Poll: Basic Preferences--Using Metro Interface vs Desktop

znod

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Poll: Basic Preferences--Using "Metro" vs Desktop

There is a great deal of discussion here that, to me, is based on basic preferences for using "metro" over the desktop or vice versa. Personally, I am very interested in knowing more about the related strength-classes into which your preferences fall. In this regard, I know that the desktop might be considered to be part of the overall "metro" interface. But, for purposes of this poll, I am dichotomizing the Windows 8 interface into: (1) "metro" and (2) the desktop. I think you will understand what I am getting at using this dichotomy without additional explanation.

I hope that those responding to my poll will have a substantive basis for expressing a basic preference (or lack thereof) of one of the types described in my possible poll responses. My poll results might generalize to the member population on the Windows 8 Forums, but that is unclear since the respondents are not necessarily from what might be characterized as a random sample. And, there is no a priori reason to expect that my poll's results will generalize to any other particular larger population (e.g., Windows 8 users in the U.S., Windows 8 users in the U.S. and Europe, etc.).

There is no "right" set of reasons for preferring "metro" to the desktop or vice versa. Feel free to express the reasons for your preferences hopefully after responding the poll.

In discussing your reasons, I hope that you will avoid the obvious sorts of questionable uses of words that many of us have engaged in on some of our topic threads. In general, let's just avoid the sorts of acrimony that have been so widespread on prior threads dealing with Windows 8 merits and demerits, etc., etc.

Edit1: Oops, the last poll response should have said "have no" not "have no have no," but I imagine you figured that out.

Edit2: See post my #40 for discussion of poll, preferences, and possible reasons for preferences to that point.

Edit 3: (1/22/13) See my post #51 for update and invitation for new voting and revoting.
 
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Still prefers Desktop, although I still use the Metro Interface occasionally.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
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    Laptop
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    Lenovo Y520
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    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
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    OEM Lenovo
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    4GB DDR4-2400
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    AMD Athlon X4 760K
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Do you want to vote in the poll? See above. I think you somehow replied before the poll appeared.
 

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    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
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    PC/Desktop
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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
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    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
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Do you want to vote in the poll? See above. I think you somehow replied before the poll appeared.

That is true and I am confused at first.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
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    Laptop
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    Lenovo Y520
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    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
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    OEM Lenovo
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    4GB DDR4-2400
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    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
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    Realtek HD
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    1 (2)
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    1920x1080
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    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
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    OEM Lenovo
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    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
I use both equally.

Same here. I MUCH prefer the old style of Windows computing, but I mean, when the Metro (Modern) UI isn't bugging up for me, I think it's perfect and simple for a lot of everyday tasks I do!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 6700K
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    ASRock Z170 Extreme4
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    Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz 64GB
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    NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super
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    Xiaomi ‎XM700001 + Dell P2421
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    3440x1440
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    Samsung 870 Evo 1TB, Samsung 870 Evo 500GB, WD Blue EZRZ 4TB x3
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    Silverstone Strider 650W Gold Plus
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    Noctua NH-D15
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    Coolermaster Masterkeys Pro S
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk Ultimate
    Internet Speed
    100/40
    Browser
    Firefox
It really makes no difference to me. I spend about 90% of my time on the desktop. Also, as an iMac user(80% of the time) using the win 8 start screen is not that much of a difference from "Launchpad."
 

My Computer

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    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
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    PC/Desktop
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    HP Pavilion p1423w
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    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
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    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
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    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
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    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
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    Tower
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    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
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    Firefox 19.1
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    MSE-Defender
Interesting, I have MBP, MBA, and iMac (wife). Neither of us ever currently use "Launchpad." I used it some when first installed to see what it does, but that's it. Doubt Apple will go as far as MS did with metro, but we'll see.
 
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    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
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    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
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    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I have a general preference of metro over the Desktop.

At first I voted no general preference but thought about it a bit.

Honestly, both UIs work great. The Desktop is used a lot for me because there are Desktop programs I have to use. The metro, immersive aspect I use with certain apps as some of those apps have better layouts versus using the site. Live tiles also enhance that.

As of now, I doubt I could literally switch away from the Desktop. I'd like to, but it needs improvements and work to bring over Desktop like functionality from the apps over to the WinRT environment. For example, there are several WinRT File Explorer apps out there that I've tried out. It won't cut it for me as the Ribbon is far superior to use with two windows snapped next to each other to handle file cutting and pasting or moving or copying. As I see it, some developers are thinking that Windows 8 apps should be like phabet/smartphone apps when they shouldn't be. But if there were more people like the VLC Player development team that is taking the Desktop version of the player to the immersive metro style, things would REALLY be great.

I use a combo of both Desktop and metro. I'm typing this out within the immersive IE 10. I prefer using that than the Desktop version. I prefer using File Explorer versus a file explorer type app with not a lot functionality. When some Desktop apps get ported over to the WinRT environment, I'll give that a go. But we're too early into the saga of development for Windows 8...
 

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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Desktop, as resizable Windows are absolutely a requirement. PERIOD.
 

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    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Corsair 620HX modular
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    stock
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I like Desktop.
I use Metro Search to find things.
I'm used to XP Pro.
Windows 8 Pro takes a bit of getting used to.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
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    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
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    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
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    AMD K140
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    Extended Family 14
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    Extended Model 2
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    Revision ON-C0
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    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Mostly use the Desktop, occasionally Metro UI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
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    High Definiton Audio Device
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    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have a general preference of metro over the Desktop.
I understand what you are saying above Coke. If I overemphasize some of what your said, then please forgive (not on purpose). What I will say is just consistent with what I do.

I am OK with metro for doing a few things (e.g., changing some pc settings and doing some personalizing, etc.), but almost everything I do is from the desktop either by necessity or because I like the options available to me on the desktop better. And, for example, if I want a movie, then I go to Netflix from Chrome on my desktop. And, if I want news, then I go to CNBC, CNN, Maximum PC, etc., from Chrome on my desktop. Etc., etc. As a consequence, my start screen ends up being essentially a transfer mechanism for the desktop. For example, if I end up on the start screen and decide I want to use Word, then I click Word, and I end up on the desktop. Of the original things that were on my start screen, the only ones left are Camera, Photos, Maps, Desktop, and Weather. I leave Weather there only for a quick peak (I don't open it; I have other preferred sources for weather). I leave Camera there because I might use it sometime. Same with maps (but I have other preferred sources here too). I leave Photos there for an occasional quick peak at My Pictures. I leave Desktop there for the obvious reason. And, ignoring Maps, Photos, Weather, Camera, and Windows Media Center, If I click on anything else on my start screen, then I end up on the desktop. The things I put on my start screen are primarily those allowing me to make a selection from the set of things I am most likely to want to do after, for example, restarting. Below is what my start screen currently looks like.

Edit: My desktop tile now is in the upper left so that a return takes me directly to the desktop.
 

Attachments

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
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    Gateway
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    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
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    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
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    Cooler Master 932 HAF
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    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
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    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I use the desktop 89% of the time to get productive work done because, as pparks1 points out, having multiple re-sizable windows open at the same time is an absolute must. I do hop over to the Start UI to check weather, ESPN app, or to play a game or two. Also use it to search. I like the Start UI.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center, Windows RT
I use both with no preference, though I must admit to liking some of the Apps in Metro especially the travelling one. Being an iPad user I like the Windows Store, the Apps are getting better especially some of the games.

I can see myself spending more time in Metro in the future. I'm finding I don't close Apps down at all even the Desktop ones and can just switch between apps very easily.

I must admit I can't see why people are finding Windows 8 hard, especially with the task bar on the left.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I mainly use the desktop, because I am more comfortable with it. If future versions of Windows don't have a desktop feature, then I will just have to adapt, but not until then.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    CyberPower
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    i5 2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 Deluxe
    Memory
    8 gigabytes Corsair PC3-12800 DDR3
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    EVGA GeForce GTX 460 superclocked
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    Integrated
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    Viewsonic 23" LCD
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    1920 x 1080
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    128 Gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD
    128 Gb Kingston Hyper X SSD
    1 Tb Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
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    1000 watt Coolermaster modular
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    Coolermaster Haf X full tower
    Cooling
    Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus
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    Logitech
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    Logitec M310 USB cordless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb/s download 300 kb/s upload
I also use both, with a preference towards the desktop. I don't have an issue with Metro. No touch, just an el-cheapo $10 USB I/R mouse
with a scroll-wheel/3rd button. Seems to work just fine, for me.
Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
When people say they have a preference for something, it doesn't mean they find an alternative difficult, or the like, they simply prefer the former. I don't see what's so hard about understanding that.:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Strong preference and use of desktop. Metro, well so far games only...card games....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MS Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1070T
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A87TD/USB3 (AM3)
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 688MHz (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    DELL ST2421L (1920x1080@60Hz) 1023MB GeForce GT 430 (ASUStek Computer Inc)
It's not a matter of preference for me, each has it's reasons and my use of either is dictated by what I am working on or trying to accomplish not which environment is more preferable. How I use Windows 8 at work is a total contrast to how I use it at home because my use of it changes. At work it is more about productivity, all my requirements are at the desktop using desktop applications. The Metro interface becomes a launcher in this scenario although I occasionally might look at an App if a news item catches my eye. At home it's the opposite, most of what I do is consumption and I spend most of my time in Metro although I spend more time on the desktop on my Surface than I thought I would. I like both equally and find they both offer benefits in their own way, for that I voted no preference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
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