Windows 'Blue': Microsoft blows it

If you like Windows 8, you'll like -- maybe even love -- Windows 8.1 "Blue." But if you're a denizen of the old-fashioned Desktop world, without a yearning for touch and/or you don't want your PC to act like a smartphone, Windows 8.1 will disappoint -- big time.
Last week, Microsoft invited several members of the press for an on-the-record two-hour demo of Windows 8.1, code-named "Blue." Microsoft took me off its Christmas card list some time ago, but the reports among journos on the ground are telling: Windows 8.1 offers more of the same, with a few new twists for touch users, but nothing substantive for the Desktop.

Windows 'Blue': Microsoft blows it | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld
 
So, you could say, they "Blue" it.....:geek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Yep
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
That is entertaining :

If you thought Microsoft would suddenly realize it was alienating the world's largest installed user base and thus backtrack on some of its more controversial Win8 decisions, you'd be dead wrong. Windows 8.1 clearly reiterates Microsoft's vision of a Jekyll-and-Hyde operating system, with hardly a nod to traditional Desktop customers.

We won't know until we see it. MS may have done enough in 8.1 to stop repelling potential pc buyers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Frankly, I think the new Start button will only make experienced Windows users angry -- very angry. It's certainly going to confuse the living daylights out of a lot of otherwise sane Windows users. In spite of what you may have read in some well-known publications, there simply is no Start menu in Win8.1. No way, no how -- all we get is a Start button, and it's a sham.

I think we are going to hear a lot of noisy wheels later this year.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
So I guess they are guaranteeing Stardock record profits this year.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Start menu devs can't believe their luck. More millions for them. Astonishing, it must be like winning the lottery several times over.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
So, you could say, they "Blue" it.....:geek:


Yep! Looks like it.

I was a bit 'suss' when they first announced 'Blue', but have been following it with interest. But I
started to worry when it became obvious that MS was still not listening to desktop users. I had
hoped against hope that they might have brought something to the table for us, but no.

All they seem to have done is to destroy the desktop experience even more. And saving files to
the cloud by default is a complete 'not-on' as far as I'm concerned (I won't be saving anything
there, at all). Nor am I happy with what they've done to Libraries.

No, nothing there for me, at all. Well, the small tiles are nice. That's it.

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.
Frankly, I think the new Start button will only make experienced Windows users angry -- very angry. It's certainly going to confuse the living daylights out of a lot of otherwise sane Windows users. In spite of what you may have read in some well-known publications, there simply is no Start menu in Win8.1. No way, no how -- all we get is a Start button, and it's a sham.

I think we are going to hear a lot of noisy wheels later this year.


I agree....MS is hanging themselves by dangling a carrot in front of those that are dissatisfied with 8 and once those customers see that something as basic as the traditional start button to start menu is NOT available in the desktop UI you are going to hear some very loud howls from the largest customer base they have.

I mean is MS really that arrogant and blind?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7 home premium 64 bit
I think the word that M$ used is principled. LOL
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
I guess the phrase Microsoft touted quite a lot before releasing Windows 8 was "The new Windows for new PCs" got lost SO BADLY in interpretation...

I personally believe that Microsoft should do whatever the hell they feel best for their company and its future. Their future doesn't revolved around the desktop PC, start menus, or relying on OEMs to deliver poor user experiences until a year or so after releasing a new Windows version. If you don't like that direction, well, tough titties. The world has changed greatly computing wise in five years, much more dramatic than it did 10 years before that. Don't like that fact? Well, go live under a rock. This is simple called "adapting to the current market." The current market isn't a box with parts it in it connected to an external monitor with a mouse. It's hasn't been that way for years, because obviously the very definition of "computer" has turned into a laptop. THAT is the current state of the market, which is undergoing a shift from that to tablet PCs and phablets. Don't like that trend? Don't know what to tell you.

Also, Microsoft NEVER removed a choice from Windows, AT ALL. If you want the newer aspects of Windows and like the direction they are going, go with Windows 8. It's superior, better flexibility, more ways to interact with it than every before. But if you don't like that direction nor like the newer aspects of Windows 8, YOU HAVE THE CHOICE OF WINDOWS 7. It's been there, currently is still selling, will be supported like Windows xp (and in fact by the time 7 is EOL'ed, we'll be calling the people using 7 dinosaurs). It's like Windows 8, but it doesn't have a Start Screen. Simple as that. Maybe it's not Microsoft forcing users to use Windows 8, it's more like some are forcing THEMSELVES to use Windows 8....
 

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
Right, they never removed choice. Got any other tall tales to share, lmao.

Is it that 8 just isn't being used much that disturbs you so much? You seem as if you have a financial stake in the success of w8, that must really blow.

I would say better luck with 8.1 but I fear that it will just be more of the same. MS trying to tell it's customers what they need. Like it worked out so well for w8, yeah.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7
Can I ask any Question?
When we go to searchboax and type:-
www.eightforums.com
Then we come in this forums
But when we Type:-
www.blueforums.com
Then also we come here.

Why does this happen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows® 8.1 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell® XPS® 15-9530
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7 4702HQ @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel® HM86 Express Chipset
    Memory
    Dell® 16GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 750M 2GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Intel® High-Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell® LED™ 15.6-Inch QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung® SSD™ 840 Pro 512GB
    PSU
    Dell® 91 WHR 6-Cell Battery
    Case
    Dell® Machined Aluminium Chassis
    Cooling
    Dell® Cooling
    Keyboard
    Dell® Integrated Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dell® TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Download Speed- 50.0 MBPS Upload Speed- 20.0 MBPS
    Browser
    Mozilla® Firefox® 29.0
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky® PURE® 3.0 Total Security
    Other Info
    Network Adapter- Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0
Oh, I See.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows® 8.1 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell® XPS® 15-9530
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7 4702HQ @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel® HM86 Express Chipset
    Memory
    Dell® 16GB DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 750M 2GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Intel® High-Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell® LED™ 15.6-Inch QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung® SSD™ 840 Pro 512GB
    PSU
    Dell® 91 WHR 6-Cell Battery
    Case
    Dell® Machined Aluminium Chassis
    Cooling
    Dell® Cooling
    Keyboard
    Dell® Integrated Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dell® TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Download Speed- 50.0 MBPS Upload Speed- 20.0 MBPS
    Browser
    Mozilla® Firefox® 29.0
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky® PURE® 3.0 Total Security
    Other Info
    Network Adapter- Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0
Am I the only one wondering what all the naysayers who are criticising Microsoft and Windows 8 actually want from the desktop? Is it just a start menu? Windows 7 was a magnificent operating system and with a few minor exceptions NOTHING has been taken away from the desktop functionality in Windows 8.

So what do people want exactly?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Shuttle SG33G5M
    CPU
    Intel Q8300
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 1066MHz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD
    2x500GB Seagate Barracuda
    Keyboard
    Logitech DiNovo Mini
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity 65 Mbps
Am I the only one wondering what all the naysayers who are criticising Microsoft and Windows 8 actually want from the desktop? Is it just a start menu? Windows 7 was a magnificent operating system and with a few minor exceptions NOTHING has been taken away from the desktop functionality in Windows 8.

So what do people want exactly?

lots of people want to disable metro and have start menu back.. and windows store and apps is not as good as it should be (why would anyone use full screen app on desktop PC with lots of wasted space and less functionality than desktop alternative). MS should separate touch mobile devices and desktop workstations.. or at least make option during install or first boot for example we detected you installed windows 8 on desktop pc with mouse and keyboard and no touch do you want to make desktop default and have start menu and disable metro..
windows store is good idea in general but executed poorly it feels rushed and full screen apps is ridiculous on desktop pcs.. why cant there be classic windows UI apps as option. (even if they are coded same way as metro apps just bit different layout not for touch and windowed mode)
windows phone always has had very small market share and windows 8/RT did not make any break..
why Microsoft want to throw away its dominant desktop workstation market I don't know.. :/
even apple don't slap iphone UI on macos (at least for now). disappointment with Ubuntu unity in Linux front is good sign that people don't want tablet/phone ui on desktop. Tablet may be the future or whatever but there still is and for foreseeable future will be need for desktop workstations.. where windows is king.

that what fits all is good at nothing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 uiltimate, Windows 8.1 pro 64bit, Windows server 2008R2, Windows 10 TP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Fair point on the removal of Metro if no touch/gesture device detected during installation but you can't remove it completely if it's the de facto method of starting applications. I operate a Windows 8 desktop and rarely see Metro, even for starting apps and with the option to boot to the desktop in Blue you only need to jump into Metro when you're starting an application (and there are ways around that without using a 3rd party start menu too!)

You mention the Windows Store but what's preventing you or anyone from downloading and installing apps in the same way you did for Windows 7? They'll still work!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Shuttle SG33G5M
    CPU
    Intel Q8300
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 1066MHz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD
    2x500GB Seagate Barracuda
    Keyboard
    Logitech DiNovo Mini
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity 65 Mbps
Actually, for those who think I'm a nay-sayer or a Luddite (looking at you, Cokie) I'd just like to point out that I was unaware that I'd even mentioned the start menu (checks.... nope, didn't). In fact, go check my post history, and you'll see that I've never at any stage bagged Windows 8.

Aspects of it, yes. Show me any OS that's 100% perfect. But the OS as a whole? No. Did I ever post that I was 'going back to 7'? No.

And of course there's the small but salient fact that after using it through most of its beta phase, I then went and purchased it.

Now, I couldn't care less whether the start menu comes back or not. If it does, great. If not, no biggie. I'd just work around it. Same with the Start screen. If it's there, I'll customise it the way I like it, as I've done in 8. If not, so what? And I did say I liked the idea of small tiles, although I've no use for larger ones.

But I, and millions like me, work primarily or exclusively in the desktop, and we had, quite reasonably, hoped that there might be something for us. But no. All they managed to do was booger File Explorer up by getting rid of Libraries and making Skydrive the default save location. No, thanks, I won't be using the cloud. not now, not in the future. And I don't like an OS that's set up to do so by default.

Cokie, you and your merry band might not like the idea that the 'desktop' isn't dying, but you better accept it because many of us will not be following you to your utopia, but will be remaining here to create the content you consume. Because quality content sure won't be getting created on tablets or phones.

Sure, mobile computing is there if you want it, but so are desktop/laptops, and they will not be going away in our lifetime. I resent the implication (or outright accusation, from some) that I'm some kind of fossil who can't adapt, or newbie who won't learn, simply because I find aspects of the current trend unwelcome and unwanted. I've been computing since well before the days of the PC, and have learned more OSes than some of you have had hot breakfasts. But some of you really are starting to sound like the fanbois on ZDnet, which I find sad and disappointing.

There's room for the tablet/phone AND the desktop/laptop, but some fanbois can't or won't see it.


End rant.


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.
Well, if it's a free upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 I'll definitely do it.

Blue is Window 8.1 so doesn't need a new forum and both domains are owned by me.

Good to know that. Yes it sounds logic: Even if they release 8.9 it will still be called W8 so this forum will still apply to that version as well.
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Back
Top