Windows 8

[O'Dell]

Way off topic, guys, but is anyone running Windows 8? MS sent me a free copy of 8 Pro, and I'm trying to decide whether to install it on my desk top or lap top. The reviews are mixed but it seems to be aimed mostly at touch screen devices. My tablet is TS but doesn't run Windows. MS says it'll install w/o changing any settings or installed apps, so I'm wondering if it's worth learning a new OS, even though it's not not far removed from the 7 Pro I have now.

[Barth]

Way off topic, guys, but is anyone running Windows 8? MS sent me a free copy of 8 Pro, and I'm trying to decide whether to install it on my desk top or lap top. The reviews are mixed but it seems to be aimed mostly at touch screen devices. My tablet is TS but doesn't run Windows. MS says it'll install w/o changing any settings or installed apts, so I'm wondering if it's worth learning a new OS, even though it's not not far removed from the 7 Pro I have now.

Always wait on new versions of software.
Particularly operating systems.
The fixes and patches are sure to follow as the new system gets the bugs out.
Let everyone else be on the bleeding edge.
I don't have time to bleed.

I would recommend you wait a year before you upgrade and keep apprised of issues.
My company generally doesn't upgrade unless they have to.
7 pro is stable and should run anything you want for some time to come.

[mr surveyor]

In my experience, Windoze 7 is as much a pos as win2000. And I had to upgrade(?) my entire network to 7 in order to use the latest greatest s/w for some new hardware. This has been the most expensive, inefficient "upgrade" in my 30 years of private practice.

I miss XP pro

oh.. to the point... why would I even consider 8?

[JohnR]

I hated Windows until I got 7. Now it just plain works. No desire to try 8.

[O'Dell]

Thanks, but I've always been an early adapter, because when My computer company was really active, I had to answer questions on new products from customers. I'm a MS Partner and beta tested XP and Vista [hated it], but declined on 7 because I didn't want to fool with it. Personally, since using every version extensively since Windows 3.0, I think 7 is the best they've built. I've never had a Windows crash or blue screen or lockup in three years of using 7.

But, to get back to the original question, has anyone used 8?

[MrToad]

I'm running Windows 8 Pro. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the modern interface, so I cheated and installed the free "Classic Shell (http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/)" that adds additional functionality, like forcing Win8 to go to the desktop and putting in a start menu of your choice.

One of the reasons I upgraded is because my tech job requires me to be familiar with the latest OSes, the other was the low ($40) upgrade price that adds remote desktop features, which my Win 7 Home Premium lacked.

[O'Dell]

Thanks Toad, I've played with it at a computer shop and figured there had to be a way around that dumb tiled start page. The desk top doesn't look that different. One review said it was the biggest change since 95, but that's hard to believe since it doesn't change settings on 7 and the programs don't have to be reloaded. Plus, it's suppose to run just about any "7" program.

One thing that interested me for the lap top is the statement that it extends battery life, but that means nothing for the desktop.

[LorenzoB]

I knew XP inside and out (power user). With 7, I just know how to use it, although I'm getting better. I'm tired of these big "fancy" changes. Office 2010 was a joke with the Ribbon interface! I just bought an iMac... I might as well try it, since I need to keep getting used to new stuff anyway! I think Microsoft has consistently been making some pretty poor decisions in the last 5 years.

[CrabbyAzz]

I'm running windows 8 and have to say it's their best operating system to date. I updated from XP without any issues. It didn't even screw up my Ubuntu dual boot setup.

By the way Win 7 was a mess for power users.

[Cyterio]

I'm currently using Windows 8 on my HTPC. Coming from Windows 7, for me, it's a step sideways. It doesn't really offer anything better for my uses, but at the same time, it's not worse.
The OS does seem to really favor tablets and touchscreens. On a desktop environment it just seems confused. Some of your applications run directly from the Modern UI(Metro) while others will switch to desktop and run from there. It just feels like the OS is unsure of what it wants to be so it does both.
With that said, it does work, and has been very stable for me. Mine is primarly used as my HTPC for cable tv dvr functionality. The Metro UI is pretty remote friendly for opening apps and navigation. While the gestures make sense with touch input, they are a bit cumbersome with a mouse, and especially tough with a touchpad.
I would say that if you have a touch device then definitely go with Windows 8. If you're going to be running a non-touch device then stick with Windows 7, you really have nothing to gain with 8.

[DeaconKC]

I will be glad to test it for you and get rid of Vista on my old desktop!

[wayneo1]

I think Micorsoft has the right idea. same platform on computers, tablets, and phones. I am going to convert over as soon as they have a good windows phone at Sprint. Due for new laptop at the office and new computer at home. Was thinking about apple but it would be better for me to stick with microsoft at work. So far the laptops I tested worked pretty well.

[O'Dell]

I knew XP inside and out (power user). With 7, I just know how to use it, although I'm getting better. I'm tired of these big "fancy" changes. Office 2010 was a joke with the Ribbon interface! I just bought an iMac... I might as well try it, since I need to keep getting used to new stuff anyway! I think Microsoft has consistently been making some pretty poor decisions in the last 5 years.

I think we all look back fondly at XP. At the time it was so much better than what we had been using up to then. Also, when Vista came out it was so bloated with programs and features that so few used, it had trouble getting out of it's own way. In addition, it wouldn't run a lot of the programs we had been using under previous systems. At least that's why I hated it.

With 7, MS took a sharp knife to the excess baggage in Vista and it was made faster, simpler, and more stable. Since 7 came out in 2009, MS made at least one good decision in the last five years IMO. Windows is the only MS program I use, so I can't speak for any thing else they've developed.

[O'Dell]

I'm currently using Windows 8 on my HTPC. Coming from Windows 7, for me, it's a step sideways. It doesn't really offer anything better for my uses, but at the same time, it's not worse.
The OS does seem to really favor tablets and touchscreens. On a desktop environment it just seems confused. Some of your applications run directly from the Modern UI(Metro) while others will switch to desktop and run from there. It just feels like the OS is unsure of what it wants to be so it does both.
With that said, it does work, and has been very stable for me. Mine is primarly used as my HTPC for cable tv dvr functionality. The Metro UI is pretty remote friendly for opening apps and navigation. While the gestures make sense with touch input, they are a bit cumbersome with a mouse, and especially tough with a touchpad.
I would say that if you have a touch device then definitely go with Windows 8. If you're going to be running a non-touch device then stick with Windows 7, you really have nothing to gain with 8.

I think a step sideways perfectly describes what I'm feeling about 8. My desk top and lap top both run 7 Pro. Neither of my touch devices, phone and tablet, run Windows. After reading the comments and giving it some more thought, I think I'll stick with 7. Then I can wait to see what Windows 9 looks like when it shows up.

[chrish]

Been on Win 8 since the last release candidate before it went RTM. For the most part, I love it, particularly the 'next level' of integration across all the various MS cloud products, the whole UI and the 'modern UI' look and feel across all of those apps are nice.

I tend to always be an early adopter as well, sometimes it's painful.

Windows 8, in my opinion, is a bit forced on a non-touch device. But once you transition to the various shortcut keys and movements to the screen edges, it becomes as second nature as many actions in prior versions were. So I don't worry about it too much, I've gotten used to it.

[CrabbyAzz]

Well Win 8 is running flawlessly on my desktop PC. I use a Bamboo Touch instead of a mouse, so I can take advantage of all Windows 8 has to offer.

If your tired of Windows, you might want to try Ubuntu Linux. You can download it to try as a live CD. Generally I spend 80% of my time running Ubuntu and about 20% running Win 8. You can install it as a second boot option, So you can keep you current Windows system.

[LorenzoB]

Well Win 8 is running flawlessly on my desktop PC. I use a Bamboo Touch instead of a mouse, so I can take advantage of all Windows 8 has to offer.

If your tired of Windows, you might want to try Ubuntu Linux. You can download it to try as a live CD. Generally I spend 80% of my time running Ubuntu and about 20% running Win 8. You can install it as a second boot option, So you can keep you current Windows system.

Ubuntu is cool. I've been using it on a regular basis for the last year, but only for about 20% of my computer use.

[OldLincoln]

My son and family have been using XP then W7 and were happy with it. Recently my grandson got a new laptop with W8 and they don't like it. I suspect it is more of a get used to it thing but then again, I upgraded to W3.1 in the early days and now have XP which does what I want. I may have to go to W7 or W8 but I don't want to.

I used to be smart but tonight discovered I don't even know how to take a picture with my new (only 6 mths) phone. Maybe the real problem is I really don't want to take pictures with a telephone.... kinda liked the "hello operator?" bit calling Fairview 2179 instead of whatever 10 digits I have to double check half way through.

[Starbug]

Here's my opinion on Windows 8. Note that I have never seen it in person, only in video, pics, and reviews. I do intend to check it out at a store when I get around to being able to afford a new computer, because you really do have to see something in person before making a final decision to permanently hate it, lol.

That being said, on to my opinions thus far: It looks like the starting point on the old AOL screens back in the early days of the internet, which feels extremely limited. This bugs the ever-loving cr4p out of me and almost makes me mad with frustration. It seems geared more as a toy for kids to play on, not a real OS meant for getting real work done. It's a major let-down to me. If I wanted an interface like this, with the limitations inherent to such an interface, I would buy an iPad or Windows-based tablet. My iPhone has taught me the real work limitations of such a platform. I love that phone, but I wouldn't want to use it for anything other than playing.

My two cents.

Edit: I currently use XP on our computer. It still does everything right, is still stable, never crashes. It's still perfect. I have no desire to use any of the newer versions of Windows. We'll see what Windows 9 looks like.

[chrish]

Starbug, it seems like that on the surface, but once you get used to it...and see how you transition, in some ways it's an improvement to getting work done.

I used to keep my desktop (work) cluttered w/ icons for apps I used, had some down in the taskbar, etc. Now, that has transitioned to what in essence is 2 systems. My housekeeping and communication stuff all comes in a 'modern UI' tile app (email, skydrive, calendar, lync, outlook, skype, contacts, twitter, even evernote and onenote that I use frequently. It's all part of the win8 ui.

Only think I know keep on my desktop and taskbar are WORK apps, Visual Studio, SQL Server + Oracle tools, my various source control clients, etc.

Dunno, it's just given me a nice delineation between heads down work, keeping the crap out of the way, and everything else.

Multi-monitor support is spectacular and how you interact with them. It does a much better job of seeing and remembering different work locations (based on the model of external monitors you plug in) and starting apps back up where you had them last time. It's just nice nice nice.

Multi-touch on my touchpad lets me navigate pretty much like a touch device when in the new Win 8 UI. And as Crabby mentioned, you can do something like a Bamboo device or Logitech has a nice large touch device over Bluetooth that I played w/ the other day, pretty sweet on Win 8.

Anyway, just some other thoughts/observations. At first, it slowed me down, but I definitely do real work on it now...never miss a beat.

Mostly, things like 'hybrid boot' baked into Win 8 and the speed with which it boots on an SSD will keep me from going back to Win 7.

[Starbug]

Thanks for the additional feedback on Win8 Chrish. That is good to know and I will keep that in mind when I do finally get around to looking at it in a store. We need a second computer, so this will eventually be something I will have to tackle. I just can't afford it right now, so haven't been into a computer store yet.

[CrabbyAzz]

My iPhone has taught me the real work limitations of such a platform. I love that phone, but I wouldn't want to use it for anything other than playing.



I think your underestimating your phone. I use mine to remote desktop into my computer. This allows me to run my home desktop computer from anywhere using VNC. Using the DropBox app, I can sync my files between all family members with all kinds of devices. Basically I have access to all my files from anywhere. Using the Verizon App I can program my DVR from anywhere. Evernote app allows you to take notes, clip web pictures to store and sync between all your devices. You can even print from you phone directly to your home printer.

Smartphones are extremely powerful devices, but they are designed like windows 8. They look extremely simple, friendly and even childish, but behind the facade they are powerful & near limitless.

[muggsy]

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone in this age of air conditioning would want to open a window let alone 8 of them.

[CrabbyAzz]

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone in this age of air conditioning would want to open a window let alone 8 of them.

Now that's funny!

[yqtszhj]

My iPhone has taught me the real work limitations of such a platform. I love that phone, but I wouldn't want to use it for anything other than playing.


IPHONE, IPAG ARG...... We have both and I don't like them. We have a MACbook too that I liked at first because it was faster than the XP machines I have.

My work laptop is Windows 7 and it's a real improvement over everything else I have used, PC or Apple. If 8 is good I'd like that.

A REAL WINDOWS based phone would be good for me too.

[Starbug]

I think your underestimating your phone. I use mine to remote desktop into my computer. This allows me to run my home desktop computer from anywhere using VNC. Using the DropBox app, I can sync my files between all family members with all kinds of devices. Basically I have access to all my files from anywhere. Using the Verizon App I can program my DVR from anywhere. Evernote app allows you to take notes, clip web pictures to store and sync between all your devices. You can even print from you phone directly to your home printer.

Smartphones are extremely powerful devices, but they are designed like windows 8. They look extremely simple, friendly and even childish, but behind the facade they are powerful & near limitless.

Whoa. I actually didn't realize my iPhone would do any of that. I do stand corrected! :yo:

[Starbug]

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone in this age of air conditioning would want to open a window let alone 8 of them.

Hilarious! I like that one.

[wyntrout]

I've heard that 8 is just an update to touch screen for Win 7. I'm just upgrading... restarting with Win 7 Pro after almost forever with XP ME/Pro... mainly because I'm supposed to be able at some point to run XP programs under a window in 7 Pro.

I had a hard drive go bad and copied/backed up to a new drive and hope to use most of that stuff. Whenever I get a real stable setup with enough of my programs under 64-bits, I hope to clone an SSD and and see how that runs. I did get a new 1TB fast drive for the new install.

One question, though on Win 7 Pro... if your drive /system goes to "sleep", how do you revive it. I only have one keyboard with a sleep button, and that's my Ubuntu machine. Any key wakes it up, but this natural keyboard has no special keys... and I just found and bought 2 more for $9.99 each at the BX.

Wynn:)

[kgturner]

One question, though on Win 7 Pro... if your drive /system goes to "sleep", how do you revive it.

I can wake my Win 7 machine from sleep with either the keyboard or the mouse. I'm using Win 7 Ultimate, but I imagine the steps are the same.

Control Panel > Device Manager > (choose your device) Keyboard or Mouse > open the tree > right click Properties of the device listed below > click Power Management > click Allow this device to wake computer.

Kevin T

[wyntrout]

Thanks, Kevin. Win 7 boots a lot faster than my kludged up XP Pro setup. I really like the quick sleep and wake up of Ubuntu, but I turned off the sleep mode on my Win PC. Keyboard or mouse DIDN"T restart it but I'll try setting it up again.

Today I had a few weird things happen... my remote temperature/humidity/barometric pressure sensor at the head of the bed had a weird reading for BP and then while I was looking at it, the temperature lowered to 66.6 degrees. I replaced the batteries and reset it and now it's okay, BUT... when I turned on my PC, I got something totally different... it "couldn't start"! Windows?MS ran some kinds of scans and reported to MS and shut down! WTF!?? I turned the PC back on and it worked as normal.:confused:
While having the problem it asked if I wanted to restore to a previous point and I said no. End of the World gremlins?

Thanks, Kevin.

Wynn:)