Just upgraded to Windows 8.1 (rant)

[Virgorising]

How am I hostage to Microsoft when I use three different Linux distros as well?..I only use things I like,plenty of choices out there if you open your eyes.

Given more than once, you posted, "well, MS DECIDED."

And then, tried to lump 8 in (i.e.. just accept it), with the chronology of Windows OSes in general, as if those were all equally worthy.

And then, you seem hell bent on convincing me I must "upgrade" the the ongoing premise I am choosing not to for other than viable reasons.

I am not attacking you personally, I am simply sharing my take, and in response to your comments, offering links to items which speak that I am hardly alone in my conclusions.

And, I also stand by the analogy which presented re Chamberlain vs Churchill......I am now a more rabid student of history than I was as an undergrad. We are not here to go along or appease. We, I think, are meant to aspire to be both Marcel Proust and Winston Churchill, and with a little Miley Cirus (also Christina & Alicia Keys) thrown in!!!!():biggrin:

My eyes are open, and, by many accounts, I see both the leaves on the trees, the trees in perspective and the forest. But you need not agree.

I am interested in 1) why you "upgraded" to windows 8, and 2) what you like better about it than you did 7??

 

[Mem]

Given more than once, you posted, "well, MS DECIDED."

And then, tried to lump 8 in (i.e.. just accept it), with the chronology of Windows OSes in general, as if those were all equally worthy.

I am not attacking you personally, I am simply sharing my take, and in response to your comments.

But I also stand by the analogy which presented re Chamberlain vs Churchill......I am now a more rabid student of history than I was as an undergrad.

My eyes are open, and, by many accounts, I see both the leaves on the trees, the trees in perspective and the forest. But you need not agree.

I am interested in 1) why you "upgraded" to windows 8, and 2) what you like better about it than you did 7??

So Microsoft decided to change UI in Win8 big deal has happened before in the past so nothing new there ,you have plenty of operating systems out there from various companies,also free ones like Linux ,end of the day YOU DON'T have to buy Win8 or even Microsoft,its your choice on what you use,however I understand why Microsoft have done what they have done.

I use Windows because I'm a gamer,you can bet I be one of the first to jump to Win9,10 etc always have apart from WinME(which I hated).
I like some of the new features it has ie improved security,refresh and reset options ,got it a great price,speed in general use,installs faster then Win7,I don't even mind Metro because it helps keep my old desktop UI clean etc and you have option to boot to the old desktop UI .

I also like the new task manager,I could go on but does it really matter why I like it?..I'll be going over to Win9,10 down the road so to me its just another OS that I like.

 

[Virgorising]

So Microsoft decided to change UI in Win8 big deal has happened before in the past so nothing new there ,you have plenty of operating systems out there from various companies,also free ones like Linux ,end of the day YOU DON'T have to buy Win8 or even Microsoft,its your choice on what you use,however I understand why Microsoft have done what they have done.

I use Windows because I'm a gamer,you can bet I be one of the first to jump to Win9,10 etc always have apart from WinME(which I hated).
I like some of the new features it has ie improved security,refresh and reset options ,got it a great price,speed in general use,installs faster then Win7,I don't even mind Metro because it helps keep my old desktop UI clean etc and you have option to boot to the old desktop UI .

I also like the new task manager,I could go on but does it really matter why I like it?..I'll be going over to Win9,10 down the road so to me its just another OS that I like.

I submit, I do understand why MS went there, I have posted my detailed take in other threads....and I have no respect for the why at all.

Yes, of course it matter why you went there! My interest is sincere. And, while you offered some specifics, which I appreciate, you also now share you just go there generally and you are a gamer. I believe, many member here are. I am not. Interesting that you went along with W ME.....and possibly even VISTA. I test vista in BETA and got its reality right off. I saved several friends from going there on auto pilot, Cept one who just did and lived to regret it.

I choose to run Windows. My BF is all Apple. Well, HE isn't, but all his devices are.()

Unless they come up with something I judge to be better, I will run W7 thru extended support (as long as they write critical patches).

 

[Mem]

I submit, I do understand why MS went there, I have posted my detailed take in other threads....and I have no respect for the why at all.

Yes, of course it matter why you went there! My interest is sincere. And, while you offered some specifics, which I appreciate, you also now share you just go there generally and you are a gamer. I believe, many member here are. I am not. Interesting that you went along with W ME.....and possibly even VISTA. I test vista in BETA and got its reality right off. I saved several friends from going there on auto pilot, Cept one who just did and lived to regret it.

I choose to run Windows. My BF is all Apple. Well, HE isn't, but all his devices are.()

Unless they come up with something I judge to be better, I will run W7 thru extended support (as long as they write critical patches).

I actually like Vista and it never gave me any issues but then I like Dos 6.22,Win95,98,2K,XP,Vista,7,8.


I also use an Android tablet and smartphone for reasons I won't bore you with.

It's also a case of me using so many different operating systems over the decades on both Windows and Linux that nothing really phases me,if I don't like an OS then I don't use it,its that simple.

 

[Virgorising]

I actually like Vista and it never gave me any issues but then I like Dos 6.22,Win95,98,2K,XP,Vista,7,8.


I also use an Android tablet and smartphone for reasons I won't bore you with.

It's also a case of me using so many different operating systems over the decades on both Windows and Linux that nothing really phases me,if I don't like an OS then I don't use it,its that simple.

Interesting you got and liked VISTA. In that, esp the second, you were in a distinct minority.

Please, no cause for anger. We are adults having an exchange.

And, both my ebook reader and current smartphone are Android, both carefully chosen. Why would that surprise you? :\

And, while I dumped everything Google long ago, it's fine with me that Google bought Android whenever that was. Smart decision.

It is possible...it now appears from yr recent posts, I am just a lot pickier than you, yes? Something Virgo rising, which i have natally, describes, after all. Remember, we are each unique!

PS I have not had one moment of boredom in my life so far, and doubt I ever will. Nothing bores me cept say, bigots or say, humans being stuck in static acrimony for its own sake, and absent any luminous dynamic.

I mean it. After all, what really is an interesting person? I think, simply....a rabidly, ingenuously interESTED one.

 

[dkm777]

Please allow me to put my 2 cents in. I just installed 8.1 on my fool-around rig and going to play with it until the demo period expires. If I happen to like it enough then I'm going to buy a license key and activate it. So far my impression is that we are heading back to the dark days of Windows 3.11 and 95 where the OS was just a bare skeleton and to make it useful and interesting you had to install an assortment of third party utilities. I used Metro for maybe one hour and decided it doesn't belong on the desktop, period. Classic Shell FTW.
What really grinds my gears though is the fact there are TWO places to adjust system settings. One is the good old Control Panel and the other is buried within Metro somewhere. And some settings can be adjusted in one, but not the other. That s#!t ain't logical. I hope somebody writes a Control Panel replacement that has all the settings in one place, sensibly arranged like in Apple's System Preferences.
What I really love is the snappiness of the interface. I don't know if it is the loss of Aero or something else but it gets eerily familiar to a former BeOS user and that says a lot. Also the power management is really slick - even with an old CPU the frequency is adjusted in many steps unlike under 7 where there were maybe 3-4 available steps. Why is this good? When running medium-light loads the fans don't spin up and down all the time. Instead the CPU is kept at a lower speed and doesn't get as hot as was usual.
I'll post more after spending more time with it.

 

[Virgorising]

Please allow me to put my 2 cents in. I just installed 8.1 on my fool-around rig and going to play with it until the demo period expires. If I happen to like it enough then I'm going to buy a license key and activate it. So far my impression is that we are heading back to the dark days of Windows 3.11 and 95 where the OS was just a bare skeleton and to make it useful and interesting you had to install an assortment of third party utilities. I used Metro for maybe one hour and decided it doesn't belong on the desktop, period. Classic Shell FTW.
What really grinds my gears though is the fact there are TWO places to adjust system settings. One is the good old Control Panel and the other is buried within Metro somewhere. And some settings can be adjusted in one, but not the other. That s#!t ain't logical. I hope somebody writes a Control Panel replacement that has all the settings in one place, sensibly arranged like in Apple's System Preferences.
What I really love is the snappiness of the interface. I don't know if it is the loss of Aero or something else but it gets eerily familiar to a former BeOS user and that says a lot. Also the power management is really slick - even with an old CPU the frequency is adjusted in many steps unlike under 7 where there were maybe 3-4 available steps. Why is this good? When running medium-light loads the fans don't spin up and down all the time. Instead the CPU is kept at a lower speed and doesn't get as hot as was usual.
I'll post more after spending more time with it.

Impressive '"2 cents!":biggrin:

All very interesting stuff, and you come across as very keen in what you observe.

As for Less Than/Lame power management, in my case, tho no way will I run 8....my Turboboost handles that, but most chips now don have it.

Look forward to further observations from you.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Interesting you got and liked VISTA. In that, esp the second, you were in a distinct minority.

ha nobody appointed you to speak for the rest of us who liked Vista!!

 

[Virgorising]

ha nobody appointed you to speak for the rest of us who liked Vista!!

If you might just exit the hostility, you will get I was not speaking for you, a member of the minority in this. I was simply speaking public record simple truth re the colossal failure of Windows VISTA. It is incontrovertible.

http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898610_1898625_1898627,00.html

As always, you are free to like whatever you do.

PS: Trying to shoot The Messenger is never, ever a good thing to do.

 

[Underclocked]

I have no argument against Windows 7 as I think it is a fine operating system. I've decided that Windows 8.1 can also be a fine operating system that can easily equal 7 in most every way aside from Aero, and exceed the abilities of 7 in a few ways. I went back to 7 then back to 8.1. I don't think there is a valid argument against 8.1 in comparing the two OS's aside from a few incompatible pieces of software (which I have yet to encounter on my own system)... unless you happen to be a huge fan of Aero. I am not.

8.1 freshly installed and untouched is a PIA so far as I'm concerned, but after making several changes (which have not adversely affected the OS) it's working just fine for me. I have ZERO use for the Metro interface but only see it if I choose to do so, so it isn't a real problem.

My opinion of 8/8.1 has evolved in favor of the new OS. I still think it is a huge mistake to slap the average home PC user in the face with the Metro interface by default, but for those capable and willing to take the time to customize the OS... the results are just fine.

The Metro interface should have been an available option given after setup to those that do like it.

 

[XiandreX]

1. The upgrade to Windows 8.1 is not service pack, it's a complete new operating system. That's why it is in the Windows store and not Windows update.
2. You should have done a clean install and from a flash drive.
3. Metro is designed/works best for touchscreen, you can turn it off/hide/disable it.
4. I personally upgraded over a dozen pc's from Windows 7, Windows 8 all to Windows 8.1 with no issues at all. When i say upgrade, i mean clean install.
5. Have also upgraded a few mac's running lion to maverick, took 60-90 mins each for those.
6. Every pc running Windows 8.1, is also running Classic Shell, once people learn the os, everyone says 8.1 is faster than 7/8.0 and a lot happier.

Here is what's new:

I too upgraded to Windows 8.1 recently and even without classic shell the change was very apparent and vastly improved. Classic shell is just icing on the cake. Switching between Desktop to Metro/Tile screen is very snappy.
The new search in the metro/tile screen is very nice indeed.

Overall it just feels very snappy and clean.

 

[Virgorising]

I have no argument against Windows 7 as I think it is a fine operating system. I've decided that Windows 8.1 can also be a fine operating system that can easily equal 7 in most every way aside from Aero, and exceed the abilities of 7 in a few ways. I went back to 7 then back to 8.1. I don't think there is a valid argument against 8.1 in comparing the two OS's aside from a few incompatible pieces of software (which I have yet to encounter on my own system)... unless you happen to be a huge fan of Aero. I am not.

8.1 freshly installed and untouched is a PIA so far as I'm concerned, but after making several changes (which have not adversely affected the OS) it's working just fine for me. I have ZERO use for the Metro interface but only see it if I choose to do so, so it isn't a real problem.

My opinion of 8/8.1 has evolved in favor of the new OS. I still think it is a huge mistake to slap the average home PC user in the face with the Metro interface by default, but for those capable and willing to take the time to customize the OS... the results are just fine.

The Metro interface should have been an available option given after setup to those that do like it.

While I choose to go on running W7, given there is no reason for me to do otherwise, and I stand by my comments about 8, I love and have nothing but admiration/respect for the above. Because, it is detailed, objective, honors perspective, and, the conclusion is intelligently arrived at.:thumbsup:

For me, it's never when someone goes, it's all about where they are coming from, what they bring.... and how they TRAVEL.

 

[dkm777]

Day 2 of 8.1:
Even with an old hard drive and a Phenom II the system boots almost as fast as my main rig with an SSD. Certain programs that would be sluggish at times under 7 (Firefox...) are ludicrously snappy now.
Decided to be adventurous and uninstalled Classic Shell. Now I'm trying to replicate Apple's Launchpad on my Start screen and so far a really frustrating experience. Having to right click on a tile to bring up a settings panel... on the bottom of the screen. What's up with that? But it's definitely doable.
It is annoying that certain features are locked when not activated so I have to deal with: Lock Screen, not having a single wallpaper for Start Screen and Desktop, some user account settings being unavailable and watermarks. But what's funny is that Windows Update works.

 

[ninaholic37]

Even with an old hard drive and a Phenom II the system boots almost as fast as my main rig with an SSD. Certain programs that would be sluggish at times under 7 (Firefox...) are ludicrously snappy now.

That's because Windows 8 Fast Boot cheats and puts half your ram in "Hibernate" when you think you're pressing "Shut Down", and programs are snappier because the GUI cheats by not using gradients and transparency on windows at all (much easier to draw/move simple flat ugly 2d rectangles).

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Day 2 of 8.1:
Even with an old hard drive and a Phenom II the system boots almost as fast as my main rig with an SSD.

I'd definitely advise you disable rapidstart. It can lead to all sorts of weird issues, because you're essentially just hibernating your user account. The system is not completely shut-down and restarted, some software/drivers does not like that (f.x. the provided Intel USB3 driver, it wont connect at USB3 speed if rapidstart is enabled, unless you do a restart first... :whiste.

 

[dkm777]

I'd definitely advise you disable rapidstart. It can lead to all sorts of weird issues, because you're essentially just hibernating your user account.<...>

OK, another thing I never heard of. Thanks. What I don't understand is why MS make W8 in a way that you absolutely need to read a big book to know how to use it. There's almost no way to discover features by yourself, because there aren't (m)any hints. Baffling. A good example is that when entering the Start Screen you just have no idea that if you started typing something the Search field will just come out of nowhere.

 

[Virgorising]

That's because Windows 8 Fast Boot cheats and puts half your ram in "Hibernate" when you think you're pressing "Shut Down", and programs are snappier because the GUI cheats by not using gradients and transparency on windows at all (much easier to draw/move simple flat ugly 2d rectangles).

O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! Important info!!!!!:wub:

See?? as always, it's the WHY.:thumbsup:

I am also finally now getting the resource drain, even on a fast system (my version of fast) of Aero....which, being shallow, I happen to like.:whiste: But I just unchecked a lot of its features and just left the ones I REALLY like.

And, I coould not agree more re flat and ugly....not to mention dense and opaque.() It seems Jobs got this waaaaaaay back, given his off the chain elegant aesthetic.

 

[Virgorising]

OK, another thing I never heard of. Thanks. What I don't understand is why MS make W8 in a way that you absolutely need to read a big book to know how to use it. There's almost no way to discover features by yourself, because there aren't (m)any hints. Baffling. A good example is that when entering the Start Screen you just have no idea that if you started typing something the Search field will just come out of nowhere.

The above is so ingenuous and DEAR.:wub: As the crow flies...unlike Windows 8.

I believe the answer to your why? is, you (MS) write a Faustian OS with the greed-based goal to be all things to all people and mainly elevating the most sleazoid devices (tablets) nobody even needs opposing thumbs to use, far beyond what they deserve (they should have discreet OSes).....well, the result is insulting to PC users who do serious work with their systems. Starting with all businesses and institutions.

I might liken it to when, way back, I wanted to upgrade the PSU on my now backup Optiplex, and saved a ton by buying lovely Antec online for no money.....cause it was NOT MODULAR.

(It was then I was suddenly inspired to do the logical surgery on it I posted about here, and everyone went batdoody.)

Windows 8.....is NOT MODULAR.:whiste::\

 

[Virgorising]

New, relevant issue re who will likely choose to stick with 7 and WHY:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...ster_release_tempo_by_sticking_with_Windows_7

Seems we should prepare for MS deluge of a new OS every 10 minutes. Talk about desperation.

 

[JEDIYoda]

If you might just exit the hostility, you will get I was not speaking for you, a member of the minority in this. I was simply speaking public record simple truth re the colossal failure of Windows VISTA. It is incontrovertible.

http://content.time.com/time/special...898627,00.html

As always, you are free to like whatever you do.

PS: Trying to shoot The Messenger is never, ever a good thing to do.

and what exactly does TIME have to do with the vast majority of people?? I see no mention in that article of the "vast majority" of people.....just because TIME said...doesn`t make it true....sad....posting links that do not back up your "vast majority" statement!!

 

[Virgorising]

and what exactly does TIME have to do with the vast majority of people?? I see no mention in that article of the "vast majority" of people.....just because TIME said...doesn`t make it true....sad....posting links that do not back up your "vast majority" statement!!

You go right on in some lifeminutes-wasting, enraged, doomed, isometric struggle with objective truth, and trying to shoot the messengers of the latter. They're YOUR lifeminutes, after all.

It's about numbers. In this, MARKETSHARE METRICS.

Microsoft Windows 8 market share passes Windows Vista

Battle of the unloved operating systems
By Lawrence Latif
Mon Jul 01 2013, 16:18

WEB ANALYTICS FIRM Netmarketshare claims that Microsoft's Windows 8 has overtaken Windows Vista in market share.
Microsoft's Windows 8 has had a frosty reception but that is nothing compared to the negative reaction Windows Vista encountered, making it one of Microsoft's most unpopular products. Now Netmarketshare's figures show that Windows 8, despite its marmite interface, has overtaken Windows Vista with 5.1 percent market share.

 

[dkm777]

I'm sure the somewhat quickly rising marketshare is due to the success of ultrabooks. After all they only come with 8.

 

[Virgorising]

I'm sure the somewhat quickly rising marketshare is due to the success of ultrabooks. After all they only come with 8.

First bump! Not to mention my related take: nobody can buy a new lappy right now, or pseudo imac all in one (blech) not loaded with W8. As per the big revenue-generating deals MS has always cut with hardware Mfgs.

But total of marketshare for 8/.1 is still abysmal. Enterprise ain goin there and it never will.

I read online, many big dealers are wild with upset given how many of said lappys are being RETURNED simply because of W8!!

 

[dkm777]

Oh boy, ran into my first serious problem - sound skips or freezes for a moment when changing CPU power states. Example: playing music in Foobar2000 and running a video encoder in background. As soon as the encoder finishes its job - sound freezes for a moment. And then it's back to normal again until I start another batch. Then as the CPU goes back from idle to full load - BOOM! Skip skippity skip! My friend had similar issues and disabling C States fixed things for him. But that's not really a solution, since W7 had no such problems. Pro Audio guys are apparently tearing their hair out over this nonsense.

 

[sm625]

Microsoft is so stupid. Only microsoft could manage to somehow consume 20+ gigabytes of storage on pretty much nothing. And the bugs... omg. I was watching netflix on my htpc last night, and I exited fullscreen and then did a "show desktop" by clicking the lower right hand corner. After doing that, I would click on my firefox/netflix tab on the taskbar so I could resume watching. But the stupid @#$%G firefox window would not come back. Seriously you cant make this stuff up. Knowing this problem from past experience, I knew how to fix it. I opened the magnifier program then closed it. Boom, now I was able to click on my firefox tab on the taskbar and the window appeared as it should. Like I said, this company is just so bad... their product is complete trash and god (or lucifer) only knows how they got where they are.