You use this in Windows 7? Mind if I ask why? I find the Win7 start menu super useful, just for the fact that I can pin very common apps on the first menu, and see recent items, and have the search. Very very rarely do I go into the "Programs".

See my cousin reply (child of a sibling to your post).

Isn't it easier to use the keyboard (eg: Start + 'Exce.. + Enter) to launch apps, than go to the mouse?

Most ubuntu users had a similar transition, when they moved from gnome to unity. It isn't that bad; or even at all.

If my hand is on the keyboard, it's easier to use the terminal.

(Classic shell still has the search feature. But often I launch apps before remembering their name - I'm a big user of apropos to recall commands. I remember locations. May be a difference in cognitive style.)

Yes now I can getting use to this. I agree this is not bad way to start.