Feature Request - Gaussian blur

from Stardock Forums

FEATURE REQUEST

Turn Windows 8 Start into a Gaussian blurred layer with the desktop visible in the background.

Seems like a lot of the negative comments I hear about windows 8, seem to be centered around the Metro Start Screen. Many conversations seem to focus on how customers don't like the separation of the 'Start Menu' from the conventional desktop on Windows 8 Pro. Myself, I love it, but then again after about 15years of the Start button I was desperate for a change, I was OVER IT ;)

Sooooo, for people that seem to have a problem with the separation, I show them how Ubuntu does it with "Lenses" and a Gaussian blur effect, so that the desktop is still semi-visible in the background and the "Start or Launch" screen is a transparent layer put on top.... Believe it or not, they like this, and I think it's because it seems to 'blur' (excuse the pun) the separation between the desktop and the Start/Launch screen for them.

What I've been able to do for Windows 8 users, is install Start 8 and have the desktop background picture the same as the Start background picture (using Start8), which kind of mimics this 'transparency' affect and seems to help alleviate their gripe on separation. Problem with this method is, customers like myself would love to see what's going on in the background with opened windows on the desktop while the Start Menu is up. Heck, I could even see my animations from FX in the background while the Start Menu was up...

It seems like a simple request, and I've seen other software with this feature, but of course not as fine tuned as Stardock does with their software...

 

Note: Quite a few of the users I show Ubuntu's method don't need to be on Windows (no commercial software ball and chain) and actually switch -- GOOD for them, I applaud their adventurous spirit.

start8
4,175 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Here is an example, you can see an open application on the desktop in the background...

 

 

 

 

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello ?

.. at this point I'd appreciate even negative feedback to my request ... :D

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm not so sure this is a start menu modification, perhaps a windows blinds feature instead.

My understanding is Start8 is purely a Start Menu restoration application.

I think it would be best to keep it simple and great at its task and nothing more.

 

I do like your idea, but I feel that it should be done in another program and not in Start8.  Start8 should be as light-weight as possible.

 

Cheers,  :-)