tkcas01 wrote:
Update from OP
OK, the new computer is up and running. Thankfully with the backup it was easy to get files, emails, favorites and other configuration data back. I then started messing around with it assuming I would get her to ignore the new Start Screen and use the familiar Desktop.
However, after getting used to it, I decided to do just the opposite. I removed all shortcuts from the traditional Desktop and started populating the Start Screen with what she normally uses. Realizing that there are some nice apps that run in the new "Metro" interface, I installed some of those (like for weather and Netflix) and showed her how they worked.
Having never used Win8, I am actually pretty impressed with it and even she agrees it is more pleasant looking and maybe more fun to use. We'll see after she gets some time working with it.
Here is a screenshot of how I configured the Start Screen so far. I'll fine-tune it as she lets me know what she likes or doesn't like. I can understand why some don't like it at first, but after just one day with it, I think if you figure out how to configure it to do what YOU want, it's actually nice.
link to larger image
That's the flexibility of Win8.1, being able to configure the tiles with just the ones you want to use. My desktop too is almost blank. I just group the tiles with the ones I use the most and remove the rest. You can also create tiles for the shortcuts to websites you use most often. Anything I needed to access from the start menu I created a tile. I agree that one of the current shortcomings is being able to edit the look of the tile instead of just the size.
