Windows 8′s market share finally surpasses desktop Linux

After gaining just 0.4% of the PC market in February, Windows 8 positively exploded in March, gaining another 0.5% of the market — an astronomical growth rate of almost 20%. This means that Windows 8 now commands no less than 3.1% of the PC market — a comfortable distance ahead of desktop Linux. To celebrate, many manufacturers are cutting the price of Windows RT tablets.

Five months in: Windows 8′s market share finally surpasses desktop Linux | ExtremeTech

 

[Hopachi]

Coke seems to have a pathological hatred of the mouse and the start menu.

I don't know if there is any treatment available for that.

You have to feel sorry for him.

Maybe he means one of those disease-carrying-ugly-type ones that bite....
Those from the PC desk are OK to me.

 

[Coke Robot]

Coke seems to suffer from a pathological hatred of the mouse and the start menu.

I don't know if there is any treatment available for that.

You have to feel sorry for him.

You have a pathological hatred against anything new....

 

[Coke Robot]

Back in 1987 I went out and bought a Mac Plus computer which came with the mouse. Now prior to having a computer without a mouse you had to now all the keyboard short cuts. After about a week of using the mouse I knew that going backward to keyboard short cuts would never happen. When people came by to visit they would see me working with the mouse and laugh, and of course I would look at them and say something truly profound like the mouse will be the way of the future in computing, and of course they would laugh.

Fast forward to today, and the mouse is the only true way to work within the computing environment. Touch is nice, albeit you cannot work with CAD programs, drawing programs (Canvas 14, Illustrator, etc.), or any program which requires a really fine touch. I mean can you see Thomas Kindaid, or Lee Bogle (uses air brush to do his beautiful water colors) using touch to do their work.

Touch is nice, but will it take the place of the mouse; in truth no.

I know right, if the thinking that some have with touch applied to way back when the Palo Alto researchers presented the GUI and mouse to the Xerox executives that just laughed at them and poshed it off, we'd still be using DOS, or have had the GUI and mouse be introduced in the '90s. If it wasn't for apple, that would basically be the story.

A mouse is nice, but not like touch. Go ahead and laugh, but in 10 years, I'll be the one mocking everyone else for their stubbornness and shortsightedness.

 

[Fredledingue]

Coke, just a question.... how do you right-click with your finger?

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I mean, I don't want a link as an answer. I want you to actualy type the answer here and realize how long it is to do such basic task without a mouse.

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Eventualy the mouse will disapear but it won't be because of bulky touch screens which are by essence as unprecise as the diameter of your smallest finger. Whereas the mouse has practicaly a by-the-pixel definition.

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Hopachi, just to have to carry the tower, and plug it where there are monitor, mouse and keyboard and everything, is not that difficult. It's the accessories which are boring. Same problem with laptop. Carrying an external HDD is already much more a hassel.

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Lee It's interresting to note that despite the universal use of the mouse, keyboard shortcuts didn't disapear neither. They are much faster to use when you are typing because your fingers are already on the keyboard. It takes some memory space to function, I mean memory in your brain to remember them, but that's another story. I even copy text using only keyboard sometimes.

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That means that even if touch become universaly adopted as mouse replacement, and easier for some tasks, mice may still used for other tasks. I see touch rather an supplemental input deice rather than a replacemental one.

 

[Lee]

Coke, just a question.... how do you right-click with your finger?

---

I mean, I don't want a link as an answer. I want you to actualy type the answer here and realize how long it is to do such basic task without a mouse.

---

Eventualy the mouse will disapear but it won't be because of bulky touch screens which are by essence as unprecise as the diameter of your smallest finger. Whereas the mouse has practicaly a by-the-pixel definition.

---

Hopachi, just to have to carry the tower, and plug it where there are monitor, mouse and keyboard and everything, is not that difficult. It's the accessories which are boring. Same problem with laptop. Carrying an external HDD is already much more a hassel.

---

Lee It's interresting to note that despite the universal use of the mouse, keyboard shortcuts didn't disapear neither. They are much faster to use when you are typing because your fingers are already on the keyboard. It takes some memory space to function, I mean memory in your brain to remember them, but that's another story. I even copy text using only keyboard sometimes.

---

That means that even if touch become universaly adopted as mouse replacement, and easier for some tasks, mice may still used for other tasks. I see touch rather an supplemental input deice rather than a replacemental one.

Hi Fred,

As to using the keyboard. When in Linux (as I am now) there are some mouse features that for some reason just don't work (will not go into them at this point), so the keyboard navigation features are a must. But, when in Windows, or OS X there is really not to many times that keyboard short cuts are needed. The must obivous ones for me are CMD/Windows keys plus "E" for File Explorer, "R" for Run, and a few "Control key" functions (cut, copy, paste, etc.). The key for me is it depends on what program is running at the time as to whether the keyboard or the mouse come into play.

Remember when keyboard didn't have a numeric keypad. . .now you can hardly find one without a keypad other then Mac's.

 

[Fredledingue]

In fact, keyboard shortcuts are not much in use because poeple are too lazy or not enough curious to learn them. Alsmost every windows software has much of their menus accessible through shortcuts and if you use these menus often is much faster on a shortcut than searching them with the mouse through the menus.

 

[Lee]

In fact, keyboard shortcuts are not much in use because poeple are too lazy or not enough curious to learn them. Alsmost every windows software has much of their menus accessible through shortcuts and if you use these menus often is much faster on a shortcut than searching them with the mouse through the menus.

It not that their lazy Fred, it just isn't something people think of these days. A couple of years ago there was a friend that taught computer classes, and she didn't teach anything on using the keyboard short cuts. When asked why she indicated people found the mouse did everything they needed.

For some of us who started using computers (not personal) back in 70's and 80,s knowing keyboard short cuts were a must. But in today's computing world there is really no reason. People find moving their right/ left hand six to eight inches is just as easy as attempting to remember several dozen or more keyboard shorts. I printed out the short cuts for win 8 and was shocked at the number there were (122 at last count). Again, things change over time.

 

[pcRat]

In fact, keyboard shortcuts are not much in use because poeple are too lazy or not enough curious to learn them. Alsmost every windows software has much of their menus accessible through shortcuts and if you use these menus often is much faster on a shortcut than searching them with the mouse through the menus.

It not that their lazy Fred, it just isn't something people think of these days. A couple of years ago there was a friend that taught computer classes, and she didn't teach anything on using the keyboard short cuts. When asked why she indicated people found the mouse did everything they needed.

For some of us who started using computers (not personal) back in 70's and 80,s knowing keyboard short cuts were a must. But in today's computing world there is really no reason. People find moving their right/ left hand six to eight inches is just as easy as attempting to remember several dozen or more keyboard shorts. I printed out the short cuts for win 8 and was shocked at the number there were (122 at last count). Again, things change over time.

I've been using keyboard shortcuts for a long time. Because it was hard to see the small writing in the start menu. So I switched the Winkey and Alt key which allow me to hold down Shift+Ctrl+Alt+ with one finger and press an alphabetical or number key with a finger from the other hand. It seemed like I had 33 keyboard shortcuts to open programs. Shift+Ctrl+Alt+W = Wordpad, Shift+Ctrl+Alt+X = MS Word, Shift+Ctrl+Alt+I = Internet Explorer, Shift+Ctrl+Alt+J = Fireox ...

I was familiar with XP pro. I bought a laptop with Vista Home Premium and wanted to return it within an hour of having it. I forced myself to try it for three days. 15 minutes later I plugged Wacom in. The popout appeared to set up handwriting recognition, I read the details about it and clicked OK. That forced me to keep Vista until Windows 7 came out. Then I learn to press the Winkey and a letter(s) to make programs appear on start menu without navigating through folders.

Then Windows 7 seemed fine. No problem.
I tried Windows 8 and got hooked. Liked the big tiles on the start screen. Spend some time customizing it by removing apps I did not want and pinning programs I did want on the start screen because I use them regularly. Made some smaller. Pinned some to the taskbar. A few toolbars.

Even the tile size in all apps is OK.
Why would somebody not want to use Metro Internet Explorer for online banking, a new shopping facebook etc. If it's safer than the desktop Internet Explorer?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Mouse Wheel button

As to using the keyboard. When in Linux (as I am now) there are some mouse features that for some reason just don't work (will not go into them at this point), so the keyboard navigation features are a must.

Don't forget that Linux GUIs use the Mouse Wheel button for some Copy/Move/Paste operations.

You can automatically Paste highlighted text, using the Mouse Wheel button.
Dragging and Dropping using the Mouse Wheel button brings up an options menu.

Why would somebody not want to use Metro Internet Explorer for online banking, a new shopping facebook etc. If it's safer than the desktop Internet Explorer?

Maybe because of its upside-down layout?

If you really want to be safe use a Live Linux CD/DVD (assuming you have checked it for rogue items).
Nothing is going to get (permanently) written to the OS if you use a CD/DVD ROM.

"Nasties" could get into your RAM though.

Obviously you shouldn't surf the Internet before you visit the Bank.

 

[whs]

People who would like to be informed, would do well to have a look at the source: Market share for mobile, browsers, operating systems and search engines | NetMarketShare.

I guess Windows 8 is buried somewhere in 'Other'.

 

[mdmd]

If you really want to be safe use a Live Linux CD/DVD (assuming you have checked it for rogue items). Nothing is going to get (permanently) written to the OS if you use a CD/DVD ROM.
"Nasties" could get into your RAM though.

I always thought this was a great idea. Running the OS off of a CD/DVD with no disk eliminates evidence once the machine is turned off. Any internet activity can still be traced by authority figures unfortunately.
One of the downsides was that all configurations were lost when the pc was turned off. (ram only).
That was one of the features I always liked about Linux was that you could run the OS off of a CD/DVD.

Why would somebody not want to use Metro Internet Explorer for online banking, a new shopping facebook etc. If it's safer than the desktop Internet Explorer?

Maybe because of its upside-down layout?

Probably not what you are referring to but anyway...
Well, IMO, my preference was always to use a browser that had the option to put the address bar at the bottom of the screen. Opera and metro IE, probably others have that option as well as the internet explorer address toolbar on the desktop taskbar.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Personal Preference

Probably not what you are referring to but anyway...
Well, IMO, my preference was always to use a browser that had the option to put the address bar at the bottom of the screen. Opera and metro IE, probably others have that option as well as the internet explorer address toolbar on the desktop taskbar.

Actually I was.

I prefer all of my program controls and other info (e.g. address bar) at the top.

 

[Coke Robot]

Coke, just a question.... how do you right-click with your finger?

---

QUOTE]
I hope this isn't a real question?.... Because it REALLY makes you look like a touch noob.

Press and hold on a right clickable item for about two seconds.

 

[Mustang]

People who would like to be informed, would do well to have a look at the source: Market share for mobile, browsers, operating systems and search engines | NetMarketShare.

I guess Windows 8 is buried somewhere in 'Other'.

Brilliant whs! Says it all!

Pity cos the engine in W8 works fine ... sorry we're putting your life at risk with the steering wheel and brakes now controlled by a selection ribbon on the dashboard.

 

[jimbo45]

If you really want to be safe use a Live Linux CD/DVD (assuming you have checked it for rogue items). Nothing is going to get (permanently) written to the OS if you use a CD/DVD ROM.
"Nasties" could get into your RAM though.

I always thought this was a great idea. Running the OS off of a CD/DVD with no disk eliminates evidence once the machine is turned off. Any internet activity can still be traced by authority figures unfortunately.
One of the downsides was that all configurations were lost when the pc was turned off. (ram only).
That was one of the features I always liked about Linux was that you could run the OS off of a CD/DVD.

Why would somebody not want to use Metro Internet Explorer for online banking, a new shopping facebook etc. If it's safer than the desktop Internet Explorer?

Maybe because of its upside-down layout?

Probably not what you are referring to but anyway...
Well, IMO, my preference was always to use a browser that had the option to put the address bar at the bottom of the screen. Opera and metro IE, probably others have that option as well as the internet explorer address toolbar on the desktop taskbar.

Hi there
You CAN do this easily in Windows 8 enterprise with "Windows to Go". Simply boot from the external device and remove it after your session. You don't even NEED an HDD in the computer to run Windows to Go.

You Can also do it to a limited extent (a bit harder to set up but can be done) in W7 and non enterprise versions of W8. Create a Virtual Hard drive (on say a USB disk), mount and boot it and then you are running the OS from the VHD. (Note this is NOT a Virtual machine running under HYPER-V / VMWARE / VBOX but a full windows system running from the mounted VHD).

Again after your session ends simply remove the device containing the VHD. To make this 100% undetectable you'll need to install something like GRUB on the external device and from GRUB mount and run the Windows VHD.

However Internet accesses are a bit more tricky to hide -- the only easy way is via the use of anonymous proxies - and you want these also to return random IP addresses to the "Logging Server" otherwise the use of a fixed IP address would surely show up in the server logs by any curious admin.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[lehnerus2000]

Can't write to ROM

I tried Ubuntu and been a loyal Windows fan since. Maybe Linux is easier.

The point is that you can't write to a Live CD/DVD (ROM) disc (so malware can't either).

It doesn't have to be Ubuntu either.

Firefox is no harder to use in Linux, than it is in Windows

Hi there
You CAN do this easily in Windows 8 enterprise with "Windows to Go". Simply boot from the external device and remove it after your session. You don't even NEED an HDD in the computer to run Windows to Go.

If you use a USB stick, malware can be written to it (same with external HDDs).

Unless you set your VMs to "Read-only", then malware can be written to them.
Obviously you could discard them after use and create a new copy from your backup (or snapshot).

 

[freeeekyyy]

Why would somebody not want to use Metro Internet Explorer for online banking, a new shopping facebook etc. If it's safer than the desktop Internet Explorer?

Maybe because of its upside-down layout?

If you really want to be safe use a Live Linux CD/DVD (assuming you have checked it for rogue items).
Nothing is going to get (permanently) written to the OS if you use a CD/DVD ROM.

"Nasties" could get into your RAM though.

Obviously you shouldn't surf the Internet before you visit the Bank.

Once I read about Metro IE being more secure I had 2 options.

1. Learn to work with the upside down program for security or
2. Forsake security for right side up familiarity.

once I found location of controls the upside down was no problem. I adapt easy I guess.

I tried Ubuntu and been a loyal Windows fan since. Maybe Linux is easier.[/QUOTE]

If you load desktop IE and go to advanced settings, you can enable "Enhanced Protected Mode" which makes it just as secure as Metro IE, running the 64 bit version, and don't have to deal with Metro IE's stupidness, like no tabs, etc. That's how I run it, and it seems to be working out pretty well.

 

[mdmd]

.....and don't have to deal with Metro IE's stupidness, like no tabs, etc.

No Tabs? (Win + Z)

 

[freeeekyyy]

.....and don't have to deal with Metro IE's stupidness, like no tabs, etc.

No Tabs? (Win + Z)

View attachment 19860

Well I guess I got that one wrong. Either way, still really don't care for the metro interface, and if there are others who don't like it either, and only use it out of perceived necessity, I'm going to show them that they don't have to.

Windows 8 is great, way better than 7. But Metro's still got some work ahead of it. It may be the future, but it definitely isn't the present.

 

[Barman58]

Oh dear, another " change windows 8 or I'm taking my ball home" thread