Normal service is resumed as Windows 7's growth once again.....

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

I can't understand this thing about Windows 8 looking horrible with square tiles etc -- if you install Windows 8.1 update 1 you NEVER have to see the square tiles if you don't want to. Boot straight to desktop has been available for some time now.

I use a custom toolbar which gives me a classic cascading menu, I also pin applications to the quick launch taskbar and desktop -- and apart from the Windows symbol instead of the W7 menu Orb my desktop looks identical to what I have for W7 (I use a custom toolbar for W7 too) -- the W7 menu looks quite out of place BTW on a large monitor --try it on a 60 inch screen. The small "XP" like items shown are much more suitable for a cascading menu.

You can even run Metro apps from the desktop (or custom toolbar) if you want - without ever seeing the "Tiles" of the standard W8 start.

I prefer the custom toolbar approach anyway as you can CHOOSE your own items to have on your menu rather than have all the Ms stuff.


Cheers
jimbo

Hi, Jimbo.

(Disclaimer: This is mostly just a rhetorical question)

For someone like me who doesn't like the default look, layout, and settings locations of Windows 8, and is perfectly content with their current setup of Windows 7, and can see no significant benefit in using Windows 8 instead, why should they bother having to invest their time and money, install, setup, and modify Windows 8 to their liking in the first place? There is largely only disincentive there. Just because Windows 8 is newer doesn't mean it's better nor that there is any reason for me to bother trying to use it, especially when the wrapping is so ugly.

For reference, here is a picture of my Windows desktop (notice that I don't even use desktop icons):

You have to customize win-7 to accomplish that Wrend,
Win-8 might be a little different in that process but not much,

Most new computers are touch screen interface compatible and is mostly why win-8 looks as it does = a wild guess
Most websites will eventually also be touch screen friendly

Technology doesn't sit still,
Cheers.

So change for the sake of change so I can change it back to what I already have and get to waste my time and money in the process?



As far as touch devices go, I prefer running Android (and therefore also Windows 7 with my remote desktop app which list my Android devices' storage as drives in Windows for file transfer, streaming, etc. - at no additional cost beyond my internet connections) on them.

Windows 8 isn't the way of the future; it's a useless tangent (my opinion).

No offense to those of you who like it. I'm glad for you that you do, just don't expect me (nor the majority of people) to follow suit and be convinced otherwise.

Wrend said:

...For someone like me who doesn't like the default look, layout, and settings locations of Windows 8, and is perfectly content with their current setup of Windows 7, and can see no significant benefit in using Windows 8 instead, why should they bother having to invest their time and money, install, setup, and modify Windows 8 to their liking in the first place? There is largely only disincentive there. Just because Windows 8 is newer doesn't mean it's better nor that there is any reason for me to bother trying to use it...

Prexactly!

ThrashZone said:

You have to customize win-7 to accomplish that Wrend,
Win-8 might be a little different in that process but not much,

Most new computers are touch screen interface compatible and is mostly why win-8 looks as it does = a wild guess
Most websites will eventually also be touch screen friendly

Technology doesn't sit still,
Cheers.

No, technology doesn't sit still but not all change is good, especially change just for the sake of change.

Way back in my post #137 about a Microsoft pdf reader and then followed by John in post #138 and Kari in post #145.

I does seem to me by reading these post that their is a demand for a quality pdf program and I see no reason it shouldn't come from Microsoft.
John and Kari have pointed out it does come in Windows 8.
I don't know how good that program is. Those who have used it could comment on that.

I'm surprised it comes included in Windows 8 and not a selected add-on.
The E.U. or Adobe will probably have a law suite about it being included like E.U. did with I.E.

I think if we put our thoughts together in a positive way we can come up with a lot of good ideas for Windows 9 and add-ons for Windows 7 and 8 coming from Microsoft.

Here is one that I have been thinking on.
Because Windows 7 and hopefully Windows 8 and 9 are pretty much driver complete why not a Microsoft printer program for all modern printers. I mean one that doesn't try to sell you ink and photos of your grand kids. Just a printer program. Of all the printers, scanners, AIO I have had they all came with a different drivers and programs that you must install.
Here is what I mean.

1. Hook up the modern printer.
2. Boot Windows and it picks up the driver needed.
3. Microsoft printer program is set to default with choices for the options how you want things to print/scan ect. This would work well with a Microsoft pdf program and the operating system. Updates would come from Microsoft. Now all programs you use that you want to print from have one place to go to get the job done.
If it works like I'm thinking it should, you can print from a 3rd party program, Notepad, Word Pad, PDF program, internet, Explorer, ect. all using the built in Windows printer program.
You could remove printer (A) from computer (A) and hook it up to computer (B), boot and the driver would be picked up and use the default Microsoft printer program. Adding these kinds of programs would raise the price of the operating system but to me it would be worth it.

What do you all think.

Layback Bear said:

Way back in my post #137 about a Microsoft pdf reader and then followed by John in post #138 and Kari in post #145.

I does seem to me by reading these post that their is a demand for a quality pdf program and I see no reason it shouldn't come from Microsoft.
John and Kari have pointed out it does come in Windows 8.
I don't know how good that program is. Those who have used it could comment on that...

Keep in mind the PDF program in Win 8 is just a reader, not a full fledged PDF creation and editing program.

In just three years, a lot of people will be migrating from Adobe (including this old lady) due to the subscription, and, possibly, cloud model they are going to. That would be a golden opportunity for M$ if they will just give up on their "visions" of subscription and cloud computing inside a walled garden (which, it appears, they may do).

This discussion has reminded me of the ancient argument about leaving the seat down so women can use the potty. We are adults, like the seat issue, use it like you need it and go on. Men generally want the seat up, women down, should they not be able to put it up when done instead of men putting it down?

I like w7, if y'all like Win 8 I'm not trying to say not to use it, if you like then use it.

@Layback Bear

Actually not needed, see below.

@greg

I have not had success with windows updates providing a generic driver that works well. Sure if the printer is ancient, but a new one? Nope.

As for printers, all you have to do is get the basic driver from the manufacturer. Hp for instance has the standard basic drivers, and then they have the recommend full software driver install. I always use the basic drivers and it works just fine. This way you avoid the crap and let windows handle the printing. You can even use the windows fax and scan center to scan with your printer. :)

Here are examples: click driver, then basic driver

Software & driver downloads HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One Printer - N911a | HP® Support

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/s...orm=OSF_W_7-64

http://support.brother.com/g/b/downl...110dn_us&os=93

Key to this is to avoid "bundled", "full", or "recommended" software package or anything of the sort. "Printer driver" or "basic driver" is what you want. And never ever install the drivers from cd. Waste of time and they are always outdated. Always go to the manufacturer website to install the printer.