My six month reflection of Windows 8....

Coke Robot

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The time is coming where the future of Windows, the future of Microsoft is at hand. Hooray Consumer Preview! :party:

But I want to take some time to reflect on this wholly radical change to Windows since DOS to GUI, from Windows 3 to 95.I have to say that I've been using some a couple of programs that already have the metro design scheme going, like the Zune software. That impressed me in how it's so simple, but so vibrant and modern.

I remember a couple Decembers ago, I was staring at my pretty Windows 7 and looking at the start menu and I wondered, "How can Microsoft top this? How can they make this better that is something worth the upgrade?" The answer of course, Windows 8 and Start Screen. I was impressed by it, it was different, it was new, it was fresh. I'll say I am an adamant defender of metro design and the Start Screen. I still don't fully get some peoples' criticisms of it...

As much as this is a huge change to Windows, I haven't felt like I've been overwhelmed, but that might just be me. Even the fact the Start flag has been replaced by a logo that truly represents Windows, a window, I actually have come to like it. It makes sense, it's what Windows is, a windowing and now a tiling operating system. But I don't know what to do with my Logitech solar powered wireless keyboard that has the old Start flag.;)

Windows 8 to me is the Start of something great in computing technology and how people use such. It's going to expand further mobile, not just to laptops that made out desktops portable, but to touch screen tablets. It's going to bring new input modes, like touch and gesture while keeping keyboards and mice. It's Windows, but reimagined, rebuilt, and ready to make ipads look even more what they are: itouchs for old people.

Having said that, I'm excited. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead in the Consumer Preview build. From what I hear, almost 40 percent of the code has been changed since the DP build, WOW! Hopefully the Desktop View has been improved and made more of Windows 8 and not so much 7, but I don't know though, I haven't seen or heard such to suggest that. I'm also excited to see what metro styled apps have been developed. I'm excited to see if I can use a 75 gig SkyDrive soon, or at least set up my puter to be my personal SkyDrive.

Gosh, it feels like New Year's Eve, WE SO EXCITED!! LOUD NOISES!!! BAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! :thumbsup:
 

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
Blech!

Hopefully the Desktop View has been improved and made more of Windows 8 and not so much 7, but I don't know though, I haven't seen or heard such to suggest that.

Blech! :(

IMO, the only impressive features are the:
  • Reduced RAM footprint
  • Speed (operating, not boot).
  • System Reset options.

The clock on the "Lock/Login Screen" was a nice addition (long overdue).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Reduced RAM footprint
Speed (operating, not boot).
System Reset options.

Just these things would justify a system upgrade for a home user, the problem is with the enterprise enviroment.

Vlad.

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
I have to be a nay-sayer here.
In my limited playing with the WDP I found myself unimpressed with Metro - but that could be because I'm using Keyboard and Mouse, rather than a touch screen.
I'm looking forward to the CP with trepidation - it could easily confirm my worst fears, or it could dispel many (but not all) of them.

Metro was designed with Touch in mind - and more power to it. However, the Enterprise market and the business market in general is unlikely to want to gear towrds Touch before Win9 or 10 come out, both for cost considerations, and because the software for business apps is simply not going to be there until that time.
As a result, Windows stands to lose a lot of ground, if it alienates the 'traditional' PC user, while panering to the 'device' user. The normal laptop user is going to fell particularly hard-done-by, if Metro doesn't cater to their needs properly. I found it far from intuitive (but then I don't own any touch devices at all!), and not very useful. I can see some advantages to the GUI, but IMO, the iteration in the WDP was sketchy at best, and just plain wrong in places.

Fingers crossed that MS gets the balance right in the CP!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 64-bit and Win8 32-bit in VM (+ others in VM)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K52F
    CPU
    i3
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    it's an i3 :)
    Sound Card
    Conexant (rubbish - or it may be the speakers)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Internet Speed
    whatever I can get - G3
Been running WDP for months. The simple expectation come to my mind were just this WCP would be tamed and behave unlike WDP that persistently shook me with unpredictable shutdown behavior and random tiles address inconsistency that cost resetting it. And, leave the rest to MS. :)

Catoer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
I had a good experience with WDP, except 'cause of some minor annoyances related to software compatibility and Metro UI context menu that sometimes freezes the new big clock on the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Remember, The metro interface is just on it's baby steps, but the main interface and mechanics are more advanced now than in Windows 7
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Home Premium / Commodore OS Vision / Windows 8 Release preview
    CPU
    AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core 7750 BE 2,7Ghz (2/4)
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-e
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE (ATI) Radeon HD 6870 (1Gb)
    Sound Card
    Do i have one?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1x HD1080 1x SXGA
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 500 Gb
    1x Samsung 30 Gb
    1x LaCie 1Tb Hard drive.
    PSU
    Antec 500W
    Case
    Antec three hundred
    Cooling
    3 fans + psu and cpu + gpu
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet
    Internet Speed
    110mb/ s
    Other Info
    Look, what i've created... just a few visits at the recyclement center was enough...
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