You know what I'm excited about? Windows 8.

Is Windows 8 the most hated operating system yet? I don't care. I'm excited about it.

It seems that taking cheap shots at Windows 8 is now a national pastime--especially among us curmudgeonly, nay-saying techno journalist types. It's what we do. It sells copy to be negative and bust on new stuff. I'ts also fun to mess with Microsoft a little bit because a lot of us remember Windows Me and Windows Vista and the havoc that they continue to wreak on systems and nervous systems around the world. I've written about disliking Windows 8 too, but, to tell you the truth, I'm excited about the eventual arrival of Windows 8. Why? Because it's so cool.

Yes, cool.

I'm not pulling any punches here when I tell you that Windows 8 will change everything. It's an innovative new desktop interface that's oriented toward the new touchy-feely tablet screens, smart phones and lightweight ultrabooks. I'm excited about that. No, I'll probably never own a Windows 8-based tablet, phone or ultrabook but I think it's cool that they'll exist.

Now, you're probably asking, "Why are you excited about something that you don't really care to own one of?"

I think I'm excited about Windows 8 and the hardware on which it will run precisely because I won't ever own one. I hope that makes sense to you. It does to me.

Here's my thinking: Personally, I use Linux and Apple products. I also use Windows, professionally. I use all operating systems as part of my day job and as part of my "moonlighting" work as a tech writer. Windows has strengths and weaknesses that are great fodder for posts such as this one. The same goes for Linux and Apple.

There is no perfect operating system. And, there's no perfect company that produces them.

Plus it's fun to toss a few bombs into the path of the big guys to possibly bring them down a notch or two in the process. Frankly, I have significant problems with all operating systems, with the possible exception of iOS. I like it, thus I don't bust on it. It's better when I don't like something.

I currently don't like Windows 8 for myself. I can say with confidence that I'll never use it except for testing and writing, until my day job company tells me that I have to use it. I think that mandate will be a few years away, since I only recently switched to Windows 7 from Windows XP on my corporate laptop.

Windows XP was great. Windows 7 is good too. Microsoft does a pretty good job overall with its applications and operating systems. They've had a good run with Server operating systems that they haven't necessarily enjoyed with their desktop operating systems. Since I'm a server guy, I don't care what OS I use to connect to the servers. It's merely a stepping stone to the work that I do. I can use Linux, Apple, iOS or Windows. I don't care.

I like to check out new operating systems. I like to try to break them. It's fun. I'm a technical guy and not simply a talking head or writing head, as the case may be. If Windows 8 sucks, really sucks, I'll tell you so and you can believe it because I'll tell you why. I'll tell you what sucks about it and possibly how to fix the suckiness. That's how I roll.

I'm amused by the current negative atmosphere surrounding Windows 8 and I'll keep a watchful eye on the pundits, naysayers and aficionados alike. It's actually more fun for me to bust on other industry types than it is for me to criticize the companies involved in producing products. There are a couple, even on ZDNet, who deserve a good thrashing every now and then and I don't mind doing it.

Windows 8 is an operating system. It's not a religion. Some people act like its existence is a personal affront to them. They're offended by it. I look at operating systems from a practical standpoint. I want it to be transparent to me. I don't want to have to worry about finding applications nor do I want to worry if they'll work or not once I do find them.

I'm excited about Windows 8. Not just for the things that are wrong with it but also for the things that are right about it. I'm willing to give it a chance.

What do you think of Windows 8 so far? Are you excited about it? Talk back and let me know.

Related Stories:


Microsoft's Windows 8 logo: Metro but not in a good way

Windows 8 Faceoff

What problem does Windows 8 solve?

How Microsoft SkyDrive will morph from a Web site to cloud service with Windows 8