How should the desktop paradigm evolve?

Posted by Sszecret on July 9, 2012 02:58 pm 17

From what everybody can clearly see, here in the Verge forums and on other sites, the balance is inclined towards “dislike” for the current implementation of Metro in Windows 8. Or if it isn’t, the distribution of like/dislike is equal. While the Start Screen (Windows 8’s most prominent visual feature) doesn’t bother me, I think Microsoft should make it a bit more flexible, customization wise.

Metro aside, my question to you is this: How should the desktop paradigm evolve? In my opinion it’s unreasonable to think that everything will stay the same for the next five, ten, a hundred years, be it technology, the automotive industry or any other aspect of society really. For example, we’re not using a Ford Model T today, are we? Now you can argue that some of the technologies in the cars that are on the market today are not necessary. You could say “who needs Bluetooth connectivity? Will the car refuse to start if I don’t have that? No. Will I not be able to get from point A to B without it? No. I don’t need it then.” Whether we like it or not, things change. And yes, that was a car analogy. Sue me.

Start Menu

No matter how you slice it, the start menu has to evolve (and has evolved over the years). Some of you don’t like the Start Screen. Ok. What’s in your opinion a better version of the start menu? Yes, you can (and probably will) say that the current iteration is the best and shouldn’t be changed, but keep in mind that we arrived at the current implementation through a number of changes. I’m not saying the current way of doing things is wrong and that we need to throw it out and change ‘just cause’, but I refuse to believe that we’ve run out of good ideas and/or better ways of interacting with software.

Windowed environment

This is a tricky one, and I have to admit, I have no idea what could top the current windowed environment. Then again, that’s why I’m a layman and I don’t work at [insert technology company here]. I suppose manipulation of windows/objects in 3D space (somewhat like the Holodeck) would be nice, but that's more of an eyecandy (in my opinion) way of doing things than it is productive.

Wrap-up

In conclusion, how would you evolve the current desktop paradigm? What do you think will be the ideal way to be productive in the future?
This is an honest question and I want honest and on topic answers (please). We don’t need another “I like metro, I’m right / I don’t like metro, I’m right” discussion.