http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/28/3122873/windows-8-start-button-explanation-chaitanya-sareen
Microsoft removed the Start button from Windows 8's Consumer Preview version earlier this year, generating a lot of discussion and mixed reaction over a user interface element that was first introduced in Windows over 15 years ago. In an interview with PC Pro, the company has revealed that telemetry data was a big part of the decision to scrap the Start button and traditional Start menu in Windows 8.
Discussing application pinning in Windows 7, Microsoft's Chaitanya Sareen explains that the company has witnessed a "trend" towards using the new taskbar as a way to simply launch applications rather than navigating to links within the Start menu. Data gathered from the company's Customer Experience Improvement Program led Microsoft to conclude that Start menu usage was dropping. "We're going to unlock a whole new set of scenarios," says Sareen, describing the new Metro Start Screen in Windows 8. Despite the new interface, Sareen admits that "you can't beat the taskbar," and that users can always choose to stay in the desktop mode.
Yak. If this is true, it's even worse than before!
I thought the design of Win 8 had some sort of artistic meaning (how sucky that may be) or it was all due to Sinofsky's hugo ego, but no, it's telemetry-god at work again.
In my experience, most people who let CEIP running don't even know what a start button is. Most "power users" (that is someone who doesn't use the computer just for Faceook) disable it, it's also very often disabled in corporate networks. If they continue to listen only to this very faulty telemetry data, then Win 10 will consist of one single full screen application, which streams youporn videos on the right side, and facebook on the left side of the screen.
Also - usage is sinking = yank it immediately right away? WTF?
