I got a new dell for Christmas.It was frustrating to see all the blocks on the open screen but once I looked, it is not that much different than 7.
I put my own blocks on that screen.One firefox the other thunderbird. that way I can click on those to get to my own screen which is the same as I had on windows 7.Same icons, same background picture. The only thing I have not figured out is how to open my picassa pictures. Dh bought the 2 year help so I have that 24/7 if I need it.