A new Windows 8.1 update tries to win back desktop diehards

[Onkel Neal]

http://www.zdnet.com/a-new-windows-8...ds-7000027123/

With its second major update to Windows 8 in less than 18 months, Microsoft is trying to ease the pain for Windows users who are befuddled by the Windows 8 interface on conventional PCs. Here's what you can expect. Will it be enough to calm the troubled waters?

The biggest mistake Microsoft made with Windows 8 was to deliberately eliminate some of the touchstones of the Windows 7 desktop interface

Well, yeah. Why software companies think they need to overhaul the interface when it works fine is stupid. I still cannot find stuff in Office 2007's byzantine toolbars

Windows 8.1 was a first, very large step on the road to rectifying that mistake. This update—let’s call it Windows 8.1.1—is a continuation of those changes, designed to make the new OS work more smoothly on conventional PCs driven by a keyboard and mouse.

Why do they think I want to smudge up my monitor using it like a touchscreen...I have this awesome device called a "mouse".

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Why do they think I want to smudge up my monitor using it like a touchscreen...I have this awesome device called a "mouse".

100% agreed.

I was forced ahead of time to say good bye to my old XP thanks to some bloody scammer who is still waiting for my money...

I wanted Win7 but no luck, better luck getting blood out of a stone any how I got Win8.0 which came with a .1 disk. Now got a traditional menu but I feel there are still some things that are a pain in the rear end. Got a couple games back up and running by keeping them out of the programs folders. Still got the big ones to do that of SH3/4 just see how it goes.

Wonder what this new patch will do?

Win8.1 to Win8.1.1 to Win8.1.1.1

[TheDarkWraith]

If you look at Microsoft's track record for OSs you see a pattern. After every 2 OSs they develop they finally make a good one.

Win 3.1 - crap
Win 95 - crap
Win 98 - excellent
Win 2000 - crap
Win ME - crap
Win XP - excellent
Win 7 - oddball - excellent
Win 8 - crap
Win 9 - by track record should be excellent

[STEED]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

If you look at Microsoft's track record for OSs you see a pattern. After every 2 OSs they develop they finally make a good one.

Win 3.1 - crap
Win 95 - crap
Win 98 - excellent
Win 2000 - crap
Win ME - crap
Win XP - excellent
Win 7 - oddball - excellent
Win 8 - crap
Win 9 - by track record should be excellent

For me Win9 will be the last, if what has been said about Win10 being cloud you can stick it.

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by STEED

For me Win9 will be the last, if what has been said about Win10 being cloud you can stick it.

I agree. Cloud anything means absolutely no to me. I hope when Microsoft goes this route it will be their death. Problem is there are too many sheople in this world who will blindly go along with it

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

If you look at Microsoft's track record for OSs you see a pattern. After every 2 OSs they develop they finally make a good one.

Win 3.1 - crap
Win 95 - crap
Win 98 - excellent
Win 2000 - crap
Win ME - crap
Win XP - excellent
Win 7 - oddball - excellent
Win 8 - crap
Win 9 - by track record should be excellent

You missed Vista. I run Vista 64 without issue. I was considering upgrading to 8.0. Perhaps I will wait.

[d@rk51d3]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

You missed Vista. I run Vista 64 without issue. I was considering upgrading to 8.0. Perhaps I will wait.

I've been running Vista 64 for years with virtually no problems too.

Listening to the tech segment on the radio the other day, they were talking about the cut to XP support etc, and how you should not be using XP online anymore, under any circumstances. Also said if you're not using the latest Mac OSX, then it's not safe to use Safari either.

Someone then smugly mentioned how Vista was the biggest lemon, to which the techie replied: it's a good OS with no real problems, as long as you have a decent amount of RAM.

[DragonRider]

I miss running Vista this new board I have installed won't even run it
I have tried 8.0 its ok runs quite smooth and quick but too much change in one go for me.
So I updated it to windows 8.1 much better OS but still missing some items I like to use.
So now I am waiting for Windows 8.2 as it will soon be out there ready to download and promises
to bring back all the features I use so as they say time will tell.
Although I am not holding my breath !

[longam]

Good ol MS, beta test live and fix as needed. I guess this saves them major bucks? I really don't like the 'sign up for our service' part of this OS and has turned me away.

[hunter301]

I'm getting ready to build a new desktop using my old Lian Lee case but I don't think I will be getting windows 8 anytime soon. Just got used to 7 from XP.
Enough already!!

[DragonRider]

Truth be told it is probably best to stay with Windows 7 to play Silent Hunter

[STEED]

Originally Posted by DragonRider

Truth be told it is probably best to stay with Windows 7 to play Silent Hunter

That is to say from my point of view SH3 GWX SH3C. I can no longer play GWX it just keeps crashing but stock modded I'm OK with, I'm not too bothered had a good few years with GWX but I only play SH3 couple of times a year now.

[Skybird]

Now the update rolled out, and the startup menu is not there, not in the way MS claimed it would be. Now MS says that it will come later. Maybe in Autumn.

Maybe in W9.

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/b...uild-2014.aspx

"Fool if you think it's over..."

They really try to push this junk down unwilling people's throats, don't they.

You know, I really try to like MS, they do many things pretty damn right, and often their software proves to be offering the best argonoimic interface there is, whereas many open source alterntaives suffer in that regard, and very much so. MS could easily be the most loved softwar eproducer there is, if only they would not ruin their merits needlessly time and again, by their own decisions to make poeople want what they do not want.

They also should stop trying to reinvent the wheel every couple of years. The interfac eof the old Office software or words, was working well, intuitive, and was ver ymuch accepted. So mucz bt hat most other contesters cocpied it more or less. Then they thought they must come with that new design in menus, since Office 2010 I think it was. May it be that, may it be the GUI for Fritz - since then I am searching and struggling to find the functions that I want. 80 or 90% of the former intuitive handling - gone.

They plan to mess up their successes. And that is a stupid thing to plan.

[hunter301]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Now the update rolled out, and the startup menu is not there, not in the way MS claimed it would be. Now MS says that it will come later. Maybe in Autumn.

Maybe in W9.

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/b...uild-2014.aspx

"Fool if you think it's over..."

They really try to push this junk down unwilling people's throats, don't they.

Even if I bought a new system and it had W8 on it. I would reformat the HD and load up one of my older win7.

[Skybird]

Same would I do.