Windows 8 Discussion

[Methos]

With the release of Windows 8 just around the corner, I thought i'd start a thread here for us techies to actually discuss the pros and cons of upgrading to the 'stylish' new OS *rolls his eyes*

So we'll start with a brief rundown so people who aren't overly familiar with the Windows 8 hype can get upto speed...

The new features include things like...

• Bootable Windows To Go USB flash drive
• Internet Explorer 10 will be included both as a Metro-style app, which will not support plugins or ActiveX components, and a desktop version which will maintain legacy plug-in support.
• Ability to sign in using a Microsoft account. This will allow for the user's profile and settings to be synchronized over the internet and accessible from other computers running Windows 8, as well as integration with SkyDrive.
• Two new authentication methods: picture password, which allows users to log in by drawing three gestures in different places on a picture,[42][43] and PIN log in, which allows users to authenticate using a four digit pin.
• Windows Explorer will include a ribbon toolbar, and have its file operation progress dialog updated to provide more detailed statistics, the ability to pause file transfers, and improvements in the ability to manage conflicts when copying files.
• Hybrid Boot will use "advanced hibernation functionality" on shutdown to allow faster startup times.
• Windows To Go will allow Windows 8 to boot and run from a bootable USB device (such as a flash drive).
• Two new recovery functions are included, Refresh and Reset. Refresh restores all Windows files to their original state while keeping settings, files, and Metro-Style apps, while reset takes the computer back to factory default condition.
• Native USB 3.0 support
• A new lock screen
• New Windows Task Manager design
• Xbox Live integration (including Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox Companion)

For those unfamiliar with the new 'metro' interface Windows 8 will be using, basically, this is going to be your next start menu...

Thats right, the old start menu with lovely 'all programs', 'documents', 'pictures' and all that jazz... gone, replaced with the 'metro' interface... and no, sadly i'm not kidding here...

Another move of pure Microsoft 'wisdom', is that Windows 8 will NOT support DVD and BluRay playback... yup, you got that correct... after buying Windows 8, you will actually have to buy another addon from Microsoft to play DVD's or BluRay disks on your computer...

Microsoft says it will not offer DVD support at all, noting... and i quote...

"For optical discs playback on new Windows 8 devices, we are going to rely on the many quality solutions on the market, which provide great experiences for both DVD and Blu-ray."

I'll continue to keep this thread updated over the next 2 months until the major Windows 8 release... but tell me, will any of you guys out there actually be 'upgrading' to Windows 8?

M

 

[Amaris]

At this point, I will not. It feels like a giant step backward in terms of actual desktop functionality. If this were on a tablet, sure, but on my desktop? Nope.

Also, your sig: Lulz.

 

[Methos]

i agree... everything i've seen of this so far feels like Microsoft is shooting itself in the foot repeatedly...

changing the base OS is fine, but removing the stable 'explorer' basics like the start menu and programs tabbing... that's just going to prove confusing for old time windows user to adapt to, and as for the new 'metro' interface, i think it's ugly as sin... it might work as part of a desktop, or on a tablet / phone, but on a desktop, definitely not...

as for removing media playback like DVD and BluRay... screw that... i can live without Windows Media Player no problem, but if they try and force market downloads from Microsoft to enable media playback, i'll either be sticking with Windows 7 or jumping ship to Ubunto very quickly

M

 

[Cutter John]

I'm a loyal Windows user and even I think MS can get stuffed with this thing. Just call it 'Windows for Pads' and give us desktop users a proper OS.

In the meantime, I'll stick with 7.

 

[Methos]

good plan there

M

 

[PurpleBuddha]

I have been testing Windows 8 for a few weeks and am not moved by it. I normally jump on the next OS upgrade fast and even liked Vista.

Windows 8 is annoying. The interface doesn't melt away like it should in a good OS. In a good OS it is about what you can do and not the OS. In Windows 8 is is about the OS. This might work better on a tablet (I don't know). But on my desktop it is just clunky, ugly, and tiresome.

 

[ALF]

The less options they support, the less support they'll receive.
I'm pretty much done with corporations dropping support for things that should be a given... no media playback?
I roll back to XP continuously. It's loyal, lightweight on system resources and still supported by new software. Can't beat that.

On a side note, the new(ish) Xbox live interface is maddening. What a bunch of stupid shit they put in the way of what was before, a very simple UI.
The future of firmware is a gruesome spectacle of greed and pushy terms of service.

 

[Amaris]

i agree... everything i've seen of this so far feels like Microsoft is shooting itself in the foot repeatedly...

changing the base OS is fine, but removing the stable 'explorer' basics like the start menu and programs tabbing... that's just going to prove confusing for old time windows user to adapt to, and as for the new 'metro' interface, i think it's ugly as sin... it might work as part of a desktop, or on a tablet / phone, but on a desktop, definitely not...

Yep. I may buy a tablet PC some day, if I find a real need for one. Otherwise, it's my desktop all the way, and the interface is just horrid when put on a desktop.

When Windows XP came out, I was wary, because I was used to Windows 98. I was even against the new OS for a while. Then they came out with Service Pack 2, and suddenly, Windows XP was much better. That's when I became a supporter and recommended it to customers/friends.

When Windows Vista came out, I was wary (I usually am when a new OS is introduced), but I gave it a chance. Didn't really like it too much. Here comes Windows 7. THIS time, I was cautious, and downloaded the Win7 beta. Loved it. The OS was awesome, and I was thrilled and couldn't wait for it to be released.

Now we have Windows 8. I have the beta, and I'll be installing it on a partition to try it out. From what I've read, and from what I've seen in video, Win8 is just going to suck hard for anyone who isn't using it on a tablet.

as for removing media playback like DVD and BluRay... screw that... i can live without Windows Media Player no problem, but if they try and force market downloads from Microsoft to enable media playback, i'll either be sticking with Windows 7 or jumping ship to Ubunto very quickly

M

And the removal of DVD/BluRay playback? Too much and too far. I watch most of my DVDs on my PC, since my HDTV and my PC monitor are the same size (18.5"). So I prefer watching movies on my PC. That, alone, is a deal breaker, but add in everything else, but add in the extra fees associated with purchasing playback ability, and you just have to wonder whether Microsoft has once again stepped in it face first without looking.

 

[Methos]

exactly... i don't understand why they've decided to remove DVD/BluRay playback from the system... it just doesn't make sense in the long run unless they're going to release their own 'media player' system on the market for an upgrade price... and even then, it's just an idiotic idea...

i'm definitely sticking with 7... don't see Windows 8 offering me anything that i can't already do on 7

M

 

[Venardhi]

Everyone knows you skip every other version of windows. I had hopes for 8, but it just isn't quite there. It is the Vista to what will eventually (hopefully) be a very solid Windows 9.

 

[Methos]

maybe...

Windows 7 has been the best so far, but the base of missing every other one doesn't quite work...

Windows 8 - abysmal

Windows 7 - Great

Windows Vista - more bugs than a bio-warfare factory

Windows xp - Stable and pretty easy to use

Windows ME - Oh god no...

Windows 2000 - Oh god no..

Windows 98 - pretty solid

windows 95 - solid

windows 3.51 - the start lol

M

 

[Cutter John]

Really Methos? I used Win2000 for a good 5-6 years. It always struck me as one of the more stable versions. Agree on the rest though.


The dvd thing isn't really that big a deal for me, as I use VLC as my default player for everything. But as far as I'm concerned, its another sign that this is really an OS for handheld gadgets, with desktop features added as an afterthought.

Now if I were the paranoid type, I'd swear its part of some industry wide plot to push customers away from their desktops and towards buying shiny new pads for their computing needs. Not a bad thing necessarily, but I'd like to be the one to decide when to make the change.

Reminds me of whats being done with dvd. Make all the good features and extras on new releases available on BR only to 'encourage' movie fans to switch formats. And theres nothing that makes me more stabby than companies trying to manipulate how I use my entertainment dollar

 

[Methos]

possibly...

i'd never move fully to a tablet however... i have an android tablet, and my 'phablet' phone thingie... but i don't use them half as much as i use my desktop PC, either for work or leisure...

M

 

[Amaris]

* Installed Windows 8 Beta.
* Used it for about one hour.
* Installed a few programs, played around with settings, tried to play DVD to no avail.
* Came to conclusion Windows 8 Beta is Windows 7 with extra steps to do anything productive, and more restrictions than warranted.
* Uninstalled Windows 8 Beta.
* Bitched at Windows 8 launcher for screwing up boot options.
* Ran Windows 7 Repair.
* Fixed MBR.
* Restarted Windows 7.
* Am content once again.
* Have decided will stick with Windows 7 for certain, at least until next OS.

Seriously, Windows 8 Metro is just a useless albatross as a desktop. I can see it work well as a tablet, but otherwise, no. Just no. Using it as a desktop OS is a bad idea. Also, the title cards when you load each app are just stupid.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Win2K was the version that worked really well vs. it's "sister" WinMe, which is still the biggest piece of crap ever perpetrated on the computer using public.

I agree that Win8 should be called WinTab, or something like that. MS has a version of windows for portable devices like the handhelds here at work, but I wouldn't want it on my desktop either.

At least Win8 should have a customizable UI that allows you to go back to a "classic" view.

 

[Cutter John]

possibly...

i'd never move fully to a tablet however... i have an android tablet, and my 'phablet' phone thingie... but i don't use them half as much as i use my desktop PC, either for work or leisure...

M

I was trying to be charitable with my comments, but yeah, I'll pass on the tablet thing. I like my big 24-inch monitor, fast, high rez game graphics, nice speakers, and hefty keyboard for my big, sausage-like man fingers.

 

[Count Zero]

as for removing media playback like DVD and BluRay... screw that... i can live without Windows Media Player no problem, but if they try and force market downloads from Microsoft to enable media playback, i'll either be sticking with Windows 7 or jumping ship to Ubunto very quickly

Firstly, it's called Ubuntu.

Secondly, Blu-Ray playback on any Linux system is a pain in the ass due to the way licensing/copy protection works. Blu-Rays without copy protection play fine but virtually all commercially available Blu-Rays are copy protected. Normally, companies providing software for Blu-Ray playback buy licenses which allow them to resolve this issue. That's why most Blu-Ray versions of these programs cost extra. Now, since Linux is open source and there isn't much commercial software around this option doesn't exist so readily. There are work-arounds which consist of basically ripping the Blu-Ray to your harddrive but that's not very comfortable. You can thank the content industry for this idiocy.

 

[B.J.]

I keep seeing this whenever I look at Win8:

In any case, does anyone who has used it know if you can have multiple windows/programs up on your screen at once? That's pretty crucial to what I do at work, since I typically have 4 or 5 (or more) different things going at once.

 

[Methos]

oh god, i'd completely forgotten about the AOL disaster lol

M

 

[Count Zero]

In any case, does anyone who has used it know if you can have multiple windows/programs up on your screen at once? That's pretty crucial to what I do at work, since I typically have 4 or 5 (or more) different things going at once.

You can choose "Desktop" from the Metro window and then you'll have a regular Windows desktop which looks pretty much like that of Win 7 (at least that was possible in the developers version). It might also be possible to deactivate the Metro thing at start-up with some messing around in the innards of the system but I can't say for sure. I don't plan on getting it, anyway.