Windows 8 thread

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

what makes you say that? everything i've seen from them so far has them sticking to their guns and completely ignoring any and all criticisms about the start screen

Microsoft canned Steven Sinofsky, THE guy behind the move to the new interface. Sinofsky was VERY defensive of the new interface, and very dismissive of criticisms. That's one big indicator that they're considering alternate paths.

On the other hand, Microsoft can't abandon it now. They need to build the Windows 8 App Store, and the only way people will bother developing for it is if the interface (and by extension, their app) are front and center when a user starts their PC. Why would I bother creating an app for Windows 8 when people can just turn off the interface? I'll just keep developing for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 8 instead of wasting my time.

I still think people are making a lot more out of the new interface than is reasonable. I still consider the Windows 8 'Modern' interface a new Start menu, and whether or not I use the new Start menu's "apps" is my choice.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Microsoft canned Steven Sinofsky, THE guy behind the move to the new interface. Sinofsky was VERY defensive of the new interface, and very dismissive of criticisms. That's one big indicator that they're considering alternate paths.

On the other hand, Microsoft can't abandon it now. They need to build the Windows 8 App Store, and the only way people will bother developing for it is if the interface (and by extension, their app) are front and center when a user starts their PC. Why would I bother creating an app for Windows 8 when people can just turn off the interface? I'll just keep developing for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 8 instead of wasting my time.

I still think people are making a lot more out of the new interface than is reasonable. I still consider the Windows 8 'Modern' interface a new Start menu, and whether or not I use the new Start menu's "apps" is my choice.

it's not the UI that's the problem with accepting the new apps, it's the fact that they're all full screen. that's fine for tablets, but it just doesn't fly on a desktop PC (it looks absolutely ridiculous on a 24' monitor). the new interface should have been a secondary option for the desktop version of Windows 8, left in to tie the new and old environments together and allowing you to use your tablet apps on your PC, but not something that you needed to see every time you wanted to do anything

leave the app marketing to the Surface and Windows Phone 8, and put the desktop back to what it should be

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

it's not the UI that's the problem with accepting the new apps, it's the fact that they're all full screen. that's fine for tablets, but it just doesn't fly on a desktop PC (it looks absolutely ridiculous on a 24' monitor).

I don't have the real percentages (Microsoft would, via the instrumentation built into Windows), but I bet 85% of people use all their apps maximized. It's certainly true in the offices I support - it's Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Reader, and IE, each running maximized and switched between.

[Jets4Life]

One thing I really do not like about Windows 8, is that it makes people log in to the system with their hotmail accounts. I've heard this can be compromised, if someone gains access to the password, one would be locked out.

How would one go about changing this?

[Rathji]

Use a local account instead of your microsoft account.

I am not sure what your issue is though. If someone has physical/remote access to your machine, this means they still need to obtain / reset your MS account Pw before they can access your stuff.

Without that physical or remote access, what could they do with this account that they couldn't already do with the same account before Windows 8 came out.

Maybe I am just confused what you are saying and it will make more sense to me after I get some sleep.

Edit: apparently I misunderstood your concerns. Like almost any online password you can reset it a few ways.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-live/account-reset-password-forgot-faq

[ernie]

I don't know about 15 minutes playing with a Lenovo Yoga as well as my earlier playing around with the surface has me convinced that Windows 8 operating system can be a thing of beauty. I personally like it a lot. Looking seriously into getting a Yoga as it gives me the traditional power of a laptop but for note taking during conferences I can fold it down to a tablet etc.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

it's not the UI that's the problem with accepting the new apps, it's the fact that they're all full screen. that's fine for tablets, but it just doesn't fly on a desktop PC (it looks absolutely ridiculous on a 24' monitor). the new interface should have been a secondary option for the desktop version of Windows 8, left in to tie the new and old environments together and allowing you to use your tablet apps on your PC, but not something that you needed to see every time you wanted to do anything

leave the app marketing to the Surface and Windows Phone 8, and put the desktop back to what it should be

And my response to this viewpoint is stop using the Metro interface then.

I seriously have trouble understanding the massive problem purported to have been created, all because the Start menu is full screen. Big friggin' deal. If you press the Windows key on the keyboard, it goes right back to the desktop (or last app you were using). Not only that, but you can set the Metro apps to only take up a third of one of the screens anyway, and leave the rest of your desktop real estate for normal applications.

"ERMAGHERD, FULL SCREN WINDOZE APPZ."

So don't use them, use your normal desktop apps as you normally would. No one is forcing you with a gun to your head to use the Metro apps, and you'll still reap the performance benefits of Windows 8.

Windows Key, "n-o-t-e" [enter] and you've started Notepad. Same as Windows 7.
Windows Key, "w-o-r-d" [enter] and you've started Microsoft Word. Same as Windows 7.

The - at times - seemingly hysterical reactions to what basically amounts to a new Start menu that just so happens to have applications growing out of it, specifically those written by reviewers in the industry, really makes me stop and think as to just how much credit I should give any online review of a product.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

And my response to this viewpoint is stop using the Metro interface then.

I seriously have trouble understanding the massive problem purported to have been created, all because the Start menu is full screen. Big friggin' deal. If you press the Windows key on the keyboard, it goes right back to the desktop (or last app you were using). Not only that, but you can set the Metro apps to only take up a third of one of the screens anyway, and leave the rest of your desktop real estate for normal applications.

"ERMAGHERD, FULL SCREN WINDOZE APPZ."

So don't use them, use your normal desktop apps as you normally would. No one is forcing you with a gun to your head to use the Metro apps, and you'll still reap the performance benefits of Windows 8.

Windows Key, "n-o-t-e" [enter] and you've started Notepad. Same as Windows 7.
Windows Key, "w-o-r-d" [enter] and you've started Microsoft Word. Same as Windows 7.

The - at times - seemingly hysterical reactions to what basically amounts to a new Start menu that just so happens to have applications growing out of it, specifically those written by reviewers in the industry, really makes me stop and think as to just how much credit I should give any online review of a product.

Unfortunately the "multi Window" when running Windows 8 apps leaves a lot to be d desired when it comes to resizing it into something usable.

I personally enjoy the Metro UI even in a desktop and more so now with a new laptop but I have to agree that it should have been an option for users to boot into desktop mode. Sure there are tweaks and those familiar with the usual shortcuts won't be fazed too much but forcing the mixed personality of Win8 onto everybody is my issue.

Scribbled with the Note II

[HPLovecraft]

I thought I might like it, and I had to upgrade a buddy's laptop with it, so I've been using it for the past couple of days, and Jesus is it ever annoying out of the box. It's not the Metro interface I dislike so much as the completely backward feel all the apps have when trying to use them. Something as simple as trying to use the media player is a vastly more confusing experience compared to anything I've ever encountered outside of specialized DVD software.

[tripin_billie]

I had the consumer preview release running on my old laptop and just got a touchscreen laptop over the weekend. All I can say is that I am really liking it. I actually find myself in the modern UI more often than the desktop.

Having used Windows 8 since the Build release, I have to say, touch is pretty critical for getting the full experience. It worked OK on my old laptop, but having a touch screen makes the whole system make way more sense.

[CaptainCrunch]

I took the time over christmas to do the upgrade on my desktop without touchscreen.

I really love how fast my system is compared to 7 especially on startup.

Under windows 7 my system would take a minute to 2 minutes to boot up. With 8 my system is up in under 30 seconds and usable.

I don't mind the new layout and the UI at all, I still find myself scrambling for the power off button at times, but the search feature is very well done.

I do miss the gadgets on the destop that windows 7 had, I could easily check the weather and movie headlines and could load custom ones like currency trackers very easily. Now if I'm working in the desktop I have to go to the metro screen and look at the tiles.

Overall the performance makes this thing worth while.

[TorqueDog]

I finally received my Samsung ATIV SmartPC from Rogers on Monday.

Best. Tablet. Evar.

Intel Atom Clover Trail running Windows 8 (NOT RT). It's light, fast, the battery life is superb. Stereo mic and stereo speakers, front and rear facing cameras (rear includes a flash), NFC (I can share content using NFC with my Nokia Lumia 920, for example), and LTE.

I am pretty pleased with it. Next chance I get, I'm formatting my old Dell Precision M2400, slapping the OEM copy of Windows 7 back on it, and selling it. Don't need it anymore. This thing is more than sufficient.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I finally received my Samsung ATIV SmartPC from Rogers on Monday.

Best. Tablet. Evar.

Intel Atom Clover Trail running Windows 8 (NOT RT). It's light, fast, the battery life is superb. Stereo mic and stereo speakers, front and rear facing cameras (rear includes a flash), NFC (I can share content using NFC with my Nokia Lumia 920, for example), and LTE.

I am pretty pleased with it. Next chance I get, I'm formatting my old Dell Precision M2400, slapping the OEM copy of Windows 7 back on it, and selling it. Don't need it anymore. This thing is more than sufficient.

Part of me is jelly. Had a chance to play with various Windows 8 RT tabs over the weekend, and the experience really chances when you're on a touch screen device. Best part of the Samsung tablets now is the front facing stereo speakers...just don't understand why it isn't the standard...

Also NFC needs to be more devices (laptops/tablets). Just makes sense to share links and whatnot so easily.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201

[TorqueDog]

Should also mention one of the guys who works in our Internal Systems department has an Android phone with NFC (Galaxy SIII I think), and it could also send images, contacts, etc. to the Windows 8 tablet via NFC. So cross-platform works.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Intel Atom Clover Trail running Windows 8 (NOT RT).

Oh good grief, had I known that I would have played around with it more this evening...makes the weight all the more impressive.

[woob]

That new Lenovo Thinkpad Helix looks pretty sweet. Question is though - how warm is that thing going to be in your hands with an i7 inside?

[CaptainCrunch]

Maybe someone can help me. When my windows runs the update on shutting down, when the system comes on it goes through the percentage of applying the updates and then says that the update has failed and is recinding the changes.

Has any one else had an issues with Windows 8 update?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Oh good grief, had I known that I would have played around with it more this evening...makes the weight all the more impressive.

I'll have it with me, so if you're attending any of the other courses in the evenings next week, you can have a better test drive of the device.

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Maybe someone can help me. When my windows runs the update on shutting down, when the system comes on it goes through the percentage of applying the updates and then says that the update has failed and is recinding the changes.

Has any one else had an issues with Windows 8 update?

Have you tried just applying them prior to shutting down instead of letting the shutdown process apply them?

[CaptainCrunch]

Nope, I am going to try to do a manual in process update tonight

[Rathji]

Posted this in Nehkara's PC thread but thought I should dump it in here as well.

I just finished my 30day free trial of Start8, a product of Stardock that removes most of the problems that a typical user of Windows 8 would have. Basically, it replaces the new start menu with a fully tweakable Windows 7 style start menu. Plus, it is just $5. I cannot stress enough how good it is, even if you don't really mind the new Start menu.
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

It is also available in a bundle right now, with Decor8, a product which adds some more customizability to the start screen, which is normally only a choice of maybe a dozen colour/patterns combinations, for $8. Not sure how much I like it, as I haven't had a chance to play with it, but I figured for the extra $3 it was worth it.

https://store.stardock.com/product.a...=ESD-SDS-W1220