Observations, the good and the bad.

musiclover7

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Having now used Windows 8 for about a day, here is what I think is working, and what I think still needs to be improved before release.

The Metro start menu is growing on me, but it still has a ways to go. Most of my critique is going to focus on this, as this seems to be the main thing that is different. From my perspective, more customization options are badly needed. I think if folks had more room to make their start menu their own, they would complain a lot less. Let the end user have some fun with look and function. Here are some thoughts:

-I am not a fan of the colorful fruity colors that appear to be the only options available for the icons, and I think giving us the option to customize the color of our icons, not to mention more options with the color of the background, would be a big win. Not everyone wants their home page to look like Rainbow bright.

-Heck, let us customize our icons on the start page in general. I can see a whole new crop of development centered around start menu icon development. Instead, there are the basic crop of apps that come with the release, and every other program I run is just a hollow box with the name of the program pasted on it. Let me use a custom photo instead, or even a custom animation...

- Let us customize the background of the start menu. The OS so far gives us the choice between about 5-10 different nearly identical backgrounds, the only difference being a pattern of squiggly lines. Boring. Let me use my own custom picture please. How hard can this be?

-Please let me show the date/time on the start menu. This too cannot be that hard, and is important imo.

Now on to some of what works.

-I can actually see some nice potential with the start menu apps that come with the OS. Some of them are nice, and actually might get used by me, once they are a bit less buggy... I can see developers creating more apps, even better apps to replace, enhance the field, and I see the potential this will give the end user. If the apps were a bit better, if we had an easy way to exit out of them without having to open the task manager (maybe an x in the upper right corner, that hides until we mouse over), I can see this being a big hit, once people start making use of it.

Now some more suggestions.

-Need an easier way to exit out of apps that does not involve the task manager.

-More room to customize the apps themselves. The weather app defaults to a town that is about 10 miles east of my home location, and I have no way to change my home location as near as I can tell. I can add it as an additional location, but cannot find a way to make it home.

-I still think the start menu needs to be left in the OS as an option for those who cannot stand the metro start page. I also think the start button should still be in the bottom right of the task bar, even if its only function is to bring up the start page. I cannot see an easy way to get back to the start page with the mouse if I am on the desktop, and this seems silly. I think a lot of the haters would come around to liking the metro start page if the suggestions I listed above were implemented. If I was able to customize the size, look, and feel of what displayed on my start page, I can see myself really getting into it, and liking it far more than the start menu of old..

That is about all I have for now.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
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    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
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    8gb
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    Nvidia GTX 460
Which version of Windows 8 did you install? The Release Preview gives you many more backgrounds than that, there were about 20 last I looked.
 

My Computer

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    Antec SOLO II
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    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I am running build 8400. At present there are exactly 6 background options, all of which look nearly identical once the color is selected. My opinion of this OS could be completely improved if a little more control was given to the end user as far as the start screen goes.

One of these days, one Operating system company or another is going to learn that people inherently love freedom and hate feeling trapped. Knowing this, they will build an OS that gives ample options to the end user when it comes to customizing both look and function.
 

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
people inherently love freedom and hate feeling trapped. Knowing this, they will build an OS that gives ample options to the end user when it comes to customizing both look and function.

Let's hope.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Everyone has a different way of doing things. I have always seen it to be a strength of windows, that there are multiple ways to get somewhere in the OS; multiple ways to accomplish the same thing. If the avg user gets used to doing something one way, and you come along and tell him he cannot do it that way anymore because you have 'improved' things now, and this new way is better, get ready for some upset avg users. People are creatures of habit, but our habits are as varied as can be. We are not cattle who just need to be herded into the promised land, so quit treating us like this. The solution is simple. Give us choice. If that does not work, give us more choice. Make the motto of the OS, "Make it Yours", and watch as the stellar reviews come pouring in... Just my 2 cents...

If anyone has figured out a way so far to accomplish any of the things that I mentioned in my first post, please let me know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
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    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
-Need an easier way to exit out of apps that does not involve the task manager.

Alt + F4
- the old "Close Window Key" closes Apps too

Location - mine in the UK is really good because it uses my Postcode - but if I have not given a postcode in an installation, it uses my Internet host server location, several miles away. So your zip code may be needed.

I make my Metro background as bright as possible, because it seems dark compared to desktop applications, and make the tiles smaller, and move the "fruitiest" unused ones - either by unpinning them, or swapping their position with the more useful, less bright, desktop application tiles. I don't spend much time in the Metro environment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
So.. no more snap function in 8 either. Using the windows and right arrow on the keyboard, which used to snap an explorer window to the right, now just brings be to the start screen. hmmm
 

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
I still find that it snaps for me - the windows key on its own toggles between desktop and Metro -windows key plus right or left arrow once snaps to side, twice snaps to other side 3 times makes the window rather small, +down arrow minimizes, +up arrow maximizes
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
To close a metro app, move the mouse cursor to the top, a little hand appears. Click, and drag down. It gets kind of fun after a while... :)

Screenshot (12).png
I want to show you my Start Screen. There aren't a lot of fruity colors since I've customized it.

Also, Windows 8 brings a new way to interact with the mouse, like hot corners. The left corners bring the app switcher while the right corners bring the Charms bar. I used to wish for the time on the Start Screen and some other things, but the Release Preview changed that. I think the Charms bar is easier to bring up and see the time or hibernate or search. One of the design concepts of Windows 8 is be more...out of way to say. There isn't chrome or other UI elements that get in the way of content or whatever. But to bring them up takes a simply swipe down to a corner and a little swipe out of it to hide them.

With the metro apps, you will either right click or use the Settings bar from the Charms UI. In the Weather App, you right click and hit Places and you should be able to find the town you want. Right clicking in an app brings the app's command bar up or down depending on the app. The Charms bar is used to search, share, or change settings within that app. It's different and kind of cool!

A tip though, if you want Desktop items like a Library or a folder or a hard drive, right click on that from Windows Explorer and hit Pin to Start. Makes things that much easier!
 

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 agree with the Start screen customization. What really bugs me is that they dont make it easy to set up the tiles how you want them. They make it such a chore.

And I really dont believe ill use the metro apps much, until I get a Microsoft Surface. I have no need for them when im using my desktop/laptop. The functionality of regular programs will always trump a metro app.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
Oh I know, tile placement is sometimes a crapshoot for me. It doesn't flow as it should and logically should.

I like to use some metro apps on my desktop like Weather or USA Today or Tom's Hardware or Finance or Newegg's app. Since installing the Release Preview, I've been doing about 40/60 with metro and Desktop. I don't use the Desktop for content consuming so much, so I use the immersive IE 10. I have apps installed that take internet content and delivers it in a nice metro styled way WITHOUT the useless adverting as of now.

I use the Desktop for programs that are creation apps like AVS Audio Editor, Photoshop, Office, and I use programs to copy game .iso's and I use Windows Explorer for file management and enjoy the new Ribbon UI for that. It really comes down to how you use the UI. I have no issue with metro apps or the Start Screen and don't find it as an impediment but more a versatile interface IF the user makes it such.
 

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 the metro apps are nice, but sort of clunky with mouse and keyboard. Maybe after I get used to them, I will come around, but for now.. clunky... I still say that the start menu was designed for people who like Rainbow Bright colors, even the pic that was posted is just a night time version of the same thing. The lack of customization given ruins what could be a great thing. If we had the power to really customize the start screen, make it something unique, where everything we do on our machines existed at a single click or touch, and if we got a warm fuzzy every time we went there because it looked like something we ourselves could take pride in, then I believe many of the haters would come around tomorrow. As it stands now, sorry. Nice idea, but failed implementation. Oh well.. Won't be long before developers get a hold of it and capitalize on this logic, if they can stomach it long enough to code what is needed.
 

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
I like the way that WRP permits metro apps to be closed when you move the cursor to the top left corner of the screen in desktop mode
 

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
Coke Robot posted
Also, Windows 8 brings a new way to interact with the mouse, like hot corners.
Idea good, implementation bad.
I don't how big the hot spot is 1 or 2 pixels and when in dual monitor desktop mode it defaults to far right of the right hand monitor, 3840 pixels away. Should you wish to get to the charms menu you really have to use win-key c.
Joe public will not like having to memorize short-cut keys to get around the various implementation short-comings that currently exist.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    xp , 7Pro, 8RP, Android phone, Tablet
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    q6600@3Ghz, amd 965 etc etc
    Motherboard
    gigabyte
    Memory
    8gb per
    Graphics Card(s)
    gts450 ,560gt etc
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3xsamsung 24in
    Screen Resolution
    3, 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    To many! spread across 4 desktops,3 laptops 1 netbook
    ssd, sata 3's ide etc
    PSU
    Hyper Modular 600W
    Case
    lian li
    Cooling
    artic
    Internet Speed
    60Mb
    Other Info
    Basically the house has 4 desktops 3 in the study + the wifes,
    3 laptops 1 netbook 2 android tablets 2 android smart phones
    and ipad and iphone
Coke Robot posted
Also, Windows 8 brings a new way to interact with the mouse, like hot corners.
Idea good, implementation bad.
I don't how big the hot spot is 1 or 2 pixels and when in dual monitor desktop mode it defaults to far right of the right hand monitor, 3840 pixels away. Should you wish to get to the charms menu you really have to use win-key c.
Joe public will not like having to memorize short-cut keys to get around the various implementation short-comings that currently exist.

Also, since they enlarged them, I now find that I hit the charms menu hotspot in the upper right when what I am REALLY trying to do is hit the X button for a full screen app. :/ I frequently set off the aero peek hot corner which was annoying, now we got hot corners everywhere and they aren't just a pixel in size any more either, they actually cover up areas of the screen or applications we are trying to get to with the mouse.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
Coke Robot posted
Also, Windows 8 brings a new way to interact with the mouse, like hot corners.
Idea good, implementation bad.
I don't how big the hot spot is 1 or 2 pixels and when in dual monitor desktop mode it defaults to far right of the right hand monitor, 3840 pixels away. Should you wish to get to the charms menu you really have to use win-key c.
Joe public will not like having to memorize short-cut keys to get around the various implementation short-comings that currently exist.

I'm not sure that Joe Public has dual monitors...

But overall, I would bet that the RTM has will have better dual monitor support like how the Release Preview has done.
 

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 have to agree that Metro apps need a proper visible close (x) button on the top right corner, makes exiting the app much more obvious for the average Joe than dragging towards the bottom and a minimize button to minimize an app would be a great addition too. Also a single click or touch on an (x) button on the upper right corner is much easier than dragging. Having a close button will surely be an advantage over those of iPhone, iPad or Android apps. When Sinofsky demoed the Surface, it was a pain for me to watch him pressing the button on the bottom of Surface everytime to exit an app only to have it suspended in the background and the Metro IE even froze, not responding so he had to grab a backup Surface unit. Not all people like hotspots too.

Also, how hard can it be to make a picture as a background on the Metro screen without using third party tools? The competitors have that feature so why not add that natively rather than just those colored background schemes? Also, customizable color schemes will be fun too so that people can really tone those colors to their liking.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
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