I still cannot decide if I like this OS.

musiclover7

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I have been using this OS for about 3 weeks now, and I still cannot decide if I really like it or if I am still just trying to like it. I think with a touch screen I might be 100% sold on it, but I don't have a touch screen.

What I am noticing, is that most of the metro apps I have installed are not very useful/don't work so good. This is not a deal breaker, as the store is still young and I have a sense that better things will come with time. Still, it is true now.

I keep seeing these commercials about how this OS is really customize-able, and how each person can really make the ui their own. I think this is a total hunk of rubbish and probably the opposite of the truth unfortunately. There is very little wiggle room for customization in this OS. If anything, I felt like my desktop in Windows 7 was more my own than this metro start screen. In 8, the backgrounds and colors are all preloaded, and you have to choose from the canned options given by microsoft. The Start menu is gone, and no way to bring it back is included for those who prefer it. I feel no affinity to my start screen, even though I have been using it for 3 weeks, and I wonder how many others are probably having this same feeling.

All this said, I like the idea of the app store, and I can see potential in what they are trying to do. At the moment, I don't like any of the apps though. Everyone one of them (aside from the games) feels a bit rushed and half baked, with limited functionality.

I like the detailed file copy meters, the new task manager, storage spaces is a great idea as is native iso mounting, and I think in time metro apps will get better. The concept will catch and make sense in the long run, though at the moment it is still immature.

Still the whole notion that we have been given this great ability to make this OS our own, is really not true. Options were taken away not added, and this leaves a bitter taste in my mouth as I am trying to enjoy the meal..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
They should definitely had more customization ability baked into the operating system itself. I lot of it has to do with the look they've created. Their thin weight font flat font becomes illegible when the background becomes too busy.
 

My Computer

Yeah.. With too many of the tiles, I cannot even tell which program is which without looking at it for a few seconds.. It just does not feel very intuitive. I am hoping it will grow on me. I also, have never been a fan of having 3rd party look and feel apps installed on my pc. Many of them require an extra startup program to function correctly, and I have always felt that there were potential conflicts with the rest of the OS at times.. I was speaking specifically about the vanilla version of the OS. It is not the customize-able experience that Microsoft is claiming..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460
Windows 8 is pretty customizable, regardless of third party apps. To me, you couldn't make the start menu different colors or group items and so on. Then again, I didn't spend much time with my start menu open. I used the Desktop...

Say, how do you use the Start Screen and Desktop? Do you have things pinned to the Taskbar? Do you have those same items on the Start Screen?
 

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
Yes.. that might be true, but there are those of us who actually preferred the start menu with the desktop experience. It was quick, familiar and functional. I can see a nice potential benefit in transforming it into a screen, instead of a menu, but I think the better course would have been to allow desktop users the option to opt out. Also, the start screen should be better. There is a lot of potential, most of which is not even close to reached..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460
May I ask you a question?

What benefit do you see in repeating this comment over and over and over and over and over and over and over again?

Do you think your computer will suddenly get a start menu back?

Do you think Microsoft is secretly watching, and if you can just say it enough times they will slap themselves on the forehead and say "Why didn't we think of that?"

I mean, seriously. You've said your peace. A lot. Do you really need to keep saying it? Does it really buy you anything? Other than annoying everyone that is tired of hearing about it?

I'm just curious, is all. I mean, is dead horse flogging a past time?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
In retrospect, if Microsoft had that option in Windows 8, the new changes like the Start Screen would had been pointless. It would probably be used most on touch enabled PCs mostly, and would literally cause an amount of UX fragmentation as how one Windows 8 user uses it isn't like the other user's experience. UX fragmentation just within ONE Windows version would had been problematic.

Then pair that option with Microsoft's current HUGE marketing effort...

I find that the Start Screen just offers more flexibility of usage choice. There was once a time where the start menu wasn't familiar and it took a long while before it was the mainstream, familiar norm. It's understandable that there is hesitation, but once you give it a real go, those hesitations I find will reside. For example, I use the Libraries feature pretty much every day. The Start Screen by default doesn't have the default library locations (I call BS on this as this is still pretty important to use). Simple solution, right click and hit Pin to Start. Arrange tiles accordingly. But thinking about this, someone else might not use the Libraries as much as I do or as much as the next person, so that option is left to the user.
 

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
I think it's okay but it takes twice as long to do some thing then win 7
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    acer ax3950
    CPU
    i3 530
    Memory
    4 gig ddr 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    dont need one as i go on onlive cloud gaming
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    i-inc 19 inch wide
    Hard Drives
    640 gig
    Cooling
    fan
    Keyboard
    logitec s540
    Mouse
    motor mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 meg virgin media uk
Mystere, I have a hard time believing Microsoft does not occasionally peruse these forums, or that there are no Microsoft employees in the user base here. Also, I am one who is trying to like it, and who wants to see it made better. I sense that my suggestions differ from those of other people somewhat, in that I try to offer my thoughts on how things can be impoved in my post, rather than just handsome frog and moan which is apparently how you read me..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460
The OS?

Yes.

The direction MS is pushing us?

NO WAY!!

I point-blank will NOT pay for online content, and will NOT pay-per-use for software.

Nor will I EVER be storing my files in the cloud. Free or not.

Nor will I tolerate the way MS is trying to lock us in with this 'secure-boot' rubbish.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
The music app lacks a volume up/down setting option. Pretty important when you are listening to music I would think.

The people app lacks the 'share' function, as in, I want to share this picture on someone Else's Facebook page. Otherwise, it is really not too shabby of an app. I actually use it here and there.

The mail app lacks the block sender option, an easy way to drag an email and drop emails into folders, or even a way to create new folders for that matter. You are sort of stuck with the folders that you had in your gmail account or whatever before you started using the mail app.

The photos app on my machine, no longer even loads. I probably have too many pictures for it to handle.

There are some fun games...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460
The OS?

Yes.

The direction MS is pushing us?

NO WAY!!

I point-blank will NOT pay for online content, and will NOT pay-per-use for software.

Nor will I EVER be storing my files in the cloud. Free or not.

Nor will I tolerate the way MS is trying to lock us in with this 'secure-boot' rubbish.

You point very well to the real problem
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
I did use it for one week as my main OS, didn't like it and said good bye forever...
stupid useless metro screen, removed eyecandy in favour of low power tablets... started giving me headache after 1 week
now using 7 and hope 9 brings something better to the table...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Enterprise x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS L702X
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2760QM
    Motherboard
    Intel HM67
    Memory
    Samsung 16GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 555M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 128GB
    Samsung 1TB
The music app lacks a volume up/down setting option. Pretty important when you are listening to music I would think.

The people app lacks the 'share' function, as in, I want to share this picture on someone Else's Facebook page. Otherwise, it is really not too shabby of an app. I actually use it here and there.

The mail app lacks the block sender option, an easy way to drag an email and drop emails into folders, or even a way to create new folders for that matter. You are sort of stuck with the folders that you had in your gmail account or whatever before you started using the mail app.

The photos app on my machine, no longer even loads. I probably have too many pictures for it to handle.

There are some fun games...

To me, it kind of sounds like you're picking and choosing what you like about 8. The People app is odd that it doesn't have the Share from Photos, I imagine an update will be in the pipeline to fix that. But the volume settings in the Xbox Music app doesn't seem so necessary was you can just use the system control to lower the volume and raise it back up.

There are different mail apps out there from Outlook to Live Mail you can use, the Mail app to me seems more or less like something that should be an innate feature of a modern, internet connected OS much like how the Calculator is an innate feature of any OS. I'd suggest using something else, obviously Desktop based, for an email client.

Photos app is something I'm not too keen on myself, but again, if you don't need it or use it, meh. Uninstall it.

And yes, there are some fun games! :D

My suggestion is to pick and choose what works best for you, whether it's a Desktop app or a metro app.
 

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
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