uncheck "Automatically rearrange spaces...". This will let you setup and maintain side-to-side adjacencies between specific spaces.
Then assign specific apps to specific spaces. Mail is always in space 1, RSS in 2, DW in 3, etc. As you navigate this way, your subconscious learns that Mail is to the always to the left and DW to the right if you're in space 2, and so on...
Ah... I didn't think I'd like Mission Control but I like "chucking" an app off fullscreen into it's own "space" so I become more app-oriented when working rather than screen-oriented. Or, screen-oriented for apps I am working at once with, keeping aside in fullscreen stuff that's always open eg. iTunes and Mail.
Your idea about assigning "spaces" (MC order of apps) is a good one. I'll consider it.
Also performance has improved for my MBP 13" 2010 with Nvidia 320M in 10.7.1 so MC is more pleasant to use now.
Your mom doesn't represent to majority of the world. My mom knows them too but unfortunately now she's a stroke victim and is paralyzed on her left side. This new interface would actually be easier for her because most of the buttons are big and clearly labled. I also know plenty of people who don't know any keyboard shortcuts. You don't have to use the ribbon, you can collapse it, but it doesn't mean it isn't useful for other people.
That's a very sad situation. I have treated a number of stroke victims and I still find it upsetting when their body doesn't allow them the capacity to express their mind freely. My point is that it would be great if you could set up the tools your mum need to use in a layout that made sense to her rather than have to conform to some arbitrary layout decided on by a Microsoft employee.
It's not that big of a deal. I'm just pointing out that you really can't get enough functionality out of the quick access toolbar to permanently collapse the ribbon. I'm stuck with it whether I like it or not and annoyed that my productivity has to take a nosedive for the sake of being able to open .docx files. It's like your boss asking you to hammer a bunch of nails with a spanner. Just because you can "get by" doesn't remove your right to point out that it's not efficient.
P.S. My mother is most definitely, even by her own admission, a representative of the lower echelon of computer users.
Nope, I was critical of Lion in many ways, but after using it, I like it. But I still criticise certain parts of it, as is evident by my posts.
Yes, some will love to bash Windows for the sake of it. But really, it's just too easy. Why does the Explorer need a ribbon? It makes no sense.
Agreed, my comment was a bit sweeping. But you say you bashed Lion but after using decided you liked it. How do you know the same is not true for this new ribbon for some people.
I think the real reason for this move to ribbon is because MS want the interface to work for all form factors, Desktop, Notebook and Tablets. Keyboard shortcuts and context menus do not work so well for touch. By using the ribbon the people who want to use shortcuts or context menus can collapse the ribbon but people using touch have the ribbon that is much easier to use than the old drop down menus.
[*]"Select" section is also after thought. If they care about usability, learn from how email clients handle selection and put checkbox next to each file and directory.
Webmail interfaces use checkboxes next to each item for lack of select (and highlight) functionality that we are used to in selecting text, selecting Finder/WindowsExplorer items.
I doubt that checkboxes would simplify the situation. It is an "Linux-can-also-do-it nerd - include as much functionality as possible - never mind if the GUI is acceptable" approach.
My point is that it would be great if you could set up the tools your mum need to use in a layout that made sense to her rather than have to conform to some arbitrary layout decided on by a Microsoft employee.
It's not that big of a deal. I'm just pointing out that you really can't get enough functionality out of the quick access toolbar to permanently collapse the ribbon. I'm stuck with it whether I like it or not and annoyed that my productivity has to take a nosedive for the sake of being able to open .docx files. It's like your boss asking you to hammer a bunch of nails with a spanner. Just because you can "get by" doesn't remove your right to point out that it's not efficient.
P.S. My mother is most definitely, even by her own admission, a representative of the lower echelon of computer users.
Why do you have to see it as conforming? I personally like the Ribbon. It puts items front and center with clearly defined tabs. For those who won't use it, such as myself, I'll just collapse it.
Obviously, Office is a different story and it's impossible to keep it collapsed forever. However, I still feel that it is better than the old menu bar. I wasn't a fan at first in Office 2007 but realized it actually was a lot more functional.
Lets just be honest here guys. No matter what MS does with Windows 8 you will say it is terrible. But if Apple added the exact same feature into OSX you would praise it as revolutionary. These things are just operating systems some people like OSX some like Windows, both have their advantages; does it have to turn into a war?
Agreed. Most sensible post I've read.
You can always turn off the ribbon if you want. It's very simple, only takes a second.
I use both systems in my day to day work and they both have good bits and bad bits. I prefer OSX but it's not perfect. For example I hate the way OSX splits the Menu Bar from the Application Window. That is a real pain in the ass. Equally there are lots of things about Windows that drive me up the wall sometimes.
Speaking of Office and iWork what has happened to iWork 10, 11, 12? Has Apple abandoned iWork for Mac updates like they did with AppleWorks? Would be nice to know what the hell is going on.
Having used Windows for many years, I might not be 100% objective, but I feel that Explorer is vastly superior to Finder for anyone who actually uses the file system. As a developer and enterprise worker, I routinely deal with hundreds of files. Finder makes saving and opening files much more difficult than it should be. An indication of Finder weakness is the number of Finder add ons that have found a market. You just don't see that among Windows users. Another indication is the typical Mac user's overloaded desktop.
That said, I'm not overly impressed with the ribbon.
I hardly ever drill down through Finder these days, I do nearly all of my file placement/retrieval using Spotlight. As for Desktop clutter...
The Lazy Person's guide to an Uncluttered Desktop.
1) Create a folder on the desktop and call it 'Tidy' or somesuch.
2) Put everything else in it.
Bingo! Uncluttered Desktop!
I have this mental image of one of them jumping up and down like Donkey in Shrek ... "Me me me .. My turn to add something!"
LOL. Yes, LOL. I actually am laughing out loud. This is funny post!
Thanks 4 this 1 digiclippy
• http://www.windows-noob.com/review/i.../xpspyware.jpg (image)
Hahaha. Actualy not so haha since I have seen some1 with half their screen wasted on toolbars.
+1 for the systray icons. Takin' up much CPU?
All that said, that screenshot from Explorer looks like complete overkill. The idea of providing quick access to the most-used functions is sound, but cramming every possible action into that space seems to defeat the object.
Also, I guess these things often change in the final release, but I think that the icon design and general look/feel of it doesn't really go with the new Windows 8 style, it could end up looking a bit of a mess compared to the slick look of Windows 7.
Speaking of Office and iWork what has happened to iWork 10, 11, 12? Has Apple abandoned iWork for Mac updates like they did with AppleWorks? Would be nice to know what the hell is going on.
There's been continuous updates for iWork in the past couple years, most recently full Lion support and coming soon updates for full iCloud support. They're giving these updates away for free, don't complain that they haven't put a new year tag on it and put it up for sale for another $60.
Have people here forgotten what FTFF stands for? I think that Finder has gotten better but it still isn't as good at file management as Windows Explorer. If you copy and move a lot of files around WE is going to be better than Finder despite WE's garish user interface.
I love the title.
Not depart from Windows 7, depart from OS X.
I love the contrast in simplicity between iWork and Office.
Oh, and CultOfMac mentioned that the buttons on the new Windows Explorer, according to Microsoft's own research, will be used by less than 50% of users. And they're still putting them on there.
With the ribbon, Microsoft was responding to a very real concern for users. Users were constantly asking for new features - features that were already in the product. They just couldn't find them. Thus the ribbon. Try to put features in a place that's visual. I'm not sure hiding everything as done in iWorks is better. It certainly does look better aesthetically, but does it make it harder to find functionality?
They did that.
Thanks for that link. Interesting read. Had to giggle on occasions. Like this:
"Finally, there are quite a few third-party add-ons that some of our more advanced customers use with Explorer today. These add-ons will continue to work in the right-click context menus in Windows 8, which is by far the most common access point for experienced customers running these add-ins (where discovery and occasional usage are not the primary design points). However, add-ins will not be able to plug into the ribbon UI. This was a difficult engineering choice for us and we expect that many of you will read this and suggest we add the capability--of course if we could get it right this time around we would have done that. A big part of this blog is sharing these choices--tradeoffs--between new features and adding everything we can dream up and finishing. We also think the customization we provide and the improvements are worthwhile this time around."
Cheers,
PhilBoogie
I am liking Windows 7 and hating Lion so far. Win 7 can zoom with Res. Independence while Lion has managed to ruin Expose, Dashboard and Spaces...all the biggest advances in the last half decade for OS X at least for my personal use. Although in general OS X is vastly superior to Windows for my purposes so I'll probably just stay with 10.6 until perhaps 10.8.
The ribbon in Win 8 though, that'll go over like a lead balloon. I'm surprised anyone has upgraded office. I bet they wouldn't have without .docx. I hate the Ribbon. I don't know anyone who does not hate it actually. It's almost as retarded as the "hoppping" tabs that Windows dialogue boxes have always had, that move positions on you.
Why are interfaces getting worse and uglier!? From iCal and Lion to Windows 8. What happened to all the good interface people!?
Windows 7 isn't bad, but the whole ribbon thing is lost on me - more an annoyance than anything. I'm not sure what the Win7 zoom thing has to do with Expose/Dashboard/Spaces issue - in fact unlike you, I really like the new Launchpad setup - for me it's a clean interface that improves upon the whole Expose/ Dashboard /Spaces conglomerate of Snow Leopard.
But to each their own I guess. We are agreed on the Win8 ribbon thing being a non-starter.
More Microsoft focus groups. That ribbon is a clusterfu*k. Look at how much space is wasted and how displeasing to the eye it is.
The effort to consolidate all the user functions has actually had a negative effect. They eliminated the menu bar because most people didn't use it. Now they have text AND icons that take up 3x more vertical space on the screen than Windows XP.
Exactly. All these moves to "simplify" the UI have made things more difficult.
Leopard/Snow Leopard was probably the peak so far in terms of UI for me. Windows 7 isn't bad, but both Windows 8 and Lion look like UIs in transition. They have good elements, but need more work.
Lion can use some polishing. Once more applications are updated to take advantage of its gestures and UI concepts, it will get better. There are also some inconsistencies to be fixed (e.g. natural scrolling makes sense on a trackpad but not a scroll wheel mouse), but I'm pretty confident it will get there. It looks a little disjointed right now (sort of a mix between Snow Leopard and iOS), but it is usable and a relatively easy migration from either Snow Leopard or Windows 7.
Windows 8 has some good ideas (e.g. the Metro UI, which I think will work well for tablets), but from what I've seen so far, it looks too disjointed (much more so than Lion). The Ribbon interface doesn't mesh very well with Metro and adds complexity. While the Ribbon has gotten a little better in Office 2010 vs. Office 2007, it still can be more complex, and takes up too much vertical room, leaving lots of wasted horizontal space, at least in Word. It might be OK from a space perspective on a tablet that's in portrait mode, but it still looks too complicated for a touch environment.
Third is to assign different backgrounds to each space. I actually have a color scheme for the leftmost, middle and rightmost spaces. (Communications, Development, Miscellaneous) It's subtle, but color-coding your spaces is another mental anchor, always letting you know where you are in the scheme of things.
It's nice that you can put a unique background on each desktop in MC, but I'd like the option to rename the various desktops to something more useful than Desktop, Desktop 2, Desktop 3, etc.
I think the title was the author's perhaps - would't Microsoft decides to follow a different design path with Windows 8 than Apple chose with OS X Lion? (or perhaps something simpler - that doesn't imply that Windows design has always only ever been a copy of Mac OS, whether that is true or not).