Windows 8 is the first OS that made me downgrade

[Beyond Godlike]

Got a spare hour? Grab a couple of beers and sit down, chill, and have a laugh at the truth.... (Warning that swearing is rife in this) :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMJfc_sy4NI&feature=g-hist

Skimming through that, its changed my opinion. Some of his complaints, like needing to sign into the Win8 store are stupid..Apple and Google make you do that to. But the UI is missing alot of things for new users and yeah...

[Roxkis]

And most of you KNOW why the change took place so rapidly - tablets and slates, and Android in particular. You know it and yet you expect Microsoft to ignore it, when Android is, in fact, taking marketshare (not just mindshare) from Windows right now? Are you that selfish?

So Microsoft's answer for android is alienating its desktop customers? That doesn't seem like a good answer at all.

[Dot Matrix]

So Microsoft's answer for android is alienating its desktop customers? That doesn't seem like a good answer at all.

If the desktop is still there, and upgraded in Windows 8, how are they alienating desktop users?

[giantpotato]

I just installed a brand new hard drive, and what did I do with it? INSTALLED WINDOWS 7. Like a boss.

I'm sure Microsoft is shivering in their knickers that 1 more person has decided not to buy Windows 8.

(Point is, nobody cares what you use. Pick something and use it, but for the love of God, don't tell us about it.)

You tell everyone what you're using, then immediately say not to tell people what we are using because noone cares. Do you not see how hypocritical that is? :/

[Roxkis]

If the desktop is still there, and upgraded in Windows 8, how are they alienating desktop users?

By making desktop users have to use a touch screen environment at all (when using a mouse/trackpad/trackball).

(EX. Startscreen, charms bar)

[articuno1au]

This thread is full potato.

This topic is truly getting stupid.

[Scorbing]

This is exactly my point on Windows 8. Again...Windows 8 is a tablet OS, not a desktop OS. Chris Pirillo nails it and he is right. He explains on this video exactly what I am trying to say.

WINDOWS 8 is a BIGGER DISASTER than VISTA says ZOHO CEO

[PGHammer]

If the desktop is still there, and upgraded in Windows 8, how are they alienating desktop users?

I'd like an answer to that myself - especially since I've been using it strictly on a desktop.

Maybe he means desktop-only (as in the form-factor, as in those that don't own any sort of portable computer) in that sense.

If you don't own (and more tellingly, don't support) portable computer users, then you'd have little idea (more likely than not NO idea) the issues (especially with both battery life and resolution) that portable computer users face.

Because I'm seeing folks replace (not augment) their desktop computers with portables (notebooks in particular), I'm keenly aware of the issues as far as battery life and graphical resolution on portables. (Note that tabets and slates aren't in the picture.) WinRT (both apps and games) is a breath of fresh air for portable computers for the exact reasons why WinRT is an issue on the desktop side - portable computers don't support resolutions as tall as desktop computers in the first place because they don't have the screen size that desktops do. That's the OTHER reason why I think that Windows 8 won't fail (even as an upgrade) - the traditional portable market; if anything, Windows 8 is a better fit for this sort of hardware than Windows 7 - and that is *entirely* due to WinRT. All those portables that shipped originally with Windows 7 Home Premium, and a surprising number that even shipped with Vista Home Premium (especially in x64) can get a new lease on life with Windows 8. (And yes - 8 Pro RTM will even upgrade from Vista; personally tested and proven.)

A lot of the criticism of Windows 8 is based on the assumption that all Windows computer users are like the critic - that isn't the case, and likely never has been. Windows users are a very polyglot lot - they use it on all sorts of different hardware combinations, desktop and portable. That is, in fact, why Windows has been historically a very multi-purpose/multiple-input-supporting operating environment, then later operating system. Windows - more than any other operating system (yes, that includes Linux and OS X) is the original equal-opportunity OS.

What Windows 8 does is (more because of, not despite, the radical UI change) re-confirm that.

[scaramonga]

This thread is full potato.

This topic is truly getting stupid.

Why?

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

WinRT (both apps and games) is a breath of fresh air for portable computers

I'm sorry, but, no, is really is not. Forced fullscreen computing (to me) is just as annoying on a portable laptop computer as it is on a desktop computer.It's really only once you get down to tablet sizes (i.e. ~10") where it makes sense to never show any more than a single application on screen (and even then it is annoying at times, I find using the iPad). And the long paths that the cursor has to travel in WinRT are much more annoying with a trackpad than with a Mouse actually.

Admittedly, some users may feel differently about that. Leaving the task of window management behind may indeed be welcomed by users who aren't quite as comfortable using computers. So, fair enough.

[grayscale]

As for TECHNICAL reasons for the start menu. The next time you buy a car and its missing part of the engine software let the dealer know that its only TECHNICAL.

But wait it looks like a car, it smells like a car but its still BROKE!

Now to the real point. Windows 8 is what it is. It sure won't top Windows 7 by any means.

Those who like it do nothing with it those who hate it know how to use it!

The whole idea to Windows as I said before is a user experience. The user is suppose to have options to make it into their own.

Windows has always been an evolution some for the better, some for worse but this is a complete step back.

Just because you don't like it does not mean it's broken. So I don't think that the engine software analogy applies here. It's ugly (which is subjective) but it's not broken.

I'm sorry, but, no, is really is not. Forced fullscreen computing (to me) is just as annoying on a portable laptop computer as it is on a desktop computer.It's really only once you get down to tablet sizes (i.e. ~10") where it makes sense to never show any more than a single application on screen (and even then it is annoying at times, I find using the iPad). And the long paths that the cursor has to travel in WinRT are much more annoying with a trackpad than with a Mouse actually.

Admittedly, some users may feel differently about that. Leaving the task of window management behind may indeed be welcomed by users who aren't quite as comfortable using computers. So, fair enough.

Which is again, why you still have the desktop. No one is forcing people to use Metro applications. Window management is still the same as before.

[grayscale]

-double post-

[registradus]

I downgraded too, but I'm hoping it was just some bugs in the Release Preview. I really like the new aero-less design, and it boots really fast. But I can't see the point of the Metro interface on a desktop PC. If there was a way to turn it off, or boot straight to desktop I would be much happier. Also, pretty much every game I tried to play on it crashed...

Which is again, why you still have the desktop. No one is forcing people to use Metro applications. Window management is still the same as before.

It doesn't force you to use the apps, but it does force you to use the Start screen. Everytime you boot, and every time you press the start button.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

Relax, windows 7 is still a great OS. No one is forcing you to use or even like windows 8.

[grayscale]

It doesn't force you to use the apps, but it does force you to use the Start screen. Everytime you boot, and every time you press the start button.

I was commenting about window management and having a single app per screen.

I like the new Start screen but I do understand and see the point of those who don't because it's full screen.

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

Relax, windows 7 is still a great OS. No one is forcing you to use or even like windows 8.

THIS!!

If you don't want Windows 8, no-one is forcing you. I DO want Windows 8, mostly because the upgrade is ridiculously cheap and I actually enjoy the experience.

[JaredFrost]

I wouldn't say Windows 8 is the first version that made me downgrade, but it is the first version I have zero interest

in upgrading to, so I'll hold on to my Windows 7, hell even my Windows Vista licenses before I get Windows 8.

And if this UI stays, when the time comes and Windows 7 wont work for me, I'll find something else, pretty simple.

[hagjohn]

No, Its right!, why? because its always there!, hiding away in the background and waiting to pounce should you hit the wrong (or right) key, or unless you 'swipe', it will come back to haunt you again.

I was a Windows 'fanboy' up until I tried this 'bleep', but now I couldn't care less really, all is lost I'm afraid. I'd rather have my teeth pulled one by one, day in and out, without anaesthetic, than sit in front of that, day in and out, would be less painful.

That's fine. I'm using it on a daily basis and it's not bothering me at all.

[CG-88]

THIS!!

If you don't want Windows 8, no-one is forcing you. I DO want Windows 8, mostly because the upgrade is ridiculously cheap and I actually enjoy the experience.

Exactly my opinion as well.

Windows 7 isn't going anywhere, if you don't want to use W8 because you dont like it then just simply dont use it.

I for one will definitely be upgrading as I think it looks awesome and IMO performs well, but I'm coming at it from a different approach.

I haven't used a computer for anymore than some gaming and basic functions any normal user would do for a few years now, so all the functionality and benefits of W7 has gone out the window.

But now that I am very much back into software development and getting back to the advanced user I used to be what better way to start than with a brand new OS? :D

It's all personal preference but I'm not going to post stuff like " why arent you upgrading, windows 7 is ****!!!!" :D

[MDboyz]

Maybe we need to compile a list of people crying about Win8, and won't upgrade to it. Then check back couple months later after the release of Win8 in Oct, and see where they are by then. :) ...

[CG-88]

Maybe we need to compile a list of people crying about Win8, and won't upgrade to it. Then check back couple months later after the release of Win8 in Oct, and see where they are by then. :) ...

Once it has proper full driver support I'm sure alot of people will go to it. And there are probably alot of sheep just reading articles on it and going into windows 8 with a negative attitude already which wont help or not even trying it at all!!

[Vykranth]

Does anyone remember that comic? That was Ctrl-Alt-Del comic on March 31st 2007.

[bryonhowley]

There is ZERO reason NOT to upgrade to Windows 8. The OS is just as easy to navigate as Windows 7 and in some cases easier. Plus all my app's and games run great and most open and run better than Windows 7. Booting and Shutdown times are faster than Windows 7. In short it is a great OS. With any luck Microsoft will be able to stop all of the Start Menu hacks from running at all as they just are not needed at all and will screw up the great design of the UI.

[paperless]

Yeah, for all the people praising windows 7 they should think that for windows to reach the windows 7 state many changes were made. I never understood the aversion to change, there's only a thing or two to get used to and after two hours I was already pretty familiar with it.

If windows 8 fails it will be for the same reason vista 'failed': generalized hysteria against change. Then windows 9 comes, with only a few minor changes compared to windows 8 and it will be praised to the high heavens.

[CG-88]

There is ZERO reason NOT to upgrade to Windows 8. The OS is just as easy to navigate as Windows 7 and in some cases easier. Plus all my app's and games run great and most open and run better than Windows 7. Booting and Shutdown times are faster than Windows 7. In short it is a great OS. With any luck Microsoft will be able to stop all of the Start Menu hacks from running at all as they just are not needed at all and will screw up the great design of the UI.

I agree with you, it is awesome!!

I dont think Microsoft needs to stop menu hacks though, if a user wants it but also wants windows 8 then let them have an addon to get it back as it shows in W7. I do think it would mess with the UI though hence why I dont want any additional extras, i think the UI is great.