Discussing Windows 8

Does anyone else have this O.S.? Do you like it? Do you wish Microsoft went in another direction?

My computer (Win. 7 ultimate) was acting retarded a couple days ago, so I figured, "Screw this! It's time to upgrade."

Windows has been, well, windows-centric (duh) through Windows 7. Windows 8 is now tile and app-centric and I am loving the applications. There are apps. for music, video, news, games, and sports. If you are well-acquainted with the XBox 360 GUI, you'll be comfortable with the Windows 8 GUI. The good news is, if you really like the windows-centric style, you can get most of that back. I say most because there is no more 'Windows' button in the lower left corner. If your keyboard has a 'Windows' button on it, the button brings up the new GUI.

On the matter of sports, there are applications dedicated to specific teams, whole leagues, etc. NASCAR has quite a few apps and F1 has a handful of apps … Somebody needs to design an app. for Grand-Am, the ALMS/ELMS, the SCCA, and others. I can't find any app. for those bodies.

Now I need to upgrade my monitors to multitouch units so I can take advantage of touch and drag.

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:Does anyone else have this O.S.? Do you like it? Do you wish Microsoft went in another direction?

My computer (Win. 7 ultimate) was acting retarded a couple days ago, so I figured, "Screw this! It's time to upgrade."

Windows has been, well, windows-centric (duh) through Windows 7. Windows 8 is now tile and app-centric and I am loving the applications. There are apps. for music, video, news, games, and sports. If you are well-acquainted with the XBox 360 GUI, you'll be comfortable with the Windows 8 GUI. The good news is, if you really like the windows-centric style, you can get most of that back. I say most because there is no more 'Windows' button in the lower left corner. If your keyboard has a 'Windows' button on it, the button brings up the new GUI.

On the matter of sports, there are applications dedicated to specific teams, whole leagues, etc. NASCAR has quite a few apps and F1 has a handful of apps … Somebody needs to design an app. for Grand-Am, the ALMS/ELMS, the SCCA, and others. I can't find any app. for those bodies.

Now I need to upgrade my monitors to multitouch units so I can take advantage of touch and drag.

I don't know any way to stress to you to NOT get windows 8. Yes it boots fast (really can only take adv if you had a SSD) thats about it. The Metro UI is schizophrenic and disjointed and constantly fails. BIOS has been replaced with UEFI which takes getting used to. There is so much that I can go on and on about why win8 is a monstrously huge failure. Get windows 7 it will be the most compatible with what you want to do.

To speak to the windows key, it has been around forever and all the short cuts and it's actions that you use it for in windows 8 can be utilized in previous versions of windows. Any apps that you use to change the UI is affecting Metro and there is no support when it fails.

When I lived with my dad [this is Jun. '95 - Sep. '00] he had an in-home network sixteen computers strong. We ran servers (Windows NT) and workstations starting with Windows 3.1, upgrading to Win. '95 and Win. '98; each before they were available on store shelves. He was (still is) included in a group of people who get Microsoft software in various beta releases, so we "rolled out" each beta build on his network. Due to that experience I am comfortable with, "software gone wild."

Having said that,
1) I haven't had issues with this copy of Windows 8.
2) Keep 7 for as long as you like, I enjoyed 7 also but I'm glad I switched.
2a) 8 will get better over time as Microsoft addresses any issues.
3) Whether we like it or not, this is the direction Microsoft is taking Windows.

I do like that my whole computer is now a "SmartGlass" device.

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:When I lived with my dad [this is Jun. '95 - Sep. '00]
Having said that,
1) I haven't had issues with this copy of Windows 8.
2) Keep 7 for as long as you like, I enjoyed 7 also but I'm glad I switched.
2a) 8 will get better over time as Microsoft addresses any issues.
3) Whether we like it or not, this is the direction Microsoft is taking Windows.

I do like that my whole computer is now a "SmartGlass" device.

1. You will, the win8 experience is designed for mobile computing. Its not a desktop OS and it shows.

2. 7 Will be the next XP in the enterprise world and consumer alike. The sales pace for win8 is falling off very quickly and customer satisfaction is on par with Vista.

2a. 8 Will not get better, MS fired the guy responsible for making Metro and already deem win8 a failure. Although in typical MS fashion they are going to continue to push their OS because they make money off of software.

3. Some revisions that are in win8 will be the future of windows yes but win8 in its current form is not and will not be the future direction.

Shatterpoints wrote:BIOS has been replaced with UEFI which takes getting used to.

I went the Windows 8 upgrade over Windows 7 route and still have Gigabyte's BIOS booting my computer. I haven't seen any evidence I have UEFI. *tongue in cheek* Perhaps this is how one ends up with Windows 7_3/4?

Shatterpoints wrote:

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:I haven't had issues with this copy of Windows 8.

You will, the win8 experience is designed for mobile computing. Its not a desktop OS and it shows.

Windows 8 was released late last October. That's six months ago, or plenty of time to release patches. During my install process, setup took its time grabbing updates.

Shatterpoints wrote:

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:Keep 7 for as long as you like, I enjoyed 7 also but I'm glad I switched.

7 Will be the next XP in the enterprise world and consumer alike. The sales pace for win8 is falling off very quickly and customer satisfaction is on par with Vista.

I definitely see this. Most businesses will want to keep 7 because Metro (also called Modern) UI isn't the best method for them to launch programs. I also see consumers sticking with 7 because, to be frank, people are afraid of change. The upgrade from XP to Vista required a hardware change, at least Windows 8 doesn't require new hardware like Vista.
Up to two weeks needed to get used to Windows 8

Shatterpoints wrote:

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:8 will get better over time as Microsoft addresses any issues.

8 Will not get better, MS fired the guy responsible for making Metro and already deem win8 a failure. Although in typical MS fashion they are going to continue to push their OS because they make money off of software.

They're going to push this OS because this is the direction they're going. What else are they going to say, "Oops. You're all unhappy with this product, so don't buy it."? That would be bad juju for business. 8 is released and perhaps the public isn't taking to it, but Microsoft can't simply abandon it. The adage, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." comes to mind. Microsoft released 8 and they may be in a bind, but they've got to focus on making it the best they can while still pushing for customers. One solution would be to hurry development of Windows 9 so 8 has a short life.
Steven Sinofsky leaves Microsoft
Why Sinofsky left
Ballmer's letter about Sinofsky's departure
Sinofsky's departure and the future of Windows 8

Shatterpoints wrote:

Avanti 63r1025 wrote:Whether we like it or not, this is the direction Microsoft is taking Windows.

Some revisions that are in win8 will be the future of windows yes but win8 in its current form is not and will not be the future direction.

To borrow a Microsoft question, "Are you sure?" Microsoft has been saying they want Windows and XBox to converge to the point where people can play XBox games on Windows. Modern UI is pretty close to having XBox 360's GUI on a computer. Also, there are rumblings Microsoft will release multiple variants of the neXtBox, one variant as a gaming console and one variant as an entertainment console (movies, sports, news, DVR, etc.) for your living room television. I have a suspicion Microsoft is pretty attached to the Modern UI. The start button has disappeared though there are 3rd party programs to bring it back (or instructions found online if you wish to DIY).
8's replacement (or upgrade?) as soon as summer 2013
Windows Blue will be Windows 9 or Windows 8.1?
Start screen and live tiles here to stay
Start button gone

I've read articles where Microsoft blames PC manufacturerers for not fully exploiting the touch aspect of Windows 8.
“Microsoft is very frustrated with major OEMs who didn't build nearly enough touch systems and are now struggling to find parts and ramp up. Microsoft says they provided very specific guidance on what to build…”
“Microsoft is not blaming itself for not selling enough Surface, it’s blaming OEMs for not having enough touch-based product."
The flip side is the manufacturers blaming Microsoft.
"PC makers, though, are hitting back after Redmond's finger-pointing - countering that if they’d followed Microsoft’s advice they’d have ended up building very expensive tablets and would have been saddled with the costs of a huge piles of unsold units."
Let's play the blame game

As time progresses, technology drops in price. Relative to a desktop OS: did Microsoft make the jump to a touch-based system before it was financially feasible to do so? I say "yes." The above disagreement wouldn't be as prevalent if touch screen technology was cheaper to mass produce. I admit, the computer capabilities portrayed on NCIS:LA would be slick but I have a feeling that technology would cost thousands of dollars to bring to the average home user.

I see Windows 8 as Microsoft going after the "There's an app. for that" market. Apps. are applications, an application is a program, and programs have been around for as long as computers. But apps. (and their authors/creators) are a growing trend. Will this trend die? Yes, but when? Until they die Microsoft looks to be 'cashing-in' on the trend.

IDC’s report came with an unusually sharp critique of Microsoft and its approach with Windows 8.

“At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market,” O’Donnell said in the IDC release. “While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI [user interface], removal of the familiar Start button and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market.”


http://blogs.seattletimes.com/brierdudley/2013/04/10/pc-sales-plunge-microsoft-and-windows-8-blamed/

Ignore the hype about the PC dying thats just present day media sensationalism. The rest of the article is good though.

*edits*

http://www.zdnet.com/five-reasons-why-windows-8-has-failed-7000012104/

From an IT POV
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/240726/how-microsoft-is-failing-windows-8

Its fine if you like windows 8 but to say its innovative and the future is ignorant and false.

I like Windows 8 … I've also liked each version starting with Windows 3 as they've all had their benefits. It's not me saying the start screen is innovative and the future, Julie Larson-Green (Sinofsky's replacement) is saying it,

USAToday wrote:… Wes Miller, an industry analyst at independent research firm Directions on Microsoft, says Sinofsky's sudden exit probably has more to do with personalities than any specific product flaws.

Miller points out that Sinofsky's replacement, Julie Larson-Green, actually directed the revamping of the user interface for Windows 8.

"She spiritually led much of the start screen work for Windows 8," says Miller. "So much about this decision is personality and the direction of the company moving forward -- and not really any explicit product-related decisions.

-http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2012/11/13/microsoft-sinofsky-fired-windows-8/1702511/

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/508311/the-woman-charged-with-making-windows-8-succeed/
http://www.techspot.com/news/51101-new-windows-chief-explains-why-microsoft-redesigned-windows.html

One of the articles I read brought up a great point. The writer addressed the start button making a return in a future version of Windows and the quote went something like this, "If Microsoft were to bring back the start button it would show them as weak, caving to the needs of its users rather than remaining strong and standing by their decision to give Windows a makeover."

And check this out, Microsoft is pushing for everyone to leave XP (which still holds a good share of the market) for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
http://tech2.in.com/news/windows/microsoft-to-stop-supporting-windows-xp-next-year-says-upgrade-asap/870108
It's Microsoft saying, "People, advance! Come forth! Leave the past because, well, HA HA! We're going to stop supporting you!"

In the end, journalists, IT professionals, product analysts and everyone else can write articles/blogs belittling Windows 8 but if Microsoft is happy with Windows 8 and sees it as the future, everyone writing negative articles about it doesn't really have a say in the matter. If Modern UI with the start screen and live tiles are here to stay, will people jump Microsoft's ship for Macintosh or Linux systems? It's possible but that's up to them. If Microsoft doesn't do it for you any longer, jump ship. Isn't free will awesome?

Oh, Jeez, there ya go talking about free will again, Avanti. Next thing you know you'll be talking about being self-supportive and self-reliant, too. It's a never-ending cycle with you silly conspiracy theorists...

Don't worry, everyone. The gov't is spending billions of dollars to study which O.S. is the best. I'm sure in a few years they'll be able to form a committee to nominate a Csar to read the reports and come to a conclusion so that the Supreme Court can hear the case. Then, after a couple months of deliberation and statement writing, we'll have a decision and we'll know which O.S. is best. Unless, of course, something changes, then they'll have to start over.



FYI, I like Windows 8. It's fast, but that speed comes at a cost. Of course, if you know anything about PCs, you know how to eliminate that cost without sacrificing much speed. And, furthermore, if you don't like the new layout (I do.), you can always return to the traditional layout (including - you guessed it - the Start Button) by hitting Windows Key + D. Really, I see it as a good thing. People are just weary of new Windows tech, since Vista and 7 weren't what people wanted/expected (though I never had issues with either of them). I still run XP on my old tablet (now called a "convertible notebook"), and Windows 8 is the first upgraded O.S. I can actually run on it. Haven't made the jump yet, but probably will. (Mainly so I can newer software.)

Yall just need to deal with whatever OS you want and subscribe to iRacing!