Think back to the time you first saw Windows 8 on a desktop or a laptop. You probably marveled: Wow, this looks different. Better be worth such a big change!
Then you started mousing around and began wondering exactly what Microsoft was smoking when it dropped a touch interface on top of a desktop operating system.
With the first glimpse of Windows 10 last week, Microsoft has clearly come to its senses and followed InfoWorld's brilliant plan, bringing back a real Start menu and eliminating the tiled "Metro" UI for desktop users. That change was core to InfoWorld's Windows Red proposal, where we suggested that Microsoft split Windows 8 into a desktop version and a mobile version.
Now, I know Microsoft announced that Windows 10 bits would be shipped as one unified product configurable for all platforms, but the outcome for desktop users is the same. No reason to split hairs here! Score one for InfoWorld. Actually, let’s make that two: One for a real Start menu and one for banishing the tiled UI.
Next, we suggested that Metro apps should be able to run on the Windows Desktop. I mean, who wants that, really, since Metro apps are so lame -- but a little face-saving goes a long way! We're happy Microsoft took our advice on this one, too. Rack up another one for InfoWorld.
We also wisely nixed the Charms bar. I never liked it. Did you? It's gone, just as InfoWorld said it should be. Now, I know Microsoft's Joe Belfiore said "I expect the Charms bar to change," but it never appeared at the great unveiling and although it's in the Windows Technical Preview, you can only access it using a keyboard shortcut. Oh, the irony. Score another one for InfoWorld.
In its abiding wisdom, InfoWorld said that apps written for one Windows platform should run across all Windows devices -- phone, tablet, and desktop. At the announcement, Microsoft's Terry Myerson said: "Across this breadth of devices, we are delivering one application platform for our developers." We think that's a great idea. After all, we came up with it.
Oh, and finally, there's the name. On April Fools Day 2013, InfoWorld's Pete Babb wrote a fake story in which Microsoft announced it would skip Windows 9 and go straight to Windows 10. Microsoft is even stealing our jokes. Just send us the check, guys.
You're welcome, Microsoft!
With apologies to John Hodgman and those who never saw his "Daily Show" routine.