Start8 and ModernMix -- Windows 8's last, best hope for normality

DeaconFrost · 26 Mar 2013

I wouldn't call it the last chance for normalcy. There are plenty of apps out there that do the job, and do it very well. I'm using Startisback, and it works exactly like the Windows 7 Start Menu.

We can debate all day about how we shouldn't need 3rd party apps to do this, but the fact is, we do. Windows 8 is nothing to fear or shy away from, especially with one of these many apps. Too many people have given up on it before it was even released to the public as a final product. Truth is, Windows 8 is a fine OS and works very well. If Windows 7 wasn't so good, everyone would be switching to 8 en masse, talking about how great it is. We have two very good Windows OSes available to us for the first time in a long, long time. There's no reason to bash one or bicker about them.

echrada · 26 Mar 2013

Thought I was in the Windows 7 forum,

John that set up is a monster, but I want it......

boohbah · 26 Mar 2013

i just purchased start8 after the trial ran out, from a Scotsman this shows it must be a decent software.

Indianatone · 26 Mar 2013

boohbah said:

i just purchased start8 after the trial ran out, from a Scotsman this shows it must be a decent software.

Shame you have to use it on such an inferior OS

Night Hawk · 26 Mar 2013

Indianatone said:

boohbah said:

i just purchased start8 after the trial ran out, from a Scotsman this shows it must be a decent software.

Shame you have to use it on such an inferior OS

Shame on the need for paying out separately just to get back to any type of normal desktop gui to begin with! But Afraid to try 8 anyone? I still have the RP on a VM here where it can stay since there is no way in foobar I would dump 7 for ??? RT! as far as the desktop is concerned!

Give me a break! It was MS that trashed the desktop concept. The 3rd party wares are simply going to cash in as always whenever MS fumbles the ball like they did this time around without any doubt!

Indianatone · 27 Mar 2013

Night Hawk said:

Indianatone said:

boohbah said:

i just purchased start8 after the trial ran out, from a Scotsman this shows it must be a decent software.

Shame you have to use it on such an inferior OS

Shame on the need for paying out separately just to get back to any type of normal desktop gui to begin with! But Afraid to try 8 anyone? I still have the RP on a VM here where it can stay since there is no way in foobar I would dump 7 for ??? RT! as far as the desktop is concerned!

Give me a break! It was MS that trashed the desktop concept. The 3rd party wares are simply going to cash in as always whenever MS fumbles the ball like they did this time around without any doubt!

I have 8 on a virtual machine for messing with, and that is where it is staying. 7 fits my needs like XP did. 8 does not and I feel I am in the majority otherwise by now 8 would have been on all my machines especially at the silly money upgrade price. Hell they can't give it away. How do they expect to sell it for $100 to $299 depending on version?

Night Hawk · 27 Mar 2013

Oh I know the feeling! I has wondered about 8(or the next to come) back in 2009 when seeing how well 7 was going to work out if MS was keeping the pace by following 7 with a second "all works out well" success. Instead you see a mishap when MS goes off on a wild goose chase to bash Google around or make the attempt at least by trying to compete with Andriod and the rest. And noticeably at the expense of their main desktop products!

You have to sit back and scratch your head when you could't wait to get out of XP but Vista wouldn't run some of the things the 32bit 7 later was found able to! go figure! This however the bad followed the good as far as changes!

When originally paying out $319.99 on 10/22./09 for 7 and then knowing it would still be worth the price tag for a working OS and then seeing a $15 Anytime offer to get into "Frightmare Alley" no thanks!

But at the same time if you don't "mind" how MS stripped things out of what was working for a change to gut the OS on features(media) while making certain security and other improvements at the core level then you simply have to get past the need for 3rd party this and 3rd party that to get 8 to look and act more like a desktop OS again. But there was no surprise as to why the price tags were found to be much lower either! You get what you pay for!

DeaconFrost · 28 Mar 2013

Night Hawk said:

"Frightmare Alley"

I can't help but smile at comments like this. For the record, I still love Windows 7, and run it on several of my systems. But Windows 8 (with one of the many Start Menu replacements installed) is just a faster and supposedly more secure version of Windows 7. The fact so many people bash Windows 8 is mind-blowing. In many cases, I can easily say it doesn't justify the cost to upgrade, and Windows 7 does work very well, but I don't get why people have to go the extra mile and bash it.

I use Startisback, and there is very little difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 for me. My boot times are faster (not really important), and according to the various gaming sites I read, game performance is slightly higher with Windows 8. I also enjoy some of the newer features, like the more functional Task Manager. I could care less about the Start Screen, and couldn't tell you the last time I've looked at it. I've uninstalled many of those apps, added in some useful ones, and I'm quite enjoying the two systems it's running on.

It's time for rational thinking to prevail, and for people to realize we have two quality choices for Windows OSes, and that there is nothing to be gained, and no merit behind bickering about the two.

vvcmarttech · 28 Mar 2013

Windows 8 works great. It's meant for a touch screen but there are hot fixes to fix the computer from thinking that mouse movements are screen swipes. I keep hearing lazy techs cry about the "start" menu. Go to CNET download a free start menu program and throw it in the startup folder. Problem solved - you now have glorified version of windows 7 with a new cool looking start screen. 8 is legit and its only going to get better with patches.

Granted their app market sucks. Nor do I feel the need to use modern mix to run any of the metro apps. I don't use the start screen often but simply Windows Key back if I need too. I am enjoying taking advantage of learning keyboard shortcuts to improve my navigation speed.

This is a link to a free start menu - Cuz I make Donations!
http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

Win 8 Keyboard Short Cuts - It just makes life that much easier.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/15-essenti...oard-shortcuts

For the record, anybody throwing 8 to mess with on a VM is going to get left behind as all new computers are being shipped out with win 8 installed.
But its fun to use at home and could get some side work helping people out if you know what you are doing.

Indianatone · 28 Mar 2013

vvcmarttech said:

For the record, anybody throwing 8 to mess with on a VM is going to get left behind as all new computers are being shipped out with win 8 installed.

I think I have forgotten more about computers than you'll ever know.

You are an 8 fanbois.