Windows 8 swells to 2.7% of OS market

The new OS made a small gain in February from January's 2.3 percent, but it is still in fourth place behind the three top dogs: Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

Windows 8 is winning over more users, but it's doing so at a snail's pace.

Read more at source:
Windows 8 swells to 2.7% of OS market | Microsoft - CNET News

 

[lehnerus2000]

That's because the software has to adapt around the mouse, not the other way around. But many many graphic artists, architects, all the above generally will use a touchscreen or a touch pad versus a mouse. Even most architects still draw plans by hand, THEN go to AutoCAD to make a digital copy give the buttcrack plumber to. Drawing with a mouse sucks, simple as that, at least compared to a touch input. Even Photoshoppers that use a mouse every day and all day that go to a Wacom Bamboo tablet will sing joyous praise of it because it makes things SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better to use.

There is a difference between finger painting and using a graphics tablet.

And that authoritative announcement comes from where?

http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/21581-new-windows-boss-confirms.html#post203343

Note that the interview was conducted in Dec 2012: Interview with Julie Larson-Green, the Executive in Charge of Windows 8 at Microsoft Who Just Took Over from Steven Sinofsky. | MIT Technology Review. The world had not yet felt the full impact of the changes on the desktop interface. They have now.

She's the "monster" responsible for the Ribbon.
I'd like to see her sent to the "salt mines".

 

[Ray8]

IDC Forecasts PC Market Will Shrink for Second Consecutive Year

On the bright side. IDC is saying the rate of decline will be about a third of what it was last year. And regardless of how it compares, a 1.3 percent change is hardly cause for panic. In fact, IDC predicts total PC shipments (desktops and notebooks) will reach 345.8 million units in 2013. That's down from 350.4 million units in 2012, but still a lot of PCs.

Incidentally, this is precisely where Windows 8 should be able to turn things around. The touch-friendly operating system encourages hybrid designs that function both as a powerful notebook and as a tablet, but PC makers have so far failed to really excite consumers with any must-have products.

IDC Forecasts PC Market Will Shrink for Second Consecutive Year | Maximum PC

Is the swelling still there?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Piracy Rates

The statistic that I think will be the most revealing is the Piracy rate.

I'd like to see a chart of the Piracy rates of the various Windows versions:

• XP
• Vista
• W7
• W8

 

[Ray8]

The statistic that I think will be the most revealing is the Piracy rate.

I'd like to see a chart of the Piracy rates of the various Windows versions:

• XP
• Vista
• W7
• W8

Microsoft is secretly giving away Window 8 licence keys to boost the uptake figures, while vigorously defending Windows Vista and 7 piracy.

 

[Coke Robot]

That's because the software has to adapt around the mouse, not the other way around. But many many graphic artists, architects, all the above generally will use a touchscreen or a touch pad versus a mouse. Even most architects still draw plans by hand, THEN go to AutoCAD to make a digital copy give the buttcrack plumber to. Drawing with a mouse sucks, simple as that, at least compared to a touch input. Even Photoshoppers that use a mouse every day and all day that go to a Wacom Bamboo tablet will sing joyous praise of it because it makes things SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better to use.

There is a difference between finger painting and using a graphics tablet.

http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/21581-new-windows-boss-confirms.html#post203343

Note that the interview was conducted in Dec 2012: Interview with Julie Larson-Green, the Executive in Charge of Windows 8 at Microsoft Who Just Took Over from Steven Sinofsky. | MIT Technology Review. The world had not yet felt the full impact of the changes on the desktop interface. They have now.

She's the "monster" responsible for the Ribbon.
I'd like to see her sent to the "salt mines".

You obviously need to use to a pen with the touchscreen, I thought this was something that didn't need to be pointed out. Oh wait, I know how to use touchscreens with a desktop other than saying random crap about something I don't know....

 

[Coke Robot]

The statistic that I think will be the most revealing is the Piracy rate.

I'd like to see a chart of the Piracy rates of the various Windows versions:

• XP
• Vista
• W7
• W8

I'll take a swing...

Windows 7 is most pirated obviously, as Microsoft kind of turned a blind eye about that as it meant people were getting off old platforms especially vista. They actually said they were allowing updates to pirated versions....

Windows xp is a distant second, it's not really sold, it's nearing the end of its long overdue life, but still being unfortunately used. That will be pirated as it's pointless to buy a nearly 12 year old operating system that won't be supported next year.

Windows 8 I say is a third after that. Especially since the promo offer ended, and it's back up to its normal price. Some people want better performance over 7, probably the same that pirated 7.

Windows vista isn't pirated at all. Unless if you're weird and like waiting, then you might end up buying a refurbished DVD copy.

 

[Coke Robot]

whs... we have one thing in common...

View attachment 17785

I use 150% of DPI, else I see very little. In Linux Mint that was more difficult because changing the DPI is not that easy. Here I did it with the Theme and Skin. Works great too.


View attachment 17789

That start menu takes up half the screen...

 

[Ray8]

There is a difference between finger painting and using a graphics tablet.
You obviously need to use to a pen with the touchscreen, I thought this was something that didn't need to be pointed out. Oh wait, I know how to use touchscreens with a desktop other than saying random crap about something I don't know....

Using a pen with a touchscreen:





Much better:



A touch screen is just so cool

 

[SIW2]

Especially since the promo offer ended, and it's back up to its normal price.

If you call 45 quid the normal price, then yes, I suppose so. The same as the promo price, then.

 

[Ray8]

Oh, oh!

In a bid to push the development of small, touch-enabled laptops, Microsoft has started to offer discounts on Windows 8 and Office 2013 to manufacturing OEMs. According to WSJ and Digitimes reports, these price cuts would be reflected in products in the fall. The deal includes Windows 8 plus Office for $30 -- a bundle that previously cost $120.

WSJ: Microsoft to offer discounted Windows 8 software for future small touchscreen laptops

 

[BillWindows]

Oh, oh, how underhanded can they get, how dare they drop the price, what a sneaky trick.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Windows 7 is most pirated obviously, as Microsoft kind of turned a blind eye about that as it meant people were getting off old platforms especially vista. They actually said they were allowing updates to pirated versions....

MS changed their policy after the XP WGA debacle.
It was also pointed out, that by not allowing pirated copies access to updates, giant botnets could thrive unhindered.

That start menu takes up half the screen...

That isn't surprising, considering the 150% magnification and the unusual resolution of that picture.

 

[whs]

whs... we have one thing in common...

View attachment 17785

I use 150% of DPI, else I see very little. In Linux Mint that was more difficult because changing the DPI is not that easy. Here I did it with the Theme and Skin. Works great too.


View attachment 17789

That start menu takes up half the screen...

That is because the snip was taken from a small virtual screen. In full screen mode, the start menu takes a lot less of the screen. All is relative.

Here is a screenshot with full screen. You may also notice that the right pane of start is now 'Favorites' in lieu of All Applications'. I switched it because my snipping tool is parked there. This is a very handy feature. All my frequently used programs that did not make it to the taskbar are in Favorites. And I toggle up on the right where it says 'All Applications' with 1 click.

 

[SIW2]

Bill

Oh, oh, how underhanded can they get, how dare they drop the price, what a sneaky trick.

How is that a sneaky trick ? Is anybody suggesting that ?

No. It might not be appreciated by those few who want the thing - and can't access that price for whatever reasons. The thing is selling very badly. It is a response to the market. It is not clear to me what else they can do at this point.

They will have the opportunity to turn it around with Blue ( or whatever it will be called ). It seems more and more likely they will take that opportunity.