Junior, I use 8.1, all the info in the OP applies to 8.1. Pay no attention to the h8rs, they're just that.

I agree with Snowman, my rig is working fine with 8.1. A few glitches, no more than with 7, just different glitches.

Keyphrase there being "I have read". 

It is my opinion that anyone who hasn't run Windows 8 as their everyday OS for at least a few weeks can't really give a valid opinion of the new OS.

Most people react to what they have read, or what they find by experimenting with Win8 for an hour or two per day. Not enough time to evaluate something. Heck, even Stardock thinks Windowblinds needs to be a 30 day eval for their trial.

Why should we give an operating system less of a trial and form opinions on it based on a few hours use?

WB and Start8 together, no problems with the start menu, for me. All recent screenshots by me have been from Windows 8.1. 

I can't confirm that no one else has problems, no, of course not.  

Now, if you want a custom start button, Junior, you'll need to check this box in WB config. Otherwise, Start8 will use the WB start button.

You'll check that box, save settings. Then go to Start8 and choose a start button.