More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[pparks1]

I have tried to love it but every time I use it it annoys the hell out of me.

I too was annoyed at first, and am from time to time.

Removal of the start menu, stupid invisible charms, then they removed aero and made it look like it is an 8 bit computer with the huge puzzle tiles.

I added back the start menu with Start8 from Stardock. I have the laptop boot straight to desktop. I almost NEVER see the start screen, except for when I want to launch an app I forgot to pin to the Taskbar. It's often quicker to hit the start key, type the first few letters of the apps name and hit return. Then pin to taskbar. Charms menu, I never use it...because I don't use Metro apps. With my start button, I don't need to access shutdown from Charms.

I wish 8 was prettier than it is (aka, had some Aero to it). But I've adjusted to the blah nature of it.

Look at the sales of PC's. Give me every excuse under the sun but friends acquaintances have told me they will not buy a PC with 8 and the MAC is too expensive so they either stay on XP or Vista. Stay with VISTA for crying out loud. I don't care any more, when asked I just mumble "go and look for yourself". It is not selling and if they M$ don't do something soon the OEM's will.

PC sales were dwindling anyway. People are buying tablets and smartphones instead. Most people who complain that they won't use Windows 8 have probably not really used it whatsoever to form that opinion. They just based it on what other people said. I don't really think Windows 8 did anything detrimental to PC sales, but it sure didn't help.

With everything said above, I only use Windows 8 on my new laptop at work. I had to get some OS on it and went with 8. It boots super fast and runs really good. With my changes, it's barely noticeable that it's not 7. So, I"m happy with it. I will not spend my money to upgrade machines at home to 8 though, I simply don't see the point. My Windows 7 and Vista machines are just fine.

 

[PooMan UK]

Win 8 has to be a failure when there are people choosing win Vista over 8, there was a time when Vista was voted as one of the top 10 worst computer inventions ever and some retailers pulled it from their shelves within 11 months of it launching.
The majority of forums around the world are a hive of activity with a growing hate of win8, even over at the microsoft community there's a mutiny on the bounty I just hope that some of the big knobs at MS visit them so they can get a clear picture of exactly how bad and hated win 8 really is

 

[PaulGo]

The PC market sees its steepest decline ever in 2013, according to IDC



..."Despite some mild improvement in the economic environment and some new PC models offering Windows 8, PC shipments were down significantly across all regions compared to a year ago," IDC writes. "At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market."

The PC market sees its steepest decline ever in 2013, according to IDC | The Verge

and:

IDC: Windows 8 has actually made PCs ‘a less attractive alternative to tablets’

“At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market,” O’Donnell explains. “While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market.”

http://bgr.com/2013/04/10/windows-8-pc-shipments-analysis-429262/

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4210382/pc-nose-dive

 

[gregrocker]

What has boggled me more than anything is how MS execs seem to lack real appreciation for the monumental achievement which is Win7. Even Vista was rescued by Win7 advancements rushed into it's SP1, nearly absolving the company of that debacle after many average Users don't remember what a showstopper it was on the hardware of that time.

To my mind Win7 is the greatest achievement in Tech history - perfect Desktop Experience, never hangs, featherlight and instantaneous with a good install on adequate hardware.

Absent any real and deep appreciation for it by MS leadership, Windows 7 advocacy falls to the Forums which bear its name and where it's truest potential has been fully realized since before it was even released.

 

[mjf]

Greg,
I don't know that I'd go as far as you in singing W7 praises but you certainly make some very good points. (I do like W7).
I tend to think the big software vendors see their finacial future in the "cloud" selling "apps" often developed by other people. My view - stick it up your jumper. I may buy a tablet geared to that model but it probably won't be MS and it better be cheap.

 

[sygnus21]

There is a big difference.

Right now you have a personal computer. You store and manage your own files and folder. You make a conscious choice which software to buy/use - from just about anywhere. If you decide to use an online service of some kind - that is a conscious decision each time. You choose to upload pictures for Granny in Australia, etc.

MS have something very different planned.

A non personal computer.

They are leading people there gradually, without the users being aware. They do not put that in the commercials.

You might think Google/Apple etc are also doing undesirable things.

That is no excuse.

Yes I understand that. I also get why people are so upset over it. However, people don't seem to be so upset when posting information on facebook and other social networks.

All of a sudden Microsoft jumps in the fray and the world is coming to an end. Sorry but where was all this noise when Google and Apple were doing these things. Where were these people when I was screaming about Google's invasion into our privacy?

I don't like it at all either, but it is what it is. And we can scream all we want... Microsoft is going ahead. Why, because the vast majority of consumers want it. And all of the screaming and carrying on in the world won't stop us from using Microsoft products. Why, because we need them... we just don't want to accept it or believe it.

My two cents.

 

[PaulGo]

Perhaps because of poor Windows 8 sales a majority of consumers are rejecting Windows 8.

I don't like it at all either, but it is what it is. And we can scream all we want... Microsoft is going ahead. Why, because the vast majority of consumers want it. And all of the screaming and carrying on in the world won't stop us from using Microsoft products. Why, because we need them... we just don't want to accept it or believe it.

My two cents.

 

[Wenda]

I don't reject Windows 8, far from it.

But, I DO reject out of hand the idea of the cloud, and subscription-based software permanently connected to the 'net.

Not gonna happen here.

I can, and will, go offline altogether if necessary, with my pay-once-use-forever software, and not have to worry about being dragged somewhere I do NOT want to go.

Wenda.

 

[Dallas 7]

We also get a lot of FUD about how much faster 8 is on the desktop. 7 is just as fast if you set it to Windows 2000 classic desktop and reduce the graphics subsystem overhead. This may or may not show depending on your system. On my old Athlon 754 system in Classic desktop mode it is perfectly usable, add aero and it goes into a s l o w e r mode. The same is true on my little Eee PC, so IMHO strip our aero and claim it is faster than 7 is a sham. On lower end or older hardware this is going to show up but on the average enthusiast desktop not at all. Simply put if you want 7 to be quicker turn off the eye candy and set it to hibernate.

Exactly! If you're worried about a couple of seconds and you don't like Aero, shut it off!
At least W7 gives you a CHOICE, which is more than you get with W8.

What I'd like to know is what do Microsoft and W8 fans have against choice?
If M$ had given us some reasonable options instead of that Take it or Leave it/one size fits all garbage, there wouldn't be anything to argue about.
EVERYONE would've been happy instead of a few.

 

[theveterans]

I don't reject Windows 8, far from it.

But, I DO reject out of hand the idea of the cloud, and subscription-based software permanently connected to the 'net.

Not gonna happen here.

I can, and will, go offline altogether if necessary, with my pay-once-use-forever software, and not have to worry about being dragged somewhere I do NOT want to go.

Wenda.

I'm okay with subscription-based software such Office 365 as long as the cost of renting is far more economical than the pay-once-use-forever software. I'm actually using Office 365 Home Premium for 4 year subscription with university discount at a very attractive price compared to buying Office 2013 Home and Student since when Office 2016 arrives, I get the latest version free of charge as long as my subscription is still active during the release. I do however dislike Office 365 Home Premium 5 user subscription since not many families have 5 x86-64 based computers, and the price for just 1 year is outrageous. Once exception to what you said about permanent internet connection when using subscription software is Office 365 because it only checks for validation once a month according to Microsoft so you can use the program offline.

I would also agree with you about "cloud based" software subscription especially software that works like "Office on Demand" where you can only "stream" the software online and not be able to have the installation files on the hard disk.

 

[King Arthur]

Most people who complain that they won't use Windows 8 have probably not really used it whatsoever to form that opinion. They just based it on what other people said.

With all due respect, I really tire of repeatedly hearing that most people badmouth Windows 8 because they "haven't used it". If someone finds Windows 8 unsatisfactory to their needs and wants such, it doesn't neccesarily take long to form a conclusion.

All of a sudden Microsoft jumps in the fray and the world is coming to an end. Sorry but where was all this noise when Google and Apple were doing these things. Where were these people when I was screaming about Google's invasion into our privacy?

With Facebook, Apple and Google it was more that they were companies who'd already relished in taking control of peoples' computers/smartphones (Apple) or had a reputation for using personal information in their business (FB, Google). Together with their insignificance on the mainstream desktop OS market, it was a combination of a fight that wasn't worth fighting and a fight that had no reason to be fought. I do really hate FB and both Apple's and Google's app stores though, just for the record.

Microsoft on the other hand, they had established themselves as a company that developed operating systems with an open ecosystem with their Windows family of operating systems. While their business model would entail usage of personal information much like Google and Facebook, seeing as they have such services like a search engine, cloud storage, and email, they never attempted (at least not so blatantly) to directly control what users can do on their computers unlike Apple.

Windows 8's introduction, featuring Metro which only accepts software to be installed (and subsequently ran) from Windows Store (which is strictly moderated by MS), caused a paradigm shift in which MS suddenly changed course to App Store Land where the operating system vendors have the final say on what gets developed and distributed.

If Windows goes the path of the app store, which it clearly is, Linux is the only really notable open-ecosystem operating system family that will remain on the desktop, and as we all know Linux is far from being ready to usher in what they call "The Year of the Linux Desktop", hence our loud refusal to support Windows 8 and Microsoft's new "holier-than-thou" attitude.

However, people don't seem to be so upset when posting information on facebook and other social networks.

I actually find this fairly recent behavior strange. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were all telling each other (especially our kids!) to not post personal information on the internet, even our names were taboo to mention unless we already knew each other at a personal level. Fast forward to now and everyone is posting every single bit of their personal information and lives on the internet for everyone, both good folks and bad, to see and take advantage of. What seriously happened to those sayings about safeguarding our privacy and lives?

 

[Dallas 7]

.......I don't like it at all either, but it is what it is. And we can scream all we want... Microsoft is going ahead. Why, because the vast majority of consumers want it. And all of the screaming and carrying on in the world won't stop us from using Microsoft products. Why, because we need them... we just don't want to accept it or believe it.
My two cents.

The vast majority of consumers???
If "the vast majority of consumers want it" as you say, then they'd be buying it.
In reality, W8 sales are in the tank. Even Vista outsold W8 at this stage in time.
It's selling so slow Microsoft started fishing for excuses and tried blaming the OEM's.
M$ has tried blaming just about everyone but themselves, and so far it hasn't helped.

I don't believe the statement in question will hold water till M$ can back it up with sales, but sales haven't even come close yet.

You might be right about one thing, they might succeed in shoving their one size fits all tablet OS down our throat, but if they do they'll have to outlast the public's resistance.

 

[sygnus21]

Most people who complain that they won't use Windows 8 have probably not really used it whatsoever to form that opinion. They just based it on what other people said.

With all due respect, I really tire of repeatedly hearing that most people badmouth Windows 8 because they "haven't used it". If someone finds Windows 8 unsatisfactory to their needs and wants such, it doesn't neccesarily take long to form a conclusion.

I actually 100 percent agree with pparks on this as I've been saying it time and time again. The bottom line is there are folks criticizing something they haven't used.

It's one thing to say you don't find something to your liking, it's totally another thing to criticize it based on someone else's experiences. Sort of like saying I don't like them because you don't like them. Uh...OK.

I've never used an NVidia graphics card, or AMD chip, but when asked about them, I don't say they suck because my friends say they suck, I reply I've never used them to form an opinion.

This is also why I can admit I took the criticize before you try road (something of which I normally don't do) only to have formed a different opinion after giving it a try. YES, 8 has things I don't like about it, but get past those, and there are some good things about it. Most notably, the new Windows Explorer, and the overall performance of the OS.

Anyway that's my opinion so...

Microsoft on the other hand, they had established themselves as a company that developed operating systems with an open ecosystem with their Windows family of operating systems. While their business model would entail usage of personal information much like Google and Facebook, seeing as they have such services like a search engine, cloud storage, and email, they never attempted (at least not so blatantly) to directly control what users can do on their computers unlike Apple.

Microsoft is simply trying to get into a market on reserved for social media by providing a Desktop OS capable of providing all the conveniences of that media.

Anyway I'm in general agreement with the rest of your post as it's well thought out and stated.

Peace

 

[Wenda]

I actually find this fairly recent behavior strange. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were all telling each other (especially our kids!) to not post personal information on the internet, even our names were taboo to mention unless we already knew each other at a personal level. Fast forward to now and everyone is posting every single bit of their personal information and lives on the internet for everyone, both good folks and bad, to see and take advantage of. What seriously happened to those sayings about safeguarding our privacy and lives?

I, too, find this very difficult to understand, and have done for some time.

It seems like everything we've been told since 'Stranger Danger' when we were
little tackers at school goes straight out the window (no pun intended) and no
longer applies as soon as an open Farce-book page appears. And then we wonder
why we're bullied, stalked, trolled....

I tend to be very mindful of what info I post and where, and give out as little
real info as possible, and my brother is almost pathological about his online privacy.

Wenda.

 

[Dallas 7]

With all due respect, I really tire of repeatedly hearing that most people badmouth Windows 8 because they "haven't used it". If someone finds Windows 8 unsatisfactory to their needs and wants such, it doesn't neccesarily take long to form a conclusion.

King Arthur I agree, that line is getting really stale. But after seeing it used repeatedly, I think some people began using it generically for lack of something more substantive to say.

The same people who used to enjoy the ability to customize and personalize their computer with the countless options offered on W7, now are vigorously defending Microsoft's "One Size Fits All" LACK of options in W8.

When Microsoft offered numerous ways to personalize one's computer according to one's personal preference, it served ALL of us well, not just a few.
So how is it that with a few people, "Choice" and "Options" apparently have become undesireable?

 

[sygnus21]

I actually find this fairly recent behavior strange. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were all telling each other (especially our kids!) to not post personal information on the internet, even our names were taboo to mention unless we already knew each other at a personal level. Fast forward to now and everyone is posting every single bit of their personal information and lives on the internet for everyone, both good folks and bad, to see and take advantage of. What seriously happened to those sayings about safeguarding our privacy and lives?

I, too, find this very difficult to understand, and have done for some time.

It seems like everything we've been told since 'Stranger Danger' when we were
little tackers at school goes straight out the window (no pun intended) and no
longer applies as soon as an open Farce-book page appears. And then we wonder
why we're bullied, stalked, trolled....

I tend to be very mindful of what info I post and where, and give out as little
real info as possible, and my brother is almost pathological about his online privacy.

Wenda.

Today's youth find it much more desirable to share their info on-line. It's the cool thing to do. Thank Facebook, Twitter & Reality T.V.

This is why Microsoft isn't listening to your and I; we're not with the program. The youth are the future... and they want and need social networking via PC.

 

[Iforgot]

but there is social networking via pc already available.
If they want cool, then isn't that apple?

And we all know that the youth know exactly what is good for them

And we all know that a mult national company has there best interests at heart,,,,,,,,, not just the $.

 

[King Arthur]

I actually find this fairly recent behavior strange. Back in the 90s and early 2000s we were all telling each other (especially our kids!) to not post personal information on the internet, even our names were taboo to mention unless we already knew each other at a personal level. Fast forward to now and everyone is posting every single bit of their personal information and lives on the internet for everyone, both good folks and bad, to see and take advantage of. What seriously happened to those sayings about safeguarding our privacy and lives?

I, too, find this very difficult to understand, and have done for some time.

It seems like everything we've been told since 'Stranger Danger' when we were
little tackers at school goes straight out the window (no pun intended) and no
longer applies as soon as an open Farce-book page appears. And then we wonder
why we're bullied, stalked, trolled....

I tend to be very mindful of what info I post and where, and give out as little
real info as possible, and my brother is almost pathological about his online privacy.

Wenda.

Today's youth find it much more desirable to share their info on-line. It's the cool thing to do. Thank Facebook, Twitter & Reality T.V.

This is why Microsoft isn't listening to your and I; we're not with the program. The youth are the future... and they want and need social networking via PC.

I believe we the older generations, especially those of us who are parents and/or in positions of education, have a responsibility to teach our kids and younger peers that disseminating their personal information willy nilly like most are doing now can carry very dire consequences in the real world.

I occasionally read news reports about a child telling her friends on FB about her birthday party and then having that little bit of information get out of control such that the results might even be traumatic, and I can't help but ask why such things had to happen. And even worse, this is still very mild compared to more serious (and very real) threats like identity theft and various forms of harrassment which can have long-term consequences!

Surely we as a society can do better than this, especially since most of us grew up being told by our parents to be careful of strangers.

 

[x BlueRobot]

I don't like Apple or social media, I've deleted my Facebook account and now only use Twitter occasionally. I must be the complete opposite of 17-year old youth

 

[Wenda]

I, too, find this very difficult to understand, and have done for some time.

It seems like everything we've been told since 'Stranger Danger' when we were
little tackers at school goes straight out the window (no pun intended) and no
longer applies as soon as an open Farce-book page appears. And then we wonder
why we're bullied, stalked, trolled....

I tend to be very mindful of what info I post and where, and give out as little
real info as possible, and my brother is almost pathological about his online privacy.

Wenda.

I believe we the older generations, especially those of us who are parents and/or in positions of education, have a responsibility to teach our kids and younger peers that disseminating their personal information willy nilly like most are doing now can carry very dire consequences in the real world.

I occasionally read news reports about a child telling her friends on FB about her birthday party and then having that little bit of information get out of control such that the results might even be traumatic, and I can't help but ask why such things had to happen. And even worse, this is still very mild compared to more serious (and very real) threats like identity theft and various forms of harrassment which can have long-term consequences!

Surely we as a society can do better than this, especially since most of us grew up being told by our parents to be careful of strangers.

Yes, Sire, I agree 100%.

But seriously, things like Farce-book and Twitter weren't around when my step-children
were growing up (this was the mid-late 1990s), we had one computer and no internet
at all. We did, however, bring the kids up to be aware. The usual stranger-danger stuff
like don't tell strangers on the phone you're home alone, etc

My step-daughter, now nineteen, has a Farce-book a/c, as do I, and we are on each
other's 'friend list'. She doesn't 'live' on FB (she often goes for weeks without logging
in), doesn't have a huge list of 'friends', and is very discreet as to what she posts and
to whom.

So, we must have got something right as parents.