Windows 8 criticized for its UI and usability design

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Considered by many as the world’s leading expert on user-friendly design and web usability, Jakob Nielsen of Nielsen Norman Group, had recently slammed Windows 8’s interface, claiming Microsoft has gone soft; introducing an operating system interface that fails both novice and experienced computer users alike.

Nielsen writes, "With the recent launch of Windows 8 and the Surface tablets, Microsoft has reversed its user interface strategy. From a traditional Gates-driven GUI style that emphasized powerful commands to the point of featuritis, Microsoft has gone soft and now smothers usability with big colorful tiles while hiding needed features."

In his blog, Nielsen highlights numerous issues plaguing the new platform, such as having to deal with two environments on a single device, low discoverability due to a flat UI, low information density due to spacious layouts, and confusing overly “live” tiles.

"Windows 8 on mobile devices and tablets is akin to Dr. Jekyll: a tortured soul hoping for redemption," adds Nielsen, "On a regular PC, Windows 8 is Mr. Hyde: a monster that terrorizes poor office workers and strangles their productivity."

He reserved a large portion of criticism for the operating system’s inability to support multiple windows on one screen. The single window UI forces users to keep information in short-term memory when working with another window, which heavily taxes the user’s cognitive resources. The benefit of seeing multiple windows at the same time is important for many common tasks done on PCs today, especially when large screen real estate is available. “The product ought to be renamed ‘Microsoft Window’,” joked Nielsen. 

This feature shortcoming makes it difficult for users to consume and use information, and is why Neilsen denotes that Windows 8 is a misguided operating system.

He concluded: "I'll stay with Win7 the next few years and hope for better times with Windows 9. One great thing about Microsoft is that they do have a history of correcting their mistakes."

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/windows-8.html