I've seen Windows computers that are skinned and hacked so well that you can't tell they are a Windows box. It takes a lot of work, and more than just skinning apps.

Why...do...you...talk...like...this...jafo...?...!...?

I personally wouldn't want to make Windows look like the Mac UI. But having the flexibility to customize it would be great. 

What Mitsubishiman said.....

Windows 8 is much more than just a new 'skin' on an old book.  I would go into some of those 'under the hood changes' except that I have in multiple threads here already so what's the use.  Sure the 'new skin' may have irked a few (maybe even many) but I know for a fact (speaking from experience with my clients alone) that many of those who initially revolted at having to use Win8 have since (especially once the under the hood changes became more apparent) changed their tune.

I find that among those I know.......people who use multiple computational devices simultaneously these days do in fact want shit sync'd, do in fact want browser windows they open on their PC to 'magically' open on their phone / tablet if they should leave the office etc. suddenly.  They want a faster OS, they want more stability/security and don't in fact mind if their OS sometimes 'thinks' for itself.

In essence what I'm saying is that the generation of PC users (myself included here) whose OCD caused them to (and continues to cause them to) open a taskmgr window before anything else and who obsess over the ram usage of individual programs/services, and who routinely check their startup services etc. is shrinking fast.  We may think we own the PC landscape but that is simply not true anymore.

Keep in mind, I am not claiming Windows 8 to be 'the best thing ever' without room for improvement.  When Windows 9 is released and everyone loves it and jumps on the bandwagon, I hope they realize that while they may have their precious START button/menu back (among other 'skin' changes) the OS itself (under the hood) will be the core of what Windows 8 already brought to the table. 

To automatically assume that everyone will "Jump on the bandwagon" is a bit premature, exactly the same phrase was quoted in regards to W8, and that did not happen, individuals are a bit more cautious then they were before the fiasco's of the past, we will let several individuals bench-test the OS and even then wait until the actual reviews from independent sources surface above the paid for by M$ reviews (don't even attempt to delude yourself).

As far as the clients conforming and even preferring, it's like the person who purchased a car from a fast talking salesman, no one ever wants to admit they were taken for a ride on a major purchase, they just tell you about the part they do like and hope that they learned from the mistake and are better prepared for the next time.

I am in charge of a network of a dozen computers, yes quite small and insignificant, however in my profession the primary program of the trade is Auto CADD Civil 3D, I have spoken with several individuals like myself in the utilization of W8, it simply will not work, the environment is not conducive to the interface and the ancillary programs utilized, we prefer multiple monitors and clean screens.

 I do love the interface of W8 for personal utilization, it allows me to access all of my "FUN" stuff, but in my business world "NO"

No. If Windows 9 brings back the traditional Start menu with the Windows 8 kernel and enhancements under the hood all will be well. The user should be able to disable Metro once and for good.

Another thing I'd like to see in Win 9 is Copy/Move incorporated natively in the right click menu... along with 'Open as Administrator' and 'Take Ownership'... maybe 'Command Prompt' and 'Elevated Comand Prompt' as optional extras.

Also, I'm not a great fan of the 'ribbon' and would like to see the old menu bar brought back so users have an either/or choice.  I don't really need it as I use an extended right click menu that provides all the options I need, but a menu bar could come in handy sometimes, I guess.

Another thing I'd like to see with Windows 9... for the so-called experts to keep their frigging mouths shut until the public and users can make up their own minds regarding the new OS... cos the 'experts' invariably sabotage it verbally/in print, etc, well before the public release so it never gets a fair go.

That's the thing, the so-called experts too often influence the buying public with opinions.... and you know what they say about opinions.

And how much of a failure would Win 8 have been if the so-called experts had kept their mouths shut and given the public a chance to assess it without undue influence?  I know plenty of people who happily use Win 8 out of the box - no Stardock or other enhancements at all - and plenty of people who are more than happy using Win 8 with a 3rd party start button, etc.  

Of the people I know who so-say hate Win 8 - or at least don't like it - most have never tried it and have based their opinion on negative press in magazine/newsparer articles, etc, or have been told by somebody who read such an article that it's crap.  Thing is, when I've given some of those naysayers an opportunity to use/see Win 8 in action, they were pleasantly surprised and some have even switched to Win 8.

Now Win 9 won't be everything that many a Win 7 lover will want or like - some people fear or hate change - but it will be an exceptional OS that builds on Win 8 but takes the shell and underlying concept even further.  Not only will it be leaner and faster, it will have an improved shell and security with even greater stability and reliability.  Not everybody's going to be happy with the GUI, given some Metro features will be retained for the convenience of some, but those feature will most likely be able to be sidestepped and the OS made to look and behave like Win 7... which is how I've used Win 8 all along and never known the difference except it's faster.

Dunno, how many of 'em were unduly influenced prior to release and never actually tried it?

Word of mouth advertising can do alot to help sell something.... the same also works in reverse.

Word of mouth can be used to sink a product before it has a chance... and so-called experts did that with Vista and Win 8.

Neither were that bad.  Admittedly, Win 7 was a better OS than Vista, but it never would have existed in that format without Vista.

The same goes with Win 9!  Without the under the hood changes that came with Vista, Win 7 and Win 8, Win 9 would just be a glorified XP with as bit of bling.

In other words, OS improvements occur only when past editions are examined, assessed and the not so good bits are updated.

I personally do not give a flying fuck what other people say concerning Windows version.

I love Vista, see. It's the best Windows version I've ever used. If Win9 comes any close to it I'm gonna hump Gates' leg.

'Critiques' and so called 'experts' can go fuck themselves, imo. They are pointless/useless.

OS? Bugger 'em all. 

It be the processor wot makes Snowy's poota great!