Microsoft has just published a 20-page manual on how to use what was once the world’s most widely used operating system: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx
There are a number of gems in here, but the two that stand out are:
- System requirements on the download page (the download is a PDF)
- Page 18 — “What to do with your mouse.”
- Plus: Windows 8.1 update 1? Someone in the room must have suggested 8.2, right?
In the age where computer usability is at the top of most everyone’s priority list, can we all agree that Windows 8 is a miss? Had they just left the start button on in everything would have been fine. Then they could have all these (what would have been) cool easter eggs all over the OS and would have been ready for the day where all laptops had touch screens.
Instead the team opted for the 20-page metro formatted operating manual. I hope the new CEO can turn this around. Priority one needs to get everyone marching in the same direction and to not punish people for speaking up. I’m looking at you product naming committee.
As a follow on to this article, here is the iPad air quick start guide. Which you probably don’t remember seeing, because you didn’t need it.
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