Windows 8: You Can Handle The Learning Curve

The New York Times weighed in this week on Windows 8. The verdict: anyone not as smart as David Pogue will be flummoxed by its "insanely confusing split personality," and should stick with something simpler, like maybe an abacus.

The Times' critic isn't the only one to accuse the general public of having the acuity of a houseplant. Numerous others have condemned Windows 8 because they believe average users just won't get the hang of it.

Source

A Guy
 
Rant/

This is what get my blood to boiling. It sames that there are techies out there who for some reason believe that if you do not live in their world then you cannot do anything when it comes to computers.

If you really think about it there are well over a couple of billion people on this planet that use computers everyday of the week. Albeit, I guess they're just to stupid to figure out Microsoft new OS. Thus isn't it nice to have people (techies) out there to guide those billion people who cannot think for themselves when it comes to using a computer.

These critics and techies need to get over themselves. . .they really aren't all that important.

End of Rant/ . . .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Hello Lee.
IMO, In the article, it's the snobby critics who have little regard for people and their intelligence. I could never repair my auto and need a good mechanic technician to fix things. They are very important to me. Just looking at all the issues in play, across the board, with all Operating Systems, IMO, techies are very important. ... not referring to nimrods who chastise every detail of 8, but rather the geek squad who likes to solve problems. They are needed around here.

44.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
Hello Lee.
IMO, In the article, it's the snobby critics who have little regard for people and their intelligence. I could never repair my auto and need a good mechanic technician to fix things. They are very important to me. Just looking at all the issues in play, across the board, with all Operating Systems, IMO, techies are very important. ... not referring to nimrods who chastise every detail of 8, but rather the geek squad who likes to solve problems. They are needed around here.

View attachment 10092

Really not talking all techies. And, yes there is a need for technical people especially in the world of business, and communications. The ones I am talking about are those who keep using the phase, "The Average User." Who is the average user. Can someone look at a person and determine that individual is an average computer user; no. I consider myself an average user so does that mean I do not have the ability to learn or understand any OS regardless if it is Win 8, Mac OS X or linux. Again, no.

BTW, up here in the central mountains of Idaho you have to be able to fit your vehicle and your computer; the nearest repair shops are 100 miles away in Boise. And, at this time of the year (already two feet of snow) it can be hard getting there. Though getting new shoes for my horses can be done at the local blacksmith place.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
I am highy tech savvy and have been self building PCs for over a decade. Windows 8, especially the metro UI is terribly confusing to use on a normal PC with a keyboard and mouse, it would be immensely better if Metro could be disabled entirely and if users could just use their desktop. I dont even understand why I need any of the things on Metro, all it is is good for is touch screens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel I7 980
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage III Extreme
    Memory
    12 Gb Geil Ultra Series
    Graphics Card(s)
    KFA2 Nvidia GTX 670
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G24
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 128 Gb + 512 Gb SSDs
    2 x Samsung 2 Tb HDDs
    PSU
    Tagan BZ-1100
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Phanteks ph-tc14pe
    Keyboard
    Microsoft sidewinder X4
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M8000X
    Internet Speed
    7.2 Mbps HSDPA
the nearest repair shops are 100 miles away in Boise.

wow... yikes... actually, I have been to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, Nampa and Bocatello during my travels to deliver things. I am reluctant to admit to having had a career as a coast to coast 18 wheeler for years. Here in New Bedford, on the oceanfront, there are at least 5 or 6 garages less than 3 miles from the house. A Best Buy is 1 mile from the house. 2 Walmarts within 4 miles. No frontier South of Boston. Idaho is a beautiful place to live. Occasionally, I look thru the listings on Trulia.com for potential new homes. Some places in Idaho can be very remote. Not used to that type of living. I would like to move out of New England to someplace remote but have grown to depend on broadband connectivity and close proximity to everything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
Rant/

This is what get my blood to boiling. It sames that there are techies out there who for some reason believe that if you do not live in their world then you cannot do anything when it comes to computers.

If you really think about it there are well over a couple of billion people on this planet that use computers everyday of the week. Albeit, I guess they're just to stupid to figure out Microsoft new OS. Thus isn't it nice to have people (techies) out there to guide those billion people who cannot think for themselves when it comes to using a computer.

These critics and techies need to get over themselves. . .they really aren't all that important.

End of Rant/ . . .
:ditto:
 

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
Hello Lee.
IMO, In the article, it's the snobby critics who have little regard for people and their intelligence. I could never repair my auto and need a good mechanic technician to fix things. They are very important to me. Just looking at all the issues in play, across the board, with all Operating Systems, IMO, techies are very important. ... not referring to nimrods who chastise every detail of 8, but rather the geek squad who likes to solve problems. They are needed around here.

View attachment 10092

Really not talking all techies. And, yes there is a need for technical people especially in the world of business, and communications. The ones I am talking about are those who keep using the phase, "The Average User." Who is the average user. Can someone look at a person and determine that individual is an average computer user; no. I consider myself an average user so does that mean I do not have the ability to learn or understand any OS regardless if it is Win 8, Mac OS X or linux. Again, no.

BTW, up here in the central mountains of Idaho you have to be able to fit your vehicle and your computer; the nearest repair shops are 100 miles away in Boise. And, at this time of the year (already two feet of snow) it can be hard getting there. Though getting new shoes for my horses can be done at the local blacksmith place.

WOW! You live in Idaho too!? Small bloody world. I have to say, this is true but not so much for us here in the southern parts. No snow yet.

But I do fix my car and computer! :D
 

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
Hi, I'm 78 and didn't use a computer at work and came to to it some 10 years ago and am self taught with the help of Forums like this and Workshops in Computer Mags. The following is my 4 days worth experience with Windows 8.
[SIZE=+1]On the afternoon of 25th October I was able to pay and download my discounted copy of Windows 8 Pro having qualified by purchasing a new PC after June of this year.
[SIZE=+1]By 1616 hours the same day [SIZE=+1]it was fully installed and up and running with only one minor problem; the Apps wouldn't function. I soon traced this to the[SIZE=+1]m b[SIZE=+1]ei[/SIZE]ng blocked by my Firewall and that was soon corrected and all was well.
[SIZE=+1]Having read many articles on the new W8 and seen quite a number of tutorials in the previous month I found that I was soon 'at home' with the new OS. One splendid piece of advice I'd received from this Forum [SIZE=+1]stood me in good stead, namely to first spend some time arranging, [SIZE=+1]organizing[/SIZE] and naming the Tiles in the Start Screen before venturing further. It [SIZE=+1]proved to be well worth the time[SIZE=+1] spent.
[SIZE=+1]Using both keyboard and mouse presented no problems at all and I was impressed by how easy and [SIZE=+1]straight-forward it was.
[SIZE=+1]For some weeks now I've read many criticisms of the [SIZE=+1]absence [SIZE=+1]of the Start Button in the new OS and expected to have some problem there. I was delighted to find that it presented no problem at all and in fact the new Start Screen; instantly available from the same corner as the Start Button using the mouse or [SIZE=+1]pressing[/SIZE] the 'Windows Key' provided a much better access[SIZE=+1] to the programs required; providing of course that you'd spent some time in [SIZE=+1]organizing[/SIZE] and grouping the program Tiles on the Start Screen. In fact I would say, Wh[SIZE=+1]o needs a Start Button?!!
[SIZE=+1]The other frequently mentioned criticism was the 'Steep Learning Curve'. I know I've spent quite some time [SIZE=+1]researching[/SIZE] the new OS prior to launch [SIZE=+1]which [SIZE=+1]has paid-off as I found [SIZE=+1]learning[/SIZE] the new technique comfortably easy.
[SIZE=+1]In addition, having upgraded from Windows 7 I found my 'Desktop' in W 8 w[SIZE=+1]ith[/SIZE] exactly [SIZE=+1]the same layout and settings as before and requiring no additional knowledge to operate.
[SIZE=+1]In conclusion let me say I like the new OS which does already give me more than I had before and also promises to be more secure and stable and if that proves to be the case then it's a win-win situation.
Regards to all who provide great help in this Forum
Thanks[SIZE=+1].
Yorky.[/SIZE]

[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    pcspecialists. Fusion450
    CPU
    AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core. 3.60GHz.
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7700 series
Thank you for the post Yorky, very well said.
I agree with your assessment, it's not that hard to figure out and most users will enjoy it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
I researched windows 8 for two days prior to launch, downloaded and installed windows 8 pro from the Microsoft store as soon as it was available online. Within minutes of install I knew I would not be going back to windows 7 even though I was not familiar with things it just felt right. The malware I had been fighting for months that was undetectable to MSE, Windows Defender Offline, and Malwarebites was destroyed or disabled in the first hour of using windows 8. I still have a lot to learn about windows 8 but thus far it has been fast, stable, and secure. I like the new look and believe it is a keeper.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware/Area51
    CPU
    I7-980, 3.33@3.33 Gulftown
    Motherboard
    Foxconn
    Memory
    12G, 3x4GB, 1333
    Graphics Card(s)
    2-GTX480
    Sound Card
    SB X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (3)Dell Ultrasharp 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    750GB, 7.2K Seagate
    750GB, 7.2K Seagate
    1TB, 7.2K WD Black
    1TB, 7.2K WD Black
    PSU
    1200 Watt
    Case
    AW Area51
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU and Air
    Keyboard
    AW Tactical
    Mouse
    AW Tactical
    Internet Speed
    15-25MB Cable
    Other Info
    Hauppauge! Win TV-HVR-1800 MC-Kit
Welcome to Eight Forums Pat.
Glad that you are enjoying Win8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
It's not that difficult to learn it. That's highly exaggerated. But it's not easy nor does it feel intuitive. They have made things more difficult where it was not necessary and changed things that are not for the best. But it definitely could have been more user-friendly and have a better user-experience.
 

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