Windows 8, I’m warming up to you

The following isn't the sentiments expressed by many note.

Windows 8, I’m warming up to you
By Ken Hess
March 26, 2012, 10:00am PDT


Summary: Windows 8 and Server 8 sport the new Metro interface. You might hate it now but you’ll get used to it and you’ll like it.



Windows Server 8 Server Manager

It’s going to take a little time to find everything in Windows 8’s new interface but I think I’m warming up to Metro and its idiosyncrasies. I finally successfully installed Windows Server 8 into a XenServer 5.6 hosted VM. I gave my new Server 8 VM 2 CPUs and 2GB RAM. Alternatively, Windows 8 Desktop installed easily into VMware Workstation 8. I also installed Windows 8 Desktop onto a physical system so that I could test on real hardware as well.


I think I might actually like the Metro interface now that I’ve had a chance to test it, be mad at it, curse it to Hell and then to try it again with a sense of “this is the way of the future for MS operating systems.”


It’s time, as I once told a coworker about 15 years ago, “Put on your big boy pants and learn to use this system.” I was referring to his resistance at learning Windows NT 4.0 after I upgraded his system from Windows NT 3.51. My attitude was soon dampened by the sound of a Director informing my Domain Admin group that we had to stay every night until all of the desktops had 64MB RAM in them. Most of our NT 3.51 systems had 32MB RAM.


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That article reads like the typical prose of an author who wants to continue writing about Microsoft's latest and greatest idea of the moment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Metro and its idiosyncrasies.
Just imagine the comments if we had worked with the Metro interface since 10 years and they would now introduce the traditional Start menu. I can just see all the comments how terrible and difficult it is to use it - because the Metro was soooo easy. Just think of the terrible Start Properties and All Programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Couldn't have said it better myself! There is some indication now that there will be a followup or better known as RC available to examine prior to the RTM. I was just to post that article.

Hopefully the RC will be more of an eye catcher for sure! Maybe then we can get a better idea of what MS actually has in mind for the finished Windows there!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
Metro and its idiosyncrasies.
Just imagine the comments if we had worked with the Metro interface since 10 years and they would now introduce the traditional Start menu. I can just see all the comments how terrible and difficult it is to use it - because the Metro was soooo easy. Just think of the terrible Start Properties and All Programs.

LOL. As I've written here several times, I thought the Start Menu was horrible the first time I saw it in an NT4 beta back in 1995-96, and I've never wavered in my opinion that it was completely unusable as the primary program launcher/organizer. I didn't need to compare it to anything. It was horrible because it was hard to navigate, and it went away when anything was selected from it, forcing one to start the navigation all over again. Anyone who has suffered with the Start Menu all this time simply couldn't have cared very much about how they use their computer, because superior alternatives have always been available. Before Windows 7, I used something called jetToolbar. The only thing Microsoft has ever done well in this area is the Windows 7 taskbar, and they hit that one out of the park. Yet everyone here posts about the Start Menu, as if that tedious-to-navigate, always-closing, start-over-from-scratch creation is the be all and end all of Windows, the thing to compare to. I really wish I could find one discussion where the Start Menu doesn't come up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Well that's where the real beef is! The new Metro touchscreen interface is a large swapoff from the usual expected Start menu>Programs or All Programs with a mouse compared to a full scroll screen where you can "still" use a mouse to click the large buttons but is geared for touchscreen application.

Unlike the typical windows Windows of closing up one window to go back to the previous or use of a back arrow your only option is to hover in the bottom left corner for each thing. Even the new repair tools on the 8 dvd see additional steps added there before you can get to the new Automatic repair no longer seen as Startup repair option or command prompt.

Repair Tools and Options in VM 3.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
Unlike the typical windows Windows of closing up one window to go back to the previous or use of a back arrow your only option is to hover in the bottom left corner for each thing.

These multiple hidden hotspots make me want to cry. I had to turn off Aero peek because I was always activating it unintentionally, and from what I understand, they've multiplied, and they are essential to the "Metro" thing. I didn't discover them in the brief time I had Windows 8 in a VM, probably for the same reason people with desktops spanning multiple monitors have complained the hotspots are only one pixel in size and impossible to hit. At this rate, Windows 8 will be the OS that makes a Windows PC as undesirable as a Windows phone or the upcoming tablet, not exactly the unification they had in mind.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Good Lord. When I see that repair tool screen or almost anything else in Metro, I see this:

rabbit.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
Yeah! Put on those big boy pants ya whiny little girl!.... :p
 

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
Good Lord. When I see that repair tool screen or almost anything else in Metro, I see this:

View attachment 4986

Good analogy! :roflmao: The obviously design for the Metro UI is touchscreen pc and mobile application and not too well received by the "point and click" crowd!

As for the repair tools that works out great for the OEMs in the world with the full factory restore option or "Reset". The repair install option is also present being the "Refresh". But if you are looking to repair a startup issue, use a System Restore point, or even restore a full system image backup you keep continuing on to the Advanced options screen.

Repair Tools and Options in VM 4.jpg

Of course neither that screen or the previous are seen when first clicking on the repair tools item not link under the Install Now button to arrive at...

Repair Tools and Options in VM 2.jpg

Note that doesn't include the "Continue" or "Other OS" screen to add further to the confusion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
Since Microsoft have an official way to select whether IE10 opens as a Metro App or as a Desktop app, I bet that they will add this to the other Metro Apps. Apart from system maintenance, there is nothing in the Metro Apps I want for my PC so I ignore it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
I kind of want to download Windows Server 8 and give a spin for that has THE most metro influenced design on the Desktop versus the client OS of 8....

Speaking of totally related matters, I remember last year Microsoft had this addon for Office 2010 called the Clippy Game I think. Basically, it was the return of the hated Clippy, but it was a game that spanned the different programs of Office and taught you the basics of those programs so you know how to use them. I think something like this could totally work for Windows 8, except...no Clippy. HAHA! Maybe the sad face of the new BSOD could take you through Windows 8! :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
The differences between the Start screen's version of IE 10 and the icon pinned is simply seeing IE open in full screen or windowed mode. It's simply the same IE but two modes.

The main idea of Metro is for one thing being touchscreen. With the success of 7 MS now has time to come out with a Touchscreen OS for pc realizing many won't be going with 8. But they can now offer a touchscreen version of Windows especially keeping Tablet PC and hand held devices like the Windows Phone 8 in mind.

The gamble for anyone looking at upgrading to 8 will be first looking over the RC before 8 is final to see just what will be in store for the RTM to come a few months later! That will be the "maker" or the "breaker" as far as most desktop pc users are concerned.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
NightHawk writes: "The main idea of Metro is for one thing being touchscreen. With the success of 7 MS now has time to come out with a Touchscreen OS for pc realizing many won't be going with 8."

You might have something there. MS is already working on Windows 9. They might be getting consumers ready for the day when only touchscreens are manufactured.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I shudder to the think of a day when all desktop monitors are touch-enabled. My present reaction to someone pointing at something on my monitor is to whack their hand with a ruler if they get too close. In any case, touch-enabled monitors don't seem to make a lot sense for most things. It's not going to help me write this message, for example.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
Just like the onscreen keyboards several complaints about touchscreens being oversensitive where if you go to open one WE window you end up seeing 3 or 4 open along with it!

MS must realize if they stray too far from the familiar desktop OS people will simply start looking at the alternatives. With the support for 7 extended until 2020 they must have figured this would be the time for offering a touchscreen version while the rest simply wait for 9, 10 to see what's new for the desktop while keeping 7 alive.

Making 8 mainly for businesses with large sales teams and places like schools were onscreen presentations are more common would fit the onscreen OS scenario over what you would want for the desktop for the typical home user. Then you add in the mobile market competition as well to see where 8 would be mostly seen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
I don't see the problem. Metro for desktop users is just a sideline and as I said above, I ignore it mostly. As someone else pointed out a week ago, Metro has some potential for businesses where they can roll out a bespoke Start screen for all their in-house work and lock users out of the desktop and fiddling etc. The trouble is, businesses are notoriously risk averse and conservative and many still haven't migrated to Win 7 and will never catch up. As I used to work in corporate IT I know that behind all the bluster about compatibility and user training and all the other excuses, one reason for the reluctance to upgrade is simply that the IT bods tend to be unimaginitive and all for an easy life. Sorry if that insults anyone here but it is one reason I left!

As I also said before, Win 8 CP is not set in stone and I'm sure we'll see changes during the coming months.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
I don't see the problem. Metro for desktop users is just a sideline and as I said above, I ignore it mostly. As someone else pointed out a week ago, Metro has some potential for businesses where they can roll out a bespoke Start screen for all their in-house work and lock users out of the desktop and fiddling etc.

That's only going to work if they can also convert all of their applications to Metro style applications, which can then be 'locked down' with group policy, and that's just the start.

The trouble is, businesses are notoriously risk averse and conservative and many still haven't migrated to Win 7 and will never catch up. As I used to work in corporate IT I know that behind all the bluster about compatibility and user training and all the other excuses,

It's not really about compatability or user training, although those are very important considerations. The main reason most companies are reticent about upgrading is return on investment i.e., there has to be a significant business reason to do so.

one reason for the reluctance to upgrade is simply that the IT bods tend to be unimaginitive and all for an easy life. Sorry if that insults anyone here but it is one reason I left!

Obviously, I have no idea what role you had in your previous incarnation in "Corporate IT" but having spent thirty plus years, in various roles, within that very same environment, I can happily say my experience was the complete opposite. The only time people become unimaginative, is when there's no incentive for them to think otherwise.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
    CPU
    FX-8350
    Motherboard
    GA-990XA-UD3
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
    Sound Card
    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Various
    PSU
    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox
I was an assistant systems manager in a major UK branch of a private bank and my experience was one of frustration I'm afraid. It was clearly the wrong environment for someone like me. I was full of ideas which were regularly squashed. Getting anything done in a large corporate machine was just so hard. But enough of that.

As for Metro style applications, I suspect it won't be too long before a tweak is discovered that will allow them to be locked down and so on. Or MS will see the opportunity and offer it themselves. If MS can get desktop users to like at least parts of Metro, it will be a bonus for them I think.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
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