More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[jimbo45]

Hey PaulGo! Love your Avatar!

Were you a die-hard Atari ST/TT/Falcon user?
I was.

[-
Plenty of people are still running Windows 98 !! so you don't always have to upgrade every time something new appears.
Cheers
jimbo

True I was a die-hard Windows 2000 Professional user until Adobe,Java,Mozilla et al got into using VC 2010++ and then the support upgrades stopped working, even though there are three or four guys working their butts off here;
Windows NT4 / 2000 / 2003 - MSFN Forum
to keep 2000 alive, I just got tired of tweaking using the unofficial updates, surrendered and installed XPPro, as it was most familiar with the classic theme [though I liked and kept the XP start menu] and now in the process of learning W7's differences in preparation for migrating. Good thing I've always used the PortableApps suite since it came out, keeps me from having to re-install all my main work apps so I just need to install the OSs and supporting utilities.

If you click one domain up you can find the Win'98 users and see their approaches.
-Later

Hi there
How about THIS -- some people are even running the old IBM MVS Mainframe OS on their laptops !!!
I'll bet for some old "grey haired IBM former system programmers" this must bring back memories (and it's STILL ALIVE and kicking even in 2013) !!!! The Hercules emulator executes S/370 / s390 instructions and it's a freebie if you want to delve back into Mainframe OS'es.

cheers
jimbo

 

[Lone Browncoat]

Good for them.....but I got into the ST to get away from CLI!

Edit: & since there seems to be a classic theme in W7, I plan on using that for the desktop [call me a stick in the mud] then decide whether to use the W7 start menu or get that utility that emulates the XP start menu....don't know yet ... haven't gotten that far in the tutorials yet.

 

[PaulGo]

Hey PaulGo! Love your Avatar!

Were you a die-hard Atari ST/TT/Falcon user?
I was.

I had the original Atari video game, the Lynx and the Jaguar along with the Atari 8 bit computer. In fact I still have an Atari 8 bit computer along with an Atari floppy disk drive and an Atari tape data player. Instead of the 16 bit Atari I went to the Amiga computer which I actually felt was more in the spirit of Atari. I actually wrote some complex business programs on the Atari (using Microsoft Basic) which originally ran on a mainframe and made several thousand dollars.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I stand by my statement

It's been many years since the share price reflected actual business/economic reality.
"Any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental and unintended."

The stock market is just a casino, where the rich gamble with other people's money.

Hi there
If you really think the stock market bears no relation to reality--well I just hope you don't ever have to worry about getting a pension in future years.

I stand by my statement.

A classic example is the Tech Bubble of the early 2000's.

"Companies" had ludicrous share prices, despite:

• Not selling any products
• Not providing any services
• Not having any assets
• Not paying any dividends

Q - Why were the prices so high, if they were based on "reality"?
A - The prices were based on brokers gambling with other people's money (i.e. completely unrelated to reality).

Let's compare Apple's share prices to their Dividend payments.
Apple's share price bears no relationship to their dividend payments (maximum yield = 0.89% in 2012).
Apple Inc. (AAPL) Dividend History

The Stock Market shows (and experts) constantly go on about a Price–Earnings Ratio of over 30 indicating that a share is over-valued.
Apple's P/E Ratio = ~167, which indicates that their share price bears no relationship to reality (i.e. it is almost entirely speculative).
Apple's share price should be ~$90 not ~$440.
Price

The only way the Stock Market will ever reflect reality, is if ALL Governments introduce exactly the same Anti-Speculation Tax.
Wall Street (and the foreign equivalents) will make sure that never happens.

My Super will be equal to $0 in 2 years time, regardless of the stock market conditions.

 

[crankypenguin]

I have tried Windows 8 and I was rather displeased with the overall operating system. In my humble opinion, Windows 7 is the new *Win Xp* and here to stay for a little while longer. It's strange, but I think I overheard of *Windows Blue* or something today. Microsoft already has the next revision coming up?

 

[marsmimar]

I have tried Windows 8 and I was rather displeased with the overall operating system. In my humble opinion, Windows 7 is the new *Win Xp* and here to stay for a little while longer. It's strange, but I think I overheard of *Windows Blue* or something today. Microsoft already has the next revision coming up?

Windows Blue | Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

 

[crankypenguin]

I have tried Windows 8 and I was rather displeased with the overall operating system. In my humble opinion, Windows 7 is the new *Win Xp* and here to stay for a little while longer. It's strange, but I think I overheard of *Windows Blue* or something today. Microsoft already has the next revision coming up?

Windows Blue | Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

Ah, thank you very much...that cleared that up.

 

[Fantail]

Hey, what does Window 8 & the new Simcity have in common?
1 out of 5 stars!

On the other hand, if EA had MS's servers, it might actually work.

 

[SIW2]

Can't disagree that the things Paul mentioned need looking at.

He is not addressing the main point.

The problem is windows 8 is not selling.

Do you think people are not buying 8 because of the app. situation?

Or is there another reason they are not buying it?

MS need to understand what the reason is and fix it. Fast.

 

[Indianatone]

Could the reason that it is not selling be that the computing public (not Geeks) don't like change? They are so used to XP at home and work are only now moving to Windows 7 at the corporate level. After the time between XP and Vista and the fix of 7 Windows 8 with the shocking Metro seems too soon. Also the regualr public who email, surf Pintrest, Facebook et al are finding an ipad fits the bill perfectly. I have plenty of friends who ask me what should I buy. I tell them look for a nice laptop and get Windows 7 if you don't like 8. Best Buy or whoever sell them an ipad as it suits exactly what they want. The can sit on the couch and surf. They don't care that they are walled in to Crapple. To them it is a computer for surfing.

 

[SIW2]

It is not because they don't like change. That is on old wives tale, which is being wheeled out as an excuse for dismal sales by a small number of win8 fans.

It is because they do not like having a mobile phone interface thrust at them.

They don't mind it on a phone - they don't want it on a proper machine. It is ok to include it as an option, not as default.

MS 1.5 to 2 bn existing users are rejecting it in huge numbers.

MS need to fix that.

After they have done that - they need a presence at the lower points as well. That is a big sector and they need to be there.



If MS want to suck people into their online schemes - they have to get them onto win 8. (Or win 8.5 - whatever this blue thing is going to be called ).

 

[Gary]

I could have gotten Windows 8 Pro for $39.00. I would not pay 39 cents for it. It is just plain fugly. If I had a tablet I may would have tried it but I don't and never will. Windows 7 suits me just fine, I will use it for the duration of my time on this planet.

 

[PaulGo]

Microsoft needs to rethink it's business model. For many years in its dominant position it could dictate to its customers based upon Microsoft's business model. Microsoft is now realizing the world has changed and its customers are starting to have more choices in computing. In order for Microsoft to stay competitive it must realize that it needs to listen to its customers and develop products that the public wants. Unfortunately I don't think Microsoft's current management is capable of this.

Microsoft vs. the world: The punches keep coming

On top of fines and taxes, Microsoft got bad news on Windows RT, Windows 8, and Office 2013

Demand for Windows 8 is also failing to meet expectations, and Redmond this week "did something it's historically been loath to do: discount prices for the copies of Windows it sells to computer makers," notes Gregg Keizer of Computerworld. Allan Krans, an analyst with Technology Business Research, said Microsoft has "always been insistent on maintaining that pricing, but a discount makes sense, given the holiday season, the back-and-forth with the OEMs, and the slow start to the Surface." Though it's significant Microsoft has been able to sustain its OEM prices this long, Krans added: "But this is a reflection of the state of the computer market, which has been difficult for both OEMs and Microsoft. They have to get out in front of this shift."

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/microsoft-vs-the-world-the-punches-keep-coming-214098

 

[sygnus21]

If we aren't buying it, you're in trouble

Could the reason that it is not selling be that the computing public (not Geeks) don't like change? They are so used to XP at home and work are only now moving to Windows 7 at the corporate level. After the time between XP and Vista and the fix of 7 Windows 8 with the shocking Metro seems too soon. Also the regualr public who email, surf Pintrest, Facebook et al are finding an ipad fits the bill perfectly. I have plenty of friends who ask me what should I buy. I tell them look for a nice laptop and get Windows 7 if you don't like 8. Best Buy or whoever sell them an ipad as it suits exactly what they want. The can sit on the couch and surf. They don't care that they are walled in to Crapple. To them it is a computer for surfing.

You actually answered your own question when you said... "I tell them look for a nice laptop and get Windows 7"

In my view it is the "geeks" who propel technology forward. That is, if the geek community isn't buying it, it probably won't sell. Look at it this way, we all have people who look to us for advice. We give that advice, and it influences other's buying decisions, and word spreads.

It is in this context that's killing Microsoft here.... the "geek" community simply isn't impressed with Windows 8, and are thus telling their friends to stay away from it. And people are listening.

It also didn't help that even Microsoft was somewhat less enthusiastic themselves. Look at how quietly the OS was released.

Anyway I plan on buying a tablet next week but it darn sure won't be a Win 8 tablet. And this is coming from a person who traditionally bought a Windows phone. I now have a Samsung Galaxy S3, and will be getting the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

At any rate, if the geek community isn't buying your tech, you're in trouble.

My two cents.

 

[whs]

At any rate, if the geek community isn't buying your tech, you're in trouble.

Let's hope they understand that in Redmond.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

At any rate, if the geek community isn't buying your tech, you're in trouble.

Let's hope they understand that in Redmond.

Hope? How about pray?

 

[whs]

That never hurts.

 

[sygnus21]

At any rate, if the geek community isn't buying your tech, you're in trouble.

Let's hope they understand that in Redmond.

Hope? How about pray?

I guess we'll find out when "Blue" is released?

 

[Layback Bear]

I also wonder who did the market research. Who influenced the out come of that research.

Wanting to get a large chunk of a large market like tablets, phones, ect. is understandable to most everything that walks upright.
I don't know of anybody that knocking Microsoft for trying to get a big share of the new market.
This new market of tablets and such is not controlled by Microsoft's huge market share like it controls the home and business use of PC's and laptop operating systems.

Microsoft is so use to being the only big player in the market they don't know what to do in a new market where there are several big players and they have to compete against all of them.
The old way of doing business; do it my way or hit the highway is not going to work.

Many years ago Henry Ford made a statement:

“People can have the Model T in any color – so long as it’s black.”
― Henry Ford

That type of business attitude worked then but will not work today. People want and demand choices.

I'm thinking that most people who don't want Windows 8 is because it doesn't meet their wants and needs for a operating system. It's not their lack of ability or desire to learn something new. They surly don't want Windows 8 shoved down their throats. They want and demand choices.

 

[Dallas 7]

It is not because they don't like change. That is on old wives tale, which is being wheeled out as an excuse for dismal sales by a small number of win8 fans.

It is because they do not like having a mobile phone interface thrust at them.
They don't mind it on a phone - they don't want it on a proper machine. It is ok to include it as an option, not as default.

SI you're right on track. I bought XP, I bought Vista, I bought W7, and I would've bought W8 if they had produced an excellent product.

But instead they handed us a "mobile phone interface" with no options, just take it or leave it.
So I left it.

If I go to a nice restaurant for a steak and the only thing on the menu is boiled chicken, I figure I'm in the wrong restaurant; I'm gonna get up and walk out.

If MS double's down with Windows Blue and give us more of the same, then Microsoft is even dumber than I thought they were.