Andy Durazo wrote:
Based on Windows track record, Windows 8 should be a dog! Their even numbered releases seem to always be the sucky ones. I would either stay with Windows 7 or wait for all the fixes from Windows 8 to be taken care of in Windows 9.

I'm not a Windoze fan by any means.  They stepped up their game with 7 since Vista died a slow death.  Windows 7 has been equally as stable to me as the best release of XP.  I'm skeptical too but more realistic.

Andy Durazo wrote:
Based on Windows track record, Windows 8 should be a dog! Their even numbered releases seem to always be the sucky ones. I would either stay with Windows 7 or wait for all the fixes from Windows 8 to be taken care of in Windows 9.

Interesting.

That means that Windows 95 sucked and Windows 2000 was good?

Q: Does the kickstand arrangement work for someone who wants to type with Surface on their lap? To me it looks like it’s only stable on a table top.

A: I’ve been using my Surface for a couple of month now. It works on your lap in multiple ways. Typing on the lap works fine, Surface is great for typing while on your couch. There are so many ways it folds and adjusts to your typing needs. You will be pleasantly surprised.

http://mashable.com/2012/10/17/microsof … ddit-amaa/

AdelaideJohn1967 wrote:
So anyone yet taken the plunge with Win 8 Installs? The official retail release I mean?

I've been using the official release since it came out on TechNet (Aug 15th).

I'm looking forward to getting either a tablet or hybrid, but fortunately, my early adopter instinct has been slowed by the fact that most of the stuff sold out in pre-order.  Fortunate, because I want to see how the reviews are.  Windows is going to be on a lot of devices.  I'd rather make sure I end up with a good one.

Tog wrote:

I've been using the official release since it came out on TechNet (Aug 15th).

I'm looking forward to getting either a tablet or hybrid, but fortunately, my early adopter instinct has been slowed by the fact that most of the stuff sold out in pre-order.  Fortunate, because I want to see how the reviews are.  Windows is going to be on a lot of devices.  I'd rather make sure I end up with a good one.

But what's your experience with it like?

I'm feeling wary of that home screen with the tiles. I want a start menu? Can I have that?

Calatelpe wrote:

Typical rant. I don't care that you're using Windows. Enjoy the blue screens of death, constant freezing over nothing, and frequent incompatibility issues. Yes, you're a Microsoft fanboy...bully for you. Now please let me know how much you "don't care" about such software as Linux and its users.

Oooh...not since 2005 for any of that lot really...

Try and keep up to date - the only real reasons for choose one OS over another these days are cosmetic appearance and snob-appeal...

AdelaideJohn1967 wrote:

But what's your experience with it like?

I'm feeling wary of that home screen with the tiles. I want a start menu? Can I have that?

That "home screen" with tiles pretty much IS a start menu.  It's just a full screen start menu with extra features.

My experience with it has been pretty solid.. I'd go as far as to say fantastic for Windows v.1 anything pre-release.

Personal advice to new users?  I'd say give it some time.  While it's solid there's a lot of functionality being released in the form of app updates (Xbox Music, their video stuff, etc).. That's evolving, and very quickly, but isn't complete yet.  There's nothing life changing that's going to stop your world if you're already in Win7 and have a functioning desktop.

I know whatever the cheap upgrade offer is that will last for a bit.  I'd say wait til close to the end of that and follow the reviews.

I'd also, if you're looking for a windows experience, recommend staying away from Windows RT devices.  There's nothing wrong with them, except that they look and sound like Windows but don't run ANY Windows apps that weren't designed for them.  Think of them as iPad or Android before the app stores for those worlds were fully developed.

Right now there's a lot of devices that SHOULD let you do the various swipe gestures on a full blown PC (such as Wacom tablets, touch pads, etc) that don't.  Mainly this is driver issues which I expect to be cleaned up fairly shortly, but it is a drawback.  Can you do everything you need to on a PC in Win8 without a touch screen or equivalent?  Absolutely, but it's not as intuitive OR as fun, and there's a small learning curve that will make those craving their start buttons make unhappy faces...

Right now Win8 is Windows 7 AND a iPad like device rolled into one.  It's not a perfect mix and it's evolving, but having the apps both run on the same device and (and this is evolving) talk to each other is a slice of awesome that will only get better over time.

RKD Photographic wrote:

Oooh...not since 2005 for any of that lot really...

Try and keep up to date - the only real reasons for choose one OS over another these days are cosmetic appearance and snob-appeal...

That, sadly, is a load of shit, unless the only reason you use the OS is to use the internet.

Tog wrote:
That, sadly, is a load of shit, unless the only reason you use the OS is to use the internet.

I bet using the internet is what most of us actually use any OS ;-)
So not a load of shit :-)

ETA: and playing angry birds and the such

Piscis Noctis wrote:

I bet using the internet is what most of us actually use any OS ;-)
So not a load of shit :-)

ETA: and playing angry birds and the such

That's sad..

But even if true.. Someone has to go write Angry Birds..

BTW, I wasn't trying to argue that any one OS is the right one and the others are crap (although I'm not ready to say iOS or Android are ready to replace full blown desktop OSes), but the OS determines the ecosystem of apps, development tools, accessible hardware...  Writing that off as having no impact or relevance is ridiculous.

Andialu wrote:
I tried out Windows 8 here at work and I have to say I don't like it. The layout just feels awkward and not intuitive. I grew up a Windows person but more and more just don't like it. If given a nice fast computer with it loaded for free I'd use the shit out of it. But if given the choice I'll stick to Apple.

Choice is a great thing.

Tog wrote:
That's sad..

I think it's awesome!
When before the internet were you able to access most of human knowledge (and rants and bitching) in a few clicks and or keystrokes?

But even if true.. Someone has to go write Angry Birds..

Granted :-)

BTW, I wasn't trying to argue that any one OS is the right one and the others are crap (although I'm not ready to say iOS or Android are ready to replace full blown desktop OSes), but the OS determines the ecosystem of apps, development tools, accessible hardware...  Writing that off as having no impact or relevance is ridiculous.

Note: I'm fairly agnostic with respect to operating systems. I just use whatever I have at hand, Solaris, Linux, Windows, Apple, whatever. I don't care.

I've seen a person ssh-ing into his iphone (which I suspect was severely modified), and using vi and the such. And yes, Visual Studio is the best there is, no question on that for most sane developers.
Now, the language I like the most these days is python. And I can't really do python in VS. Or at least not trivially easy in a python-like fashion (I used IronPython for like 5-10 minutes and decided it wasn't for me).
Either I use notepad++ or IDLE.
And once I'm down to using notepad++, I might as well be sshing and using vi :-)
(and a couple of years ago I often ate anywhere between 30 and 100 G of ram
in my runs >: D  so it's not just a matter of small requirements).

Not trying to start a fight here. Just offering a slightly different perspective.

And to answer the OP:
I have a machine that I will upgrade to win8, like almost for sure.
I have another (this one) that I won't until after I make sure the first one is happy.
If not, I'll stay with with one win7 and one win8.
The one that needs upgrading is a tablet, which is a pain to use with win7, so I really can't lose anything by upgrading it to win8 and thus becomes a nice testing ground.

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
I just attributed this to being in my 40's. And the fact that I don't like most people enough, let alone strangers, that I would want to socialize. I don't even like it when I'm surfing the net.

If I'm shopping at NewEgg, thank you but, no, I do not want to share my experience with my friends on Facebook. And, no, I don't want to automatically log in to FB when I'm checking sports scores or reading an article on ESPN.com.

I want to be LESS accessible...not more lol.

I spend TONS of time on FB, and like interacting.

And I STILL don't see any need to "integrate" with everything.  I don't want to announce where I'm shopping online, what site I read, or where I stopped to eat dinner.  I certainly don't want my computer / phone doing it for me.

Tog wrote:

That "home screen" with tiles pretty much IS a start menu.  It's just a full screen start menu with extra features.

My experience with it has been pretty solid.. I'd go as far as to say fantastic for Windows v.1 anything pre-release.

Personal advice to new users?  I'd say give it some time.  While it's solid there's a lot of functionality being released in the form of app updates (Xbox Music, their video stuff, etc).. That's evolving, and very quickly, but isn't complete yet.  There's nothing life changing that's going to stop your world if you're already in Win7 and have a functioning desktop.

I know whatever the cheap upgrade offer is that will last for a bit.  I'd say wait til close to the end of that and follow the reviews.

I'd also, if you're looking for a windows experience, recommend staying away from Windows RT devices.  There's nothing wrong with them, except that they look and sound like Windows but don't run ANY Windows apps that weren't designed for them.  Think of them as iPad or Android before the app stores for those worlds were fully developed.

Right now there's a lot of devices that SHOULD let you do the various swipe gestures on a full blown PC (such as Wacom tablets, touch pads, etc) that don't.  Mainly this is driver issues which I expect to be cleaned up fairly shortly, but it is a drawback.  Can you do everything you need to on a PC in Win8 without a touch screen or equivalent?  Absolutely, but it's not as intuitive OR as fun, and there's a small learning curve that will make those craving their start buttons make unhappy faces...

Right now Win8 is Windows 7 AND a iPad like device rolled into one.  It's not a perfect mix and it's evolving, but having the apps both run on the same device and (and this is evolving) talk to each other is a slice of awesome that will only get better over time.

I read somewhere (and can't remember at this point in time) that there is a way to get a normal looking start button and menu without having to download extra software.... I wish I had written down te link but I am sure there is a method.

Also when no apps are on I like to have pictures on my desktop..... Can I still do that in Win 8? And how?   It just feels so different ..... Almost on the edge of putting W7 back onto laptop.

T Brown wrote:
Not looking forward to 8 at all..I will stick with 7 for as long as I can.

I think Microsoft made a big mistake in thinking that the desktop is a suitable place for the new UI, I can see the merits on a phone or a tablet, but the desktop is a whole other paradigm, its where real work gets done.

W8 on laptop don't like..... W7 on desktop love it..... I hope this turns into a PR mess for Microsoft.... Love my W7 PC......

Oh and can someone explain why during installation it changes keyboard layout to a UK keyboard .... Lots of people on the net complaining about this and region changing during installation..

Calatelpe wrote:

Typical rant. I don't care that you're using Windows. Enjoy the blue screens of death, constant freezing over nothing, and frequent incompatibility issues. Yes, you're a Microsoft fanboy...bully for you. Now please let me know how much you "don't care" about such software as Linux and its users.

Are you stuck in 1998?

I'll bet $10 the vast majority of blue screen errors are due to hardware failure or malware and not Microsoft. I can't tell you the last time I had a blue screen or a system freeze.

When I do have issues, I'm using either iTunes (thanks Apple!!) or Nikon's Capture NX 2 software.  Everything else runs fine.

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
Is this supposed to be a tablet-only OS?

No, it's not.

It's supposed to be a user interface that works on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, providing a consistent look & feel across all these platforms.  Further, the "heavy hitter" applications are supposed to be available on all these platforms, so that I can have the same spreadsheet functionality on my desktop and on my tablet.

I think it's a noble objective.  Whether Windows 8 (and Windows RT) pull it off remains to be seen.  Further, it's my experience that these sorts of things need a few releases before they settle and become appealing to all platforms.

It's a very, very bold move for Microsoft -- "traditional" Windows is still on the vast majority of PCs, and killing the success story takes guts.

Indeed, I've resisted getting a tablet because my "serious" apps, like the elaborate Excel spreadsheets I create, cannot run on the tablet.  The Microsoft Surface is of interest to me (but not at that price) because it might allow me to take my spreadsheets on the road.

My prediction:  I will probably stay on Windows 7 for a long time, and then look around & see what's available when Windows 7 goes obsolete or becomes hopelessly corrupted.



All, for all the nay-sayers:  New Coke didn't hurt Coca-Cola's sales one bit, and it got folks talking.

Looknsee Photography wrote:

No, it's not.

It's supposed to be a user interface that works on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, providing a consistent look & feel across all these platforms.  Further, the "heavy hitter" applications are supposed to be available on all these platforms, so that I can have the same spreadsheet functionality on my desktop and on my tablet.

I think it's a noble objective.  Whether Windows 8 (and Windows RT) pull it off remains to be seen.  Further, it's my experience that these sorts of things need a few releases before they settle and become appealing to all platforms.

It's a very, very bold move for Microsoft -- "traditional" Windows is still on the vast majority of PCs, and killing the success story takes guts.

Indeed, I've resisted getting a tablet because my "serious" apps, like the elaborate Excel spreadsheets I create, cannot run on the tablet.  The Microsoft Surface is of interest to me (but not at that price) because it might allow me to take my spreadsheets on the road.

My prediction:  I will probably stay on Windows 7 for a long time, and then look around & see what's available when Windows 7 goes obsolete or becomes hopelessly corrupted.



All, for all the nay-sayers:  New Coke didn't hurt Coca-Cola's sales one bit, and it got folks talking.

New Coke was a rip off of Pepsi and sucked.

Tog wrote:

That, sadly, is a load of shit, unless the only reason you use the OS is to use the internet.

Nope - I'm usually running LR and CS as well as iTunes concurrently as well as having a few windows open in Chrome - no hangs, lags or BSDs... Certainly not since I started using Win 7 machine anyway...

Looknsee Photography wrote:
All, for all the nay-sayers:  New Coke didn't hurt Coca-Cola's sales one bit, and it got folks talking.

Christopher Hartman wrote:
New Coke was a rip off of Pepsi and sucked.

Not the point I was trying to make.  By any measure, New Coke was a huge failure, but Coke didn't lose customers -- indeed, they wound up with more customers after the New Coke diversion. 

Either Windows 8 will catch on or it won't.  It remains to be seen whether Windows 10 will be more like Windows 7 or Windows 8.  Microsoft has a history of trying new things & immediately dropping them -- I refer again to the first commercial DVR -- Microsoft's Ultimate TV, which still does stuff that most current DVRs can't do (like PIP and 30 second skip).

On the other hand, not having a consistent look & feel and consistent availability of applications across platforms is one reason that I haven't yet gotten a tablet.

Katarina N. wrote:
I wonder if this new Windows can make me a tea, Earl grey, hot.

Oooh good catch......

Imagine the noise if they had made Windows like LCARS.......

Having said that if you still want a start menu and desktop you have to use third party software to get that. That feels so wrong. Why wasn't a feature built in that could turn off metro and such for people who don't like the tiles of mess everywhere?

Aaron Lewis Photography wrote:
I hate to tell you but you'll eventually be forced into this interface. They've already stated that there will be no SP2 for Windows 7. They're moving fast and furious on 8 so no matter how hard you try, you'll be using it within a year or so.

As an IT consultant I'm not excited to start putting this in the workplace but there's no point in resisting. Just do it, roll with the punched and you're learning curve will be far ahead of the masses.

I've had 8 running in a VM for 6 months. I've blow away the VM with each major change along the way to get a fresh clean install each time. I'm not thrilled with the look and feel but we'll all get used to it.

Here is what I was talking about

https://www.pokki.com

But why do you have to use a 3rd party program to do something that should be built in as a feature?

Brings back the start menu and your familiar desktop disables Metro........

But yes I'm hoping this becomes a mess for MS

AdelaideJohn1967 wrote:

Here is what I was talking about

https://www.pokki.com

But why do you have to use a 3rd party program to do something that should be built in as a feature?

Brings back the start menu and your familiar desktop disables Metro........

But yes I'm hoping this becomes a mess for MS

Huh, cool. So I can play Paradise Island on my PC. That would be quite awesome.

Aaron Lewis Photography wrote:
I hate to tell you but you'll eventually be forced into this interface. They've already stated that there will be no SP2 for Windows 7. They're moving fast and furious on 8 so no matter how hard you try, you'll be using it within a year or so.

As an IT consultant I'm not excited to start putting this in the workplace but there's no point in resisting. Just do it, roll with the punched and you're learning curve will be far ahead of the masses.

I've had 8 running in a VM for 6 months. I've blow away the VM with each major change along the way to get a fresh clean install each time. I'm not thrilled with the look and feel but we'll all get used to it.

Really? What was the fate of the infamous IBM OS/2?

mshi wrote:

Really? What was the fate of the infamous IBM OS/2?

Different environment and different times. I will say the one thing I'm a little annoyed with on Win 8 is I can't keep an RDP session open to it. My connection closes at random times, usually not very long.

Aaron Lewis Photography wrote:

Different environment and different times. I will say the one thing I'm a little annoyed with on Win 8 is I can't keep an RDP session open to it. My connection closes at random times, usually not very long.

I use RDP in Win8 all the time with no problems (both from Win8 to Win8 and from Win8 to other OS's).. Whatever issue you're facing isn't specific to the OS.

Tog wrote:
I use RDP in Win8 all the time with no problems (both from Win8 to Win8 and from Win8 to other OS's).. Whatever issue you're facing isn't specific to the OS.

I'm RPDing from my Win 7 workstation to a Win 8 VM on the same network. When I log back in, everything in closed and it's like logging in after a fresh reboot.

Not a huge fan of the Metro browser either

Aaron Lewis Photography wrote:

I'm RPDing from my Win 7 workstation to a Win 8 VM on the same network. When I log back in, everything in closed and it's like logging in after a fresh reboot.

What are the domain policies governing that VM?  It sounds like it's forcing a log out when you disconnect (I'm just guessing here).

Like I say, I'm not trying to refute what's happening to you.  I do use RDP from home to work and also between the two machines I have here (one of which is running multiple Hyper-V based VM's), and I haven't had any issues.

Well, correction, I do have some trouble getting the Juniper VPN client my work uses to launch, but that thing wasn't even really supposed to work on Win7 let alone Win8...  But the RDP sessions have all been rock solid, and run considerably better than they did in Win7 (as far as smoothness and what I can actually run without causing the session to stutter)..

Tog wrote:
What are the domain policies governing that VM?  It sounds like it's forcing a log out when you disconnect (I'm just guessing here).

Like I say, I'm not trying to refute what's happening to you.  I do use RDP from home to work and also between the two machines I have here (one of which is running multiple Hyper-V based VM's), and I haven't had any issues.

Well, correction, I do have some trouble getting the Juniper VPN client my work uses to launch, but that thing wasn't even really supposed to work on Win7 let alone Win8...  But the RDP sessions have all been rock solid, and run considerably better than they did in Win7 (as far as smoothness and what I can actually run without causing the session to stutter)..

Any help is appreciated. I haven't really taken any time to diagnose the issue. Both machines are in the same domain and I don't have issues elsewhere.

I've never actually gotten the Juniper client to work on anything so when I need client based VPN's it Cisco ASA for me. I like the Juniper boxes otherwise but I could never get that damn client to work.

OK bed time for me. I'll be back in the am then Sunday it's off to the Caribbean

mshi wrote:
Really? What was the fate of the infamous IBM OS/2?

M$ advised IBM that if they continued to battle OS/2 against Windoze, IBM would be cut off from putting M$ on any of their PCs/Laptops.

OS/2 was 4 years ahead of Windoze when 95 came out.