My slightly-above average users first time Windows 8 experience

pparks1

Well-Known Member
VIP Member
Guru
Messages
3,658
Location
Westland, MI
I performed an experiment with my wife last night, who I would qualify as a slightly above average computer user. She hasn't yet looked at Windows 8, and she isn't out reading about it, nor trolling forums to see how it works.

I brought home a work laptop with Windows 8 installed on it. I gave her the username and password to log in. I pressed the power button and walked away.

THE RESULTS:

After about 2-3 minutes, I noticed she wasn't doing anything. I asked her if she got logged in and she said, "no, I'm still waiting for it to bring up the log on screen". I told her it was ready about 2:30 minutes ago. She then clicked on the screen, or hit something on the keyboard and got the log on prompt. Her response, well that wasn't intuitive at all.

The "new windows UI" appeared with the tiles, and she said, "What the hell is this...is this the new version of Windows?". I gave her the task of getting calculator running. About 2 minutes later, she said, "I screwed something up. I got to the desktop, but there is nothing here, and I cannot figure out how to get that first screen back". A few minutes later she said, "I got it". I said, "you got calculator running". She said, "No, i got back to that first screen thingie". I asked her how she did it, and she said "um, I don't remember". So, I told her to click back on the desktop and show me. It took about a minute for her to discover how she did it, she had accidentally discovered the "Charms Bar" and hit the Start Button.

So, now that she was back to the "new Windows UI", I asked her to again launch calculator. It only took her about a minute, and she had calculator up. I asked how she did it, and she said she got that "wierd menu on the right" to pop up and she clicked on search and typed calculator.

Next, I put her back on the "new Windows UI" and asked her to launch mspaint, but WITHOUT using the Charms bar. I kept repeating, launch mspaint, and I was spelling it out, over and over and over again". After about 3 minutes, and her getting nowhere, I said to my 5 year old, "Logan, go find MSPAINT" for mommy. He walked over and naturally just hit the M key and was hunting for the S, when my wife said, "Ah, so you can just type what you are looking for?". So, I showed her how she could also right click and pull up the apps list, or just type what she wanted. Again, she said, "for somebody used to how to use a computer, this isn't very intuitive".

Next, she managed to open one of those "New Windows UI" applications and after a bit she said. So, I opened something up, and now I cannot figure out how to close it. After about a minute, she said, "Ok, I got out of it". Once again, she utilized the "Charms Bar" to get the Start Button. She said, "Why did they hide the Start Button in that hidden menu?". I explained to her that she didn't close the app, but rather just left it and started something else...just like she would do on her phone. She couldn't figure out how to actually terminate it. I showed her how to grab the top of the Windows with the hand and drag to the bottom of the screen. She said, "how would anybody figure that out?.

Finally, I got her to launch 2 metro apps and I got her to get them both running at the same time. She spent a little time trying to figure out how to size them on the screen so they were both usable. She figured this out, she said, "so, one is always going to be small and one is going to be large, and that's just how it is?" Then she said, "what if I need more than 2 things". I said you would have to use the desktop and the desktop apps for that. She said a bit relieved, "ah, so that will work like it always has?"


The Verdict
She said, that it's not intuitive, but once she learned to use it, "I don't hate it". She said, but "wow...companies and such are going to have to spend some time training people on how to use this thing or else people will just be sitting at their computers and trying to figure out how to do anything. They will just be playing and won't be getting any work done".


I'm certainly hoping that when RTM gets installed, there is a quick Interactive How-To, that the OS will walk you through to teach you the very basics about "the new UI", the charms bar, "the new UI apps" and how to get back and forth to and from the desktop. That would resolve many a first users complaints on day 1.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I would assume there would be a help guide or its a trip to the local book store to pick up a copy of windows 8 for dummies :dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro ($39.99 upgrade)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel I5 3570K overclocked to 4.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V LX
    Memory
    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 610 2GB
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x0180
    Hard Drives
    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    PSU
    CoolMax 700watt
    Case
    Cosiar R400 Carbide series
    Cooling
    Cool Master H212
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    PowerUp 3 button mouse
    Internet Speed
    12mb down, 1mb up
    Other Info
    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
    Logitech T650 Touchpad for touch screen gestures
While I think this is a fair assessment, It should be noted that you really only need to know 4 or 5 things. And these things are all pretty common to people that use phones, they just don't expect them on their PC.

You have to know that you use the windows key to open the start screen. There are other ways, but pressing the windows key is really the simplest and easiest way. (this is like the Main screen on the iPhone or Android's apps menu).

You need to know that you can type in the start menu to easily find what you are looking for. Navigating the Start menu is easier if you have a touch screen, but if you are keyboard bound then it's simple to start typing what you need. (this is like the home button on the iPhone)

You need to know about the charms bar, and that this is how you access settings and other kinds of features. (this is like the settings features of iOS or Android)

You need to know how to manipulate Metro apps, and shut them down by dragging (or if you know alt-f4, that still works). (this is not exactly like the phone, but analogous enough to managing iPhone apps with double tap home button, etc..)

You need to know to just use the power button to shut down your PC, don't go looking for it in the OS. Just hit the power button. (this is like either android or iOS devices).

If you know those things, then you should have no trouble with Windows 8. Millions of people figure out how to use their iPhones and Android devices. Why do people suddenly get dumb when they sit in front of a computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I would have to sat that feature discoverability is complete garbage in windows 8. After getting over the learning curve, the desktop is not too much worse than windows 7. Considering how stupid the average user is, I think making things hidden by default was a very, very stupid thing to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 RTM (Retinas taking damage...)
    CPU
    i5 2500
    Motherboard
    msi p67a-g43
    Memory
    16 GB DDR3 1333
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Nvidia 9800 GTX+
Did you get this idea from phailmoor's post where he loaded 8 for his mother?

I, myself, think it not to be fair with showing a user without them reading some of the help files, or a "What's New" if included in final release. Help within RP leads one to here as one place: Windows 8 Release Preview This learning curve has been true in other past OSs, although I'll agree that 8 is much different.

Just for starters and not to boast, but I intuitively new to push enter to rid the splash screen when I first saw it to get the sign on screen. Lucky I guess. I think the splash screen is there to hide the sign on screen as not to tempt one to fiddle with someone else's sign on screen. Outa sight - Outa mind so to speak.

Bottom line, 8 is not ready for enterprise if ever at all and enterprise is not ready for 8 if ever at all. I've read that a lot of Pros are suggesting to stick with 7 or previous for now.

Also, when I get back home next week I'm going to stick 8 in front of my 16-year-old daughter and some of her friends to get results of what they think. Like your wife, they are above average computer users since most of this generation learns and uses it in school on a daily basis. It'll be interesting indeed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Heh, you know how there are those books "OSX for Windows users" and such that take you from one type of paradigm to another?

Someone could probably make a lot of money on a "Windows 8 for Windows users" book :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
There will be plenty of books - with big simple pictures.

Nice little earner for the writers and publishers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
"How to survive Windows 8"

Instead of complaining on W8Forums I should have been writing the book!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
If you know those things, then you should have no trouble with Windows 8. Millions of people figure out how to use their iPhones and Android devices. Why do people suddenly get dumb when they sit in front of a computer?
That's the issue, you gotta know those things. Somehow people need to learn those things. The reason that doing this on the iPhone or Android device tends to be easier is that they don't have 10+ years of doing it another way on something else.

Did you get this idea from phailmoor's post where he loaded 8 for his mother?
It's something that I have historically done for previous versions of the OS. I was just curious to see the reaction of somebody who really couldn't care less if it was XP, Vista or 7 to see how they would get along with things in front of a Windows 8 PC.


I, myself, think it not to be fair with showing a user without them reading some of the help files, or a "What's New" if included in final release.
But there will be lots of people who either buy a new computer, or decide to purchase Windows and upgrade their existing computers and today there really isn't an in your face guide to get you through these basics..hopefully there is in the RTM release. People who have stopped by and asked me about Windows 8 at work have gotten the tour, but I am curious to see how those people get along without the tour. I don't think average joe's really sit around and read the "help files" As far as the OS goes, there is no "in your face" help button either to guide a novice around in the OS.

Just for starters and not to boast, but I intuitively new to push enter to rid the splash screen when I first saw it to get the sign on screen. Lucky I guess. I think the splash screen is there to hide the sign on screen as not to tempt one to fiddle with someone else's sign on screen. Outa sight - Outa mind so to speak.
I'm sure some will do just like you did. Others will try pushing CTRL-ALT-DEL and will manage to get the logon screen. But undoubtedly some people will simply just sit there and wait assuming that after the upgrade it's just taking their computers a long time to get them to the desktop or a logon screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks Brink,

Fortunately my wife has me and I can help her navigate around. Now that she knows what she is doing, she would be fine on the machine.

Perhaps we can include a copy of your posts with all sales of Windows 8 for the rest of the users.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7 home premium 64 bit
I've yet to actually set Windows 8 in front of someone and let them have at it, but then again, I don't take small children and put them in the driver's seat of a car and tell them to have at it... :)

Having said that, at first, it doesn't make sense and seems hugely the opposite of unintuitive, at first. After a bit, it makes sense. But I do find it interesting that your child just went and started to open up Paint without any command. I think Windows 8 will be huge with the younger crowd as it's something new and something totally different and younger people, THEORITICALLY, can learn something like a new UI easier than older crowds.

Speaking of such, yesterday, I introduced the Windows 8 to a friend of mine and her family. It was by far the most interesting introduction I've done as the family ranged in different ages and abilities. My friend's mom was literally taken aback and borderline overwhelmed, but a good overwhelmed. She was SO shocked at it. Her husband was telling a story of how his friend's tractor engine blew up, I was listening to it too and I though she was gasping at the story, but she was actually gasping at how different Windows 8 is. This is considering they were using xp on that netbook and vista on a couple of laptops. My friend was iffy about it, as she isn't huge on change, let alone radical change. But she said that she might want 8 on her laptop AFTER she plays around with 8 and see if it's ok. When I was at the point of showing off the metro apps, my friend's younger brother was like, "You can have apps on a computer?" And I said YES! You can have it all! Another of their little kids said it looks like you can touch it, which is interesting. Kids are pretty honest about these things! :D Overall though, they seemed to like it. I showed off Office 2013 as well, as the mom is a HUGE Office user and I showed her around the new Modern Office, and from what I gather, that along with SkyDrive will be excellent. They told me that they had three consecutive years in a row where tax documents got lost on THREE different storage mediums. I bet they will have some usage issues, that's expected, but I bet after a month at the very most, everyone will be using it with different accounts, the kids will be better monitored with Family Safety, and the Windows 8 will be bomb!

I feel like a technological rock star. There was a recent thread around here about Windows 95 and someone had a story where they had a laptop running 95 on it that got passed around the airplane as everyone wanted to see what it looked like and how it operates. I have a tinkling of a feeling something like that might happen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I've yet to actually set Windows 8 in front of someone and let them have at it, but then again, I don't take small children and put them in the driver's seat of a car and tell them to have at it... :)
Neither did I. I took somebody who has been using a computer/driving a car for many, many years. They found Windows 8 unintutive and hard to figure out how to do things. It's actually my kids, with less experience, who find it easier.

Speaking of such, yesterday, I introduced the Windows 8 to a friend of mine and her family. It was by far the most interesting introduction I've done as the family ranged in different ages and abilities. My friend's mom was literally taken aback and borderline overwhelmed, but a good overwhelmed.
I seriously don't understand who these people are that you keep showing Windows to. Do you just walk around with a laptop going from house to house to house proclaiming the virtues of Windows 8. Everybody you show Windows 8 too, is blown away according to you. Every computer user that I have shown it to, has said, 'Meh, maybe I could get used to it"...but blown away was not a phrase I would have used to describe any of their reactions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Thanks, Brink. That's exactly what I'm speaking of. HELP FILES. What's the antage? -> When all else fails, read the instructions.

I've yet to actually set Windows 8 in front of someone and let them have at it, but then again, I don't take small children and put them in the driver's seat of a car and tell them to have at it... :)

Good point, Coke. One can't obtain a drivers license without some instruction first.

@pparks1

But there will be lots of people who either buy a new computer, or decide to purchase Windows and upgrade their existing computers and today there really isn't an in your face guide to get you through these basics..hopefully there is in the RTM release.

I have a "Help" metro tile. I don't remember if it is original or if I pinned it there. Either way, RP came with help. I referred to it many a time when first learning 8. So it was always there.

People who have stopped by and asked me about Windows 8 at work have gotten the tour, but I am curious to see how those people get along without the tour.

Just kidding with you here -> Please don't take this seriously -> After reading some of your posts on the subject, I can't help but to have this vision in my head of your office door with a sign that says "Free Windows 8 tours. Donations appreciated" Is P.T. Barnum a distant relative of yours by any chance? :p Just curious as to why you like to show people this drastic-of-a-change OS? Do you take pics of their expressions as their jaws drop and tack the pics on a wall? :p And then to show your wife without even a short intro. What is it with that? Are you getting even with her about something else?

I don't think average joe's really sit around and read the "help files" As far as the OS goes, there is no "in your face" help button either to guide a novice around in the OS.

Was there not in past OSs a "What's New" or a "Let's Get Started"? Again, RP came with help. Besides, there is the WWW that is billions of pages big to search for HELP on just about every subject under the sun.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Just kidding with you here -> Please don't take this seriously -> After reading some of your posts on the subject, I can't help but to have this vision in my head of your office door with a sign that says "Free Windows 8 tours. Donations appreciated" Is P.T. Barnum a distant relative of yours by any chance?
No problems. Part of my job responsibilities include research and development into new technologies, etc. I'm one who will have to make the choice as to whether or not Windows 8 should roll out in our environment and also to help anybody who may (or may not) get this version.

:p Just curious as to why you like to show people this drastic-of-a-change OS?
For the above mentioned reasons. I will have a say as to whether or not there is a need/use for this OS in our environment. I will also be responsible for end user training on the system. Rather than simply "assume" which issues users have, I like to get their input as to what they like and don't like.

My own personal opinion is, and always has been, that Windows 8 is more or less crap. I have failed to find much in terms of productivity advancements, and I don't feel that any speed improvements at boot time will overcome the loss of time as people flip/flop back and forth between the "new Windows UI" and the desktop. I find Windows 7 to be more or less the best balance between power, performance, efficiency and functionality.

Do you take pics of their expressions as their jaws drop and tack the pics on a wall? :p And then to show your wife without even a short intro. What is it with that? Are you getting even with her about something else?
No pictures.

Giving my wife the laptop with an intro showing her all of the differences would have biased her with my obvious concerns with this OS. Instead, I wanted to see what a person, who isn't inclined to have learned anything about Windows 8 would have gotten along.

Was there not in past OSs a "What's New" or a "Let's Get Started"? Again, RP came with help. Besides, there is the WWW that is billions of pages big to search for HELP on just about every subject under the sun.
I'm waiting to see if in the final release there will be an easy to find "what's new" and how to get around. It would be like the way they do the interactive training with video games these days. Rather than read a booklet or scour the web, it leads you more or less through the substantial features, and functions, and commands to be productive with the OS.

Some of us, love to scour the web and hang out at sites like this and learn everything we can. Most people want to just turn on their computer and use it. For pete's sake, most people don't even read the dialog boxes which come up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
For pete's sake, most people don't even read the dialog boxes which come up.

You work as IT and aid other people. I don't have that experience. You mean to tell me that most people don't read the dialog boxes?! You must be joking?! That's pretty bizarre!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I'm certainly hoping that when RTM gets installed, there is a quick Interactive How-To, that the OS will walk you through to teach you the very basics about "the new UI", the charms bar, "the new UI apps" and how to get back and forth to and from the desktop. That would resolve many a first users complaints on day 1.


Well, there is something. But I will not call it a guide. It is a very slow, VERY SLOW, demonstration where you se a mouse cursor moving into one of the corners, and the charms menu popping out. And with the text "Move your mouse to any corner"
That's it.
I would say that helps a little, people learn to look in the corners, but still. But it is not enough in my opinion. There should be a demonstration with text that shows "Here you find the start screen" "Type when on start screen to search", just short things like that would help enormous
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Windows 8 Enterprise N x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, myself and I
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 930 4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P6X58D-E
    Memory
    Kingston DDR3 HyperX 1600MHz 3x4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Sapphire 7970 OC
    Sound Card
    Creative SB X-Fi Titanium HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Syncmaster S23A750D
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 120Hz
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 240GB 6GB/s
    WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA III
    WD Caviar Green 1TB
    WD Caviar Green 2TB mounted in Chieftec Black Box USB3.0
    PSU
    Chieftec APS-850C
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF X
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Qpad MK80
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    25/25Mbps
I'm certainly hoping that when RTM gets installed, there is a quick Interactive How-To, that the OS will walk you through to teach you the very basics about "the new UI", the charms bar, "the new UI apps" and how to get back and forth to and from the desktop. That would resolve many a first users complaints on day 1.


Well, there is something. But I will not call it a guide. It is a very slow, VERY SLOW, demonstration where you se a mouse cursor moving into one of the corners, and the charms menu popping out. And with the text "Move your mouse to any corner"
That's it.
I would say that helps a little, people learn to look in the corners, but still. But it is not enough in my opinion. There should be a demonstration with text that shows "Here you find the start screen" "Type when on start screen to search", just short things like that would help enormous

Thanks, aerandir92. What's in the help files? What are they like?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
You mean to tell me that most people don't read the dialog boxes?! You must be joking?! That's pretty bizarre!
It's hard to find anybody who reads the license agreement, you see people who install freeware stuff and get toolbars and such on their machine because they didn't see the boxes checked during the installer, and software installers will tell people that something is going to happen, and when it does, they come by and ask me about it. It happens quite a bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Back
Top