Windows 8 Consumer Preview Feedback Thread

[ViRGE]

Edit: scratch that.

 

[Infraction Jack]

Never mind I find a way to use windows 7 drivers. Anyone using a HD 7750 with this release should try the amd_catalyst_8.95_rc_vista_7_32-64 drivers.

 

[BD2003]

Speculation on that died days ago. No third party code on the desktop on arm.

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/ne...op-means-no-plugins-for-internet-explorer.ars

http://www.techradar.com/news/softw...ows-8-arm-desktop-no-third-party-apps-1062187

So essentially the desktop on ARM is useless. Its there so you can run office aaaaaaaaaand . . . . . . . . . mess with some deeper settings? This just shows how terrible Microsoft is as a company, and believe me I am a fan of theirs. They keep the desktop on ARM so that they have to do less work porting over settings and Office? What a Microsoft thing to do.

Its just more evidence of the lack of clarity of vision. I'm not even sure they know where they're headed.

They've got desktops with tablet apps, tablets with specific desktop apps, an app store that only does half the job, server oriented storage solutions, mix a little xbox branding in, sprinkle some zune on top. I'm sure it'll also have lots of connectivity to a phone OS almost no one uses.

Seems like they're just going to throw this out there, and see what sticks.

 

[flexy]

I remember lots of people hating the 95 interface. Of course, it had more to do with change and people not liking it than anything else.

It's an inherent human condition - the majority of people are adverse to change.

While this is true, i don't think this is the issue here.

MS did *not* make a better, smarter, more intuitive OS which might need time to getting used to - but instead tries to push an OS/Gui which is designed for a different platform (tablets, mobile devices etc.).

Please do not make the mistake and believe that MS made something new, unique and visionary we all should adapt to as fast as we can - when in reality is just an attempt by MS to get more into the tablet market...respective a total failure on their part to acknowledge the simple fact that the majority of windows user does not even have a need or the hardware for this.

Do you have a touch display? Do you have a tablet which is just waiting for this new OS? Would you want a touch display over your current display? Would you want to give up the way you use your computer right now, possible even abandon your mouse because someone TOLD YOU it makes more sense if your 27" screen is touch and the "future" of computing is in waving around with your arms in front of you and moving things around on the screen "by touch"?

Well..this is what this OS is made for, regardless what your CURRENT hardware is and regardless what your display size is. And i see a "small" problem there.

 

[Pia]

MS did *not* make a better, smarter, more intuitive OS which might need time to getting used to - but instead tries to push an OS/Gui which is designed for a different platform (tablets, mobile devices etc.).

Please do not make the mistake and believe that MS made something new, unique and visionary we all should adapt to as fast as we can - when in reality is just an attempt by MS to get more into the tablet market...respective a total failure on their part to acknowledge the simple fact that the majority of windows user does not even have a need or the hardware for this.

It's not either/or. Parts of the new GUI are visionary, and are better than what we have now in Windows 7, also for mouse. Other parts may get fixed in time.
Regardless of how good the new UI is, as long as you believe it is inevitable, it is a good idea to adapt to it fast. Especially good idea to try work with its own logic and merits, not try to make it into what you know. I made that mistake when I was moving to OS X from Windows, and it held me back for probably half a year. Eventually I found out that many of the "old ways" were always worse, and I either had a more effective way to do those things, or (more revelationary) had no need to do those things.

 

[BD2003]

Whatever I might think of the few parts of win 8 that are improvements for a desktop - 90% of what is new in win 8 is metro, and thus irrelevant. Had they taken all the time and energy spent shoehorning touch into win 8, and instead thought to themselves "how can we make windows better for desktops and laptops", we'd have a much, much better product on our hands.

So yes, to a very large degree, it IS either/or.

 

[LR6]

I have used the Consumer Preview and hated it. I really don't think that Microsoft is that stupid, at least I hope not.

So, I wonder if there is something that they are holding back that would make navigating the OS actually usable. I don't think that many people would enjoy waving their arms around in front of the monitor with some Kinect like device, though it would be fun to watch, especially in a crowded coffee shop or computer lab.

I imagine that they may be releasing a multitouch trackpad like device. This might make the OS usable if done correctly. It might even be a touchscreen track pad. This would be great, if is was implemented correctly.

Myself, I am not waiting. I plan to build a new PC in the Summer and will put Win7 on it.

 

[Pia]

I have used the Consumer Preview and hated it. I really don't think that Microsoft is that stupid, at least I hope not.

So, I wonder if there is something that they are holding back that would make navigating the OS actually usable. I don't think that many people would enjoy waving their arms around in front of the monitor with some Kinect like device, though it would be fun to watch, especially in a crowded coffee shop or computer lab.

I imagine that they may be releasing a multitouch trackpad like device. This might make the OS usable if done correctly. It might even be a touchscreen track pad. This would be great, if is was implemented correctly.

Myself, I am not waiting. I plan to build a new PC in the Summer and will put Win7 on it.

There's no way they are expecting an input device to solve this stuff for them. But based on what I have read and seen so far, Win8 will immediately be better for me than Win7 at least assuming I can configure the hot corners to activate without clicking. Behind the scenes improvements plus the new Start screen = win. It doesn't matter how much controlling Metro apps currently sucks with KB+M, because there is currently no need to go into them while on KB+M.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

It doesn't matter how much controlling Metro apps currently sucks with KB+M, because there is currently no need to go into them while on KB+M.

WTF else do you use to control your PC? Or do you just never use your Start menu?

 

[blurredvision]

I want a tablet with W8 and a small Kinect sensor built into the top above the screen. Then, let me use 3D gestures to control stuff. Now that would be sweet.

 

[terpsy]

I am passing on Windows 8 (the Ocho)

I installed it on a second drive I had in my box, and wasn't that impressed.

Well, it wrote something somehwere as when I plugged back in my Windows 7 drive,
I could NOT get it to boot anymore.

Kept asking for boot Media.

Removed the power, popped my Bios battery, NOTHING would bring this back.

Also, tried to do repairs from my Windows 7 DVD, and got nothing but cannot repair from
this media.....

F U Windows 8.

I Guess 9 will be back to a decent OS ?

This Tick Tock plan of MS is going to cost them billions.

How come OS X costs $29 to upgrade in a much SMALLER install base?

 

[BD2003]

I am passing on Windows 8 (the Ocho)

I installed it on a second drive I had in my box, and wasn't that impressed.

Well, it wrote something somehwere as when I plugged back in my Windows 7 drive,
I could NOT get it to boot anymore.

Kept asking for boot Media.

Removed the power, popped my Bios battery, NOTHING would bring this back.

Also, tried to do repairs from my Windows 7 DVD, and got nothing but cannot repair from
this media.....

F U Windows 8.

I Guess 9 will be back to a decent OS ?

This Tick Tock plan of MS is going to cost them billions.

How come OS X costs $29 to upgrade in a much SMALLER install base?

Because apple basically subsidizes the cost of OS upgrades, since theyre also a hardware manufacturer. It remains to be seen how much mountain lion costs, now that they're apparently moving to a yearly cycle. $30 a year basically puts them in range of the $99ish MS charges for an upgrade every 3 years....with the huge cavaet that the single $30 fee is good for every Mac you own, but MS wants you to buy a separate license per machine.

 

[Pia]

WTF else do you use to control your PC? Or do you just never use your Start menu?

???
The new Start screen / search amalgam appears a lot better to me compared to the Win7 Start menu, which is so crap I almost never use it. So I figure I'll be using the Start screen a decent amount, just not to launch Metro apps for now.

 

[Dominato3r]

Have you guys used the Music application? It's beautiful, reminds me a bit of Zune.

 

[Infraction Jack]

I am taking a liking to windows 8 after using it a bit more as my main OS.

 

[gmaster456]

Have you guys used the Music application? It's beautiful, reminds me a bit of Zune.

I still use the Zune app as my music player. I love it, the only time I use iTunes is when I'm buying music or syncing my iPods.

 

[nitromullet]

Since a few people have said they like it, I'm actually interested to hear what people like about the metro interface. Not trying to be facetious here, but honestly the best I personally can get to at this point is "I think I could make this work if I had to".

What I'm talking about is what you actually like about using it, not from a developer, market share, or an "I see what they are trying to do" perspective. What do you actually like about it right now as a desktop interface, and why?

 

[tweakboy]

But the question, How is the OS overall, did all your devices work, did you upgrde on top of what you had, gl

 

[gammaray]

Since a few people have said they like it, I'm actually interested to hear what people like about the metro interface. Not trying to be facetious here, but honestly the best I personally can get to at this point is "I think I could make this work if I had to".

What I'm talking about is what you actually like about using it, not from a developer, market share, or an "I see what they are trying to do" perspective. What do you actually like about it right now as a desktop interface, and why?

well, i like that the old desktop interface is still there. that's about it lol, the pinball machine is cool too.

other than that, it doesn't help me do anything faster or in a better way than i am used to on windows 7. I only have desktop and laptop tho, i don't use tablets, or other mobile devices.

 

[StinkyPinky]

No one has actually explained how it is faster? This is what I do in Windows 7..

1) Pin all the apps I use onto the taskbar and when I want to use them, I move the mouse and click on it. It probably takes a third of a second.

2) In the VERY rare time I need to run an app not on my taskbar, I click on the button and type in the app name in the run field. That may take me two thirds of a second.

How is Windows 8 any quicker? It seems slower to me.

 

[Dominato3r]

Since a few people have said they like it, I'm actually interested to hear what people like about the metro interface. Not trying to be facetious here, but honestly the best I personally can get to at this point is "I think I could make this work if I had to".

What I'm talking about is what you actually like about using it, not from a developer, market share, or an "I see what they are trying to do" perspective. What do you actually like about it right now as a desktop interface, and why?

I think it's a lot cleaner and a lot more fun to use. The Start Screen search is a lot deeper and richer, compared to the current search in Windows 7. I also like the tiles layout overall, looks clean and it's pretty customizable.

 

[gururu2]

I leaped from XP to the Win 8 CP about 1 week ago. So far its been terrific. I did install Star8 just to retain some of the desktop features I am familiar with. Right now I just keep Explorer, IE, and the control panel on the taskbar. Having all my programs pinned on the metroui is turning out to be far superior to the program menu from both an ease and aesthetic point of view. I have only had one hugely NEGATIVE experience but I will comment on my favorite things so far:
1) Weather, Map, and gadget apps are GREAT
2) Drive and folder management tools appear to be much more thorough than in XP
3) Windows Defender seems to be a solid anti-virus program
4) IE 10 is really fast
5) All my hardware and software was compatible

The BIG problem I had was when I tried to install Symantec Endpoint Protection. It crashed my system and I could not get it to reboot. After about 5 tries, Win8 message appeared noting the error. It allowed me to restore to a previous point, but I had to reinstall a lot of my software again. Anyway, glad I didn't have to reload XP then 8 again.
All in all, its a vast and welcome change to XP, perhaps not 7. If you have anything less than 7 I would HIGHLY recommend the CP.

 

[arod]

Since a few people have said they like it, I'm actually interested to hear what people like about the metro interface. Not trying to be facetious here, but honestly the best I personally can get to at this point is "I think I could make this work if I had to".

What I'm talking about is what you actually like about using it, not from a developer, market share, or an "I see what they are trying to do" perspective. What do you actually like about it right now as a desktop interface, and why?

I actually like the live tiles and the way they work... the idea behind them is awesome and eventually all apps will utilize them properly but I expect this to take a few years until people figure out the best data to show in the live tile.

I like the 1/5th screen view and that apps have a different view when you pin to the side.... apps should change the way information is displayed when its not utilizing the full screen (many windows apps are horrible when you make the window smaller than it was designed for).

I find metro apps in general more "beautiful" than windows apps.... News/Weather apps especially (and usa today and the bing weather in particular). The data is presented in a far more graphical form which is better for many types of data.

I like that all metro apps are consistent from a UI perspective.... settings are located in the same spot for all apps, the top and bottom bars provide a consistent place for in app ui elements, etc.

The contract feature that allows universal searching if apps register, and the way apps are allowed to integrate directly into the os.

The future prospects of metro if/when it becomes the default os on phone, pc/tablet and xbox even if there are some concessions made on each platform to keep it consistent.... because its a single app updates and new features should come more frequently (this will be bigger as xbox/phone eventually start using the store and all that work being done today will immediately pay off there).

 

[BD2003]

You know, I actually do like all of that stuff too...I just don't like how it doesn't coexist with the desktop. Every one of those enhancements could have been brought into a new app model that could have been the desktop of the future. You have some neat ideas in metro, some tried and true ideas in classic windows, and they just couldn't bring it all together.

How do they even move forward with this split UI model? Do they just fork windows in two completely different directions? Completely abandoning the desktop just isnt going to happen. It's just not. Anyone who thinks that's even remotely possible within the next decade is just smoking crack. Are they really intending to maintain this split into the forseeable future? If they're going to extend metro into something more flexible it's going to look more and more like a desktop...just a really bizarre direction they're taking here.

I can't imagine what windows 10 could even be at this point. Back to one good UI for desktops? Still the same split between two? Maybe a third UI centered around voice control? A fourth for some form of input or device we don't even have yet?

What kind of chaos are we even going to have when windows stops serving the needs of business? I can't imagine macs on a massive scale, linux is wishful thinking, and web apps still need an OS...maybe we're entering an age where the computing monopoly is finally broken? Maybe they just finally accept defeat in the consumer arena after years of failures and go all business, like an IBM.

I wonder if we'll look back at the "Microsoft era" as the golden ages, or the dark ages.

 

[arod]

How do they even move forward with this split UI model? Do they just fork windows in two completely different directions? Completely abandoning the desktop just isnt going to happen. It's just not. Anyone who thinks that's even remotely possible within the next decade is just smoking crack. Are they really intending to maintain this split into the forseeable future? If they're going to extend metro into something more flexible it's going to look more and more like a desktop...just a really bizarre direction they're taking here.

I think metro absolutely will take over.... to me its only a question of when not if.

The classic desktop is already being marginalized and will continue to go the way of the dos prompt in windows..... hell its still there even today but as windows progressed it became less and less used.... the same thing will happen with metro.

You know, I actually do like all of that stuff too...I just don't like how it doesn't coexist with the desktop. Every one of those enhancements could have been brought into a new app model that could have been the desktop of the future. You have some neat ideas in metro, some tried and true ideas in classic windows, and they just couldn't bring it all together.

They could have been but none of those featured would have gotten widespread adoption and nothing would have changed had they tried to apply that stuff to classic windows.... just look at jump lists in windows 7 or app pins in ie9 where very few non ms apps utilize it. Metro is "forcing" people to adopt the new features and will ultimately be better for it.