Windows 8

[Tim]

Has anybody else got it yet? I am trialling the Evaluation Copy: Build 8250 and all I can say is that it's rather weird compared to all the Windows O/S's since Windows 95.

Totally different when you move away from the Desktop and there is no Start button, so it took me quite awhile to work out how to navigate. It really does seem to be an O/S designed for touchscreens. It also appears quite simplistic on the surface, but I'm sure it isn't underneath. You also need a Microsoft account to do most things, as it all seems to be linked to the 'cloud' and Skydrive.

Very interesting at the moment, my stuff seems to work with it OK, Spotify and Firefox are running OK. Installing was a breeze and took about 30 minutes, with no missing drivers or conflicts, so installation should be simple for most people.

I will have a play around and take some screenshots later if anyone is interested, but I must dash now as I have a gig tonight. I did try to capture the screen earlier, but I cannot find Paint anywhere. Oh, everything is called an 'App' too - very Apple

[keiths]

Tim, Your comments seem to echo everything I've read about Windows 8.

Not likely to be tried here - I've only one PC running Windows out of 5 in the house and that's running XP.

As an aside, you could have been having your first play with this 20 years ago today

[northwest]

Tim, Your comments seem to echo everything I've read about Windows 8.

Not likely to be tried here - I've only one PC running Windows out of 5 in the house and that's running XP.

As an aside, you could have been having your first play with this 20 years ago today

Feck me! Really? Twenty years ago.... I remember it clearly. But not fondly.

[goraman]

I am not taking the leap to Windows 8.
They are forcing this whole cloud computing crap down our collective throats,it's about money and control. By not buying into Win 8 it will send a message spelled out in millions of lost revenue,they can't afford another vista for long ,can they?
With Apple stomping and kicking there Teddy Bear.

[aquapiranha]

I have been using Linux on th PC for a couple of years, only this old laptop is on W7 as the other half likes using office. Mint Linux is free and stable.

[ursus262]

I have been using Linux for over five years ago, having given up on Vista. I still use Linux, but I have a MacBook Pro now. I'll never go back to Windows.

[slate]

Tim, I have been running Win8 for a while. I am also desktop centric, but the trick is to view the Metro interface for what it is: the new Start menu.

Being desktop centric I have removed most of the apps and I have off cause pinned my daily programs to the taskbar.

Some new shortcuts to learn
Desktop ---> Win+D
Metro ----> CTL+ESC
Charms ----> Win+C
Explorer ----> Win+E
Search ----> Win+F
Settings ----> Win+I
App Bar ----> Win+Z
Closing Apps ----> ALT + F4 or Windows + CTRL + TAB
System Programs ----> Win+X or right click the bottom left

[Tim]

Well it's not a hit for me, I think it will be a long time before I switch from Windows 7 and to be honest after that, it may well be Linux or possibly even a Mac
Windows 8 is going to have to go some before I consider it, as I think it's pretty dire right now . . . it took me fecking ages just to find out how to shut it down!

I know it's early days, but at the moment this looks like it might not be too far from the truth

[NRG]

I was going to post exactly the same graphic...there's a large element of truth on there!

[Tim]

BBC News - Three 'flavours' for Microsoft's Windows 8 OS



There's a news item on the BBC site about 8 for any that are interested? I really think Microsoft have missed a trick here, but apparently the developing team are all pleased as punch with their new baby. They should IMO have just tweaked Windows 7 which is universally liked, ditched all the variations and priced one version competitively and released a tablet O/S. So you would just have two versions, one conventional O/S for keyboard and mouse and a touch screen version for tablets etc. I predict this is going to be another bomb and Apple will gain more market share as Windows fans switch to a Mac. I used it for a short while and maybe it will change before final release, but I think the current 'Consumer Preview' version is pants and I'm a PC!

Maybe time to switch to an iMac

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17740566