Sunday, May 20, 2012
In an elongated blog post, Microsoft has explained some of the logic behind Windows 8's interface. Much of the article discussed about how over the years Microsoft has modified its graphical interface, but a sizable nugget focuses on the desktop environment , including some significant changes that haven't been revealed in the Consumer Preview yet. Most notably, Microsoft says it's scrapping Aero Glass, the glossy, transparent border introduced with Vista, in favor of a flatter style that less distracting.
"In the end, we have decided to bring the desktop closer to the Metro aesthetic, while preserving the compatibility afforded by not changing the size of window chrome, controls, or system UI. We have moved beyond Aero Glass-- flattering surfaces, removing reflections, and scaling back distracting gradients.. We want desktop windows to continue feel light and airy, and we want a chrome style that doesn't distract from the contents of the app". Despite all these changes with the interface, the company doesn't appear to be worried about the issue of "learnability." Instead believes that people will quickly find the new paradigms to be second-nature."
While Microsoft admits that there have been some usability issues with certain gestures in the Consumer Preview, the company says that this is not an issue with people coming to grips with the concept, but instead a problem with the early state of the OS-- internal builds are "significantly improved," according to Microsoft, so we should see an easier-to-use Windows 8 when the Release Preview launches next month. The post also packs a great dose of nostalgia, as the build team looks back at interface issues dating all the way to Windows 1 in 1985. Be sure to check out the source link below to take trip down the memory lane of Windows builds.
Creating Windows
