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

 

[pcRat]

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.

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.

 

[pcRat]

Thanks freeeekyyy for attempting to straighten my mess. I corrected my original by redoing it not altering any quotes; then deleting the one in error.
Thought I'd let you know

 

[Coke Robot]

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.

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.[/QUOTE]
Ummm... immersive IE has tabs...

 

[whs]

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

Right Nigel, there are too many of these moaning threads. Use the thing or don't use it. It is that simple.

 

[Coke Robot]

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

Right Nigel, there are too many of these moaning threads. Use the thing or don't use it. It is that simple.

:thumb: This, right here.

 

[Ray8]

Some fail to understand that these sorts of posts are not just about Windows 8, but about the directions being taken by Microsoft. Windows 8 may be the precursor to potential radical change that may not be in everyone's interests. To stay silent and simply accept everything Microsoft thrusts in you, is pretty weak. And once again, this forum is not 'www.welovewindowseightforumseversomuch.com'.

 

[Coke Robot]

Some fail to understand that these sorts of posts are not just about Windows 8, but about the directions being taken by Microsoft. Windows 8 may be the precursor to potential radical change that may not be in everyone's interests. To stay silent and simply accept everything Microsoft thrusts in you, is pretty weak. And once again, this forum is not 'www.welovewindowseightforumseversomuch.com'.

Some fail to understand that the rest of the world and the rest of relevant platforms are already doing things that Windows 8 is now doing. Windows 8 is a precursor to a potential of technological changes that we've never thought of that are better than the old, as well as designing and building PCs that reflect the Natural User Interface which the past Windows can't support efficiently. To simply cry foul at seemingly POTENTIAL of future "undesirable" changes that aren't there yet (what they may be doesn't seem to be fully explained, as most prefer to cry foul all the time) and aren't in physical form. Or at least, changes that only affect a small niche of users versus the majority. Microsoft can't thrive in the 21st century based on a niche market, if that were the way things were, this wouldn't be a www.windowseightforums.com. It would be a www.linux500plusdistro.com or www.macos.com or www.android.com or www.chromebook.com or www.windowsxp.com or even www.cloudos.com. That's not the way the world works, the world of technology changes faster than anything out there; what was the trend five years ago isn't the trend anymore. What was relevant 10 years ago is a dying breed today.

 

[pparks1]

historically, Microsoft is always late to the party. This time they have tried hosting the party and forcing people to like it.

Windows 8 is a stepping stone release.

 

[SIW2]

That is an odd idea. If the rest of the world are already doing it - then 8 would not be a precursor.

Cokie
Some fail to understand that the rest of the world and the rest of relevant platforms are already doing things that Windows 8 is now doing. Windows 8 is a precursor ...

Ray meant in terms of where MS is going - not looking very desirable to those who can see.

 

[pparks1]

What he meant to say was "Windows 8 is the precursor to doing it right". LOL.

 

[SIW2]

LOL, yes, it might be.

MS may have learned from it.

 

[Ray8]

I never realised that a computer, which is kind of unnatural ie not of biological origin, had a natural interface that has only now been identified. It sounds very much like the Irish Calculator:

 

[chrisa]

historically, Microsoft is always late to the party. This time they have tried hosting the party and forcing people to like it.

Windows 8 is a stepping stone release.

Only if, in 9, they provide the option to ditch the 'Start Screen' when dealing with apps, especially for workstations.

Then its game on. But if they persist in attempting to migrate away from the desktop for workstation PC's to the 'Start Screen', they will get crucified. Its barely passable for tablets... nobody wants it, or really uses it, for workstations. Or hey, they could have an anonymous ballot of Microsoft Engineers and find out there may be one guy in that company that thinks the Start Screen is going to rule a world dominated with Open Area with Icons(one which they've owned starting with the Windows Desktop). Because trust me when I say that the whole thing smacks of management intervention.

 

[Ray8]

Only if, in 9, they provide the option to ditch the 'Start Screen' when dealing with apps, especially for workstations.

Careful now, that's tantamount to heresy for some on this forum. Some will be very unhappy:

 

[whs]

It does not really matter whether M$ is in front or behind. What matters is whether their products are suitable for their customers and whether they are accepted by the market. Up to now it does not look like Windows 8 is a winner and for the traditional PC users it is, to say the least, pretty alien.

They are lucky that the OEMs sell their stuff along with new PCs. Without that share, the Windows 8 sales would probably be a very small number.

 

[Lee]

Only if, in 9, they provide the option to ditch the 'Start Screen' when dealing with apps, especially for workstations.

Careful now, that's tantamount to heresy for some on this forum. Some will be very unhappy:

Not at all funny. . .

 

[SIW2]

Proves the point.

 

[chrisa]

Only if, in 9, they provide the option to ditch the 'Start Screen' when dealing with apps, especially for workstations.

Careful now, that's tantamount to heresy for some on this forum. Some will be very unhappy:

Not heresy at all :>. My point has been that you basically have A Tale of Two Interfaces. The Mobile Interface and The Desktop Interface. You can run The Mobile Interface easily on your system, simply hit the window key, select Start from charms, etc. Once there, knock yourself out in The Mobile Interface. That doesn't go away.

However, if you choose The Desktop Interface... then it includes the ability to run both Apps and Applications(with the option for them to be windowed). Apps will be denoted with icons, same as .exe Applications(give them a little RT moniker in the upper left if they want). And they'll adhere to all the rules of the desktop, and when you close out of them you land on the desktop.

So you can choose either The Mobile Interface(hi, i'm on a tablet!) or The Desktop Interface(gonna party like its 1995!).

Both choices should be equally valid, and neither should bleed over into the other. Pick your poison. You should also be able to access the Windows Store from the Desktop, and when you add apps it adds them to both The Mobile Interface(as a tile) and The Desktop Interface(as an icon).

 

[Coke Robot]

That is an odd idea. If the rest of the world are already doing it - then 8 would not be a precursor.

Cokie
Some fail to understand that the rest of the world and the rest of relevant platforms are already doing things that Windows 8 is now doing. Windows 8 is a precursor ...

Ray meant in terms of where MS is going - not looking very desirable to those who can see.

That snipped it taken out of context, as usual.

 

[Coke Robot]

Only if, in 9, they provide the option to ditch the 'Start Screen' when dealing with apps, especially for workstations.

Careful now, that's tantamount to heresy for some on this forum. Some will be very unhappy: