I'm a cheap b@$tard. Why spend money when I have a functional device? If MS thinks an alternate cursor control device is necessary for W8 on the desktop, then they should bundle one with the OS installation media and insist vendors include one in the box. If you want to buy one for me to play with, I'll be happy to send you my shipping address. You can at least deduct the cost as a business expense.

I'm not saying W8 is pointless. I'm asking what's in it for a DESKTOP user that makes it worth relearning much of what I already knew, especially when we know a work-around was in the first beta?

If the Classic desktop is a compromise, then burn all bridges and eliminate it entirely. Sell W8 as what it is, an OS for portable / content consumption / touch devices.

Yes, many people felt that way about the mouse originally. But early versions of Windows had to be started AFTER starting DOS; you could remain at the DOS prompt if you wanted. Early versions of Windows didn't affect the way the DOS prompt behaved unless you started it. W8 starts the new interface FIRST, forces me to opt out of it every boot, and definitely affects the way the previous interface behaves.