Once I got used to the Start screen I've found it okay to use. I had initial concerns that the constant transition away might be jarring but turns out it's a non-issue. I've also found that the Start menu search in Windows 7 was quite slow, and that in W8 it's actually responsive!
Have you given the new interface a chance?
If Microsoft and Apple have their way, desktops will only be for developers and "professionals". The mobile transition allows them to fix the bug that users can install software that interferes with their business plans, and without giving them a cut.
Oh who am I kidding, my Windows OS is a games launcher and web browser these days, and nothing more. I don't mind how retarded Microsoft and Apple want to get, what concerns me is Canonical and their "me too" attitude with regard to stupid design decisions.
It seems everyone is converging on mobile, as if it's going to replace the desktop. It's not. Desktop will always be here, and to pretend it's going away and force tablet interfaces down everyone's throat is a pretty bold/stupid move in my opinion. Then again, I'm biased because I'm not a complete moron when it comes to computers. Maybe 99% of the market will LOVE not having a start menu.
Is my monitor a touch screen? No. So let's not pretend it is. I don't care about pretty interfaces or big video buttons that play when I hover over them. I want something I can launch programs with. Is it really hard to do something like
if(is_computer) { show_useful_start_menu(); } else if (is_tablet) { show_retarded_start_menu(); }
I understand I'm the minority, but if they do away with the start menu, I'll probably stay on windows 7 forever.