You could always do what many others in the industry are now doing and going over to a Linux system. Its not that hard to get used to particularly with the latest ones that have the feel of Windows and best of all most are either free or very low cost.
I do agree with your views though having just tried Windows 8 and that is the biggest load of crap ever released. No wonder the download is a mere 25 quid according to the email offer I got from them.
I presently run Win XP Pro, Win Vista Ultimate, Win 7 Premium as multiple boots cos some of my programs will not work on later ones and also Linux versions Mint and the Windows lookalike I am presently trying out Ubuntu Zorin. Up to now I like Zorin.
As time goes on there will be more and more programs available for Linux and because it is an open scource operating system you can adapt any version to your own needs if you have the knowhow.
Go on....have a try. You might just be surprised. 
Anyway....Linux boots and closes down way way faster than the godawful minutes it takes windows and there are no almost constant 'updates' that require you to shut down and restart.
No wonder Bill Gates got out when he saw the writing on the wall..........
I'm already heavily into Linux where all the websites I develop use this and I've been configuring and using my local and public Linux servers for the last 12 years. But for these where possible I use the shell.
The next desktop PC I build will definitely be duel boot with Linux and I'm not sure what flavour I will use yet along with Windows 7 or 8. I will ask on here for advice at the time.
I'm going to wait for the comments from real users on Win 8 before I make a decision, but I have got the feeling I'm going to really hate it even more than Vista and Win 7, but I've got an open mind and I'm I willing to give it a try.
Once an operating system is not transparent then to me it fails as that is its job. An easy to use intuitive interface from which I can launch programs to get a job of work done, that's what I want and need. MS has been steadily deviating from this path. Now if they had had any sense with Visa and 7, instead of just hiding everything, so a 'tard can use it, they would have had three complexity settings:
1 Basic - The current default so even the Microsoft marketing department understand how to use it.
2. Average - Useful settings enabled to allow the average business person to be able to quickly get the job done.
3. Expert - Everything possible turned on.
Setting 3 may have saved a Windows 7 PC or 2 ending up in TB's bin.

I would be interested in TB's comments on Windows 8 once it is released as he normally likes MS products and thinks they are the B's & E's.