Yes, I have been using 8 in various iterations for a very long time.
Many of us have done so and do not like it.
Not just because the UI is not appropriate for what we do.
It is move backwards - a step back to the dark old days.
Dependent on a central server - watched and controlled,charges and subscriptions.
Some seem to encourage it. I don't know if they are actually "shills" or they just don't understand what is going on.
That's fine. I'm not here to convince you. But some of the FUD I've been reading here is downright out in left field. If you're going to hate something have a valid reason, not just some slavish following to others fears and misunderstandings.
My two cents.
As I said, some of the stuff posted here is FUD and is by non-users who "heard from a friend". Some like yours are more legit and thoughtful. While I won't agree with everything you say, I can respect your position because it’s rooted in experience and thought.
Others are just plain following the flock of 8 sucks without even trying it. As I said before, outside the ugliness of the start screen, the performance is there with Windows 7.
As to cloud computing and a central sever, that is the way of the future, whether we like it or not. And despite some complaints, consumers and businesses will, and are, buying into it. Again, thank smartphones and the social media for that. People simply want to be able to access their info anywhere they go… and with cloud computing, and now an OS rooted in it, it opens up a whole new area where smartphones and tablets mainly dominated. Now we have an OS competing in that arena.
With that, cloud computing is here to stay. And it’s only going to get bigger. Why would you want an OS not in tune with that?
And no, I’m not a huge fan of 8 as it stands, and the fact that I have to have a Microsoft account to fully use my desktop OS is BS. But, this is no different than if you own an Android smartphone, where a Google account is necessary. Microsoft is simply doing what we've already accepted as norm.
At any rate as I said before, if you’re going to complain about the OS, at least be one who has tried it, as opposed to following the "everyone says it sucks so it sucks" crowd.
I initially did this, but after trying the OS for a while, I have a different view. Am I fully impressed, not really, but at least I have a different view from actually using Win 8.
My two cents.
