Windows 8 "Blue"

[WelshBloke]

... Win8 users will get it free and I don't see no reason why Win8 users would not upgrade to 8.1 for free...

Depends completely on if it breaks compatibility with the "hacks" that make win8 usable for a lot of people.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Depends completely on if it breaks compatibility with the "hacks" that make win8 usable for a lot of people.

I don't know how much testing Microsoft does for apps like those but, considering the many changes to the shell, I wouldn't doubt some of them become unusable without an update. I guess we'll see on Wednesday.

 

[Mem]

Depends completely on if it breaks compatibility with the "hacks" that make win8 usable for a lot of people.

You can't blame(not saying you are) Microsoft if some people use unofficial hacks etc..Personally I'm happy using WIn+X and Metro instead of a third party start button etc...worst case scenario for me is I would have to rely on my two Linux PCs or my other two Win8 PCs,anyway I'm covered and the Pros far outweigh any Cons IMHO for 8.1.

Also the Win8.1 preview should be a good test for compatibility etc....

 

[andy2000]

Everyone complains about the missing start menu, but that's not what bothers me about 8. I've never cared for the start menu, and I rarely use it in my day to day tasks. I just put icons for frequently used programs on the desktop, so in a way it's a lot like the start screen already.

One of the things that bothers me about 8 are the way they hide frequently used features (like shutdown requires dealing with 3 distinctly different user interface paradigms).

The other thing that bothers me is the complete lack of integration between the two different user interfaces. There's a separate windows update for each interface, two control panels, and so on. Windows update for desktop/OS starts in the new interface, but then takes you to the desktop if you want to view optional updates. Same thing for the control panel, the Metro version only has a few options, so you have to go to the desktop version to do the rest. It's annoying to me, but most people won't even know there's something missing, or what to look for.

Metro feels very unfinished because you always have to go back to the desktop for things. Not even the built in things like the control panel, or Windows update are full featured in Metro. Hopefully they will finish it, so you only need one of everything.

 

[jacktesterson]

So many free Start menu options out there now, It really is exagerated.

I know it's not ideal to configure a OS to look like a previous one, but it takes 15 mins to install the start menu and set defaults to non metro apps.

My PC boots to my desktop - I never use Metro hardly ever once its configured.


I prefer Windows 8 over 7 now.... Mostly just due to how quick my PC boots/shuts down now.

 

[jacktesterson]

I will say though - Windows 8 is a failure overall.

My facebook just Sunday had this: (I am Adam - This is from a casual everyday PC user)

Emily just graduated and got a laptop for a gift with Windows 8. I'm her cousin but am 30 yrs old.

 

[Remobz]

wow

 

[Anteaus]

I will say though - Windows 8 is a failure overall.

My facebook just Sunday had this: (I am Adam - This is from a casual everyday PC user)

Emily just graduated and got a laptop for a gift with Windows 8. I'm her cousin but am 30 yrs old.

You know when I started using DOS I had to pull the book out and learn the commands. Some people think that just because something has been done a certain way for years means that they should never be required to learn something new. Yes, Windows 8 requires some actual effort to learn how the new interface works. Could it be easier? Sure...but I'm not sure how the inability of a person to easily assimilate to a new interface equates with overall failure. The interface is definitely a 4 out of 10, but the rest of the OS is rock solid...its basically Windows 7+ with a crappier interface. That should count for something.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My wife just bought a laptop that has 8 on it. She's hating on Microsoft pretty heavy these days and is wishing she had spent the extra cash on a Mac just so she can get through the menus.

There's the desktop and app menu and she's not liking the way it forces you to switch between screens just to start applications...the whole thing feels clunky. I warned her about it because we've had a few tablets and a Surface at work.

I understand what Microsoft is trying to do...gain marketshare in the mobile device segment since laptop sales and desktop sales have dropped way down in the home electronics sector....but they screwed over all PC/Desktop users by adding 2-3 clicks to some of the most common tasks.

 

[jacktesterson]

You know when I started using DOS I had to pull the book out and learn the commands. Some people think that just because something has been done a certain way for years means that they should never be required to learn something new. Yes, Windows 8 requires some actual effort to learn how the new interface works. Could it be easier? Sure...but I'm not sure how the inability of a person to easily assimilate to a new interface equates with overall failure. The interface is definitely a 4 out of 10, but the rest of the OS is rock solid...its basically Windows 7+ with a crappier interface. That should count for something.

I'm not arguing that. I use Windows 8 on every PC I own


It's just Metro is absolutely terrible on a desktop. It's a Tablet interface.


Why mess with something that works so well? At least give us the Option to keep the start menu.


It shouldn't be so damn difficult to find the Control Panel for a new Win 8 user, for example. Or "Where is My Computer?"

The UI really is a big mess, especially for Casual PC users (like the FB post above) who do not have the PC Smarts, which unfortunately, outnumbers us greatly.


Its a Rock Solid, Fast O/S with a terrible UI.

 

[jacktesterson]

My wife just bought a laptop that has 8 on it. She's hating on Microsoft pretty heavy these days and is wishing she had spent the extra cash on a Mac just so she can get through the menus.

There's the desktop and app menu and she's not liking the way it forces you to switch between screens just to start applications...the whole thing feels clunky. I warned her about it because we've had a few tablets and a Surface at work.

I understand what Microsoft is trying to do...gain marketshare in the mobile device segment since laptop sales and desktop sales have dropped way down in the home electronics sector....but they screwed over all PC/Desktop users by adding 2-3 clicks to some of the most common tasks.

All fair points - but there are tons of free addons - 20 mins of your time will have it back to Windows 7 UI for 90% of her tasks. Just disable Metro Apps as default apps and get Start8.

 

[jacktesterson]

There is a reason why majority of Corporations are still ordering PC's with Windows 7 Pro on them.

Imagine bringing Metro into an Office situation. Try to tell me Employee's don't complain for about 3 months minimum until they discover the Addons (if the Corp allows them of course).

I'm more productive not using Metro vs using Metro.

How Microsoft ignores this - it drives me nuts.

 

[Anteaus]

There is a reason why majority of Corporations are still ordering PC's with Windows 7 Pro on them.

Imagine bringing Metro into an Office situation. Try to tell me Employee's don't complain for about 3 months minimum until they discover the Addons (if the Corp allows them of course).

I'm more productive not using Metro vs using Metro.

How Microsoft ignores this - it drives me nuts.

That's more due to compatibility issues with third party applications than anything. We had multiple software suites that we had wait to be updated to work with Windows 7 coming from XP. We still have some people on XP machines because of this. I don't blame MS for any of it.

Regardless of whether you're on Windows 7 or Windows 8, once a particular application is loaded the interface is the same for both.

I get your point though. Going from Windows XP to Windows 7 was a huge deal and offered big advances, but going from Windows 7 to 8 is a side step and doesn't enhance productivity in the least. I think whatever it's successor is will likely be the next big move from a business standpoint.

Windows 8 was designed solely as a bridge into the mobile consumer world and was never really supposed to replace Windows 7 in the corporate world.

Windows 8 is actually windows 7.1 with a crappier interface. 😛

 

[Scarpozzi]

All fair points - but there are tons of free addons - 20 mins of your time will have it back to Windows 7 UI for 90% of her tasks. Just disable Metro Apps as default apps and get Start8.

I'll look into it. I've just not had a chance to play around with it yet.

In the last 3-4 years, my desktop modding has gone to zero percent. I feel like it shouldn't be that difficult for a company to build a UI that works. UI Innovation is overrated until they invent a new input device or allow for mind control of windows. (in other words they should leave that stuff alone if they want desktop buy-in) I know the consensus around here is we don't want to support it because there would be too much lost productivity amongst workers and IT support just trying to talk them through everything.

Ultimately, we may skip Windows 8 internally and only support it for customers and special cases.

 

[Throckmorton]

You know when I started using DOS I had to pull the book out and learn the commands. Some people think that just because something has been done a certain way for years means that they should never be required to learn something new. Yes, Windows 8 requires some actual effort to learn how the new interface works. Could it be easier? Sure...but I'm not sure how the inability of a person to easily assimilate to a new interface equates with overall failure. The interface is definitely a 4 out of 10, but the rest of the OS is rock solid...its basically Windows 7+ with a crappier interface. That should count for something.

It counts for a giant corporation with unlimited resources not having the common sense to hire GOOD interface designers and instead trying to come up with trendy garbage with bad usability.

 

[blankslate]

Once you leave the highly vocal groups within forums similar to these, Windows 8 actually fared pretty well out in the open.

This bit of data would disagree
http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/201...s-vista-has-more-market-share-than-windows-8/

Win8 is just now set to surpass the reviled Vista... which if the interface was better would probably have happened very early, going by the example of Windows 7

Also, Windows 8 was generally criticized for its interface, whereas the rest of the OS was very solid.

Its a Rock Solid, Fast O/S with a terrible UI.

This is also true which is why the skizoid Metro / desktop hybrid interface should've been polished up a bit more before they released it.

 

[PingSpike]

I understand what Microsoft is trying to do...gain marketshare in the mobile device segment since laptop sales and desktop sales have dropped way down in the home electronics sector....but they screwed over all PC/Desktop users by adding 2-3 clicks to some of the most common tasks.

To be honest the last criticism is a valid one but shouldn't be a surprise to anyone at this point. Starting with XP at least every version of Windows has required more clicks and submenus for me to do the common tasks than it did in the previous version. I don't know if this works better for other users or not but I've always found it frustrating. I suppose that they've continued the trend isn't unusual.

 

[darkewaffle]

There is a reason why majority of Corporations are still ordering PC's with Windows 7 Pro on them.

Correction, they are finally ordering Win7 because WinXP is finally EOLing in spring and auditors no likey that 😛

I definitely agree with changing metro apps to their traditional counterparts for default programs however. But even then they would work ok IF their interface wasn't so 'unexpected'; just give them a minimize and a close button.

As unfortunate as it is, you really cant expect most average users to put any amount of effort into learning something new or expect them to have any degree of aptitude towards picking it up either. You have to make it as mundane and familiar as possible, regardless of the potential upside of new ideas. Personally I want MS to succeed and I want people to expand their usage models and enjoy doing it because I think there's a lot of potential beyond the elementary "point and click" way of interacting with the PC. But I don't know if MS will continue to trudge onward amidst all the shortsighted negative feedback.

 

[MontyAC]

Here's a link to download the Win 8.1 review:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...iew?siteID=rGMTN56tf_w-dBqDY2TGThn8sh8fu89uwQ

 

[orthancstone]

My wife just bought a laptop that has 8 on it. She's hating on Microsoft pretty heavy these days and is wishing she had spent the extra cash on a Mac just so she can get through the menus.

If the reason she's hating on MS is the Win8 interface, moving to a Mac would be just as challenging. If anything, she should be willing to be as patient with Win8 as she would be with OS X because both would require a learning curve.

 

[AustinInDallas]

definitely be getting it once its out of beta. Love win 8!

 

[WelshBloke]

If the reason she's hating on MS is the Win8 interface, moving to a Mac would be just as challenging. If anything, she should be willing to be as patient with Win8 as she would be with OS X because both would require a learning curve.

Yeah I tried osx in a virtual machine just because I didn't like the way Microsoft was going with its UI and I wanted some alternatives for the future. Really, really disliked it way more than win8.

 

[el-Capitan]

If the reason she's hating on MS is the Win8 interface, moving to a Mac would be just as challenging. If anything, she should be willing to be as patient with Win8 as she would be with OS X because both would require a learning curve.

Yeah, I've been having OSX in the house since 2007. At times I am still confused...

-

Will you guys try the 8.1 Preview on your daily drivers?

 

[zokudu]

Installed the 8.1 Preview....It's windows 8....nothing mind blowing over here, except a watermark 🙁

 

[smakme7757]

I also installed it however i recieved the nice blue screen sad face on startup. It then tried to roll back the update which worked, but the PC was not acting as it used too.

I'll wait until i can get my hands on the ISO file and try again.