First Use Observations

I think you've probably just not noticed that Start8 is just a wrapper for the metro interface. That's all Stardock have done here... just wrapped the Metro search panel up into a small window, they've not created a new start menu.

Go to the metro start screen and launch search from the charms bar, then click on settings...  what do you see? A blank list, just like here in Start8... that's because you actually have to search for something. There are far to many settings in Windows to display in a big flat list without searching.

I think this is a great tool to complete out the Windows 8 Desktop half of the OS, and nearly what I would have expected Microsoft to come up with if they were going to do it (based on Metro).

My first use observations and requests would be:

- Allow horizontal scrolling with mouse wheel in the main Apps list.

- I seem to have some trouble with the hot corner for the standard full screen start menu.  Sometimes left clicking at the very bottom left triggers the full screen menu, and sometimes it will trigger the small "start8" menu.  I would prefer that clicking the hot corner (when rectangle of metro start menu pops up) always triggers the full screen...and clicking the new start icon triggers the small menu.

- Also, give the option to set the start button action (large or small menu).

Looking forward to testing new versions!

Jeremy T in Michigan

I have a problem scrolling all the way down on the right apps menu.It scrolls to half way then u can't even select anything below the scroll point.

Works ok on the normal start.Any suggestions?

Ah, I see... i have my taskbar set to autohide.  When the task bar is hidden hitting the hotcorner brings up the full start screen.  If I show the task bar, and hit the hot corner it opens the small Start8 taskbar.  The start button follows this also.

would also echo that there may be a bug in the apps display for the metro items under the search box.  Not only doesn't it scroll, they can't be selected.

For example, Finance works if you select the app in the left side full listing of "Apps", but not in the right side listing.

Overall, a nice way to have "start" access to the FULL set of items (i.e. get to the full Apps listing without have to go start screen, left mouse, etc.) and a very good compromise over all the old ways and Metro!