Considering the overwhelming majority of people that don't like Win8 ... telling them "it's the same" (when it isn't) is about as stupid a comment as I've ever heard. Ok so Win8 is the same, so why upgrade from Win7 if it's "the same"?
Then the same people go on to post about how we need to get "used the Win8 UI" ... wait a minute, I thought you just said it was "the same"? So is it or isn't it the same?
Win8 was designed for Mobile devices and in doing so the design compromised desktop users. And to further "improve" security IE defaults to a mode that many web sites will not work with ... ah yes, the lovely and ever restricting "sandbox" as a solution for "more secure" -- what's next on the security list? Maybe just lock the devices in a seal container so no one can touch them or use them and provide no means to connect to a network (any network) -- there ya go, security problem solve -- as well as the usability problem
The real problem is that Ballmer didn't NEED to force a Mobile UI on to desktop users ... there just was NO point in doing that as it solve no consumer problems -- remember this is about the consumer, the ones that pay for the OS, remember them?. It was a risk/gamble that didn't need to be taken.
Software engineers (myself included) aren't going to deploy applications via Windows Store when we can get 1000X more exposure/potential for deploying on iTunes or Android's market. If we want to build Desktop applications then we build desktop applications ... don't use a Prius to haul 10,000 lbs of cargo, use a Truck!
And what's even more confusing, Win8 Mobile apps and Win8 Desktop apps aren't the same, there is no "quick switch" to make it all work -- only in the most basic and simple of apps can that philosophy be implemented. We're still writing two different applications ... and that's fine, because each environment is different, yes there is "some" overlap but same can be said for a Truck and a Prius (both have 4 wheels) but each is optimized for specific purposes one for hauling 10,000 lbs (the Truck) and one to use a little gas as possible to get you from A to B (the Prius). Such a simple notation, yet Ballmer thought otherwise?
Sadly I do fear Ballmer and crew will continue on with Win9 being even more "Metro" in complete ignorance ... the failure of Win8 will only push Microsoft to make Win9 even less usable for Desktop computers ... and in the meantime Apple will continue to dominate with iOS AND OSX because they UNDERSTAND the difference between Mobile and Desktop.