Windows 8

VR3

Anyone enjoying Windows 8?

I went knee deep, desktop and phone and man once it is all configured it is pretty freaking sweet...

I am just saying!

RduNC

I agree 100%. I got the Nokia Lumia 822 from Verizon and installed Windows 8 the same day I got the phone. After about a week of getting use to the OS , previous Droid Incredible Win 7 owner, the experience has been silky smooth thus far.

VR3

I have had an IPAD and Android tablet and the Windows 8 experience is better bar none. The ability to have my desktop, (future) tablet, phone seamlessly synced together + Xbox live + any other windows service is incredible...

sucks2beme

It's a Microsoft OS.
Hard to get excited. Good news, the upgrade was cheap.

Syndil

So far, I'm a bit meh on it. And I like Windows.

I have installed two Windows 8 Professional machines for one of my clients so far, a law firm. They have absolutely no use for the Modern UI. In the pre-release version, there was a simple registry edit that would disable Modern UI and bring back the standard desktop. However for the release version, that registry edit has been disabled. The only way to ditch Modern UI is to install a shell replacement, which is a big no-no on machines you don't tinker with.

Seems like MS is forcing Modern UI down people's throats, which is somewhat understandable, since a lot of people won't adapt to change if they don't have to. Oh, I can turn it off? I'll just turn it off then. But since so many of the apps used by businesses are going to run from the standard desktop interface anyway, it seems almost pointless.

I understand the unified experience they're after, and I do like Windows Phone. But to me it really seems like they're pissing on one of their biggest customer bases--business users--by shoving the shiny new Modern UI down their throats.

VR3

I think if the programs for businesses switch to the metro it will be AWESOME.

I am very excited for a metro based office...

Syndil

The problem with that is that there are so many non-mainstream apps that a lot of businesses use... Office will have Modern (not Metro!) UI integration, for sure, since it's MS, obviously. But if you're using very specialized (and expensive) software like Tabs3 or Closers' Choice or Abacus Law... I just don't see those companies being all that motivated to integrate with the Modern UI. They sell software to do serious work, and it's quite obvious when you use it that making it look pretty was of little to no concern. Their tiles will remain inactive, just like an icon. Just a bigger icon on a solid background. And when you click on it, up comes the standard desktop with the taskbar, etc. So what was the point?

I'd actually be more supportive of MS shoving Modern UI down people's throats if it didn't seem so half-assed. But when you can have a tile that takes you to the standard desktop (sans Start button) or when launching a program tile takes you to the standard desktop, it just seems like the Modern UI is tacked on. Which it pretty much is. If they had truly changed the entire experience and replaced the standard desktop with something different--something more Modernish--then it wouldn't seem so half-assed to me. Who knows, maybe they will completely retire the standard desktop in the future.

VR3

Well, good news is next year it is Windows Blue

Syndil

Nothing but rumors about Blue so far. And a lot of them don't make sense, especially given that we're talking about MS, so I'm not holding my breath about any of them.

VR3

Eh, I don't know about Windows Blue but I think MS will move to yearly updates versus 3 years

Syndil

That part doesn't seem too unrealistic, but the rumors about the Blue SDK killing Windows 8 app development... I just can't see it happening.

cnh

Windows 8 will be coming to a computer near me this X-mas! Do I "really" want it? Not sure. Although I'm fairly competent with Operating systems and a reasonably quick study, I don't like having to search for things in NEW places for "no good reason" other than, it's NEW! I don't enjoy playing around with OSs. There are things I want to do, and learning new ways of doing them, is NOT an exciting proposition. Life is different everyday in a way, but if it were completely "different" every day, we would have NO memories and consequently no self. If that's what MS wants. Then I suppose they've achieved it! lol

I really hope I don't "hate" #8! And that I don't need a 1000 patches, drivers, etc. to access all of my "old" (God forbidden things I've done, created in the last decade or two--because that would be "convenient")!

cnh

Syndil

Nah, Windows 8 is not a kernel change. Still Windows 7 under the hood, which in turn is Windows Vista under the hood. They all use the same drivers.

Shizelbs

I have a copy of 8 pro that I need to get around to installing. I got a Surface and will be upgrading to a Win8Phone soon from my Win7.5 phone.

kuntasensei

Installed Windows 8 and immediately installed Classic Shell to put the start menu back. Works like a charm and I get the advantage of both interfaces. I really like it so far. I did learn the hard way, however, that you have to turn off Fast Booting before you make any hardware changes... because the new "shut down" just saves a hibernation image of current RAM activity to the hard drive so it can resume on the next book (which is how it boots so fast now). Just a FYI, 'cause I really screwed the pooch when I tried to add some RAM!

Had a HTC HD7 with WP7.5 on it before, and now I have the HTC 8X with WP8 (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE). The interface still makes more sense for tablets and phones, but it doesn't bother me on my desktop. I'm used to it though. System definitely runs faster with Windows 8 than with 7, so I'm sold.

Fongolio

I'm not hating it so far. The upgrade was the fastest most painless install I've ever done on a windows machine. As soon as I pressed the "desktop" app on the main desktop, my old windows 7 desktop was back. Only thing missing is the start button but that's an easy find.

transmaster

As far as I am concerned Windows 8 is worth the price for the brand new Windows Audio Session API. The new WASAPI as made big time improvement in sound quality from my system. Using the UPnP ethernet (DLNA standard) My Onkyo receiver uses I bypassed my ancient Creative Soundblaster card (soon to be replaced by a ASUS Xonar). My DLNA client is Asset UPnP. Setting the Onkyo in Pure Audio mode which turns the TX-NR708 into an pure integrated stereo amp. I started to listen to my bench mark albums that are either FLAC, or Apple lossless transcoded to WAV. I am extremely impressed. Much better definition, powerful in context bass, clear vocals. crystal clear highs, The 3D effects my Polk Monitor 10B's have always exhibited are enhanced. Windows 8 is one of the cheapest and biggest improvements in my PC based sound system.

I am presently listening to Third Generation, by Hiroshima a very nice world fusion jazz group. flute, Koto's ,vocals, synthesizers. with a powerful foundation of bass guitar and Japanese percussion, which even at moderate volume levels I can feel in my lungs. A beautiful groove.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnECGvbpkK8

AsSiMiLaTeD

I would think that by now the days of OS issues are behind us. To me the switch to Windows 8 should really come down to a matter of preference vs concerns about stability issues. I briefly installed Windows 8 and did not like it, but that's a matter of personal taste, I doubt I'd have any real problems with it though if I liked the interface.

As much as people **** about Apple, you can thank them for this version of Windows being released at what I'd call reasonable prices. They basically forced the hand of MS, once they started doing releases of OSX for $20 MS didn't really have much choice but to follow suit, methinks the days of M$ gauging people $250 for an OS are gone.

maggiefan

I downloaded and installed on Monday, couldn't pass on the $40 price. It will take some getting used to. I'm learning as I go, it's a big change for sure.

transmaster

maggiefan wrote: »

I downloaded and installed on Monday, couldn't pass on the $40 price. It will take some getting used to. I'm learning as I go, it's a big change for sure.

That is the key be patient it took me about a week to get reasonably comfortable with W8. It helps that I have a couple of iPod Touch's so I am used to the "app" look.

Now if you want to have the touch screen experience without the touch screen get one
if these, Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650. I am ordering mine Friday.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/touchpad-t650?crid=7

WilliamM2

transmaster wrote: »

That is the key be patient it took me about a week to get reasonably comfortable with W8. It helps that I have a couple of iPod Touch's so I am used to the "app" look.

Now if you want to have the touch screen experience without the touch screen get one
if these, Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650. I am ordering mine Friday.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/touchpad-t650?crid=7

Looks more like a laptop pad experience than a touch screen experience.

zingo

VR3 wrote: »

Well, good news is next year it is Windows Blue

Windows Blue is a terrible name, and only makes me think of the blue screen of death...

transmaster

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Looks more like a laptop pad experience than a touch screen experience.

If you don't have a touch screen this is as close as you are going to get.

:arrow: Watch the videos: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/articles/win8-t650-gestures

transmaster

All Windows Blue is, is Windows 8 with yearly updates like Apple, and you will still have to have W8 installed. The problem is MS is more for enterprise users then the consumer. Windows 8 is a wild departure for MS that is not setting well with the big corporate customers. I work for the Department of Veteran's Affairs we presently are still using XP-Pro, and next spring we will finally upgrade to W7, Windows 8 is not going to happen anytime soon. Yearly updates are not going to be well received by the big commercial users they are Leary of upgrading because of possible problems with proprietary software. I look for MS support for Windows 7 to be around for a long, long time.

gce

Question, I'm running W7 and want to install W8. Are you guys that have done it having any problems running the programs you had under W7?

Shizelbs

gce wrote: »

Question, I'm running W7 and want to install W8. Are you guys that have done it having any problems running the programs you had under W7?

None so far.

cnh

Syndil wrote: »

Nah, Windows 8 is not a kernel change. Still Windows 7 under the hood, which in turn is Windows Vista under the hood. They all use the same drivers.

Looks like you're right. I got my first taste of W8 last night. Yeah, the interface is different, and will be a snap for an 11 year old getting their first PC with no memory of anything before or desire for it. It also seems, at least to me, totally designed for the mobile phone, device user. The similarities to that interface leave me wondering whether we're computing here or turning our computers into a giant phone? lol I don't particularly like that since I don't use any mobile devices but a cheap-A$$ track phone.

The idea of TILES also seems a little "dated" in the current environment. Reminds me of what happened to icons from the early W 95 on! Mark my words, these "tiles" will be 3D and more complex in no time. Right now they simply remind me of a child's building block face or, more appropriately, what you see on an Android phone (I don't use one).

So my response...is meh! Less difficult than expected. But much adieu about very "little". My institution is "refusing" to offer its faculty PCs with W8 till everything settles. They also find the interface less than good for now?

cnh

transmaster

gce wrote: »

Question, I'm running W7 and want to install W8. Are you guys that have done it having any problems running the programs you had under W7?

No problems and even if you run into an application that doesn't work right you will have a tile come up to tell you there is a problem and it will look at it and advice what to do. What they have done is more-or-less automate the compatibility mode settings for you. Don't even hesitate Despite what you may have heard Windows 8 is a winner. There is considerable howling about no start button if you feel you need there are numerous free ones to download, Don't pay for one! in a short time you will realize the start button is actually getting in the way and you will delete it. here is a free one for you;

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Download-StartW8-a-Free-Windows-8-Start-Menu-App-310156.shtml?utm_source=ForumSoftpedia&utm_medium=ForumSoftpedia&utm_campaign=ForumSoftpedia

transmaster

I am not on the "tiles" screen much I am mostly on the home screen. If it wasn't the fact there is no start button on the surface it looks just like the Firefox home screen I had with XP. Where W8 really shines for me is recoded WASAPI for W8. I have a PC based music system tied into an Onkyo TX-NR709 it has a Ethernet UPnP interface (DLNA standard) I use Asset UPnP as my DLNA client it is a dedicated music only app. Big time improvement in sound.

wayne3burk

My HTC incredible II droid phone crapped out on me. Verizon gave me a Windows8 Phone - Nokia 822 for $2 plus tax (I was upgrade eligible). Honestly I had downloaded the beta version of Windows 8 and had been running it in Oracle VirtualBox and wasn't particularly impressed....

But as a phone OS I'm blown away. It's leaps and bounds better than my old android phone. Look and feel, ease of use, integration. I think it's pretty damn cool.

Guess when I finally get a tablet I'll have to give surface a serious look.

decal

I absolutely hate Windows 8.