Windows 7 is just about to land on the world’s lap, possibly in the fall. But what about the next version of Windows, dubbed Windows 8?

I’m predicting that Windows 7 will be a success, but more in the way of Office 2007 being a “success.” Windows 7 is going to introduce some new computer concepts like Homegroups and Libraries, plus some different ways of doing things. That’s a given.

As expected, Microsoft would like to continue to make money from the Windows franchise, so there is most obviously a Windows 8 coming.

Who can imagine what awaits the world in Windows 8? Well! You can look at this video from the Windows 8 Center for a hint:

Copenhagen User Experience from Copenhagen Concept on Vimeo.

The interface demoed in the video is called Copenhagen. It looks pretty neat, though the pace of the presentation is obnoxiously frenetic. The bottom line in any computer system is file management, and Copenhagen demonstrates a rather clever way of getting at file management. That’s good for computer nerds such as myself, though I fear beginners will be too confused about the interface unless they have a good root knowledge of what files are in the first place. (Many users don’t know, nor do they care about what a file is.)

What’s worse, however, is the seemingly random nature of the Copenhagen interface. I noticed several times various graphic elements sliding around the desktop. That’s fun and handy — when you know what you’re doing. But when you’re new, having a taskbar relocated or other elements hope from screen edge to screen edge can be disorientating. For senior citizens, it can be to discouraging that they simply abandon using the computer altogether.

I’m a big fan of fancy interfaces. They’re cool! Yet I can empathize with the beginner and those who can get easily frustrated. Honestly, most users would be happy with a basic interface that looks similar to this:

1. Email
2. Internet
3. Word processor
4. Bill pay
5. File management
6. Turn off the PC

A simple “Your Choice” prompt is all they want.

When I mention this approach to various groups I speak to, the response is a resounding cheer. You would think that the software developers, especially Microsoft, would hear that message as well, but no. Apparently loud dance music and rapid smash-cut videos present a more ideal interface for them. Why can’t they find a happy middle ground?