Microsoft here are some tips!

Windows 7 seems to be heading in the right direction but for me it just needs to be cleaner, less cluttered and more intuitive. If it is to succeed Windows 7 needs to be as easy to use as the modern phone UI.

The iphone and The New Palm Pre are perfect examples of where UI design and visual communication is heading. Relevant information being viewed as priority instead of having tons of windows like a biscuit and cake trail for Hansel and Gretel to meet there crashing doom.

Enough is enough. I want to see the work I’m doing not the crassly done glass effect especially when there’s already a drop shadow on everything.

Why do we need four pixel wide borders around everything?
Transparent Boxes that interfere with perfectly fine and attractive icons.
All processes being limitlessly multi threaded.
Multiple steps to common tasks when a visible advanced option plus the ever simple right click feature will do.
There must be a way of reducing programs and process needing to sap resources when they aren’t directly associated to the current task.

Innovative UI is the solution to all windows issues. Make it intuitive and people will sing from the roof tops “Windows rules”.

The wii remote opened up the gaming experience to all because everyone knows how to use their TV remote and waggle their hands and wrists.

We’re no longer wowed or fooled by 3D windows that don’t give a true benefit or any other pointless eye candy. Less really is more.

Clarity, flexibility and speed please.

Rant over

Have you got any ideas on how Windows could do this, or seen another computer OS that can do it? I also really like the iPhone menus, but I don't know how that would translate to a PC.

I understand what you mean about settings being complex to find, but I don't know how else MS could change it to make everything more accessible. Please don't think I'm having a go, I'm just interested to see what the alternative would be Are there any Linux distros that have a UI that works better so I could take a look?

It’s ok I don’t think you’re having a go, your comments are valid and practical. Such a move would need a fair amount of work, I fully I understand. I work in the digital content providing industry and I’ll use a website that the company I’m a part of developed. Our client wanted a clean clear website but at the same time wanted to explore navigation via a webcam. Using and adapting technology at many people’s disposal we delivered a fairly good site that works with the mouse and webcam navigation without compromising the look of the site. Please check it out: http://www.hrp.com/

We aren’t one of the richest corporations on the planet but had the gumption to push the site forward. Many companies in all kinds of fields do this week in week out. My point was that I don’t see why Microsoft can’t attempt the same.

Better still if they feel out of their depth developing a progressive UI then seek the input of outside designers who can. Apple Mac’s used to be grey boxes on the inside and on the outside till they got someone or firm to direct them down the path to good design inside and out.

Now they grow from strength to strength with ordinary users spending over the odds to be part of their design and usability ethos. Then though they still to this day can’t run flash as well as PC’s with the same internal hardware give or take the odd adaption.

What I’m talking about isn’t reinventing the wheel its merely highlighting what other industries, manufacturers, operating system developers are already doing. As a Windows Mobile user I’m experiencing these failings in the majority of my daily media life. I don’t see why that should be.

Rightly said h0ruza, there is a lot more possibilities with UI and making things simpler in an OS. But it might be that MS is too reluctant to learn from others and giving some flexibility to its products. I think they are just sticking to their ways and don't looking beyond it.

That's what I fear the most debsuvra they don't feel they need to so they won't. I also dream of flying cars that run on banana skins, i'm sure honda are working on it

Yes, I see what you mean now! Windows Mobile is a great example of a failing, I tried some Windows smartphones recently and could hardly believe how bad the UI was. Checkboxes and little scroll bars where you need to use a stylus... bad user interface. In fact, it was enough to put me off even considering one.

I'm amazed that they haven't given Windows Mobile a HUGE overhaul!

Realistically I just want less fuss and a cleaner look for windows 7. I think most people feel they can't get over the fact that it looks the same as vista and what's needed is to leave vista behind from the guts of the OS to the look of it.

Surely this could be done with a simple lean mean and sexy theme alternative rather than giving us an olive or silver version like in good old XP.
My fingers are crossed tightly.

I don't think that much will change between the current beta and the final release of Windows 7, but you might be able to get some skins or themes for W7 that bring it closer to what you are after