Diin't I read somewhere than Microsoft had removed the ability to use the desktop by default when loading windows? If that's true, it is being relegated to the position of a third party application. If I am not allowed to load 'desktop', the explorer that I have familiarised myself with over the last 20 years, the I see no point in the metro 'feature'.Imho Windows 8 should be the other way around, with the regular desktop as default and the tiles as a secondary app layout.
It seems as though you are criticizing the OS without actually using it, as your opinion is based on what you have read as opposed to what you have experienced. Otherwise, you would not believe some of the statements you have made.
In regards to two of the points you made:
1. You
can have two apps open at once in metro, and you
can snap one to one side of the screen while you have one in the other. It's great for taking notes while watching a movie, and all apps must support both fullscreen and snapped mode in a user friendly manner. It's quite nice.
2. You cannot boot directly to the desktop. However, what do you do when you boot to the desktop? You immediately click "Start" and then launch a program. Launching to the metro interface is just removing the step of clicking on the "Start" button.
While I will admit that it is a valid point to say that you dislike the new Windows because it is different and therefore takes some getting used to compared to what you used in the past, I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. I also wouldn't say it makes it inherently worse. Technology changes and adapts. If it didn't, we would still be using the same type of computing devices this thread is supposed to be dedicated to.
I use Windows 8 on my non-touchscreen workstation. I find that after a period of getting used to it and learning how to use it, I am able to be much more productive and have a much more enjoyable experience than I did on Windows 7. The reasons for this are as follows:
1. All of the GUI uses GPU acceleration by default. It makes it so the interface is silky smooth. Using any other operating system feels really choppy to me now, because most still rely on the CPU to render the 2D elements.
2. Much, much, much faster boot times.
3. Longer battery life (because of the simplified interface and more efficient rendering [point 1])
4. It forced me to learn shortcut keys. I can now fly all around super quickly without ever having to reach for the mouse. It's fantastic.
5. I can sync all of my information and applications across multiple computers seamlessly (I have... let's see... 7 at my house).
The new Office is also very nice.
Windows is also extremely configurable. You can set it so that everything launches in desktop mode by default if you are using your PC for productivity instead of entertainment.
I hope that helps anyone who is confused by the new OS or has yet to try it for themselves to approach it with an open mind.