Cannot get used to the Charms bar

pparks1

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Ok, I know that the charms bar is there. I know how to access it.

What causes me issues, is that i ALWAYS FORGET that the charms bar is context sensitive to the application that is running.

I just spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to add my Google Gmail calendar to the Windows calendar app. Problem was, I couldn't figure out how to add the gmail account. I kept reading that you go into Settings and add it, but I kept going into settings from the Start Screen, and NOT from within the calendar app.

Even after all this time of using Windows 8, and I'm still getting tripped up by these simple things.


Anybody else having senior moments like this, or is this all me?

BTW: My neighbor at work hates hearing me say Charms bar. Drives him nuts.
 

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I always call it the fairy wand. I don't mind it too much now they have managed to get it under control.
 

My Computer

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I didn't even know it's context sensitive. Thanks!
 

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Neither did I.

I have only looked at it a few times.

I don't see the point of it.
 

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    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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I don't see the point of it.

A centralized menu system to be used by all of the apps to provide a consistent place to look. Rather than have Tools, Options, something within the actual application, the Charms bar becomes the go to location for these things. It's similar to what Apple OSX has done with the menu system at the top which changes based upon the application you are in.

As expected, its similar to how a phone would work.
 

My Computer

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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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Probably because I haven't seen an app. of any use to me.

Except possibly the news app. - I gave up on that as it is so hard to turn the damn thing off.

Perhaps there might be something worth bothering with in future.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
It's kind of how a smartphone app would work, but instead, it's just a central, homogenized location for app settings and such, basically so the metro design and app content is at the fore front. And yeah, it's also like that file menu in mac os. I've tried to use, that but to me, it's just confusing. Why isn't there a system wide file menu...

I view it as just another UI element where app settings are changed.

You could just call it the Start Bar instead of Charms. :D
 

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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Well I just learned something... LOL! It works kind of like the bar at the top in OSx, whatever program is open the bar has settings and controls for that. Nice...
 

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Horses for Courses

Well I just learned something... LOL! It works kind of like the bar at the top in OSx, whatever program is open the bar has settings and controls for that. Nice...

I loathe those disembodied menus.
I often swap from one program window, directly to the menu in a different one.

Gnome 3 uses them in Linux distros.
That's why I still have Ubuntu 10 (Gnome 2) on my PC.

Linux Mint 13 MATE also has the standard style of GUI.
If I hadn't already customised Ubuntu 10 to suit myself, I'd install Linux Mint 13.
 

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    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
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    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
But the Charms bar doesn't do anything with the Desktop, it's just an interface to get to Start, sound, brightness, PC Settings, and to shut down and maybe connect to a projector without a keyboard shortcut or going around the Control Panel.
 

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
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    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's a waste of an active corner imho. I was so happy when I found the workaround to disable the active corner for it. It was blocking my own setting for active croners (I have a small utility were you can define functions to hot corners by yourself). I like the idea from the charms bar, but it's not important enough to be so prominent. I like the shortcut way better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8
Ok, I know that the charms bar is there. I know how to access it.

What causes me issues, is that i ALWAYS FORGET that the charms bar is context sensitive to the application that is running.

I just spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to add my Google Gmail calendar to the Windows calendar app. Problem was, I couldn't figure out how to add the gmail account. I kept reading that you go into Settings and add it, but I kept going into settings from the Start Screen, and NOT from within the calendar app.

Even after all this time of using Windows 8, and I'm still getting tripped up by these simple things.


Anybody else having senior moments like this, or is this all me?

BTW: My neighbor at work hates hearing me say Charms bar. Drives him nuts.

I know that there is no such thing as a dumb question, but I have one that might come close. What do you mean when you say that the charms bar is "context sensitive"?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
I know that there is no such thing as a dumb question, but I have one that might come close. What do you mean when you say that the charms bar is "context sensitive"?

Hello Frank,

Not a dumb question at all. It means that the Charms bar will have different options available in say the "Settings" charm based on where or what you have open when you open the Charms bar from within it. For example, from within a opened Metro app, or from the desktop vs the Start screen. :)

EDIT:
LOL, looks like we're thinking alike again. :p
 

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I know that there is no such thing as a dumb question, but I have one that might come close. What do you mean when you say that the charms bar is "context sensitive"?

Not a dumb question at all. What I mean is that the items from the Charms setting option change depending upon which Metro app you have open at the time. So, if you are in the mail application, you will have options for adding accounts and whatnot when you to the Charms bar and hit the Settings option.
 

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
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    stock
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I have finally discovered what my problem was concerning the charms bar being case sensitive. Whenever I opened it and clicked on Settings, it would bring up the same thing. It then dawned on me that for some reason, when I open an app, it first brings up the desktop and then the app. Therefore, clicking the Settings button would bring up things that had to do with the desktop. I did manage to open an application that did not first bring up the desktop. The Settings button then showed what had to do with the application. I'm not sure why it first brings up the desktop for just about everything (perhaps because I configured it the way I have it on Win7--I don't know. So if anyone else is having the same issue as I had, they may want to see what is running in the background when clicking the Setting button.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
I have no Settings to check (Charms), BUT, I'd like to have the ability to move Charms to other 3 sides of screen (top, bottom, left) like we used to do in other versions of Win. Taskbar (?).

It would be much easier to hide/unhide at the bottom for me. Almost like the Dock (whatever Mac calls it), and like a few Dell computers offered in Win. 7.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
I have it disabled with classic shell.
 

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    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
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    AVG Security Suite
I have no Settings to check (Charms), BUT, I'd like to have the ability to move Charms to other 3 sides of screen (top, bottom, left) like we used to do in other versions of Win. Taskbar (?).

It would be much easier to hide/unhide at the bottom for me. Almost like the Dock (whatever Mac calls it), and like a few Dell computers offered in Win. 7.

Yes it will be more easy, but the problem is that Microsoft want something that fit everything, PC, tablets, phone. On a phone or tablet , you can't have a menu that drop from the top apps like in about every Desktop application, and a Dock will not be practical on a Phone too. This is what Apple understand since a long time, but instead of falow the road of MS, they decide to make 2 OS , one for the tablet and phone ( IOS ) and one foe the desktop (OSX) And this is where Microsoft fail.
 

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    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
That makes sense, and I've yet to use/own a tablet, and am only familiar with how iP works.

But isn't RT (?) what is running on current Surface and (will be on) new Win. phones coming out in Nov.? Then their other Surface coming out will have regular 8 OS?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
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