I got rid of the Start
Button when I was on XP
IMO it was a complete waste of space then as it is now, most keyboards have had a Windows key since Win 95. Sadly not the beloved IBM clackety clacks, which are a PITA to get working on Win 7; nothing I've read indicates that anyone has found a way to get them working on Win 8
IMO - getting rid of the start button in Win 8 was an enlightened move on MS's part, putting it back demonstrates that they've lost their courage. I blame 'baby boomers', they're much more averse to change than the preceding or following generations - IMO.
BR