Windows 8: Microsoft spent three years killing the Start menu ?

Onkel Neal · 10-24-12, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Microsoft spent three years killing the Start menu and introducing a new tablet interface,” you say.

Read more: http://www.itproportal.com/2012/10/2...#ixzz2AD4k55oK

So, any realistic, compelling reason for me to abandon Windows XP for Windows 8?

HunterICX · 10-24-12, 05:14 AM

No but I can give you plenty to go for Win 7

Windows 8 is...well as a PC user to avoid like the plague.

HunterICX

the_tyrant · 10-24-12, 05:51 AM

hmm, lets see:

Ignoring the live tiles,

XP support is ending soon, aka, you will not get any new security patches

Windows 8 performs great, much much better than windows 7

improved touchpad gesture support

improved touchscreen support (duh)

Better file performance

DPI neutral display support (a first for windows)

Improved WiDi support

As for what is said to be a steep learning curve, it takes literally 5 minutes to learn everything in the new interface. I have used it successfully on everything from a 12 inch laptop to a 42 inch TV.

I love the fact that you can "pin" an application on the left or the right

I can be using word in full screen on the left to type up an essay, while I pin an MSN window to the right.

I mean, the only thing I can say is, head down to your local best buy (or better yet, the Microsoft store), and try it. Even if you buy a windows 8 computer, if you don't like it, you can return it. Plus, all windows 8 pro licenses (sold right now for 69.99), allows you to downgrade back to 7. In essence, you are buying a Windows 8/7 mixed license.

Give it a shot, if you don't like it, you can easily go back

VipertheSniper · 10-24-12, 06:05 AM

I really like a lot of things about Win8, like the ribbons in the explorer, or the fact that you can pause filetransfers. But what I could do without, is the touchscreen optimized desktop, formerly known as Metro. Gimme that start button back.

Also the handling of the apps without a touchscreen is horrid. Although I suppose even with a touchscreen they wouldn't fare much better. The IE app for example is a POS.

the_tyrant · 10-24-12, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VipertheSniper

I really like a lot of things about Win8, like the ribbons in the explorer, or the fact that you can pause filetransfers. But what I could do without, is the touchscreen optimized desktop, formerly known as Metro. Gimme that start button back.

Also the handling of the apps without a touchscreen is horrid. Although I suppose even with a touchscreen they wouldn't fare much better. The IE app for example is a POS.

Hmm, why don't you like IE10? I'm typing this comment on IE10, and to be honest, it is absolutely the best version of IE ever (not usually a high bar, but IE9 was pretty good)

VipertheSniper · 10-25-12, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Hmm, why don't you like IE10? I'm typing this comment on IE10, and to be honest, it is absolutely the best version of IE ever (not usually a high bar, but IE9 was pretty good)

I'm talking the App-version that you open from the tile screen...

the normal desktop variant is fine.

longam · 10-25-12, 04:22 PM

One of the most striking things about the new Microsoft operating system – beyond the Metro user interface – is the lack of a traditional Start menu in favour of tiles. However with a desktop view available for running legacy apps, it seems likely that users will appreciate the ability to use a Windows 8 computer in much the same way as they have used each version of Windows since the mid-1990s.

Of course, this means manually switching from the Metro view – or does it? A useful registry hack can be used to disable Metro, restoring the classic Start menu and desktop view as the default user interface. Sadly this fix will only work with the Windows 8 Developer Preview, rather than with the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview, due to tighter integration of the Metro UI with the various Windows screens. However Microsoft has indicated that there will be a method to disable Metro or set the desktop view as the default for corporate users, so those of you looking ahead shouldn’t be too concerned just yet.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/quickly...ace-windows-8/

Dowly · 10-24-12, 06:22 AM

I see no reason to switch from 7 to 8. Reading the various performance comparisons,
the differences between the two are very minor.

Herr-Berbunch · 10-24-12, 06:34 AM

Unless you plan on using a touchscreen then go for 7, but the_tyrant makes a compelling case for buying the 7 'downgrade'/8 combined - just in case. Still another eight years of W7 support, and it dominates over XP.

But there is a Win 8 exclusive version of SHO -

MH · 10-24-12, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

I see no reason to switch from 7 to 8. Reading the various performance comparisons,
the differences between the two are very minor.

There is no reason to switch to WIN8 unless you have touch screen or must have the latest software.
Yet win8 has its purpose as OS for touch or gesture devices which seem to be the future as it seems...actually we shell see how it will turn out.

MH · 10-24-12, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Read more: http://www.itproportal.com/2012/10/2...#ixzz2AD4k55oK

So, any realistic, compelling reason for me to abandon Windows XP for Windows 8?

As said before go with the 7.
It is absolutely rock solid version of windows with much better performance.

10-24-12, 05:14 AM	#2
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	No but I can give you plenty to go for Win 7 Windows 8 is...well as a PC user to avoid like the plague. HunterICX __________________

10-24-12, 05:51 AM	#3
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	hmm, lets see: Ignoring the live tiles, XP support is ending soon, aka, you will not get any new security patches Windows 8 performs great, much much better than windows 7 improved touchpad gesture support improved touchscreen support (duh) Better file performance DPI neutral display support (a first for windows) Improved WiDi support As for what is said to be a steep learning curve, it takes literally 5 minutes to learn everything in the new interface. I have used it successfully on everything from a 12 inch laptop to a 42 inch TV. I love the fact that you can "pin" an application on the left or the right I can be using word in full screen on the left to type up an essay, while I pin an MSN window to the right. I mean, the only thing I can say is, head down to your local best buy (or better yet, the Microsoft store), and try it. Even if you buy a windows 8 computer, if you don't like it, you can return it. Plus, all windows 8 pro licenses (sold right now for 69.99), allows you to downgrade back to 7. In essence, you are buying a Windows 8/7 mixed license. Give it a shot, if you don't like it, you can easily go back __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

10-24-12, 06:34 AM	#9
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Unless you plan on using a touchscreen then go for 7, but the_tyrant makes a compelling case for buying the 7 'downgrade'/8 combined - just in case. Still another eight years of W7 support, and it dominates over XP. But there is a Win 8 exclusive version of SHO - __________________

10-24-12, 06:05 AM	#4
VipertheSniper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 1,070 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I really like a lot of things about Win8, like the ribbons in the explorer, or the fact that you can pause filetransfers. But what I could do without, is the touchscreen optimized desktop, formerly known as Metro. Gimme that start button back. Also the handling of the apps without a touchscreen is horrid. Although I suppose even with a touchscreen they wouldn't fare much better. The IE app for example is a POS.

10-25-12, 04:22 PM	#7
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	One of the most striking things about the new Microsoft operating system – beyond the Metro user interface – is the lack of a traditional Start menu in favour of tiles. However with a desktop view available for running legacy apps, it seems likely that users will appreciate the ability to use a Windows 8 computer in much the same way as they have used each version of Windows since the mid-1990s. Of course, this means manually switching from the Metro view – or does it? A useful registry hack can be used to disable Metro, restoring the classic Start menu and desktop view as the default user interface. Sadly this fix will only work with the Windows 8 Developer Preview, rather than with the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview, due to tighter integration of the Metro UI with the various Windows screens. However Microsoft has indicated that there will be a method to disable Metro or set the desktop view as the default for corporate users, so those of you looking ahead shouldn’t be too concerned just yet. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/quickly...ace-windows-8/

10-24-12, 06:22 AM	#8
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I see no reason to switch from 7 to 8. Reading the various performance comparisons, the differences between the two are very minor.