View Full Version : Anyone use windows 8? - Are you still sane?
The Black Adder
20-11-2013, 19:50
... I've done a bad thing. That is I feel like I've done a bad thing. I feel used and dirty.
Had to get a new lappy and it's come with windows 8.
I have so far tried to come to grips with the functionality but I'm having some real bother.
Firstly the mail app.. (it's a program)
How do I use it? - I mean it's like it's gone back to the mid 90's. It's so clunky that it gets me really angry... lol
Is there recommended mail app (it's a program) that I can run from the desktop without using the f@cking stupid tile system?
I can't open multiple emails
I can't open attachments
I can't drag attachments from the email to another or to a folder
I can't basically do anything apart from compose, send, reply and forward.
Secondly... it doesn't come with even a basic version of Office... WTF!!!!!!
More things to come but the main pain in the crapper is the tile system. What in gods name is going on.
I'd much rather have XP at this rate... or even 3.1. - Shit I'll even have DOS. Anyone got a copy of BBC basic?
I'm wasting away... this is the end of me.. Oh.. god in evan elp me...
I know what you mean Joe, I've had the 'pleasure' of playing with Win 8 and found it to be an absolute nightmare. MS have updated it (8.1) so users who are struggling are able to make it look and behave more like Win 7 with limited success. For example you can bring up a stunted task menu however you won't be able to access a Programs menu from it because there isn't one. If you are really struggling you could always pick yourself up a copy of Win 7 here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64-Bit-Full-Version-SP1-2013-Top-/161118436704?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item2583683d60
I've used W8 and now use W8.1. Love it. You need to update the apps in the Store as the built-in apps like Mail and Calendar have come a long way (and remember, they're designed for touch). Better still, go to the Store and upgrade straight to 8.1, which is better all round.
I upgraded to 8.1 my anti virus stopped working and so I went back to 8, I use Office for mail as I bought office through work for $37. I installed a small program called classic shell and my laptop looks like it has windows 7 running.
Dominic Harper
20-11-2013, 21:08
Windows 8 is the bain of my life. Seriously considering going Mac!
Audioman
20-11-2013, 21:20
... I've done a bad thing. That is I feel like I've done a bad thing. I feel used and dirty.
Had to get a new lappy and it's come with windows 8.
I have so far tried to come to grips with the functionality but I'm having some real bother.
Firstly the mail app.. (it's a program)
How do I use it? - I mean it's like it's gone back to the mid 90's. It's so clunky that it gets me really angry... lol
Is there recommended mail app (it's a program) that I can run from the desktop without using the f@cking stupid tile system?
I can't open multiple emails
I can't open attachments
I can't drag attachments from the email to another or to a folder
I can't basically do anything apart from compose, send, reply and forward.
Secondly... it doesn't come with even a basic version of Office... WTF!!!!!!
More things to come but the main pain in the crapper is the tile system. What in gods name is going on.
I'd much rather have XP at this rate... or even 3.1. - Shit I'll even have DOS. Anyone got a copy of BBC basic?
I'm wasting away... this is the end of me.. Oh.. god in evan elp me...
You can download Windows Live Mail! Anyway how on earth can 8 be as slow unstable and insecure as 3.1. XP never impressed me as it replaced the excellent Windows 2000. Everyone had similar moans about Vista and I found it a great improvement on it's predecessors apart from a few minor quirks. People just won't learn something new when it comes to IT.
Windows 8 is the bain of my life. Seriously considering going Mac!
I went Mac about 5 years ago and have not looked back, however, its not all rosy on the Apple front either these days. Latest MacBooks aren't upgradable like their predecessors and we've had a few hardware issues at work where we didn't seem to have any previously. Mavericks is also a little bit errrrm, unfinished lets say! ;) At home though our MAC Mini, Air and MB pro are all fine....
I'm finding Win 8.1 pretty good although a colleague experienced a really strange issue when his MS office install 'disappeared' when upgrading from 8! We've still not figured that one out yet!
walpurgis
20-11-2013, 21:59
For those of you using Windows 8 unhappily and who would like much of the interface functionality of Windows 7 made available. Click on the link below, you may find it of interest.
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/how-to-make-windows-8-look-like-windows-7-50009546/
mr sneff
20-11-2013, 22:52
The bad reviews of Windows 8 put me off buying another Windows-based laptop, I just didn't fancy getting to grips with yet another new operating system. Bought a Chromebook and I couldn't be happier with it, perfect for email and the web, which is more or less all I want it for. The file system is rather basic and I wouldn't really recommend it for any "serious" work. My wife has my old Windows 7 laptop and I use her old laptop with a "streamlined" XP for streaming music, everybody is happy :)
Stratmangler
20-11-2013, 22:56
Windows 8 is the bain of my life. Seriously considering going Mac!
Mummmyyyyy!!!
The bad man used a dirty word :eek:
Mummmyyyyy!!!
The bad man used a dirty word :eek:
Granny Smith says "stay away from strange men bearing fruit" :D
sq225917
21-11-2013, 01:35
If you run windows 8 buy a little program called start8 from the makers of Stardock. It gives you back a highly configurable windows start menu just like Vista, but you still have the option to long press the windows button for the windows8 desktop- best of both worlds. And of course their Stardock app is an epic OSX style screen dock. I wouldn't be without it.
I maintain 7 PCs and a couple of notebooks. One with Win 8 and the others are Win 7. Windows 8 seems fine and the free upgrade to Windows 8.1 is worth it.
the free upgrade to Windows 8.1 is worth it.
Completely agree. Anyone running W8 should upgrade to W8.1. Remember that you will have to reinstall your applications.
Reinstall applications?
Please explain Martin?
Regards Mike
Your W8 apps will reappear in the Start Screen and just need clicking to download again. Your 'old style' applications will need to be reinstalled. The W8.1 'upgrade' is pretty much a new installation. Use your Microsoft account to carry through most of your settings. IMPORTANT: APPLY ALL WINDOWS UPDATES FIRST.
It is worth it, W8.1 is excellent, very fast and stable.
I've been using Windows 8 for about 6 months now on a new Dell desktop. Don't use any of the Metro interface stuff as I find it of little relevance for pc without a touch screeen and so tend to just use the desktop environment.
Most of the stuff you are familiar with in Win7 is still within Windows 8 but you need to search for it (really quick in Win 8) and then when you have found the program you want right click on it and pin it to to the desktop task bar (not the Start menu) if it is a program you use all the time or alternatively create a desktop shortcut. All the stuff I like such as the old style picture viewer are also still there you just need to go in and set them as your default if that what you want Win 8 to use. I also created a shutdown button on the Start menu for a one click power down.
There is loads of stuff on the web about configuring Win8 the way you want it, or as others have mentioned there a programs you can download such as Classic Shell or Start8 if you must have that traditional look. Lack of a decent in built email client is a pain but there are a plenty of free 3rd party applications out there to choose from. I'm currently using Thunderbird which I'm not a huge fan off but does the job.
Cheers:)
realysm42
21-11-2013, 08:44
8.1 is great.
The Black Adder
21-11-2013, 16:02
Ok.. many thanks guys for the information.
I'm really tempted to go back to 7 but I'll give this another go. I've now updated to 8.1 with all of the other updates. Personally the tile screen is still a clunky feature and believe it's more style over function. If it's been designed for swiping then I'm stuffed as my lappy doesn't have a touch screen. Also, why not call it 'Windows 8 - Touch' if this was the main point to the hugely fundementals of the UI change?
I've no probs with the stability (btw. ref to 3.1 and BBC Basic was a joke) .lol - in fact its superbly quick but because it's not got office and then a new uncalled for UI re-designed front end begs the question... why should I try?
25 years in computer games teaches one to 'never' change a widely acknowledged and liked UI... lots try but fail and revert.
So I'm going to give it another go... swipe me lucky... lol
but because it's not got office
I'm puzzled by this, Joe. No version of Windows has ever come with Office, it's always been an extra package. However, the Home/Student version is quite inexpensive.
Of course one could always wait for Windows 9 to appear. Rumour has it that 9 will appear around April next year and that MS will drop the Metro gui completely for this release due to its unpopularity. There are always going to be those who applaud change for changes sake however it is undeniable that Metro is disliked by the vast majority of Windows users therefore MS have decided that the needs of the many far outweigh the needs of the few.
I'm not convinced unless they are going to take a dual path for product development, since touch is not going away.
Even Server 2012 and 2012 R2 have the Modern (no longer called Metro) interface. Somewhat bizarre, but it doesn't detract from the fact that Server 2012 R2 is an absolutely superb product (it shares its core with W8.1).
I'm not convinced unless they are going to take a dual path for product development, since touch is not going away.
Even Server 2012 and 2012 R2 have the Modern (no longer called Metro) interface. Somewhat bizarre, but it doesn't detract from the fact that Server 2012 R2 is an absolutely superb product (it shares its core with W8.1).
From what I understand Martin, MS are fielding a record number of complaints concerning Win8, and it is not only over the Metro gui, there are also many driver issues apparently. Added to that the larger PC manufacturers are putting a lot of pressure on MS because they are losing sales hand over fist due to Win8's unpopularity. My guess is that Win9 will be a development of Win7 which will include Win8's best bits...
My guess is that Win9 will be a development of Win7 which will include Win8's best bits...
Frankly there's b all difference between 7 and 8 for most users if they avoid metro. Metro is great even on a typical laptop if you just have a few apps you normally access. I really don't understand all the gripes.
The Black Adder
21-11-2013, 19:51
I'm puzzled by this, Joe. No version of Windows has ever come with Office, it's always been an extra package. However, the Home/Student version is quite inexpensive.
Ah, yes.. lol I remember now. I installed with the service packs in the past so I installed office as a matter of course...
The Black Adder
21-11-2013, 19:54
Frankly there's b all difference between 7 and 8 for most users if they avoid metro. Metro is great even on a typical laptop if you just have a few apps you normally access. I really don't understand all the gripes.
My gripe with the metro is that it's too clunky. it takes you away from and detaches you from the most important thing which is the desktop.
Everything you need should 'run from' and be available on/from the desktop. Even if it's a menu, if it's not accessible from the desktop and takes you away from your working area in my opinion is simply bad design.
My gripe with the metro is that it's too clunky. it takes you away from and detaches you from the most important thing which is the desktop.
That's blasphemy according to some Joe, apparently we need to get with the program coz we are plain wrong... :lol:
walpurgis
21-11-2013, 19:58
Has nobody tried the 'Classic Shell' free download that adds a Windows 7 style start menu to Windows 8? I did point out a link in this direction a few posts back.
I don't use Windows 8, so obviously I haven't tried it myself.
The Black Adder
21-11-2013, 20:00
Hi Geoff.
Yes, thanks for that. I'll take a butchers.
Cheers
The Black Adder
21-11-2013, 20:03
That's blasphemy according to some Joe, apparently we need to get with the program coz we are plain wrong... :lol:
Haha... It begs the question why are we going backwards in OS design. I remember IBM Warp... it was generally quite well designed but it was only good for people who loved to still use floppy discs to transfer files as far as I remember it no LAN feature... windows did.
walpurgis
21-11-2013, 20:40
I don't know about going backwards, but a lot of people would have been happy to carry on using XP indefinitely. Shame MS support is ended.
Has nobody tried the 'Classic Shell' free download that adds a Windows 7 style start menu to Windows 8? I did point out a link in this direction a few posts back.
I don't use Windows 8, so obviously I haven't tried it myself.
I do as mentioned in post #4
walpurgis
21-11-2013, 21:13
I do as mentioned in post #4
Ah, I missed that. How do you find it?
I remember IBM Warp...
So do I, and OS/2 Presentation Manager.
Anyway, Xerox started it all...
This explains Everything...
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-S5mAVQQ9-quRMJ5xWvrQ_tp7shmTJ-KwgezxzRlrR7S7y8TU3A
Give me windows 3.1 anyday! 95 was best, 8 takes some getting used to, 8,1 is better imo
3.1 was a wrapper over MS-DOS, it wasn't even a proper operating system. Neither were 95 or 98. It's all very well looking back in nostalgia, but those were hopelessly crippled operating systems compared with the beauty and power of 8.1.
Careful, or Andr'e will be here in a minute to wax lyrical about an original copy of GEM.
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