Topic: Windows 8 Consumer Preview...

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Anyone else install this? I have it on my laptop, which is a secondary machine for me. I really only use it for internet use (Facebook, TS.com, watching videos).

So far I like it. I know for a fact that Microsoft is going to get crushed worse than ever with complaints by your standard computer illiterate fool. Too many changes which require a little bit of effort to figure out.

Very clever on the standard desktop. I felt like an idiot when I was thinking...why do they have a fish on the desktop? ...and then figured out what kind of fish it was.

Oh...highly recommend a FRESH INSTALL vs. Upgrading. Tried to upgrade at first. Got nothing but problems. Couldn't even really get to the desktop before it shut off due to an error.

[flipp]

Downloaded it this morning but will wait til next week to install it (since the Developer's Preview I've been using for the last three months or so expires). I'll do a fresh install on a small hard-drive and hope it recognizes all the data I've dumped on a different drive while using the DP.

Initial reactions to the DP were loathing of the Metro interface but that was easily disabled since I don't have a touch screen and therefore the Metro is of no interest to me. Once I got it to a semblance of a recognizable desktop (I'm still using XP when I boot into Windows which is usually only for audio work) it quickly grew on me. Several new items on the Start menu and a LOT more customization available, again comparing to XP. I suspect users of W7 won't find as drastic differences as I did.

While there are one or two bugs features I don't care for and haven't figured out how to fix or disable, I must say for this MS hater to admit he actually likes this latest release is quite an accomplishment on MS's part. I'm looking to see what has changed since the DP and hope it isn't a step backward.

[Gordon]

I love windows 7 and have no use (or desire) for Metro (unless I had a tablet running it).  so I don't really see any reason to change from 7.

[dorrcoq]

I love windows 7 and have no use (or desire) for Metro (unless I had a tablet running it).  so I don't really see any reason to change from 7.

Hell, I have Windows 7 on a laptop, but still greatly prefer XP.

[spyder9]

I love windows 7 and have no use (or desire) for Metro (unless I had a tablet running it).  so I don't really see any reason to change from 7.

Agreed.  Metro appears to be designed for kindergartners.  The first time I looked at it, was the first time I ever entertained getting a Mac.  Looks like a wild desperate act to maintain its dominance.  Windows 8 says, "all chips are in."  It defeated Linux and Lion, but MS miscalculated Android and iOS' impact.  If it fails, it will be the slippery slope to oblivion.........

"I'm spyder9 and I'm a PC"

[Chilly Brioschi]

When iOS and Mac OS merge and become BSD Unix Lynx Kitten we'll all regret ever having learned any Windoze at all.       

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I've always thought the Start Menu was a mess...or at least it's hard to not turn it into a mess.

Metro (IMO) it's much easier to have your go to apps well organized (or in my case my secondary apps since I put my main apps in the toolbar).

That being said...I prefer Ubuntu at this point. Only time I fire up Windows is for the occasional task I can't do in Linux (which is pretty much limited to audio editing and watching Netflix).

[flipp]

I thought my Developers Preview was set to expire yesterday. It worked yesterday and this morning. Curious, I ran winver and now see that it expires 2013-01-15 so I won't be upgrading anytime soon unless I find an unfixable bug. I did a few searches and found that one of the MS updates extended the expiration date. I also found a few places that have some nice tips and tutorials; perhaps the best one is http://www.eightforums.com/. If you have a problem with either the DP or CP, check that link for help.

[rastasean]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=v4boTbv9_nU
How Real People Will Use Windows 8

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=v4boTbv9_nU
How Real People Will Use Windows 8

That is awesome.

I'll have to try that with my Mom. Might give it a go with my Dad too, but he was an electrical engineer...so I'm willing to bet he can figure it out...eventually.

[spyder9]

The Great Mobile War has begun.........

Windows 8 Phone

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/microsoft-introduces-windows-phone-8/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/20/editorial-engadget-on-windows-phone-8/



Windows 8 Tablets: Surface RT and Pro

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-surface-tablets-the-differences-between-rt-and-window/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/19/watch-microsofts-surface-keynote-online/

[robeti]

I love windows 7 and have no use (or desire) for Metro (unless I had a tablet running it).  so I don't really see any reason to change from 7.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Went to Best Buy to check out Windows 8 on devices designed for it....WHOA! Big changes vs. what I installed on my laptop earlier this year.

Tried out the Lenovo Yoga 13. Very very nice. Super easy to use with the touch screen.

Might have to go down to the Microsoft Store this week to get a better rundown of everything from someone that isn't an idiot (ie Best Buy employees).

I showed my Dad (electrical engineer) Windows 8 on my old laptop and had him try to log in and then shut off the computer. It took him a LONG time to figure out how to do either. The touchscreen along with a little training should make it easy for the dumbest of the dumb to run this thing.

If Windows 8 with a touchscreen catches on, I predict good things for MS. Before I tried it with hardware designed for it I predicted Microsoft's demise. 180 degree difference with the right hardware.

[tim in jersey]

I've always thought the Start Menu was a mess...or at least it's hard to not turn it into a mess.

Metro (IMO) it's much easier to have your go to apps well organized (or in my case my secondary apps since I put my main apps in the toolbar).

That being said...I prefer Ubuntu at this point. Only time I fire up Windows is for the occasional task I can't do in Linux (which is pretty much limited to audio editing and watching Netflix).

^This, except I'm running Mint Cinnamon and I do my audio editing in Linux.

[flipp]

Still running the DP on my other box. Tried the CP and a few other incremental releases but always returned to the DP as more and more functions got deleted or were no longer user customizable. I have yet to try W8 on hardware designed for it; I'll probably hit one of the local stores during this coming week to get a look at the new OS on new hardware. Not in the market to replace either desktop any time soon but thought I should at least give W8 a good workout to see if it'll be on the list when it is time to replace the current setups. In the meantime I'm happy with the various Linux distros I use for my everyday needs.

[spyder9]

I played with W8 at a Best Buy last night.  Very fast and smooth on the new hardware.  Windows RT tablet is amazing too.  Perfect for work.  Just needs more apps.     

That said, I did not like the touch screen laptops, for I never felt compelled to use the keyboard.  Waste.  The GUI is their biggest change since Windows 95 debuted, IMO.  It will take time for me to adapt.  GUI feels "hollow".  The screens will need customization, which is what W8 brings.   Overall, I think its innovative and Microsoft needed to do this to stay on top of Apple and Google.  I did not come away disappointed.  On the contrary, it made me consider Apple as another viable option for my future computing.  I checked out a Macbook Pro to compare W8 to Mountain Lion.  It's GUI left me with the same "WTF" look on my face.     

[Gordon]

here's a hell of an update from my post in march.  I wrote this a few days ago.  I've since changed the start menu option to start8. cost $5 and works great.  you can boot to the desktop but still easily access "metro apps".  lots of other great features as well.

I've also ditched the dual boot and went all win 8 on my laptop!  I honestly thought I would hate it but I'm impressed.  that said I've spent most of the time in the desktop.  I do have and use some metro apps.

I got the $40 upgrade version from Microsoft.  I planned to set up a dual boot on my laptop with windows 7.  since it's an upgrade another version of windows HAS to be on the partition you are installing win 8 on.  so I had to install another win 7 on the second partition to then "upgrade".  kind of a pain but it worked great and I now have a dual boot system.

I went in with an open mind and it's not that bad.  like it or not this is the future of OS's.  hell even chrome now has "apps" when you open the browser.  that said first thing I did was get the start menu for the desktop back using ViStart, got google search and chrome for "metro".  Still figuring my way around "metro" but it's not that hard with a keyboard and mouse.  obviously it would be better as touch but it's not bad.

what I do like about "metro" is having news, weather etc right there as soon you start.  you can easily uninstall or hide any of the apps that come with it and add others.

some other things I like better:

it's fast!

windows explorer!  I like the menu options within a folder a lot.  most everything you would need to do with a rightclick is right there above you.

the task manager is way better.  way more useful information.

battery life on laptop seems better with the same power settings.  that is probably due to lack of aero.

I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about!  you can easily go to and from the desktop that we are all familiar with.  yes the start menu is gone but that is easily fixed.  you are not locked into using their apps for everything.  simply install what you want on the desktop portion.  that said I do think the "metro" ui is useful in it's own way.

[Gordon]

oh and damn shutdown and startup is fast!    faster than my ssd in my win 7 build (boot and shutdown I mean, not drive speed itself).  I had read this and didn't experience it on dual boot.  now that it's single boot (on a 5400 rmp hdd) it's insanely fast.

[spyder9]

Gonna give it a test drive on my old Dell D400 lapper.  It beats all the min reqs.  If I like W8, I'll update my desktop too, but coupled with an SSD upgrade.  My desktop is a Dell Core2Duo Q6600.  Turns 6 years old in three weeks.