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

[the_tyrant]

I just got it, its ok, but nothing significant. As a service pack, I guess its sufficient.

I was personally hoping that they would add Cortana to it, but they didn't. Microsoft is slipping without Steve Ballmer!

[Joefour]

I never did like Bill Gates and that nerdy boy next door act he puts on. Or Microsoft and the antics they pull with their customers. And I dislike his socialist leftizoid father even more. The old man has been at the forefront of trying to get an income tax into WA state for years. WE THE PEOPLE have turned it down at the polls about a half-dozen times, but they just don't get the message. Check the record--it's always extremely wealthy people who push the socialist (read communist) agenda.

Screw 'em. I'm sticking with XP until my machine is ready for the retirement home.

[Skybird]

Joefour, at least update to W7, which is okay, I myself jumped from XP to W7 directly two years ago, and it was a breeze. You XP does not get supported with security updates anymore (from right now on!), in other words if you iuse it on the internet, you help to spread malware and viruses and bring many many other people into trouble, because of your infested and unprotected platform.

If you are seriously ill and infectious, you also would not run around and sneeze your virus-infested breath into people's faces, would you?

You must not care for your own safety, and if you want to end up with a corrupted platform, okay, go ahead. But that you accept to bring hours of workload and even criminal fiscal risks onto others, is not excusable.

So for the sake of reasonability, update to W7, or cut the wire from that machine to the web forever.