"I don't mean to sound rude but aint that like saying yellow is still yellow even if you happen to think yellow is a shit color? What information is being conveyed with such statements?"
Simply that we have deal with the fact that something is yellow, no matter if we approve of the color or not. The damn thing is yellow. So now, what CAN we do from here?
"When people ask me what I think of windows 8 I recommend against upgrading. When people who have windows 8 express displeasure I tell them how to contact the vendor of their new PC to obtain a "downgrade" to Windows 7. The few people who care about what I think are now happy campers."
I offer similar advice, but I am realistic enough to know that especially as time goes on, the amount of people who are going to be satisfied by these steps is going to decrease. I've already talked to people who don't want to bother getting Win 7 as a downgrade, reinstalling, setting up their data and programs again (and/or don't have the technical know how) simply to get away from an OS that "works", yet has some irritating OS issues and esoteric "invisible in one's day to day life until a calamity happens" privacy, security, and ethics flaws.
"Or you could just install windows 7."
I most certainly can. But many of those people purchasing new PCs (including touch screens, tablets etc..) can't, or won't. It will become more expensive even for those who are self-built and buying their own OS. (Buying Win8 Pro is already considerably cheaper than Win7 Pro, Ultimate, Home Premium in many cases).
"Trick question."
Not at all. There is going to be a significant difference between using some Facebook tile, one that only connects to Microsoft directly, and one that is simply a UI add-on for some Free Software program. etc. I expect that with Windows Store and whatnot there is going to be a whole assortment of varying Metro app policies. Would you rather have a bunch of Facebook and Angry Birds stuff alone, or would you rather direct a user who WANTED TO USE A METRO APP to something like VLC Player (which is attempting to secure funding to get VLC player on the Windows Store/Metro Approved.). Not to mention, a "ClassicShell-like" FOSS alternative to Metro such as KDE/QT Plasmids that can provide the Metro-like experience without some of the dangers, if users are knowledgeable enough about their presence.
"The fact of the matter is Microsoft is a business and its survival is tied to customers purchasing products. The defeatist additude you are powerless and have no other choices is both incorrect and self-reinforcing.
There is no more powerful driver in business than voting with your dollar.
Windows 8 is not about imparting any new value on the customer. It is about CPR on tablet and phone market share. It is about a boiling frog approach to a closed app store model where all execution must be currated and approved by MS with hands in the cookie jar at every step. It is about epic leaks of data and privacy. It is about monitizing everything possible... even the shit metro apps that come with windows have ads with content downloaded from the Internet.
If you don't like all the bullshit you have a choice. If enough people fail to exercise their choice it will in fact vaporize.
For example the movie industry would like nothing better than to kill off DVDs and force everyone upgrade to blueray. Why don't they?
I'm not advocating quitting, or even rejecting the notion of offering criticism and voting with your dollar. However, I'm pragmatic enough to know that even if every single geek self-built PC rejected Win8, MS would barely be scratched compared to all the pre-installed and embedded marketplaces. Most users who want/need Windows for whatever reason and aren't open to switching to something entirely different as well as those that simply use what comes with their new PC/device, are going to increasingly be using Windows 8. Microsoft has heard our objections and frankly doesn't care - they are betting that the big OEMs and casual users aren't going to care and/or are going to LIKE this stuff on Windows 8. Thus, I'm advocating more of a harm reduction strategy. I'd rather have people who are going to be using Windows 8 informed about the privacy implications of certain features, than not, for instance. Likewise, if they're taught about these issues and how to mitigate any threat, they'll be more likely to become frustrated and reject these features in the future - maybe eventually becoming willing to say, try using another OS.
I've just gotten a little annoyed at all the "Win 8 is horrible" articles that don't offer anything constructive - its not realistic to just say "Nobody should use it!" and expect that to be a satisfactory solution for the masses. Its no different than those with attitudes that "Nobody should use Windows because it infringes on X (where X can range from everything from freedom to modify the source, to privacy, to supporting Microsoft's unethical dealings etc..), everyone should switch to Linux today!". The vast majority of users will instead offer some reason why they can't or won't switch - they like X feature, they don't feel comfortable/have time to learn something new that will mess with their productivity right now, Y program won't work, they don't know/understand/share the more esoteric objections related to software freedom etc. Instead a more compromising approach, teaching to inform and protect the very large demographic that won't be switching, will do much better than zealous venom or hardline pleas for rejection in terms of bringing the userbase to a point where they can understand and decide for themselves when they've had enough and are willing to search for other alternatives. Moreso, it ensures that a much larger user base will add their criticisms to Windows 8 and thus gives more weight to the complaints that the knowledgeable have been making since the beginning. If Microsoft detects a constantly increasing amount of users who turn off SmartScreen , maybe they'll think twice about including such a feature as they know people are paying attention and purposefully opting out; if they double down on stupid and make it mandatory in Win9, then all those users who are now paying attention will see exactly the sort of company with whom they're dealing and may be willing to give up certain features they weren't before to transition to another OS that respects their privacy, having seen the whole thing play out. None of this happens without education.
The more negative aspects of Windows 8 nor the OS itself will not go away simply because the geek and guru population shouts about its horrors or even refuses to install the OS. There are more pragmatic, and constructive ways to move towards positive change and they're going to mean getting average users involved, giving them insight, and letting them make the choice. Don't stop criticizing Win 8, but make sure that all your articles and blogs show way users can protect themselves and vote against these practices while rewarding those who provide alternatives respectful of privacy, security, value, user choice and experience.