I've been using 8.1 for a few weeks now and it is slightly better than 8. Everything I use is a basic Windows app so it runs on the desktop just like Win7. I have found the new start screen easier to use than what's in win 7.
I have made the background the same picture on the desktop and start screen so as I switch between the two environments (using either the windows key on the keyboard or the new start button at the lower left) the tiles seem to pop out of the picture, I select one and I'm back to the desktop.