With Windows Blue, Microsoft may (finally) do the right thing

[Night Hawk]

Hey! Whoa! I'm not trying to convert anyone, far from it.
But it was there, it was cheap, and I do collect operating systems.
No, I don't force it onto anyone, I just thought I'd relate my personal experience with it
and let others decide for themselves. I haven't 'dissed' 8, but nor have I dumped 7 for 8.

I like them both, for various reasons.

Wenda.

Don't feel too bad Wenda. I have a copy of Windows 8 Pro on a virtual machine. It hardly sees the light of day. You could say I am not a Windows 8 fan, frankly I don't like it and what is the point of buying it and making it look like 7 with a 256 colour video adapter from 1995 when I already have 7 with aero and the classic desktop ? I have most of the recent OS except Windows ME. I was a NT4 fan and a Windows 2000 long time user too. Did not like Vista but too be fair on current hardware it runs just fine. On the hardware it was sold on not so much. I paid $15 for my 8 and got a free media centre too. I just prefer 7. MS has taken away choices and most of us have chosen not to jump on the M$ train wreck that windows 8 is.

The main problems with 8 besides the need for 3rd party apps are getting other things to run! At first that didn't seem to be much of an issue in that 8 was the newer version which always sees a problem somewhere until tech supports are now advising 8 users to revert to 7/Vista where things are known to work! Otherwise "Some" compatibility issues are the accepted norm! - Stripping down the features and not providing the user with "Options" is the main downfall for 8 however despite the smaller improvements in some minor areas like boot time 1-2seconds faster? Thrills and Excitement! daaa... A new Lock Screen and revamped Taskmanager/Performance Monitor in appearance was a new twist being something you would expect to see change once in a blue moon while tossing the Tablet gui in everyone's faces without choice was a road to 8 disaster in the making!!!

 

[jimbo45]

Hey! Whoa! I'm not trying to convert anyone, far from it.
But it was there, it was cheap, and I do collect operating systems.
No, I don't force it onto anyone, I just thought I'd relate my personal experience with it
and let others decide for themselves. I haven't 'dissed' 8, but nor have I dumped 7 for 8.

I like them both, for various reasons.

Wenda.

Don't feel too bad Wenda. I have a copy of Windows 8 Pro on a virtual machine. It hardly sees the light of day. You could say I am not a Windows 8 fan, frankly I don't like it and what is the point of buying it and making it look like 7 with a 256 colour video adapter from 1995 when I already have 7 with aero and the classic desktop ? I have most of the recent OS except Windows ME. I was a NT4 fan and a Windows 2000 long time user too. Did not like Vista but too be fair on current hardware it runs just fine. On the hardware it was sold on not so much. I paid $15 for my 8 and got a free media centre too. I just prefer 7. MS has taken away choices and most of us have chosen not to jump on the M$ train wreck that windows 8 is.

The main problems with 8 besides the need for 3rd party apps are getting other things to run! At first that didn't seem to be much of an issue in that 8 was the newer version which always sees a problem somewhere until tech supports are now advising 8 users to revert to 7/Vista where things are known to work! Otherwise "Some" compatibility issues are the accepted norm! - Stripping down the features and not providing the user with "Options" is the main downfall for 8 however despite the smaller improvements in some minor areas like boot time 1-2seconds faster? Thrills and Excitement! daaa... A new Lock Screen and revamped Taskmanager/Performance Monitor in appearance was a new twist being something you would expect to see change once in a blue moon while tossing the Tablet gui in everyone's faces without choice was a road to 8 disaster in the making!!!

Hi there
While there ARE obviously problems with W8 the ONE THING most people don't seem to have too much trouble with is in getting things to run. For instance on an older SONY VAIO I could never get both the SD card and the SONY PRO DUO card (the thing that looks a bit like the older phone SIM cards - not the new micro sims) to work on W7. Both Worked first time on W8 without even trying to find a driver on Sony's site.

Running as a VM shouldn't cause any problems either -- not sure why you've only got 256 colours --run it on VMware player (free) -- full graphics and 3-D are fine - ensure you install the VMware tools package. Runs fine on VBOX too -- run the additions package.

I don't like the metro interface and the tiles - but using some re-arrangement by pinning apps to taskbar and desktop it runs fine - and by using a custom tool bar you can "simulate" a menu which works just fine. Mine works under Programs.

Strangely enough though I use a menu like system less and less now -- so I don't think I'd miss a menu anyway.

The worst problem is when installing classic desktop apps --every .EXE file creates a wretched tile - in no sensible order either --this seriously needs to be revisited / re-designed as installing apps which contains a few .EXE files gets really messy when having to tidy up the process.

Screenshot enc

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Wenda]

Hey! Whoa! I'm not trying to convert anyone, far from it.
But it was there, it was cheap, and I do collect operating systems.
No, I don't force it onto anyone, I just thought I'd relate my personal experience with it
and let others decide for themselves. I haven't 'dissed' 8, but nor have I dumped 7 for 8.

I like them both, for various reasons.

Wenda.

Didn't mean my post to convey any form of defense in regards to your response so I apologize if it came off that way. I only meant to tell a story that I was reminded of when I read your post.

You collect OS? Do you have some sort of museum of OSs that has tons of versions of OS?

No, all good, no offense taken.
Re collecting OSes, it started (as many collections do) by accident. I was moving house, and
having a 'cull' of stuff I didn't want or need. Anyway, I turned up a few copies of my own old
OSes (back to MS-DOS days) and decided to have a bit of a 'play around' for nostalgia's sake.

Then others started to turn up, like the original copy of Windows NT4 SP1 still in its jewel-case
with product key found in the 'free' bin at a local op-shop. Or the disk-folder containing all the
(still working) 3.5" floppies for Dos 6.0 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 found thrown-out in
a local Council 'clean-up'.

And they're still coming...latest addition is Ubuntu 12.10. Here's a clip of my Virtual-Box with
some (around half) of my OSes installed. Not all are PC OSes. Oh, and they're all legal, there's
no pirated stuff.


Wenda.

EDIT: Jimbo, that was the menu setup I used before I discovered Classic Shell.

 

[SIW2]

Jimbo
The worst problem is when installing classic desktop apps --every .EXE file creates a wretched tile - in no sensible order either --this seriously needs to be revisited / re-designed as installing apps which contains a few .EXE files gets really messy when having to tidy up the process.

Maybe they could be in folders. Files and folders - there's a novel idea.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Wenda,

I am using 13.04.

It is possible to upgrade to successive version of Ubuntu - but I think the download for the upgrade is bigger than just getting the new installation iso.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Indianatone]

Don't feel too bad Wenda. I have a copy of Windows 8 Pro on a virtual machine. It hardly sees the light of day. You could say I am not a Windows 8 fan, frankly I don't like it and what is the point of buying it and making it look like 7 with a 256 colour video adapter from 1995 when I already have 7 with aero and the classic desktop ? I have most of the recent OS except Windows ME. I was a NT4 fan and a Windows 2000 long time user too. Did not like Vista but too be fair on current hardware it runs just fine. On the hardware it was sold on not so much. I paid $15 for my 8 and got a free media centre too. I just prefer 7. MS has taken away choices and most of us have chosen not to jump on the M$ train wreck that windows 8 is.

Hi there


Running as a VM shouldn't cause any problems either -- not sure why you've only got 256 colours --run it on VMware player (free) -- full graphics and 3-D are fine - ensure you install the VMware tools package. Runs fine on VBOX too -- run the additions package.

I don't like the metro interface and the tiles - but using some re-arrangement by pinning apps to taskbar and desktop it runs fine - and by using a custom tool bar you can "simulate" a menu which works just fine. Mine works under Programs.

Strangely enough though I use a menu like system less and less now -- so I don't think I'd miss a menu anyway.

The worst problem is when installing classic desktop apps --every .EXE file creates a wretched tile - in no sensible order either --this seriously needs to be revisited / re-designed as installing apps which contains a few .EXE files gets really messy when having to tidy up the process.

Screenshot enc

Cheers
jimbo

I don't only have 256 colours, it was a joke that it does not look as nice as aero.

 

[Night Hawk]

The main problems with 8 besides the need for 3rd party apps are getting other things to run! At first that didn't seem to be much of an issue in that 8 was the newer version which always sees a problem somewhere until tech supports are now advising 8 users to revert to 7/Vista where things are known to work! Otherwise "Some" compatibility issues are the accepted norm! - Stripping down the features and not providing the user with "Options" is the main downfall for 8 however despite the smaller improvements in some minor areas like boot time 1-2seconds faster? Thrills and Excitement! daaa... A new Lock Screen and revamped Taskmanager/Performance Monitor in appearance was a new twist being something you would expect to see change once in a blue moon while tossing the Tablet gui in everyone's faces without choice was a road to 8 disaster in the making!!!

Hi there
While there ARE obviously problems with W8 the ONE THING most people don't seem to have too much trouble with is in getting things to run. For instance on an older SONY VAIO I could never get both the SD card and the SONY PRO DUO card (the thing that looks a bit like the older phone SIM cards - not the new micro sims) to work on W7. Both Worked first time on W8 without even trying to find a driver on Sony's site.

Running as a VM shouldn't cause any problems either -- not sure why you've only got 256 colours --run it on VMware player (free) -- full graphics and 3-D are fine - ensure you install the VMware tools package. Runs fine on VBOX too -- run the additions package.

I don't like the metro interface and the tiles - but using some re-arrangement by pinning apps to taskbar and desktop it runs fine - and by using a custom tool bar you can "simulate" a menu which works just fine. Mine works under Programs.

Strangely enough though I use a menu like system less and less now -- so I don't think I'd miss a menu anyway.

The worst problem is when installing classic desktop apps --every .EXE file creates a wretched tile - in no sensible order either --this seriously needs to be revisited / re-designed as installing apps which contains a few .EXE files gets really messy when having to tidy up the process.

Screenshot enc

Cheers
jimbo

I was hearing complaints right off about people running into issues with the older MS office wares as well as a few other expected setbacks since it is the latest new version. You always have some software issues regardless of which version when new. That's an accepted fact. What I was finding was the RP was buggier then anything while that was still running deciding I wouldn't be going for the retail which wouldn't serve any real purpose. I tried the various ideas out including Start8, Start Menu 7, and a few others as well as Classic Shell but knew it wasn't going anywhere fast! ---This was the actual first for turning down the latest version having missed out on running the older NT/2000 as well as ME skipping from Legacy to XP and then actually regretting no longer being able to dual boot 98SE with XP once no one had drivers for the old OS any longer back about 2004. The 256colors and tiles certainly never made the day for anyone! 9__9

 

[Layback Bear]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

I'm thinking buffalo wings and pizza are not touch screen foods.

 

[Night Hawk]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

I'm thinking buffalo wings and pizza are not touch screen foods.

Gee I would think those would be the preferred! Those would certainly go over better then what MS is planning to continue serving up it seems! Start menu isn't back in Win 8.1, but some key features are - Computerworld

 

[Dallas 7]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

Right on! The screen on my Iphone looks bad enough. It gets so smeared up it's impossible to keep it clean. I can't imagine my desktop 21" LED screen looking like that!

We've all seen those tests where they measure the harmul bacteria level present on your door knob, kitchen cabinet tops, etc, well I'm waiting for someone to test the average W8 touchscreen and tell us what a prolific breeding ground W8 touchscreens are for harmful germs and bacteria. Who knows, maybe W8 is bad for our health! :roflmao:
I bet M$ would love to hear about that!

 

[Iforgot]

Hi Wenda,

I am using 13.04.

It is possible to upgrade to successive version of Ubuntu - but I think the download for the upgrade is bigger than just getting the new installation iso.

SIW2

There are ways to purge the old unused files in Linux...

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

Right on! The screen on my Iphone looks bad enough. It gets so smeared up it's impossible to keep it clean. I can't imagine my desktop 21" LED screen looking like that!

We've all seen those tests where they measure the harmul bacteria level present on your door knob, kitchen cabinet tops, etc, well I'm waiting for someone to test the average W8 touchscreen and tell us what a prolific breeding ground W8 touchscreens are for harmful germs and bacteria. Who knows, maybe W8 is bad for our health! :roflmao:
I bet M$ would love to hear about that!

Hi there
the average Toilet seat in a typical office is actually CLEANER than the door handle on the "Bog door" you use to get into the "small room".

Wonder how the "touch screen" admirers think about that one.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Night Hawk]

Hi there
Open letter to the CIA or FBI here from me.

If I purchase a HUGE screen costing me 5,000 dollars (US) or more - anybody who even THINKS of putting greasy smeery fingers on it will be meeting their maker long before "Natural Causes" leads to the same event. !!!! You've been warned if you step into my "Gaff". Keep your fingers off my gear.

Cheers
jimbo

Right on! The screen on my Iphone looks bad enough. It gets so smeared up it's impossible to keep it clean. I can't imagine my desktop 21" LED screen looking like that!

We've all seen those tests where they measure the harmul bacteria level present on your door knob, kitchen cabinet tops, etc, well I'm waiting for someone to test the average W8 touchscreen and tell us what a prolific breeding ground W8 touchscreens are for harmful germs and bacteria. Who knows, maybe W8 is bad for our health! :roflmao:
I bet M$ would love to hear about that!

Hi there
the average Toilet seat in a typical office is actually CLEANER than the door handle on the "Bog door" you use to get into the "small room".

Wonder how the "touch screen" admirers think about that one.

Cheers
jimbo

Actually your keyboard is the place to look for what collects as far as bugs and bacteria growing on any food particles trapped inbetween and to borrow the phrase "Down Under" the keys themselves! That would also be a small concern for onscreen keyboard use as well only to the lesser extent however over smeared and worn from pressing finger tips into the screen constantly! If people can't stand having touchscreen on 7 you can imagine what they think of it in 8!

 

[Gary]

I would no doubt poke a hole through mine.

 

[Night Hawk]

You too I see! I go through enough keyboards as it is from worn keys and print worn off of the keys and then want to poke holes in the lcd display? NO THANKS! As soon as someone gets frustrated at something hanging up and keeps pressing in harder there goes the screen! For delicate use only! Going to play a 1st person shooter and fire away at the onscreen keyboard? jab jab jab jab jab CRUNCH! :0 "my screen!"

 

[Stephanie]

You too I see! I go through enough keyboards as it is from worn keys and print worn off of the keys and then want to poke holes in the lcd display? NO THANKS! As soon as someone gets frustrated at something hanging up and keeps pressing in harder there goes the screen! For delicate use only! Going to play a 1st person shooter and fire away at the onscreen keyboard? jab jab jab jab jab CRUNCH! :0 "my screen!"

:roflmao: I can just imagen it, and would be a dumb way of having to game.

 

[FerchogtX]

You can be sure it could happen... even normal TV can't be safe enough...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUY1tag7S40

Well... thsi is self explanatory...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP158wRtzlY

In your face!!!!!!... wait... In your screen!!!

 

[Night Hawk]

Someone was out to lunch there alright!

The main problem when dealing with the masses and touchscreen is simply people automatically applying a different touch pressure when going to press anything onscreen as well as the constant outstretch of the arm to reach the screen(s) used. Reach for this! reach for that constantly after a short period of time will become too tiresome for most! Plus a steel worker or someone who handles furniture like a mover is more apt to push their fingers right through a screen especially if frustrated at something hanging up.

Best left for quick transactions at retail outlets and atm teller machines for the momentary only type contacts not hour after hour after....

 

[Teerex]

I see what they've done here and I like it. They've brought the Start experience roughly on par with the one in Windows 7 in terms of functionality.

1. You have a visual cue for Start. Quasi Start button. Check.
2. You have a smaller selection of applications (aka Start Screen). The selection doesn't create itself automatically though. Quasi Start Menu. Check.
3. You have an All Apps screen with a visual cue for the search function always present plus a couple of practical sorting options for it. Quasi Start Search. Check.

This might even be worth having. (What took them so long??)
Although it still won't get to be my primary system.