Windows 8
Nov 21, 2012, 9:40 pm
#106
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IMHO, Windows 8 with Start8 pretty much is Windows 7.1. Some improved tools (Task Monitor is much more useful) and very few UI tweaks, but everything else is W7, but faster (from what I've read).
Nov 23, 2012, 6:14 am
#107
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I was in a cell phone store yesterday (Three UK) and they are offering a free upgrade to W8 when you get a Win phone 8 from them. I asked why this was being done as he was pushing it quite hard in an attempt to get me to buy and the shop assistant told me off the record that WP8 wasn't exactly flying off the shelves and W8 hadn't been a huge hit either. This is obviously just gossip but makes you wonder.
Nov 25, 2012, 11:15 am
#108
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Nov 25, 2012, 11:50 am
#109
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I have an old laptop (~4-5 yo) running Vista that had been my daughter's. It was running very slow, taking a long time to load web pages and such. I ran virus and spyware checks, removed a lot of programs, and cleaned up the startup programs, but still didn't run well. For $15 I bit the bullet and did the upgrade, there is a learning curve, but the system browses the web fine now, which is about all I plan to do with it.
Nov 27, 2012, 2:48 pm
#110
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I have an old laptop (~4-5 yo) running Vista that had been my daughter's. It was running very slow, taking a long time to load web pages and such. I ran virus and spyware checks, removed a lot of programs, and cleaned up the startup programs, but still didn't run well. For $15 I bit the bullet and did the upgrade, there is a learning curve, but the system browses the web fine now, which is about all I plan to do with it.
Also, I noticed in the news a few minutes ago, Microsoft is saying it has sold more than 40 million UPGRADES of windows 8, which is a faster pace than Windows 7, again, according to Microsoft, not me.
Nov 27, 2012, 3:16 pm
#111
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OK, I've had a couple of weeks with Win8 now, getting over any knee-jerk reactions, etc.
My conclusion?
A fine upgrade for a desktop machine, as long as you spend the $4.99 on Start8 and set it to automatically go to desktop mode on startup. It's just a better Win7 - same user interface, with some improved tools. I hear it's also faster, but my new machine is much, much (much) more capable than my old, so I can't compare. I suspect Start8, or similar functionality, will be in SP1.
Metro/Modern? Looks like a nice tablet interface, maybe. Useless for desktop/keyboard/mouse usage, IMHO. They seems to have followed the Apple strategy of two completely different OS's for different purposes, but smashed them into a single .exe and box for sale.
My conclusion?
A fine upgrade for a desktop machine, as long as you spend the $4.99 on Start8 and set it to automatically go to desktop mode on startup. It's just a better Win7 - same user interface, with some improved tools. I hear it's also faster, but my new machine is much, much (much) more capable than my old, so I can't compare. I suspect Start8, or similar functionality, will be in SP1.
Metro/Modern? Looks like a nice tablet interface, maybe. Useless for desktop/keyboard/mouse usage, IMHO. They seems to have followed the Apple strategy of two completely different OS's for different purposes, but smashed them into a single .exe and box for sale.
Start8 is a great utility. Hopefully the developers will make their fortunes out of a Microsoft oversight
Jan 7, 2013, 12:58 am
#112
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https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...-not-take-over
"Gorilla arm"
The other problem was the tingling ache that came from extending my right arm to manipulate that screen for hours, an affliction that has earned the nickname of gorilla arm. Some experts say gorilla arm is what killed touch computing during its first wave in the early 1980s.
Jan 7, 2013, 2:53 am
#113
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I've seen and tried Win8 at a number of trial kiosks set up in shopping malls around the world. I'd much rather use XP. The only reason I'm on Win7 now is because when I last upgraded my PC and laptop and went to install XP, I found that the disc no longer worked. The very first thing I do on an new install is revert the interface back to the Windows 2000/XP "Classic" version. Otherwise it simply isn't useable.
I don't want "Shiny" and "Flashy". I want functional.
I don't want "Shiny" and "Flashy". I want functional.
Jan 7, 2013, 5:21 am
#114
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Funny review of Windows 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=WTYet-qf1jo
Dont agree with all of his points, but its still pretty funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=WTYet-qf1jo
Dont agree with all of his points, but its still pretty funny.
Jan 7, 2013, 7:58 am
#115
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Trying Win8 at kiosks, you were probably forced through the Metro/Modern/that-which-shall-not-be-named interface.
Find a machine with Start8 that defaults to the desktop. I've been using it for months and had to work on my in-law's PC last weekend running XP. Ack!
If you're more comfortable sticking with an interface you know, that's fine. But it doesn't mean it's better.
I spoke with my in-laws this weekend. They said that after a little while finding where things were, they found the new UI better, faster, etc. Being in their 60s/70s, I think they're a decent test case.
Find a machine with Start8 that defaults to the desktop. I've been using it for months and had to work on my in-law's PC last weekend running XP. Ack!
If you're more comfortable sticking with an interface you know, that's fine. But it doesn't mean it's better.
I spoke with my in-laws this weekend. They said that after a little while finding where things were, they found the new UI better, faster, etc. Being in their 60s/70s, I think they're a decent test case.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:13 am
#116
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Trying Win8 at kiosks, you were probably forced through the Metro/Modern/that-which-shall-not-be-named interface.
Find a machine with Start8 that defaults to the desktop. I've been using it for months and had to work on my in-law's PC last weekend running XP. Ack!
If you're more comfortable sticking with an interface you know, that's fine. But it doesn't mean it's better.
I spoke with my in-laws this weekend. They said that after a little while finding where things were, they found the new UI better, faster, etc. Being in their 60s/70s, I think they're a decent test case.
Find a machine with Start8 that defaults to the desktop. I've been using it for months and had to work on my in-law's PC last weekend running XP. Ack!
If you're more comfortable sticking with an interface you know, that's fine. But it doesn't mean it's better.
I spoke with my in-laws this weekend. They said that after a little while finding where things were, they found the new UI better, faster, etc. Being in their 60s/70s, I think they're a decent test case.
Last edited by Jimmie76; Jan 7, 2013 at 8:18 am
Jan 7, 2013, 8:22 am
#117
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Win8 reflects something that I've noticed developing in the hardware field: the dumbing-down -- in fact, the infantilizing -- of computers and computer-based gear. A camera that can play games? A phone app that beeps if someone else with the same app walks by? Tablets for which 90% of app development is gaming? And now, a PC OS designed, not to allow you to do work -- to actually DO something -- but to keep up with your social networks?
No thanks.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:28 am
#118
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The moon must be full: I quite agree.
And as with Jimmie76, I again recommend:
And as with Jimmie76, I again recommend:
Jan 7, 2013, 10:40 am
#119
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I've suggested that to embattled Win 8 demonstrators who were fighting a losing battle with uncertain customers. One of them told me he was going to bookmark that page so he could inform people how they could get the XP/7 UI out of their Win 8 machine.
Last edited by Jimmie76; Jan 7, 2013 at 10:53 am
Jan 7, 2013, 2:20 pm
#120
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