"Windows 8 Survey: Half Who Have Tried the OS Wouldn't Recommend It"

[M1GU31]

il'l stay with win 7 since one i hate win 8 and two they extended support for around another 8 years or so. Anyways i rather use ubuntu's latest over win 8. p.s. win 7 and xp were the best. Win 8 is around the same range with vista of how much i dislike it. Vista nothing but problems,bugging up on me and memory problems ect.. and win 8 the interface is a slap to tech ppl. I disapprove of win 8 and join the ppl who dislike it.

 

[beauparc]

I'm trying hard to like it but, God, it's difficult.

The only advantage I've found is it's apparant speed. It seems faster than W7 in a lot of ways. Maybe because I'm dual booting rather than running as a VM.

My you, this isn't even a beta release. Maybe, just maybe, someone at MS will listen for once and improve things.

I will say that there is no way that I would pay the usual MS price to buy it.

 

[Borg 386]

Well, don't know if this will make any noticable difference, but I came upon this article:

The Metro hater's guide to customizing Windows 8 Consumer Preview | ZDNet

 

[Teerex]

I've just removed it. What really irked me and spurred me to finish my experience is that it couldn't remember the login and password for my PPPoE-thru-WiFi connection, for no apparent reason, so I had to fill it in every time.

I might rejoin it if there's ever an RC with real feedback like with Windows 7. But, for now, I got the gist of it, tasted the corners and the swiping...

Also today, I've read this as the conclusion of Anand's review of Windows 8. I agree with him 100%. And I've always liked Windows, and liked every new version better than the prevous one and I'm worried.

If you’re reading this, the chances are good that you’re a technology enthusiast with a decent system, and you’re the ones to whom Windows 8’s under-the-hood enhancements will appeal the most. Give the preview a test drive, evaluate whether you’ll use the new features, and give Metro a fair shake—like it or not, it’s the future of the platform, and it’s well-implemented here. If you’re happy with Windows 7, though, this isn’t the must-have upgrade that its predecessor was, and Microsoft’s long-term support cycle—mainstream support until 2015, extended support until 2020—means that you’ll still get significant software updates (new DirectX and IE versions and a handful of other backported features) for awhile and security updates for even longer. You’ve got time to wait for Windows 9.

Can Microsoft survive this? The Windows brand? The PC? Apple is a juggernaut and it seems they will be given another cue for a year of commercials:
'Are they forcing you to learn new tricks? If they are, why don't you learn a whole new game! OSX! It's an OS that's whole, and yours!'

 

[seavixen32]

For what it's worth, I just don't like touchscreens at all so for that reason alone I'll stick with Windows 7.

If Microsoft aren't careful they're going to lose market share over this potential debacle and I would have thought that after the ME and Vista disasters they'd have learned their lesson by now.

However, perhaps they are listening and perhaps the RTM version will be all that Windows 7 is and more.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Throwaway Devices

This OS is designed for "Throwaway Devices" (e.g. Phones and Tablets).

PCs last too long.

Some people seem to buy a new phone every year.
Apple seems to be releasing a new iPad every year also.

MS and the device makers want a slice of this "action".
Probably when you get a new device, you'll have to re-download all of your apps again.

The only thing that will change MS's mind, is a mass buyer boycott by businesses.

 

[nitroman84]

I gave it a whirl trying to keep an open mind but my mind promptly slammed shut after about five minutes of using this abortion of an operating system. I can safely say this will keep many people on 7 for years to come. It just has no place on a real computer.

 

[BugOutMachine]

I agree with the article. I absolutely hate the Metro interface. As of now, performance benefits have only been seen during booting the OS, which is superior to 7, otherwise 8 falls just behind 7 in other benchmarks: Benchmark tests offer first hints of Windows 8 performance | Crave - CNET

 

[nitroman84]

My main question is why?? Clearly the desktop version of Windows has been great for years. Why now pressure old hat windows users to move to a terrible touch based disaster that is Windows 8? It just doesn't make sense at all. When I press the windows key on my real computer I expect the same options given as in the past, not some horrible touch based "Menu" that doesn't give me the same options I have come to expect. If it is any relief to Windows 7 users I have committed my hobby as a programmer of windows 7 applications. I have decided my future windows based projects will be windows 7 based only. I have recently moved from fortran based programs for windows to Delphi based programs. As soon as I become more proficient in Delphi My windows programs will only be written for Windows 7. I will not be wasting my time programming for Windows 8 anytime soon.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Maybe ...

Heh actually, they could look at the number of people that DL it and the time they spend on it. If only 50% spend more than a few minutes, that's enough telemetry right there

"Maybe we should tell the shareholders the truth."
"What ... that half the people who downloaded it, stopped using it after a few days?"
"No, I don't think we'll be telling them that."

Apologies to "The Simpsons".

 

[Lebon14]

I keep booting it up and trying, but I just cant find the slightest bit of love for it and the server version may well turn me to linux.

Oh! I see the admin is of the same advice as me.

It's like I said : The metro interface will be awesome on tablet but will fail on PCs and laptops.

 

[Coke Robot]

Then again, half of the people that like it would rather stay on Windows 7 for the rest of their lives....another decade long episode reminiscent of xp anyone?

Eight is great! Honestly, some people just don't like change. Or some people that don't like Windows 8's Start Screen just haven't found all the different things it can do. It's like having Windows Explorer and the Start Menu in one screen. Windows 8 actually brings back a long lost concept of the Start Menu that originated from Windows 95, and that is to make finding programs and files easier and not have to navigate for a year to find things. From a power user's stance, it makes that even easier. From an average person's stance, it makes the Windows environment more friendlier and easier and better organized than a Start menu with an endless list of folders and subfolders in the All Programs list, which not many people truly access other than power users.

I have a friend who I show to the Windows 8 to and he didn't care for it, he just pins what he needs to the Taskbar. I told him the reason why Microsoft killed the start menu because the Windows 7 Taskbar killed the most fundamental feature of Windows, the Start Menu. He thought it was unnecessary even though I brought to his attention that he has a plethora of games installed and some he doesn't even play. In his Start Menu is a ridiculous amount of folders, I was appalled and didn't even want to try to tame that. He also has a Desktop FULL, literally FULL of little icons to DOS games to NES games to PS games to PC games. It's gross. From my standpoint, I would think the Start Screen would allow my friend to find his games faster and organize them better. It would unclutter a cluttered Desktop, which the Start Menu in Windows 95 aimed to do, and make the most frequently accessed programs placed in the first screen, and the less accessed in the other screens of the Start Screen.

But setting that aside, I agree with Microsoft's standpoint on software design. The past decade of software design has always tried to emulate a fake texture. Xp really does look like a plastic toy, vista is glassy, 7 is more glassy, the mac os is has a metallic monochrome feel, iOS is the same, android is a black hole of a mess. Not only that, the software design has also tried to look 3D like, such as the Aero Flip feature in vista and 7, or the 3D icons in iOS or mac os. You CANNOT make true 3D from a flat screen monitor or whatever LED or LCD screen. One of the themes of metro design is to be "authentically digital." That means things aren't going 3D, things aren't trying to look like a physical texture; it should be colors and 2D pixels. This is true.

 

[andyparks]

I dual booted it with my windows 7 and didn't like it at all and missed the orb/start button the metro is ok but with out touch screen will make things harder to use ..now back on windows 7 factory reset

 

[pparks1]

Eight is great! Honestly, some people just don't like change.

For some people, there isn't sometimes a good reason to make changes. I look at the way that I use a computer and I look at Windows 7 and find very little that I would change to make myself more proficient in getting things done. From my limited experience with using Windows 8, I found that I had to learn how to do basic tasks all over again, and I often times had to click through multiple screens and dialog boxes to do the same tasks that I would do in less steps with Windows 7.

A big factor for me on using a new operating system is cost. Changes aside, the question becomes whether spending $199 or $299 provides enough additional benefits to outweigh the costs. I was never a big fan of Vista, and didn't upgrade my main desktop from XP as I didn't see any value in Vista. However, when I built my new rig, I invested in a copy of Windows 7 as it seemed a substantial upgrade from XP. But I haven't seen enough evidence that investing in Windows 8 is going to make me happy or feel that the cost of the upgrade was worth it.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi everyone
Perhaps we're asking the WRONG question here.

Instead of saying whether the UPGRADE is worth the price or not -- perhaps we should be asking --when you buy your NEXT computer will you STICK with W7 or Choose W8 as I'm sure by then an upgrade path will be available.

If you are happy TODAY on the computer(s) you are using and there isn't a "killer" feature on W8 that "You Must Have" then stick with the old OS.

I stayed for ages and ages with XP on one laptop -- it did everything I wanted and I couldn't be bothered to upgrade to W7. However when I got a NEW machine that was another issue.

Most of the threads here seem aimed at the UPGRADE market -- I think MS is changing the marketing strategy to appeal to the NEXT generation of NEW Windows users.

I can't see ANY business upgrading to W8 for years yet as some of them have barely started converting to W7 from XP --and I've still seen a few W2K servers around too!!!.

A lot of die hard users won't (predictably) like this version of Windows -- but you might find it appeals to a load of the current newer generation who seem to spend all day long staring into their mobile phones.

Big Market out there.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[whs]

I hope Microsoft will make another Mojave project with all those morons that talk Windows8 down without ever having used it.

I think the Metro is great - especially for "light" users that do not want to do geeky things. My own test with a bunch of seniors concluded that they thought it would be much easier to navigate and find things than in Windows7. Just think of the awkward way of finding stuff in All Programs - All Apps is certainly a lot easier.

The Metro in combination with half a dozen keyboard shortcuts gets you really fast to where you want to be. I fail to see where the problem is - I think it is mainly human resistance to change.

 

[z3r010]

What do you suggest they do for all of us that have tried it and absolutely hate it?

 

[whs]

What do you suggest they do for all of us that have tried it and absolutely hate it?

An open mind. And go down the list of things you think you cannot do and find a solution for each one. I have not yet found anything I could not do - but that does not mean that there may be things that are a bit more difficult to accomplish. But that is probably not a problem inherent in the start menu.

Lately I have actually seen more people that like Win8 than those that do not like it.

 

[jimbo45]

What do you suggest they do for all of us that have tried it and absolutely hate it?

Hi there
W7 will still be around for years yet too WITH improvements and features

Just take a Car Manufacturer as an example --they don't normally only market ONE model.

W7 and W8 can co-exist --can't see anything wrong with that especially if they are basically aimed at different pieces of kit and probably a different user base too.


Cheers
jimbo

 

[alphanumeric]

What do you suggest they do for all of us that have tried it and absolutely hate it?

An open mind. And go down the list of things you think you cannot do and find a solution for each one. I have not yet found anything I could not do - but that does not mean that there may be things that are a bit more difficult to accomplish. But that is probably not a problem inherent in the start menu.

Lately I have actually seen more people that like Win8 than those that do not like it.

While I'm sure I can do everything I do on Windows 7 on Windows 8, why would I if I hate the interface and have a choice? I can probably do all that I do now on a MAC or a Linux PC but I'm in no hurry to go that route either. I'm not going to pay Microsoft for something I don't like just because they tell me "You'll get used to it".