> So, it is a vicious circle. And not an accidental one. This one was carefully designed to be that way.<p>It's quite simple...<p>Metro - for consumers. Mostly for touch-based tablets. Internet, Facebook, Twitter, simple games and apps.<p>Desktop - for producers. Keyboard and PC (everything from a $600 Dell to a powerful $5000 WorkStation). Large games, VS.NET, Office, etc. And also everthing to do with the non-consumer/enterprise market.<p>Do you have any idea how many situations, work-flows, and applications NEED the desktop?<p>Microsoft is not getting rid of the Desktop. The Desktop is here to stay. In Windows 8, in 9, and every other version. Including the Server versions.<p>Half of their revenues depend on the Desktop situations, work-flows, and applications.<p>They'll get rid of the Desktop when computers start reading your thoughts or everyone in the world becomes a thoughtless consumer that spends his/her entire time buying useless crap (like in the move Idiocracy).
I used a Windows Surface tablet a few days ago. It was clearly underpowered, but was far better than I expected. For the first time in years I thought, Microsoft may actually survive this mobile thing.<p>Windows has a massive selection of software. Their top priority should have been to make it as easy as possible for those legacy developers to add any level of metro support and integration to their existing applications.<p>Instead they chose to handicap themselves, as if they were producing a brand new operating system. Was the tradeoff of taking a cut of all software sales worth the effective action of starting with a software library the size of webOS's?
So Gabe Newell did not overreact on Windows 8... because of what Microsoft might do in Windows 9.<p>That said, Steam right now is more of an open platform that the Microsoft App Store. Even if Microsoft put up big, scary warnings, they really should allow the side-loading of Metro apps or have a Control Panel option to allow for their installation.
Microsoft is just doing what is profitable. I cannot blame them for this. Apple has already proven that this model works quite well. I HIGHLY doubt Microsoft will completely abandon the desktop experience in Windows 9. I also doubt that Apple will force everybody to only use the MAC app store in future OSX releases.<p>I do believe the gaming landscape is changing and maybe that means Linux is the winner for the next generation of awesome computer gaming titles.<p>Nevertheless, Microsoft is a company that is in the business in making money, and they are making a huge push for their new platform which is mimicking the most successful company in the world... Seems like they are making good decisions.
But why is that a problem? You can install everything on Win8 classic (non-RT). Tablet version Win8RT is closed platform and marketplace, just like iOS Store, but desktop users can use Win8 like they're using all other win versions till now!<p>This whole 'marketplace' story is bad because<p>- it's not true. Steam is same thing like win store, or apple store (IMHO). Just money will now go to MS, not to Valve<p>- news portal editors should explain readers that you can install classic apps to Win8 (Pro), but Metro apps must go through Store. So, on PC+Win8 you can install everything.<p>- MS PR is responsible for this also, they should educate ppl more about this RT/Classic mess
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, and given the amount of high-profile backclash against Windows 8's policies I might, but the 'problem' seems to be that in order to use the Windows 8 tiles you have to sell your program through Windows Store, right?<p>In what way is it any different than selling an app through the Apple Store? If you want to add the extra functionality, you have to sell it through the Windows store, but no one is forcing you to use it in order for you costumers to use your program (lets face it, your games probably dont need the tiles) and if you do so choose to use their store, it isn't forcing you to remain exclusive to that store, you can sell it anywhere you want.<p>Right? If so, what is the fuss about?
I wonder if now isn't the time for a billionaire to start backing something akin to Ubuntu but based on a Windows clone like ReactOS? The goal would be to capture a user base that's disenchanted with the Windows 8 direction and just wants to hold onto the Windows 7 experience? One could even base this on WINE and Linux with the plentiful open source programs for Windows and some tweaks to automate installation of things like MS Office.
Wait, he says that you cannot download an application from the internet and run it on your computer, but earlier says that you simply cannot add non-app store apps to the Metro tiled interface. Which one is it? I would assume that you can still install applications from the internet (non-app store), and I'm certain that you can have tiles for those apps. What exactly is the problem?