Windows 8 Bears a Strong Resemblance to AOL Kids Circa 1996

Say what you will about Microsoft Windows 8′s layout, but at least it’s sure to be kid friendly. The image you see embedded below has been making the rounds as of late, due in part to the upcoming operating system’s decidedly strong resemblance to the AOL Kids page from 1996. Both interfaces make use of cartoonish icons, bright, vivid colors, and simple text to keep confusion down to a bare minimum. And while I don’t necessarily think the layout is eye-gougingly terrible, it’s certainly not the prettiest UI I’ve ever encountered.

What does Windows 8 say about us as modern-day computer users? Are we so driven to simplicity and ease-of-use that we need an operating system with big, bright buttons and cutesy icons? Personally, I’m kind of torn on the subject. As someone who grew up using an old Wang computer with double floppy drives and a monochrome monitor, this sort of easy-to-use interface seems unnecessary. What can I say — I’m a dinosaur. However, my new-found addiction to world of iOS has made me appreciate the beauty of user-friendliness. Regarding Windows 8, I’ll hold off drawing any conclusions until I’ve gotten a chance to see the OS in action.

The AOL Kids/Windows 8 comparison lies below.

[h/t: reddit]

There are 8 Comments. Add Yours.

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Aaron
August 25, 2012 at 8:37 am

MicroHard is at war with Linux via proxy. What they do is sell or give patents to patent trolls that they know will sue manufacturers using linux based systems. Mosaid, Vringo, Intellectual ventures are patent trolls. Their previous executives set up companies that go to war with linux or in the case of intellectual ventures do nothing but parasite linux success or in the case of Mono keep trying to insert MicroHard code into linux so that it can be sued by MicroHard.
Metro UI looks like a crappy (as in big fat neon widgets) vertical scrolling non-customizable 1 home screen. First they try to put desktop UI on phones, now they try to stick tablet UI on desktop. They are mobile losers so they patent troll all linux based systems.

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David
August 10, 2012 at 9:46 am

The bigger issue MS is going to have is the mass confusion with these names. Everything being called Windows.. I still don’t even understand about some tie-in with Xbox.. or what is with calling both of their tablets “Surface” even though they are two completely different platforms?

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Smoky Ed
June 10, 2012 at 7:49 pm

Just means that Windows 8 is for kids and old people. Ugh, glad I use a Mac!

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  Stocklone
  July 28, 2012 at 12:44 am
  
  Funny. That’s who I reccomend iOS devices to the most. Apple’s over simplified interface is fantastic for little kids and old people.
  
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Tomas
June 9, 2012 at 3:32 pm

Thanks for the comparison of both interfaces. Stunning resemblance. Actually, it is hilarious. The 30yr old programmer of today re-designs what his comfort zone was at age 10. More intuitive! HaHaHa

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  Dominik Ras
  June 10, 2012 at 10:05 am
  
  History is full of things like that. Ideas of Cisco’s iPhone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_iPhone) were improved to launch one of the most popular smartphones these days.
  
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peter woo
June 9, 2012 at 10:34 am

I like the tile interface.
Windows 8 look is very bold beautiful and fluid.
is a newcomer, young and attractive
it’s perfectly suited for tablets thanks to the low power drain and low heat generated by systems running on ARM processor !!;)
im so happy for codename:Windows 8 and i think Windows 95 was a big deal for users and developers alike.
Overall, this release feels smoother, faster, snappier, and more stable.
Metro does rock on desktop and laptop!
with this your luck can be perfect.
now with touch you can have all your requirements plus even more.
My prediction is clear and I know that there will be a much perfect luck for the whole W(P)8(RT) universe than Microsoft can imagine.I respect Microsoft for doing that. My opinion on these metro hating freaks is that they are all people who don’t like to change
and dont forget Thank for feedback mark as answer and log urie all people who don’t like to change

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  Stocklone
  July 28, 2012 at 12:47 am
  
  I don’t understand all the h8 either. There are so many positives to Windows 8.