windows 8 Do you like or hate Windows 8?

[Hum]

I do not hate Windows 8 -- I just have no use for it. :p

[Subhadip]

SK[' timestamp=1344272011' post='595065739]

Am I alone here in looking forward to Windows 8? :(

Not at all. Just not as vocal.

[MorganX]

Motivation for change was Microsoft's interests, not necessarily customer need. Though Metro on Tablets was needed, and will be useful to many on the desktop, the tried and true MS supporters feel bent over by being forced to make compromises for Microsoft's needs and consumer users and MS has given them nothing in Windows 8 for their loyal support and MVP-ness over the years.

Now we start reinvesting again, part of what MS wants, more revenue stream for shareholders.

However, in and of itself, the changes are not that bad, and could potentially be very good. They will be great on tablets.

For shutting down, hitting the physical power button also turns off the computer. So no need to complain about a "hidden" power icon.

Also ACPI support gets better and better. My PC is sleeping and waking up more stably than ever. I actually do not turn it off, and it always wakes up. With Win 7 it was hit and miss.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

No offense, than why are you posting? Yes, you can clear IE. No, the calendar app is tied to your Microsoft ID.

This is not correct. You can install any calendar app you want, and the built-in one supports other calendar services (Settings -> Accounts).

Um, using what APIs? Yes, it is a MSFT issue, because the only third-party programs allowed on ARM-based Windows are Metro apps (which, BTW, are not native code).

They absolutely can be native code (or managed, or JS, or a mix). That's up to the developer to decide.

[Setnom]

You need to read my post again and this time try to understand what I said.

I understood you just right. There's no way around Metro, it's always there, wether we want it or not: "The only metro thing you are forced to use...."

[Brandon Live Veteran]

Weather on Metro - Stop what I'm doing and go to the start screen. And then go back to the app that I was in... which is a bit tricky without a taskbar. Whatever the case, there are definitely some clicks involved here.

Huh? How is this tricky? You can always dismiss Start exactly the same way you invoked it (i.e. hit the Windows key again, or click in the lower-left again). And you can always go back wherever you were before by clicking in the upper-left.

[Windows Nashville]

I don't hate Windows 8. But reading the unending stream of condescending, dismissive, belligerent and arrogant comments in these threads might be encouraging people to hate the Windows 8 evangelists who keep posting them.

[Windows Nashville]

Macs will be in for a change soon. They'll need it to stay afloat.

Yes. I'm sure that changing their OS to compete with a failed product (Windows 8) is the kind of savvy business decision that Apple would make.

[BajiRav]

I understood you just right. There's no way around Metro, it's always there, wether we want it or not: "The only metro thing you are forced to use...."

Ok so you started reading that sentence but did you reached till the end where I said "...there is not much metro left in it."

[FloatingFatMan]

Ok so you started reading that sentence but did you reached till the end where I said "...there is not much metro left in it."

Believe it or not, those that hate Metro are not interested in the "not much metro left in it" part. They don't want ANY part of metro, at all, period. Saying there's just a little bit left is totally ignoring their point. They do not want it at all.

Personally, I think that's a silly attitude as it's not going to go away, but it's their choice and right to not want it.

[chrisj1968]

Win7 was a blessing from what I experienced from Vista. Here's an problem I see. Windows8 seems to have been built more for tablets than the desktop. To me, there's no logical explanation for the change to the metro UI. I've read threads whereby Win8 boots directly to the Metro UI. The Metro interface was already designed for tablets.

I could care less about touchscreens, tablets and all the new fancy stuff. Windows is a Pc centric OS.Now it seems that windows is trying to be "everything to everybody" and this might lead to "being nothing to anybody."

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

SK[' timestamp=1344272011' post='595065739]

Am I alone here in looking forward to Windows 8? :(

Nope. I found it a little cumbersome at first, but now I've gotten used to it, shortcut keys included, I love it. Can't wait for RTM. It'll be much more impressive when there are some actual quality apps to run in it. Multi monitor support is great. I have desktop on my main 24" monitor, and metro stuff on my other 19" monitor for messaging/email, news, etc.

Sad but true.

Comment fail.

[+Warwagon MVC]

For shutting down, hitting the physical power button also turns off the computer. So no need to complain about a "hidden" power icon.

On an old computer it does. The default action of the power button on new computers is sleep.

Win7 was a blessing from what I experienced from Vista. Here's an problem I see. Windows8 seems to have been built more for tablets than the desktop. To me, there's no logical explanation for the change to the metro UI. I've read threads whereby Win8 boots directly to the Metro UI. The Metro interface was already designed for tablets.

but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but Windows Metro UI is not a touch interface!!!!!! :laugh: As all the pro w8 keep telling us when we bitch about it on the desktop.

[Astrum]

It is not even Metro anymore as per Mr. Thurrott. Now it is called "Windows 8 UI", that (I guess) could disappear till the next release.

[giantpotato]

On an old computer it does. The default action of the power button on new computers is sleep.

but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but Windows Metro UI is not a touch interface!!!!!! :laugh: As all the pro w8 keep telling us when we bitch about it on the desktop.

So change the action from sleep to shutdown. Problem solved.

[xankazo]

Not THIS again!!!

[BajiRav]

but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but...but Windows Metro UI is not a touch interface!!!!!! :laugh: As all the pro w8 keep telling us when we bitch about it on the desktop.

I don't want to defend anyone but I think "pro w8" people tell you that it is not "touch only" interface and you can use it equally well with kbm.

[MDboyz]

Easy choice, then don't use it. There are many OS out there, choose the one you like.

For me, waiting 'till Oct is killing me ... Can't they just release Win8 right now.

Because I don't want to use Metro in Windows 8, and they're forcing me to.

[Motoko.]

Because Metro is inconsistent and dumbed down compared to Aero.

[Windows Nashville]

Not THIS again!!!

Windows 7 is back ... and this time it's personal.

[Eric Veteran]

[Threads merged]

[BoDEAN]

Easy choice, then don't use it. There are many OS out there, choose the one you like.

For me, waiting 'till Oct is killing me ... Can't they just release Win8 right now.

Windows 8 was released, have you not read the recent TECH NEWS? It's leaked, and on the internet/newsgrops. Sheeeesh

[VivM]

Motivation for change was Microsoft's interests, not necessarily customer need. Though Metro on Tablets was needed, and will be useful to many on the desktop, the tried and true MS supporters feel bent over by being forced to make compromises for Microsoft's needs and consumer users and MS has given them nothing in Windows 8 for their loyal support and MVP-ness over the years

The problem with Metro is that it takes a platform used for PRODUCTIVITY and shoved a UI that's absolutely ill-suited onto it.

If Steven Sinofsky got fired tomorrow, he could not apply for another job using Metro. Full stop. He wouldn't have a word processor in which he could write his cover letter and resume. He wouldn't be able to multitask and have his cover letter in one window, and the job ad he's applying for in another window on the screen at the same time. He couldn't combine multiple files into a single PDF to send an employer. Etc. Would the email client even let him send an attachment?

Microsoft tried experimenting with alternative non-productivity interfaces before, e.g. Media Center. Those interfaces were kept locked up in a box until the user wanted them.

But in Windows 8, the non-productivity, 'let's browse Facebook/maps/music stores/etc on a 10.1" 1366x768 screen' interface is front and center. Not kept in a little box. Front and center. And it never really goes away (try connecting to a WiFi network from the desktop! Oh look, the whole right of your screen is taken up by a Metro-flavoured network connection tool. Try opening a music/movie file from the desktop... the default media player is the METRO one. And the lock screen that expects a SWIPE gesture... with a mouse.). Yes, with some effort, you can minimize your encounters with Metro, but it never fully goes away.

Windows, for TWO DECADES, was a platform for productivity computing. Writing resumes or school papers. Writing the next great American novel. Designing the next large jet aircraft. Coding the next Facebook or Flickr. Etc. Every day, hundreds of milion of people go to work/school/etc and use Windows to create things (even if they're only TPS reports). Now that platform is buried behind an interface for 10.1 1366x768 screens.

[MorganX]

But in Windows 8, the non-productivity, 'let's browse Facebook/maps/music stores/etc on a 10.1" 1366x768 screen' interface is front and center. Not kept in a little box. Front and center. And it never really goes away (try connecting to a WiFi network from the desktop! Oh look, the whole right of your screen is taken up by a Metro-flavoured network connection tool.

You don't have to use any apps. Once you boot, Win-D to go to desktop and you will rarely see the Start Page. Everything else is the same re: desktop environment. Yes, all these little nuisances are a drag. But if good Metro apps ever show up, and there are great tablets and convertibles like the Surface, it just may be worth the annoyances on the desktop. It's early.

Try opening a music/movie file from the desktop... the default media player is the METRO one.

Agreed. But I give them credit, it's easy to change which app opens media files when more than one app is available. I love the Metro notifications.

And the lock screen that expects a SWIPE gesture... with a mouse.). Yes, with some effort, you can minimize your encounters with Metro, but it never fully goes away.

I love the lock screen on my desktop. No more third party utils for a custom logon/lock screen. I was upset just like you until I realized you don't have to swipe. Hit any key or click the mouse button. No swipe. And yes, all of this confusion and discovery is Microsoft's fault.

[VivM]

But in Windows 8, the non-productivity, 'let's browse Facebook/maps/music stores/etc on a 10.1" 1366x768 screen' interface is front and center. Not kept in a little box. Front and center. And it never really goes away (try connecting to a WiFi network from the desktop! Oh look, the whole right of your screen is taken up by a Metro-flavoured network connection tool.

You don't have to use any apps. Once you boot, Win-D to go to desktop and you will rarely see the Start Page. Everything else is the same re: desktop environment. Yes, all these little nuisances are a drag. But if good Metro apps ever show up, and there are great tablets and convertibles like the Surface, it just may be worth the annoyances on the desktop. It's early.

And why can't they offer Windows 8 Tablet Edition on the 'great tablets and convertibles' and give my ol' desktop with dual monitors an OS that's optimized for it?

Make Metro like Media Center on the desktop. Run the Metro apps windowed, surrounded by the native serious Win32 apps.

Try opening a music/movie file from the desktop... the default media player is the METRO one.

Agreed. But I give them credit, it's easy to change which app opens media files when more than one app is available. I love the Metro notifications.

It's easy, sure, but again, WHY should I be doing extra work to get around the fact that this OS is designed for something else? Why does Microsoft think that someone who is using the desktop to open a music file wants to play it in a full screen interface? Why do you have to redo the associations in order to, say, play music while doing serious work in the desktop.

Oh, and if you open something with an unrecognized extension from the desktop, you get this weird Metroesque non-dialog dialog in the middle of the screen that asks you what you'd like to open it with.