official Windows 8 Consumer Preview Discussion

[TheLegendOfMart]

It's clear that Microsoft haven't had the time or resources to develop a Metro Visual Studio app yet, so that is unfair. If Microsoft developers can't deal with this new workflow concept and this new idea of multitasking, why would they have developed Windows 8 in this way? They'll most likely be using Windows 8 for their work.

To try and take some of the iPad marketshare by dumbing down the OS.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

To try and take some of the iPad marketshare by dumbing down the OS.

We'll all see how this 'dumed down OS' takes on the market.

We'll see

[playXray]

Dude.

Everything is there.

Every single thing is there.

They have just been modified.

The functionality has been enhanced.

True, that there are some things that still require attention, but for the most, and very big part, Windows 8 is a HUGE step forward. And in the right direction

Well almost everything is there, but there's no Start button. I don't understand why not - if they don't want people to use it, why hide the functionality behind a hidden button? After that, it just seems exactly live Windows 7 but with the Metro squares.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Well almost everything is there, but there's no Start button. I don't understand why not - if they don't want people to use it, why get hide the functionality behind a hidden button? After that, it just seems exactly live Windows 7 but with the Metro squares.

Everything you used to do with it can be done on the legacy desktop or Metro start screen.

Give me any one thing you can't do in CP that you could in 7

[Stoffel]

After playing around with the CP for a while now, the main thing that annoys me is the inconsistency of how to scroll to the right and left.

Sometimes you can just run your cursor to the edge of the screen (like in the start screen)

Sometimes you can use the side of your trackpad (up or down) to scroll horizontally

And then yet on other times you have to use the horizontal part of the trackpad or the keys to make it scroll

Hope that in the RC you can always just go to the edge of the screen to scroll, I think I like that the best

[TheLegendOfMart]

We'll all see how this 'dumed down OS' takes on the market.

We'll see

It'll sell as well as it always has sold on Desktops because people don't have a choice, it will be pre-installed on new computers and eventually Windows 8 will get things that won't be backported to Windows 7 which means people will upgrade.

It won't even make a dent on iPad/Android tablet sales just like Windows Phone 7,wallowing in obscurity, hasn't made a dent on iPhone and Android Phone sales.

Give me any one thing you can't do in CP that you could in 7

Use it without metro.

[playXray]

Everything you used to do with it can be done on the legacy desktop or Metro start screen.

Give me any one thing you can't do in CP that you could in 7

I'm not really talking about functions, I'm talking about an actual menu button. Why is it gone?

Personally, I can get over the lack of a button, but why remove it in the first place? How am I going to explain to my grandma when she gets her new computer that she has to click an invisible button the bottom left of the screen? I often have to help my grandparents over the phone with their computer, but this will just make things so much more complex.

[Stoffel]

On a side note.

People were saying that MS held their CP launch in Barcelona because people like Steven Sinofsky were already there.

Do we know by now why Sinofsky was there at the MWC? Did they reveal anything special?

[bogas04]

After playing around with the CP for a while now, the main thing that annoys me is the inconsistency of how to scroll to the right and left.

Sometimes you can just run your cursor to the edge of the screen (like in the start screen)

Sometimes you can use the side of your trackpad (up or down) to scroll horizontally

And then yet on other times you have to use the horizontal part of the trackpad or the keys to make it scroll

Hope that in the RC you can always just go to the edge of the screen to scroll, I think I like that the best

very true! And also , if scrolling my mouse scroll doesn't work , try rolling the wheel over the horizontal bar , then it works

[Stoffel]

I'm not really talking about functions, I'm talking about an actual menu button. Why is it gone?

Personally, I can get over the lack of a button, but why remove it in the first place? How am I going to explain to my grandme when she gets her new computer that she has to click an invisible button the bottom left of the screen? I often have to help my grandparents over the phone with their computer, but this will just make things so much more complex.

They removed the Start button to make getting around in Win8 more consistent using different input devices

[bogas04]

On a side note.

People were saying that MS held their CP launch in Barcelona because people like Steven Sinofsky were already there.

Do we know by now why Sinofsky was there at the MWC? Did they reveal anything special?

:| ?

They revealed Consumer Preview , and Sinofsky is head of windows (or whatever is the technical name for his post). MWC was planned to be in Barcelona and as expected Beta was to be launched as its related to mobiles/tablets now ... (it was ready in mid feb)

[WizardCM]

~snip

Now here's a beautiful example of how many people will react. They'll see something new, and freak out.

Here's the thing: it's all the same, but it has extra features that you will get used to.

Firstly, you should really read up on Windows 8. You've really missed a lot.

1) That is the Start Screen, and those boxes are Live Tiles which update over time with the contents of the app. For example, the Mail tile will change when you get a new email.

2) There is no need for a start button. a) it's on your keyboard, where it's always been. b) That pixel in the very corner is all you need. When you aim to click on the Start button in Windows 7, where does your cursor travel? To the very corner.

3) Because not everyone is used to using the button on the keyboard. Besides, where else would they click to get to the start screen?

4) Yes, by adding a 'Show Desktop' link into your 'Startup' list. Hopefully there'll be an easier way to do this in the future, for those that require the desktop prominently.

5) There is a LOT they've changed. Windows Explorer has a ribbon, the Task Manager is a lot more user-friendly and there are many back-end improvements that will improve your experience over time.

6) There are shortcuts for everything. Windows Key + I may help you there, look at the bottom.

The improvements are primarily for touch, for now. Windows 7 is almost perfect for normal desktop use, but is a pain on tablets. Microsoft needs a way to fight the iPads, and this is it. Spend some time with Windows 8. Learn your way around it. Then you'll learn to love it.

[TheLegendOfMart]

The improvements are primarily for touch, for now. Windows 7 is almost perfect for normal desktop use, but is a pain on tablets. Microsoft needs a way to fight the iPads, and this is it. Spend some time with Windows 8. Learn your way around it. Then you'll learn to love it.

Then make the Metro touch stuff only enable itself when a touchscreen device is detected, throwing all the regular desktop users under the bus just to try and take a tiny sliver of the iPad market, especially those on a desktop pc, is ridiculous.

[painejake]

Go to People , connect it to Fb/twitter etc , get the stream (mixed) in "What's New" . Its like People from Windows phone :)

and i guess , its was tweet @ ramma or something.

Ahh brill thanks! :)

Still getting used to it

[playXray]

Now here's a beautiful example of how many people will react. They'll see something new, and freak out.

Here's the thing: it's all the same, but it has extra features that you will get used to.

Firstly, you should really read up on Windows 8. You've really missed a lot.

The improvements are primarily for touch, for now. Windows 7 is almost perfect for normal desktop use, but is a pain on tablets. Microsoft needs a way to fight the iPads, and this is it. Spend some time with Windows 8. Learn your way around it. Then you'll learn to love it.

I can understand what you're saying, but I've never "read up" on an OS before. One of the main functions of a good OS is to be user friendly and intuitive. I've never had to "get used" to a new OS before, and this is what concerns me about Windows 8. You gotta think, the vast majority of Windows users aren't geeks and just want to get whatever they need to do done as quickly and easily as possible. Windows 8 will be a stumbling block towards that.

[WizardCM]

Then make the Metro touch stuff only enable itself when a touchscreen device is detected, throwing all the regular desktop users under the bus just to try and take a tiny sliver of the iPad market, especially those on a desktop pc, is ridiculous.

Consistency among devices is also what they're aiming for. Have you seen their 3-screen plan? It's brilliant, they just need to pull it off correctly. The Xbox, the Windows Phone, tablets and computers will share a consistent UI that people recognise immediately. What's so wrong with that?

I can understand what you're saying, but I've never "read up" on an OS before. One of the main functions of a good OS is to be user friendly and intuitive. I've never had to "get used" to a new OS before, and this is what concerns me about Windows 8. You gotta think, the vast majority of Windows users aren't geeks and just want to get whatever they need to do done as quickly and easily as possible. Windows 8 will be a stumbling block towards that.

You make a great point, but you also have to remember that times are changing. Yes, it's a big shift. Yes, people will hate it, but if Microsoft pulls off their advertising and methods of educating people about what they're to expect, then the problem won't be as big.

People won't be forced to upgrade to Windows 8. I mean, Windows 8 is nearly out and most are still on Windows XP. By the time the Windows 10 equivalent gets released most will be on either Windows 7 or 8, because that is what people will be used to and like.

You just got to think about more than just the next couple of years.

[.Neo]

Apple included video tutorials with OS X' System Preferences so people can quickly learn how to use the different gestures. Is such a thing present in Windows 8? So far I haven't been able to find it.

[Stoffel]

Then make the Metro touch stuff only enable itself when a touchscreen device is detected, throwing all the regular desktop users under the bus just to try and take a tiny sliver of the iPad market, especially those on a desktop pc, is ridiculous.

That's the thing though, a lot of us like Metro and find it very usable, even on a desktop with no touch input.

There is a little learning curve, but once you get it, it's no different then getting things done in Win7

[TheLegendOfMart]

That's the thing though, a lot of us like Metro and find it very usable, even on a desktop with no touch input.

There is a little learning curve, but once you get it, it's no different then getting things done in Win7

A lot of us don't like Metro and don't find it very usable. I have a powerful PC that can run more than 2 apps at a time, why do I need to limit the size of my desktop so I can snap apps that look like they came from Windows 3.11 to a quarter of the screen.

Im not an imbecile, Metro hasn't suddenly made me unable to use my computer, I had a Windows Phone and I detested it, I don't want that crap all over my desktop PC.

[Stoffel]

I can understand what you're saying, but I've never "read up" on an OS before. One of the main functions of a good OS is to be user friendly and intuitive. I've never had to "get used" to a new OS before, and this is what concerns me about Windows 8. You gotta think, the vast majority of Windows users aren't geeks and just want to get whatever they need to do done as quickly and easily as possible. Windows 8 will be a stumbling block towards that.

Don't you think MS will have a Tile on the start screen with tours of the new OS explaining all the new functions and how to use them?

They had those for all windows versions so far. If people don't want to watch them they just might miss out on a lot of cool new features.

I bet you that half the people use Win7 still in the same way they used WinXP

[Bioran]

Apple included video tutorials with OS X' System Preferences so people can quickly learn how to use the different gestures. Is such a thing present in Windows 8? So far I haven't been able to find it.

For the CP, no. I hope they will include one for later releases, though, so that much of these "concerns" we're seeing won't happen.

[WizardCM]

Apple included video tutorials with OS X' System Preferences so people can quickly learn how to use the different gestures. Is such a thing present in Windows 8? So far I haven't been able to find it.

Now this is a curious thought. Tutorials built into the operating system. It could work, but then again how many people have used the Windows XP Welcome screen, where it shows you around the OS? I always saw it as a waste of space.

A lot of us don't like Metro and don't find it very usable. I have a powerful PC that can run more than 2 apps at a time, why do I need to limit the size of my desktop so I can snap apps that look like they came from Windows 3.11 to a quarter of the screen.

Im not an imbecile, Metro hasn't suddenly made me unable to use my computer, I had a Windows Phone and I detested it, I don't want that crap all over my desktop PC.

Then stay on Windows 7, what's forcing you to use Windows 8? Stick with your Windows Mobile 6 device and let the technology advance. :p

[playXray]

Don't you think MS will have a Tile on the start screen with tours of the new OS explaining all the new functions and how to use them?

They had those for all windows versions so far. If people don't want to watch them they just might miss out on a lot of cool new features.

I bet you that half the people use Win7 still in the same way they used WinXP

Yes, but do people want to sit throught that stuff? I don't know anyone who has watched the Windows 7 or Vista tours. People don't want this kind of hassle.

[.Neo]

There is a little learning curve, but once you get it, it's no different then getting things done in Win7

So far I haven't figured out a way to have more than two Metro apps visible at the same time.

Now this is a curious thought. Tutorials built into the operating system. It could work, but then again how many people have used the Windows XP Welcome screen, where it shows you around the OS? I always saw it as a waste of space.

As you can see the tutorials are part of the Mouse and Trackpad preferences, not some welcome screen. I don't see how Apple's implementation is a waste of space. If anything it's extremely convenient. Point being in OS X Snow Leopard and above you have a place to go to where the gestures are visibly explained (instead of just text) without restoring to Googling.

[WizardCM]

So far I haven't figured out a way to have more than two Metro apps visible at the same time.

You're on a desktop computer. Focus yourself on desktop apps. Let the tablet users focus on the Metro apps. It's really not that complicated. Basically, a touch device won't be big enough to handle more than 2 apps at the same time. The goal of Metro is tablets.

Edit: Man, I missed this kind of back-and-forth on forums. It's been a while... :)