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Blog: Windows 8 migration? Let’s open the debate
It’s the CIO’s nightmare scenario. The chief executive boots up on a Monday morning and spits coffee and pastry as he struggles in vain to find the essential application feature once close to his fingertips. The look and layout of a vital business program has changed with a software upgrade and now the company’s most important end user gets trapped in a confusing array of menus.
This is a typical argument used against changing application or operating system layouts. Apparently ROI projections will disappear in a puff of smoke as productivity plummets and IT resources get jammed up with helpdesk calls.
But the launch of Windows 8 is a confession by Microsoft that change is more important than familiarity. Who can blame them? And the good news is we can now (finally) start to focus on which operating system delivers the best business case and technical features (things a CEO really does care about).
This blog series won’t be about rubbishing Windows 8. It will be a place to debate our alternative to the expensive upgrade cycle. We hope you will join it. But first some insight into why we want to have it now.
Seamless Migration?
Businesses often point to familiarity as a big reason why Windows has remained the de facto standard for the computing. Why risk a user backlash? A seamless migration (if there is really such a thing) is the easy choice.
That’s why a section of the IT media reacted with astonishment when Microsoft rejected this mantra and unveiled plans for a radical new look and feel for this month’s launch of Windows 8.
The interface adopts a flatter, simplified look, initially dubbed Metro but now more prosaically called Windows 8 style UI, designed to unify Windows across smart phones, tablets and PCs. Some critics say Windows 8 makes sense for touch screens but is awkward on mouse-and-keyboard PCs and laptops (still the work horse for the majority of organisations).
The End of an Era
There are lots of changes. One example is the replacement of Start menu with a Start screen with access to applications, calendar, email updates and management tools on a single ‘homepage’. It looks different and the way to get there has changed beyond all recognition.
That’s why one blogger, Andrew Orlowski, described Windows 8 as a “severe disruption to the everyday experience caused by integrating Metro front and centre. The Start menu has gone, but pressing the Windows key now throws the user into a radically different environment with a completely different design, behaviour and even scaling.”
Other reviewers like the changes. “The Start screen and all the apps which share its modern UI, are beautiful to look at and great fun to use, but it is important to note that you don’t have to have anything to do with them,” argues PC Advisor’s Matt Egan.
And that’s the paradox. Why shouldn’t Microsoft look to change their user interface? The idea that familiarity beats a great user experience has always been flawed. Too much familiarity simply breeds contempt.
Time for Change
The bulk of users (especially enterprise users) are some way off Windows 8. In fact, according to StatCounter, a third of desktops still run Windows XP.
But there’s a well publicised trigger point coming: users of Windows XP will be forced to migrate as Microsoft support ends (for Windows XP support ends in 2014). The launch of Windows 8 signals that change is inevitable for an operating system to be fit for purpose. And that can only be great news for businesses desperate for a better deal on licensing and support.
The Open Option
If you’re running XP or Vista and planning a Windows migration, we hope to show you why it’s time to consider a rational argument for features and a more rewarding business case.
In the posts ahead we’ll outline why Ubuntu is easy to use. Why Ubuntu is changing things in the cloud with desktop client software. And why it’s proving invaluable to thousands of users in business, government and not-for-profit sectors around the world.
We look forward to debating with you. Starting with our next post on licensing complexity in a week’s time.
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October 26th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I think now is a great time for Ubuntu to show what it’s worth with many users sceptical about Windows 8. but that doesn’t mean that Windows 8 is a bad product. The Metro interface is beautiful and actually pretty easy to use. It’s just not implemented good enough right now, since you constantly switch between 2 UI’s.
October 26th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Windows 7 is quite new in big companies IT. And it will continue to be supported by Microsoft a long time from now. I am pretty sure that like for Win XP, IT manager will choose to stay on a good and well known Windows version, well known by users, instead of switching at every release.
This time, it’s Windows 7 time. Windows 8 will be like Vista: it will not have its place in business IT. It is a kind of beta release. And the massive home users will have to “enjoy” and be beta users for Microsoft. Beta users who pay…
IMHO, Ubuntu is very good for day to day IT, for home and for business. For home, it miss commercial games, but it seems to be on the way…
For business, Saas apps are very common now, so it won’t change users way of working. So, the main problem is not the end-user, but the IT Manager and technicians: they know well their Microsoft environment. Changing to Ubuntu, and Linux mean not only change system on a lot of PC. It means that experienced technician are beginners again: they have to learn a complete new way of working, developing, deploying, etc… That is the most important point, and so the most important challenge Canonical has to handle to make Ubuntu a alternative to Windows.
October 26th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
My main interest is that Ubuntu is faster, less bloated, better maintained, and open source.
I’ve just wiped Windows 7 off my Netbook with Ubuntu 12.04 and I would not dream of touching Windows 8, however pretty it is (not least because Ubuntu looks pretty good itself!).
Best wishes for increased circulation!
October 26th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Windows 8 will fail. The GUI is too big of a change and end users will not appreciate it, especially with such little coverage/advertisements on the TV
October 29th, 2012 at 10:10 am
So let me think Microsoft all these years has been harping on about Total Cost of Ownership i see maintenance of Ubuntu desktops and servers becoming as easy as windows and and now Microsoft has turned around and are going against what they where saying. now for the corporate sector on Window XP whats the easiest and what effects the TCO. this maybe the future a Ubuntu desktop/server world as Microsoft moves to the mobile touch world.
Microsoft did say the TCO for Linux was the same or more than windows because highly trained technicians where needed but this is not the case anymore an example is a 16 year old setting up a home server on a laptop with Ubuntu sever 12.04 with as much ease as a windows server with out having any training in IT.
October 29th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
I like Ubuntu but the main reason I’m still stuck with Microsoft (and is not just me, a lot of people too) is the compatibility with some applications. For example, in my area I count on Peactree for Accounting works. Even if you install this application with Wine there’s some bugs that shut you down the application when you work with the Accounts Receivable module, for example. Ubuntu is great and easy to use and Unity is great and easy to use, specially when it comes to work. I know that maybe there’s a chance to configure this program in Linux but the main problem is the company that is the developer of this type of program, like Sage (in this case); they will not tell you how to configure this program on Ubuntu. Other problem is that you cannot export reports unless you’re using Microsoft Office. This should be fixed and maybe make it work with OpenOffice or LibreOffice. I know this is not a problem of Canonical or Ubuntu, but this is the reason why people like me are stuck with Windows.
November 9th, 2012 at 4:14 am
I installed windows 8 last night and was not happy with it. Rather than put the effort into learning windows 8 I thought I would try ubuntu. I downing loaded v 12.04, burned to a dvd, and booted it to the “try” option. I am very impressed so far. Really love the search functionality. But the most exciting thing for me is the “ubuntu for android”.
November 12th, 2012 at 9:42 am
[...] time we talked about how Windows 8 brings a dramatic shift to user experience. Today we’re going to explore whether businesses can escape the Window’s licensing complexity [...]