In praise of the Windows 8 Desktop

This story needs to be read in full, it's an honest appraisal of Windows 8.

Just in case people think Paul Thurrot is a Microsoft lover, he's not, he bashes Microsoft more than Tim Cook does.

.But the desktop. Oh, how the desktop has improved.

Gone is the now-antiquated Aero look and feel, its needlessly translucent glass effects replaced by the more pleasing, modern-looking, and, yes, opaque Explorer windows in Windows 8. Microsoft removed Aero because of battery life concerns, which I’m OK with. But I just think it looks better.


Windows Explorer has been upgraded substantially with a new ribbon-based UI that power users will immediately start grousing about. Relax, it’s a win-win: Now, the less sophisticated users you support can actually find what they’re looking for. And you can hide the ribbon, creating the cleanest looking version of Explorer you’ve ever used. And you can mount ISO and VHD images directly into the file system and access them just like normal discs and disks, respectively.


Anyone dogged by slow and unreliable file copies in previous Windows versions, especially over a network, will love that file copy/move has been completely overhauled. It not only looks better with a nice new single-window UI, but it moves like greased lightning, as if Microsoft finally discovered multi-threaded programming for the first time. This isn’t an evolution, it’s a big deal.

Read at the source.
In Praise of the Windows 8 Desktop | Windows 8 content from Windows IT Pro
 
I would like to put a stopwatch on his 6 second boots. I bet they are closer to 10.

Maybe he means after post, and includes just the time to load Windows 8. I always measure from power button press.
 

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Paul Thurrot is a Microsoft lover

Indeed he is.

He is entitled to post his opinions nevertheless.
If you think that, read some of his stories, you'd swear he was working for Apple a lot of the time, he doesn't hold back if he doesn't like something to do with Microsoft.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Is that the same Paul "my contacts at MS " , "the desktop must die " Thurrott.

The guy who sells books about windows - in particular the latest version.

Or is it someone else of the same name.

He is very pro MS. He did have a few moments of doubt over 8, which I suppose makes him slightly less blatant than Ed Bott.

The difficulty you have in grasping it maybe because almost nobody is at your level of outright blind love - therefore in compariosn to you they don't seem very pro ms. Even the slightest hint of mild criticism or doubt seems to you practically a sacrilege.

I am not knocking them for that. They are entitled to have blogs and other related ways they make a living - which have a particular editorial stance.

It is normal. e.g The Telegraph is a Tory newspaper. Nothing wrong with that per se.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
This story needs to be read in full, it's an honest appraisal of Windows 8.

Just in case people think Paul Thurrot is a Microsoft lover, he's not, he bashes Microsoft more than Tim Cook does.

.But the desktop. Oh, how the desktop has improved.

Gone is the now-antiquated Aero look and feel, its needlessly translucent glass effects replaced by the more pleasing, modern-looking, and, yes, opaque Explorer windows in Windows 8. Microsoft removed Aero because of battery life concerns, which I’m OK with. But I just think it looks better.


Windows Explorer has been upgraded substantially with a new ribbon-based UI that power users will immediately start grousing about. Relax, it’s a win-win: Now, the less sophisticated users you support can actually find what they’re looking for. And you can hide the ribbon, creating the cleanest looking version of Explorer you’ve ever used. And you can mount ISO and VHD images directly into the file system and access them just like normal discs and disks, respectively.


Anyone dogged by slow and unreliable file copies in previous Windows versions, especially over a network, will love that file copy/move has been completely overhauled. It not only looks better with a nice new single-window UI, but it moves like greased lightning, as if Microsoft finally discovered multi-threaded programming for the first time. This isn’t an evolution, it’s a big deal.

Read at the source.
In Praise of the Windows 8 Desktop | Windows 8 content from Windows IT Pro

good post bill and a decent read thanks
 

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    100MB
Is that the same Paul "my contacts at MS " , "the desktop must die " Thurrott.

The guy who sells books about windows - in particular the latest version.

Or is it someone else of the same name.

He is very pro MS. He did have a few moments of doubt over 8, which I suppose makes him slightly less blatant than Ed Bott.

The difficulty you have in grasping it maybe because almost nobody is at your level of outright blind love - therefore in compariosn to you they don't seem very pro ms. Even the slightest hint of mild criticism or doubt seems to you practically a sacrilege.
What I'm saying is that even though its a Windows site, he'll let loose if he finds something he doesn't like, he doesn't sit there gushing over everything. Some of his criticisms of Microsoft, Windows Phone and Windows 8 have been quite volatile, even a bit over the top. He's even been chastised by Microsoft for some of the things he's said.

I think the best way to handle this story might be for people to read it and point out where he's wrong. Forget everything else and pull this story apart, then well know the real truth.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I would like to put a stopwatch on his 6 second boots. I bet they are closer to 10.

Maybe he means after post, and includes just the time to load Windows 8. I always measure from power button press.
It's still pretty quick though, I couldn't be bothered counting. But I find everything in Windows 8 faster than Windows 7, like Jimbo says Windows 7 runs like treacle in comparison.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I am not criticisng you for posting it up.

I am correcting an inaccurate statement.

To go back to the Telegraph example - they don't gush over everything the Tories do, they sometimes criticise. They are nonetheless THE Tory Paper. They wouldn't get elected without the Telegraph.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I am not criticisng you for posting it up.

I am correcting an inaccurate statement.

To go back to the Telegraph example - they don't gush over everything the Tories do, they sometimes criticise. They are nonetheless THE Tory Paper. They wouldn't get elected without the Telegraph.
Okay, I'll agree but he does get pretty volatile in his criticisms.

Anyway getting back to his appraisal of Windows 8, I'd like to see people just point out where he's wrong, maybe then we can get a better understanding of what's wrong with Windows 8. Most of the things he says I agree with and have pointed out many times on this forum, so lets here from the other side to get a more balanced view, but only on the things he's written, nothing else.
 

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Not sure what you are expecting.

That is his take on it. Fine he is entitled to his opinion.

If you want another, here:

Observations: How Microsoft Windows 8 is just like a Dilbert cartoon

For those still unaware, Windows 8 is an OS designed for teenagers using their tablets to play Bejeweled and post on Twitter. Folks like myself who use their PC as a work tool are now irrelevant and of no value

He is also entitled to it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Not sure what you are expecting.

That is his take on it. Fine he is entitled to his opinion.

If you want another, here:

Observations: How Microsoft Windows 8 is just like a Dilbert cartoon

For those still unaware, Windows 8 is an OS designed for teenagers using their tablets to play Bejeweled and post on Twitter. Folks like myself who use their PC as a work tool are now irrelevant and of no value

He is also entitled to it.
Yeah sorry, stopped reading after about one paragraph, utter rubbish. All I asked was to see what was wrong with Thurrots appraisal not get pointed to some nut job.
Anyway keep up the good work, I'm sure you'll get Windows 7 back, I'm going to have another break for a while, this is getting tedious.
 

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[video=youtube;ylqEN7J3GLA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqEN7J3GLA[/video]
 

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You say utter rubbish and call him a nut job - because you don't happen to like it.

I don't notice any of the so called haters saying utter rubbish about the link you posted.

There is the difference between the few of you and the so called haters.


Not sure what you are expecting.

That is his take on it. Fine he is entitled to his opinion.

If you want another, here:

Observations: How Microsoft Windows 8 is just like a Dilbert cartoon

For those still unaware, Windows 8 is an OS designed for teenagers using their tablets to play Bejeweled and post on Twitter. Folks like myself who use their PC as a work tool are now irrelevant and of no value

He is also entitled to it.
Yeah sorry, stopped reading after about one paragraph, utter rubbish. All I asked was to see what was wrong with Thurrots appraisal not get pointed to some nut job.
Anyway keep up the good work, I'm sure you'll get Windows 7 back, I'm going to have another break for a while, this is getting tedious.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You say utter rubbish and call him a nut job - because you don't happen to like it.

I don't notice any of the so called haters saying utter rubbish about the link you posted.

There is the difference between the few of you and the so called haters.


Not sure what you are expecting.

That is his take on it. Fine he is entitled to his opinion.

If you want another, here:

Observations: How Microsoft Windows 8 is just like a Dilbert cartoon



He is also entitled to it.
Yeah sorry, stopped reading after about one paragraph, utter rubbish. All I asked was to see what was wrong with Thurrots appraisal not get pointed to some nut job.
Anyway keep up the good work, I'm sure you'll get Windows 7 back, I'm going to have another break for a while, this is getting tedious.
As soon as people say they can't do actual work on it, I'm outa here. His ludicrous comments and swearing didnt exactly win me over either. Anyway have fun I'll just get back to Angry Birds on Windows 8 that's all it's good for. I just hope the creepy charms bar doesn't jump out on me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Efficiently doing real work can be a challenge. I got stuck today in a go round with the PDF viewer, the start screen, and trying to keep certain Windows open on a dual monitor. And then when I close the PDF viewer, rather than take me back to where I was, the Microsoft bus dropped me off on the start screen.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
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    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    15/2 cable modem
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Great post HippsieGypsie. I clicked another one at end and then copied url for later. Sure would enjoy those movies more if I had an Italian beef & greasy fries to eat while watching them. That's what I miss most after moving to Michigan from Chicagoland. Joliet, Elgin, Rockford, Crystal Lake.
[video=youtube;ylqEN7J3GLA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylqEN7J3GLA[/video]
 

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System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
Efficiently doing real work can be a challenge. I got stuck today in a go round with the PDF viewer, the start screen, and trying to keep certain Windows open on a dual monitor. And then when I close the PDF viewer, rather than take me back to where I was, the Microsoft bus dropped me off on the start screen.

"Microsoft bus". That's cute. :) Ok. That's a flaw that I can see needs to be addressed. Some see it as MS "shoving" advertising in our faces. I'll admit it may be, but so do others. But, keep in mind that we have the choice of what's put on our Start Screen and in what arrangement. Don't like Modern/Metro apps? Don't put them there.

May I suggest the Windows key. It usually takes you back to the last screen. Windows key is "key" in 8 more than ever. (Pun not intended)

But as you may know, I'm a big shortcut keys user. Perhaps that's why I/we have less trouble navigating 8. I haven't performed a lot of touch navigation with 8. Only in stores. I get a sense that would be most efficient. I'm beginning to see that the mouse is the least efficient. I did train myself to use and try it for a few weeks without much trouble. Keep in mind that I never did like the mouse, so I'm probably being partial.

All in all, Patrick, I see you giving 8 some time and patience. I feel you see the potential in what MS is trying to accomplish. I see you posted that you like your Surface Pro over other tablets. Yes? No?

Keep on keeping on. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
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