Windows 8, anyone like?

I've been running the RTM version for a couple of weeks on my laptop (via TechNet) and it was weird at first but I think I'm starting to like it.
The startup and shutdown speeds are great especially since I have an SSD drive in the laptop.
I'm not really using the new "Start Menu" / Metro or whatever it's called now, I think Microsoft should have made this an option if it doesn't detect a touchscreen during installation.
The hard to find Restart/Shutdown options is a real pain so I've made a Shutdown and Restart button and pinned them to my tasbar for quick access.
The new taskmanager is great as is the copy window when you are copying/moving files, much more useful info.
 
The more I try to use Windows 8 the more I like my Macs and Linux boxes when I get on them. Windows 7 is fast, rock solid and does everything Windows 8 can do, plus its easy to navigate. There was zero need for all the change and new crap. Unless you are on a touch device its less than useless.


@cyabro

If you like the startup and shutdown speeds of win 8 you should see my old Macbook without SSD. Startup was around 20 seconds shutdown was 4.
 
I really can't wrap my hands around windows 8, it just isn't familiar and / or intuitive. I personally think it is a HUGE mistake by Microsoft. Much of the reason users don't switch platforms is the usability and learning curve, and windows 8 WILL require a learning curve.

Look at history.

Microsoft has had a track record of having some really solid OS's...and some clunkers.

For sake of illustration...I'll start with Windows 95....since most here won't remember 3.x or DOS versions.

Win95a...short run, basically all excitement was over the new platform.
Win95b had a VERY long run, got quite stable.
Win95c and d...basically extensions of b....

Windows NT 4...didn't hit home users, and small percentage of power users in business.

Win98....did OK with home users, wasn't adopted in business environment.
Win98SE...did much better with home users, still wasn't adopted in business world much.

Windows ME....horrible, was an abortion of an OS, rushed out at the last minute because the plan for a home user version of Windows 2000 never completed in time.

Windows 2000...This first rehash/update of NT technology didn't do well with home users. Started getting popular in business networks, still didn't hit home users much.

It took Windows XP to take the solid full 32 bit platform to home users....basically their first big taste of NT technology. Can certainly call XP a success.

Vista....similar to 2000, the next rehash/update of NT technology. Stumbled a bit....took a few service packs to get performance better, but too late...garnered a bad rep.

Windows 7..an update of Vista, similar to XP though...finally brought popularity to this platform. I'd call it a success.

So now based on the prior cycle laid out before us...we are due for another next generation...birth..and a general lack of acceptance.
 
I have been running Windows 8 on a virtual machine the past couple of days and just messing around with it. I really and truely don't like it but have learned to accept the fact that machines will be shipped out with them and I will have to learn how to support it for clients in the near future.

I think having on a tablet is nice but dealing with on a non-touch screen PC or laptop is down right frustrating sometimes.
 
I expect to be doing lots of installs of 7 about a day after people bring their new machines home. Or I'll give people the same advice I gave people looking to buy new computers during the Vista days, Get a Mac. Thats what I did.
 
This is my take on Windows OS's. I have a XP desktop at home I use for testing and a laptop, an Optiplex 320 running Vista Ultimate. Vista is a solid OS just didnt get the mainstream support. Works solid for me. 2 desktops and 2 laptops running 7. Beautiful speed. I have Windows 8 installed as a VM. I'm using 8 to get my feet dirty in it before its released next month so I can have a slight advantage. I know for my day job as a PC Technician for a non profit organization, we are not pushing out 8 no time soon because we deployed 7 last year. Users will get confused and alot of tickets will be submitted..lol..
 
Someone notice what happen when you press get more gadget ( Windows Vista and & 7 ...it bring you to this page

"Because we want to focus on the exciting possibilities of the newest version of Windows, the Windows website no longer hosts the gadget gallery.

Gadgets installed from untrusted sources can harm your computer and can access your computer's files, show you objectionable content, or change their behavior at any time
."

Holly crap they turn off customers who are still using their most recent OS ( Windows 7 )

That's bring me to their Metro crap, they are too lazy to have made a version re sizable for our desktop, very nice a Metro crap application on my 30" Dell monitor

Windows 8 is the first step to the Microsoft domination, they want us to rent application hosted on their servers, they want us to save our info on their servers. Peoples have to wake up before it's too late. MS will make the desktop disappear , only Metro crap application, only available at MS store will be usable in a near future, and after you will have to rent the OS , the application and probably your Cloud terminal from Microsoft....what a crap
 
http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/desktop/hp-unveils-windows-8-friendly-touch-pcs/240007013

So OEMs are starting to unveil their new Windows 8 Ready product lines. HP is showing off all in one touch enabled PC with, get this, a keyboard and mouse! PERFECT! Now, when working on something, I can let go of my awful mouse, reach across the desk, glom all over my screen and get it full of finger prints, return to my mouse and keep on working. This is exactly what I WISHED I could do with my PC. I bet the sale of screen cleaner will go through the roof! (Insider trading tip just release BTW)
 
HP has had several touch screen PCs for some years now. They never many sales off of it. And they were crap builds prone to overheating.
 
Well, Windows 8 will probably help boost those all-in-one touch screen sales.
 
I've played around with Windows 8 and inadvertently installed the wrong video driver. Which I noticed first hand, on supporting Windows 8 the F8 advanced boot options are gone.

I also found it funny that the early builds of Windows 8 had the Windows 7 style start menu just disabled and you could enable it via the registry. While in the newest build that feature is removed.

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-working-to-kill-windows-8-start-button-hacks
 
Hello everyone,

After service pack 2 Windows Vista has been very stable for me and I'm still using it as my primary OS (I did disable many services).

I have not played around much with Windows 8 so I cannot comment, but here is a very interesting take from someone (Robert) who apparently has: http://www.askwoody.com/2012/bad-rest-of-stor/

Best wishes,
The Tech Professor
 
I haven't used Win8 but from what I read those who need a pc, usually power users, want the old, familiar start button. The tablet fans will like the Metro. MS turned their back on the power user. Stupid mistake trying to ride Apples train.

I think Apple scared the hell out of MS with the popularity of iwhatevers. Most people don't need a pc. Most people can't operate a pc. Most people just check email and surf so we will lose probably 50% of the pc market to the tablet/smartphone crowd.

MS has done a great disservice to the pc user. I'm used to a mouse and a full size kybd. I don't want to tap or flick a screen. Have Win8 ask a simple question during install and set itself up in PC or tablet mode. Everyone is happy.
 
Hello everyone,

After service pack 2 Windows Vista has been very stable for me and I'm still using it as my primary OS (I did disable many services).

I have not played around much with Windows 8 so I cannot comment, but here is a very interesting take from someone (Robert) who apparently has: http://www.askwoody.com/2012/bad-rest-of-stor/

Best wishes,
The Tech Professor

Yeah I agree about Vista. Its a capable enough OS, post service-packs

The issue was that it was way too immature for release. After the fixes, it works fine in my experience. I think its safe to say that I dont see any machines that are duds because of 'vista issues' these days. Only machines with 1gb ram that suck at running it, but that was the other thing - MS grossly understated the H/W requirements and so many machines came out packaged with inadequate memory for it to run at any kind of useable speed.

The legacy remains though. (Im talking about reputation). I think MS really learned a tough lesson on that one!

.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top