Free Transform tool not working

Have followed the instructions, but the tool still does not work satisfactorily. It does not work smoothly, it flashes between too large and too small, covering the area that I'm trying to fit things into, to the point of not being able to see how it is fitting into the space.

I am not going to deal with this kind of botched performance. I've deinstalled 2019 and am going to continue to use 2018 where the tool *behaves itself*.

I seriously doubt that I am the only user being disobliged by this kind of high-handed diminished functionality on the part of the developers (or the marketing wonks). With any luck there will be a sufficient amount of protest for the next version to at the very least have a toggle built in where we can choose which settings we wish to use. Or the crippled 2019 "default" version will be the one that's accessible by an extra key command.

I will quite happily skip a crippled version of a key program, thank you.

Ok, fine, make us learn a little something new.  We can do that, I guess.  But then...  I start noticing these other things. 

At the link provided with instructions: (https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/free-transformations-images-shapes-paths.html )

• If you are scaling layer types such as pixel layers, type layers, bitmaps, Placed Smart Objects, drag a corner handle to scale proportionately. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale non-proportionately.
• If you are scaling shapes and paths (that is vectors), drag a corner handle to scale non-proportionally. Press Shift as you drag a corner handle to scale proportionally.

1. So, now this is saying we must transform the new way with images (raster/bitmaps, even type),  but if we are transforming shapes and paths (vectors) it will still work like it used to by pressing shift to constrain proportionately.   Why the difference?  

2. Second issue with transform - midpoints.  The instruction page also tells us what we all used to know, that you drag corners for scaling (conformed or not).  You drag midpoints for "stretching" something horizontally or vertically.  Only, right now, if I transform any graphic and drag one of the midpoints, that too is scaling in 3 directions unless I hold down shift, which will then allow me to stretch one direction.  Why would we need to scale in three directions from a midpoint when that's what the corner transform point does?  Midpoints should only stretch, right?  Please correct me if I'm wrong.