Windows 8 - a return to the stone age?

I've had both joys and frustrations using Windows 8. Many things feel like a throwback to ages gone by. Microsoft boasts that Windows 8 has faster boot times. But this isn't the case if you use a multiple boot OS. Instead of the quick prompt style boot menu, you are presented with a graphical interface which takes considerable time to load, then you have to wait for the OS you choose to...