Can we disable the charms bar in Windows 8?

Holy Maharaja,, do you not see the answer above?  Just disable the side swipe feature in the pointing device.  As a support engineer,, I rate that a massive fail.

<snipped>

As far as MS listening to the consumer, the last time I can recall them doing so was back when the improved help system was introduced in XP. (Don't know if you remember the program that let us have XP 2-3 years before it went Gold. We tried to break it and they listened.) It was, by far, one of its best selling points over previous versions of Windows. Since then, not so much. Sure, you send in something and you get the automated 'canned' reply, thanking you and that they will look into it. Nothing after that.

</snipped>

Tried this?

http://connect.microsoft.com/intro/

 

It may or may not have any products accepting feedback that you are concerned about - but just in case you did not know it existed - there it is.  :-)

I'd also dare say Windows Vista --> Windows 7 showed a 'listening' Microsoft; as quite possibly do the changes that have occurred with Windows 8 since its release (Windows 8.1 and Update 1 from April 2014 are two 'listened and made changes' incidents that come to mind.)  'Listening and reacting' may not include all the changes everyone wants for various reasons - including just not agreeing/wanting to make the changes; it happens with many products all the time; I'd say for most products purchased, "unless *you* are the one making it, *you* may not always get everything *you* want." applies (the *you* is generalized.)

Windows XP was NOT widely accepted when it was released - by businesses or individuals.  So even when people have input - it's usually not everyone (nor would that be practical) and it's usually not representative of the majority.  Sometimes the best way to find out what direction really needs to be explored *is* the 'release it and see what EVERYONE screams about the loudest' - because then you cover more ground.  Sure - it makes everyone possible beta testers and risks some PR black-eyes - but it's probably the widest test bed one could get and will get the testers you would NEVER get otherwise.

There is not much that can or needs to be added to this;  excellent points. See the bold ^ , as 2 excellent examples.

1st will share an anecdote:

I am oft reminded of this when I hear or read "Windows 8 is bad".  Years ago when SP1 was released for XP people were saying, don't install that, it's bad, breaks things, things don't work after it's installed.  Well, 1st of all, it wasn't an option nor was it bad.  What was happening was people were paying to attention to "What to do before installing SP1" and THAT was resulting in problems for them.  Oh my, that was a fun challenge for us IT Pros.  Now, we think back & laugh about it.  However, comments & reactions regarding Office editions, new Operating Systems & other products is not, really, much different. And it will happen time & time, again.  And, honestly, part is, just arbitrary bashing of MS & its products, like it's a cool thing to do, albeit, appropriate or not.  There are a few who like their stuff fairly well... however hard to imagine, it's fact.

Anyway, I just want to re-enforce a couple of things Shenan wrote, in my own words.

1. Yes, we must appreciate the scale of usage, listening, responding & change.  MS, its products & its OSs have global applications and apply to two markets, Consumer & Business.  These are two very different environments, differing in both, use, needs & demands.  It, also, means billions of End Users.  Some may not always realise what it is to field comments for such a vast array & number of customers. it is not a cop-out that a company must do the best it can to build for, cater to & react to a majority. It, also, means, due to a multitude of factors, things cannot manifest themselves overnight.  However these (last) two points does not mean feedback is ignored or unimportant... quite the opposite!  MS has its ear to the rail far more than (some) people imagine.

(And whilst a group may feel strongly about something in particular it can be hard to know how that stacks up against global scenarios.)

2. Microsoft Partners, User Groups & Community.  I can address this since I am a MS Partner, own a MS Partner IT Consulting & Support company and I was the founding President of the IT User Group here in Calgary.  Things like TechNet, MSDN, the Evangelist Team and MVPs are MS keeping in tune  & in sync w/ the real world situations out in the field.  Heaps of courses, seminars, webcasts, et al are a huge part of the proof that MS does work directly w/ things and people at a grass-roots level.  I will say they do listen, they do want & need feedback, they are there for us when needed and do make changes that are wanted.
3. Beta Testers.  Yes, please, accept this is not something to take lightly or not appreciate.  I am a MS Beta Tester.  Had to apply and be accepted.  We Beta Test Operating Systems (I did Vista, Windows 7 & Windows 8) as well as a host of other products.  Massive part & contribution to the end results... we tell them what works or not, what we like or not, what is broken & needs to be fixed or what should be added, removed or changed.  And they listen & act accordingly. Shenan is right that this set-up & approach has no comparison or equal in the IT industry nor any other but, its value to buyers is spectacular.  This became, really, interesting when it was not only open to us IT Pros & Developers but, to the public, as well.  It is not correct or accurate to suggest feedback does not go to MS or that they are deaf to it.

Between #2 & #3 to think MS goes running off amok on their own tangents callously snubbing their customers or potential customers, they do not.  They are trying to build or offer products for our computing, now & in the future and that is, certainly, an interesting challenge... to gauge and be in step w/ the evolving technologies and the evolving landscape & complexion of computing, devices & lifestyle is not an easy task.  Plus, this is coupled w/ the basic fact that one cannot please everyone all the time, everywhere... especially when that means billions of people all across the world in homes, offices and mobile.

And, BTW, as I have mention previously, there are people like me who will & do go to our contacts w/in MS & say, we are hearing this, people are saying this, one or more people have this issue or concern.

Don't ever think your voice is a waste of breath.  In the big picture, it may be one factor of influence among many, it may not achieve immediate results or exactly the results an individual or group seeks but, it does carry significance.

There will always be change and changes, some that some people will like, some maybe not but, all of it takes time... may not happen 'yesterday' but, there is a 'tomorrow'.  There will always be something to discover on the horizon and that will never be boring or w/out controversy.  And as much as the sun rises, it, also, sets.  Not much in computing & technology won't come & go... something will always become passé and something else will come, regardless of whether everyone thinks it's better or worse.

Think beyond computers and think about how much has come & gone & changed & become accepted by various generations in any 10, 25, 50 to 100 year period.  We, as humans, tend to be hung up on ourselves and the moment sometimes.  That skews when it's billions of people, assorted milieus and long-term.

As for myself, I serve my clients & write in several tech forums for no other reason than to help people.  I advise & teach by being sensitive to the other person.  Being aloof or demeaning is never part of that, for me and I never mean to come across as such.

Cheers,

Drew