Bribery...and/or full restoration of and compatibility with features of Stardock's software so that any change in functionality is meaningless and trivial.

Probably this... LOL

If you guys think windows 8 is difficult you've seen NOTHING. For those of you that do server work, wait until you have a go at Server 2012. It will make your teeth itch.

Actually I've been using Server 2012 for some time now.  I find it very lean/quick and since I do most things using the powershell and/or command prompt anyway the 'new interface' doesn't bother me at all. 

I have for 4 months and won't be installing/buying it on another PC ...

Yeah, it's just another interface to adjust to. I did notice that after running windows updates that the reboot was almost instant though. I'll be digging in to it more in the near future and getting used to it.

I have used Windows 8 on both a Surface Rt and a desktop.  I will qualify my decision by saying I am sure there are some computer neophytes that will find it useful, but any experienced computer user will find it sux.

The speed of the computer is irrelevant if you cannot do what you want to do. While you can do most things as you have in the previous versions of windows, it takes a lot more key strokes to get there.  It is also very unforgiving of anything not "Microsoft certified".  Thank god I had a 50' Ethernet cable.

Some will like it, but Windows 8 will only compete with ME and Vista for the biggest dog of all time.  After all, some loved ME and Vista as well.

Dr Guy ...welcome to the club....the great unwashed ignoramuses....dinosaurs who dislike 8.

We're a select group of desperados....rebels-without-a-clue...

Shall devise a secret handshake so it's trendy...

Been using computers for 27 years now and I love it, so that's bullshit.

Ohhh......enough all ready. 

From an IT world.  Win 8 is garbage.  In agreeance with the OP on this terrible direction MS has gone.  Looks like its back to Linux.

Really?  Garbage eh?  Hyper-V support (for the Pro versions) out of the box, a command-prompt and powershell that still work as usual.  Hmm.....yeah that sounds like it would be garbage in the IT world!

/sarcasm

I guess I am clueless then!

It will go well with my tin foil hat.

"using computer" =/= Experienced  Computer user

My mother has been using computers for the last 50+ years (she was weened as an IBM Operator), but she will be the first to tell you she is not an "experienced computer user".

This is relevant to me how?  Are you really trying to make the argument that EVERY SINGLE PERSON who likes Windows 8 is clueless?

I'd have two words for you, but I don't think they're terribly appropriate for forum discourse.