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Want to try driving your car with a simple joystick type control - that's the sort of change Win 8 is for most people. We know the joystick controls work as fighter jest use them all them time, so do most super-tankers now. Since they work so well in those two environments they must be absolutely great for a car to be used each day by all.
Imagine the reaction to the introduction of Automatic Transmission to your everyday car. Do you think it was welcomed? But now everyone enjoys it. Think Electric Car in an F1 Racing Track, everyone will laugh if you mentioned it, but check in a few years to come. Things are meant to change!
I can buy a new car with either automatic or manual transmission and sometimes manual is preferred.
I cannot buy Windows 8 with an start button, I have to resort to third party kludges.
I cannot buy Windows 8 with an start button, I have to resort to third party kludges.
I never heard anybody complain about the new Start button when it was introduced because it's an ADDED feature, you don't HAVE to use it. They did not take away the option of opening My Computer, finding your program there, and launching it that way. Go ahead Microsoft, ADD any feature you want to Windows, just don't take away core features of Windows without simple setting put in place to bring them back to how WE want OUR computers?!?
I typically use either a large (huge compared to 1990's standards) high resolution monitor or multiple monitors. This allows me to use "windows" to do multiple things such as watch a movie in a window while monitoring something else in another window. Being forced to cover my video with a full-screen "start screen" when simply trying to open another program is not "progress". My irritation at that is not simply resistance to change, it is resistance to unnecessarily annoying design flaws. I use both tablets and PCs. I'm happy if I can just "pick up" my "PC" and it converts to a tablet. But I do not wish to be forced to leave the "PC Paradigm". Until we reach a future where computers can read our thoughts through some new technology I will still want the choice to use a mouse and keyboard EFFECTIVELY and not have to awkwardly maneuver my way around a tablet-centric interface.
I swear, every time people have legitimate complaints about things like this they get attacked by hoards of people who SEEM to be corporate shills calling them "Luddites" or something similar. Not having the OPTION to have the Start button sucks, plain and simple. There is no worthy reason to defend not having the OPTION and attack the many people who are upset about not having the choice.
When opening a .PDF file in Internet explorer you are also ungraciously forced into full screen mode and left with no clear "Exit"?!? No clear method of leaving full screen? That is a serious WTF moment, Microsoft. Maybe there are commands to do both of those things, but the fact that a Microsoft Certified Professional with over 20 years of IT experience could not figure out an easy way (with one click or one key press) to do that speaks volumes as to poor design decisions.
I typically use either a large (huge compared to 1990's standards) high resolution monitor or multiple monitors. This allows me to use "windows" to do multiple things such as watch a movie in a window while monitoring something else in another window. Being forced to cover my video with a full-screen "start screen" when simply trying to open another program is not "progress". My irritation at that is not simply resistance to change, it is resistance to unnecessarily annoying design flaws. I use both tablets and PCs. I'm happy if I can just "pick up" my "PC" and it converts to a tablet. But I do not wish to be forced to leave the "PC Paradigm". Until we reach a future where computers can read our thoughts through some new technology I will still want the choice to use a mouse and keyboard EFFECTIVELY and not have to awkwardly maneuver my way around a tablet-centric interface.
I swear, every time people have legitimate complaints about things like this they get attacked by hoards of people who SEEM to be corporate shills calling them "Luddites" or something similar. Not having the OPTION to have the Start button sucks, plain and simple. There is no worthy reason to defend not having the OPTION and attack the many people who are upset about not having the choice.
When opening a .PDF file in Internet explorer you are also ungraciously forced into full screen mode and left with no clear "Exit"?!? No clear method of leaving full screen? That is a serious WTF moment, Microsoft. Maybe there are commands to do both of those things, but the fact that a Microsoft Certified Professional with over 20 years of IT experience could not figure out an easy way (with one click or one key press) to do that speaks volumes as to poor design decisions.
Put a shortcut on the desktop! That requires only one click!
I hear the argument here and elsewhere that people just don't want to change, or don't want to learn a new way. I love to learn new things when there's a legitimate reason for it. I've tried the tiles and I don't like it. I don't see how it would be as productive as the desktop. My son loves it. I understand the reasoning for it and there are some aspects I like. But for a work environment, I think the Windows 7 desktop is the best so far.
I hear the argument here and elsewhere that people just don't want to change, or don't want to learn a new way. I love to learn new things when there's a legitimate reason for it. I've tried the tiles and I don't like it. I don't see how it would be as productive as the desktop. My son loves it. I understand the reasoning for it and there are some aspects I like. But for a work environment, I think the Windows 7 desktop is the best so far.
by Spencer Johnson.
It's the story of four characters living in a maze who face unexpected change when they discover that their cheese is no longer located where it has always been.
I can't help but think about the book when I read these posts.
The simple fact is change has occurred to the operating system and IT folks have to deal with it. There's really no point trying to bring the cheese back (as described in this article and others). It won't be there for you or your staff in an out of the box deployment so you can do a few things about it.
1. Stick with Windows 7. It will remain supported until 2020. You should be planning to replace Windows XP before 4/8/14.
2. Switch operating systems. Linux? OSX? Chrome? There is a learning curve to them as well.
3. Embrace the change or at least get used to it. Your users will be using Win 8 at home. Small businesses will end up with it.
Regardless of which option you choose, you and your users will end up learning something new.
You can't expect the cheese to magically return and you can't expect your IT job to remain the same forever.
It's the story of four characters living in a maze who face unexpected change when they discover that their cheese is no longer located where it has always been.
I can't help but think about the book when I read these posts.
The simple fact is change has occurred to the operating system and IT folks have to deal with it. There's really no point trying to bring the cheese back (as described in this article and others). It won't be there for you or your staff in an out of the box deployment so you can do a few things about it.
1. Stick with Windows 7. It will remain supported until 2020. You should be planning to replace Windows XP before 4/8/14.
2. Switch operating systems. Linux? OSX? Chrome? There is a learning curve to them as well.
3. Embrace the change or at least get used to it. Your users will be using Win 8 at home. Small businesses will end up with it.
Regardless of which option you choose, you and your users will end up learning something new.
You can't expect the cheese to magically return and you can't expect your IT job to remain the same forever.
I installed Start8 so I can have either Windows 7 or 8 style. Using Windows 8 style, the the Windows key toggles between metro and desktop (apps). In Windows 7 style, the windows key opens up closes the "traditional" start programs list. Take your pick of how you want to view.
It amazes me that someone who doesn't believe you need a 'start' button would read an article about creating a start button.
Greg, you have done a stalwart job in showing how to overcome one of the obstacles for some people in using 8.
I sell computers to retail people who probably wouldn't understand anything you just said, but it adds a little bit of comfort I can offer them about this new learning experience.
For those who don't want to move to the 'tiled' look, well I fought moving out of my DOS comfort zone clean until Win95(2); only then because of the much easier (to use) networking hooks. So, I understand and do my best to help them realize that Win8 still has Win7 underpins that can be used. So I tell them that they still have a 'Start' button, only now it's screen size and opens to their favorite programs, etc ready to go.
My take on Win8 is it's very useful for touchscreens and/or multiple screen setups. I can use the 'desktop' on my real work computer and use my second screen to display the interactive tiles to monitor other news and activities that are of interest or useful to me.
So yeah, at 65 yo, I'm tick'ed that I have to learn yet another 'better' way because I'm a MS fanboy and don't have controlling interest in the company decisions. Though, if I did, based on what I see happening in the whole digital world, I'd probably vote to do the same thing with something like Win8 to keep the first marketing position of my company in this Brave New World.
Just think, until I was in my teens, we didn't even have a telephone (rotary dial, party line) in our house, our entertainment was a huge floor model am radio with tubes that glowed and heated the room we were in and a 12" bw TV (round screen). Just compare it to today; awesome dude!
PRay4US@!
Greg, you have done a stalwart job in showing how to overcome one of the obstacles for some people in using 8.
I sell computers to retail people who probably wouldn't understand anything you just said, but it adds a little bit of comfort I can offer them about this new learning experience.
For those who don't want to move to the 'tiled' look, well I fought moving out of my DOS comfort zone clean until Win95(2); only then because of the much easier (to use) networking hooks. So, I understand and do my best to help them realize that Win8 still has Win7 underpins that can be used. So I tell them that they still have a 'Start' button, only now it's screen size and opens to their favorite programs, etc ready to go.
My take on Win8 is it's very useful for touchscreens and/or multiple screen setups. I can use the 'desktop' on my real work computer and use my second screen to display the interactive tiles to monitor other news and activities that are of interest or useful to me.
So yeah, at 65 yo, I'm tick'ed that I have to learn yet another 'better' way because I'm a MS fanboy and don't have controlling interest in the company decisions. Though, if I did, based on what I see happening in the whole digital world, I'd probably vote to do the same thing with something like Win8 to keep the first marketing position of my company in this Brave New World.
Just think, until I was in my teens, we didn't even have a telephone (rotary dial, party line) in our house, our entertainment was a huge floor model am radio with tubes that glowed and heated the room we were in and a 12" bw TV (round screen). Just compare it to today; awesome dude!
PRay4US@!
"It amazes me that someone who doesn't believe you need a 'start' button would read an article about creating a start button."
It's kinda like willingly buying a ticket to a horror movie, and then and complaining about all the blood and gore.
It's kinda like willingly buying a ticket to a horror movie, and then and complaining about all the blood and gore.
I lost interest in the start button a long time ago and preferred shortcuts and direct commands via RUN. Yet I find this articles interesting and useful as an ICT Service Desk Manager for a large institution. The new Start Menu is so perfect for everyone, but like kids needing to be convinced that veggies are good for them, so are many users when it comes to Start Menu v/s Start Screen. So as a way to make everyone happy for now, we appreciates workarounds like this whilst people are adapting!
The Microsoft Store has Windows Home Premium for $119 (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Windows-7-Home-Premium/productID.235488300/vip.true).
Windows 7 Professional starting at $199 (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Windows-7-Professional/productID.216645600/vip.true).
Windows 7 Ultimate starting at $219 (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Windows-7-Ultimate/productID.216647200/vip.true).
Use the above Windows 7 titles if you have an older PC and want to use a really good operating system on it.
Windows 7 Professional starting at $199 (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Windows-7-Professional/productID.216645600/vip.true).
Windows 7 Ultimate starting at $219 (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/Windows-7-Ultimate/productID.216647200/vip.true).
Use the above Windows 7 titles if you have an older PC and want to use a really good operating system on it.
Why would someone who doesn't believe you need a 'start' button read an article about creating a start button? Maybe to understand why someone thinks they need one.
As an OEM System Builder and Computer Consultant, I believe MS made a mistake in the UI. Giving users a choice to use an interface would be one thing but they wanted to cram their "everything will be touchscreen" vision of the future down everyones PC. That will not work for a lot of businesses, retailers, etc. Sadly, my only love of MS is that the problems they create make me more money.
We may be a baby step closer to where "everything will be touchscreen" but a touch screen is not required to use Windows 8. Windows 8 works perfectly well without a one.
You absolutely have a choice on how to interact with the Windows 8 GUI.
The mouse still works and I would even go as far as saying that the mouse is required - certainly for many desktop legacy programs that will be installed on Windows 8 machines.
Maybe "everything will be touchscreen" by the time Windows 12 is released but I still doubt it.
Knowing that Windows 8 supports touch screen is like knowing that your automobile has cruise control. A. No one is saying that you have to use it. B. The gas pedal is still required for many situations.
You absolutely have a choice on how to interact with the Windows 8 GUI.
The mouse still works and I would even go as far as saying that the mouse is required - certainly for many desktop legacy programs that will be installed on Windows 8 machines.
Maybe "everything will be touchscreen" by the time Windows 12 is released but I still doubt it.
Knowing that Windows 8 supports touch screen is like knowing that your automobile has cruise control. A. No one is saying that you have to use it. B. The gas pedal is still required for many situations.
There's the touch mouse and desktop trackpad. Windows 12 will be voice and motion operated. Kinect technology will be licensed cheaply. Unlike those who license restrictively the drivers for playing DVD movies. They will lose market share because movies not streamed online will be mailed to homes on flashdrives. Keyboards will be framed and hung as art.
Like the automobile from tiller to steering wheel and from the handcrank to ignition switch. It's change for the sake of change!
Unplug it.
[sarcasm] Gods forbid anyone should ever have to read instructions. [\sarcasm]
[sarcasm] Gods forbid anyone should ever have to read instructions. [\sarcasm]
or lazy a person is. (either that or they had a power outage)
One look at their VHS in the livingroom and it was clear.
Now I have to go into the kitchen and look at the clock display on their microwave.
One look at their VHS in the livingroom and it was clear.
Now I have to go into the kitchen and look at the clock display on their microwave.
I got a quarter (or a cookie) for every clock I set. Setting grown-ups' wristwatches was extra.
They didn't learn from Me, Vista and now 8. At what point do you start to listen to critical and consumer advice? This thing is going to fail so horrendously, it will make Vista look like what long horn was supposed to be.
You don't ever listen to critical and consumer advice, ever. You listen to sales. That's how you decide. If someone watches Two and a Half Men you produce more of it. If no one watches Firefly you stop producing it. Complaining about it just gives it publicity. Publicity is free advertising.
You said something I can agree with.
Complaining about it just gives it publicity. Publicity is free advertising.
Complaining about it just gives it publicity. Publicity is free advertising.
Like all the hard work that has been done for this fix. I just searched for Third Party Windows Shell and downloaded and BAM - back to what I am used to.
The start button has been the ceterpiece of Windows for years and now for them to remove it, is ridiculous. Windows 8 will never make into the workplace as it is. Maybe by Windows 8 service pack 4 they will realize that they made an error and fix it !.!.!.!.
No you don't need a second start menu in windows 7 but I have done something similar to create a sort of super control panel. While I agree with the posts that say we "shouldn't have to" but this is what we got to work with... time to quit complaining and do what we can to fix the abortion of an OS. At least until MS gets their head out of their butts and puts together a shell that promotes efficiency instead bing bling.
You can remain with Windows 7. Don't upgrade to touchscreens or anything new like that and you will be fine. Your PC will never get bogged down by any new code. Forget about Windows 8. Just stay with Windows 7.
I may be a MS Registered Partner (of the lowest class), but that gives me no special insight into the decision processes that go on inside Microsoft. Yet, my 40+ years of business experience tells me that what drives Microsoft is not some sort of managerial megalomania. What drives Microsoft is MARKETS.
I would suggest that if us readers / users of Microsoft products were responsible for Microsofts bottom line, and if we had access to the tons and tons of market information that Microsoft has about their own and competing products, and market trends, we'd be more likely to applaud Microsoft for the decisions it has made - especially if our own pay checks were dependent upon Microsofts success.
I think Microsofts vision of Windows Everywhere is spot on - one (familiar) operating system that runs on all our devices. Lets face it. The desktop market is shrinking. Growth is in the mobile markets, and the interface of choice is in touch-screen. If I were heavily invested in Microsoft, I'd be applauding the moves I see them making (which is not to say they haven't made ANY mistakes).
I personally am enjoying learning all the wonderful capabilities of Windows 8, and I have SMB clients that are also learning it on their own (because they bought new laptops with it pre-installed). To date, those clients have not once had to call me with questions on how to do something on it.
I would suggest that if us readers / users of Microsoft products were responsible for Microsofts bottom line, and if we had access to the tons and tons of market information that Microsoft has about their own and competing products, and market trends, we'd be more likely to applaud Microsoft for the decisions it has made - especially if our own pay checks were dependent upon Microsofts success.
I think Microsofts vision of Windows Everywhere is spot on - one (familiar) operating system that runs on all our devices. Lets face it. The desktop market is shrinking. Growth is in the mobile markets, and the interface of choice is in touch-screen. If I were heavily invested in Microsoft, I'd be applauding the moves I see them making (which is not to say they haven't made ANY mistakes).
I personally am enjoying learning all the wonderful capabilities of Windows 8, and I have SMB clients that are also learning it on their own (because they bought new laptops with it pre-installed). To date, those clients have not once had to call me with questions on how to do something on it.
if MS really wanted only one system, why do they have so many variants of Windows 8 at all, instead of just the one. If your claim of wanting one size fits all, then they should only have what they sell as Windows 8 Enterprise as there'd be no need for any of the other versions. They see the need to have Win RT different, but not the need to have Win desktop different, and Win 8 plus Win 8 Pro are simply different ways to gouge the consumers more by selling two copies instead of one due to the one on the computer not delivering everything they used to have.
You probably don't want to pay for all the options on your car. So I guess we get options. Hey, you have an option to get Windows 7 from The Microsoft Store (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store?defaultKeyword=&SiteID=msstore&Action=list&categoryID=38336300&keywords=windows+7&result=). They have Home Premium just in case you don't want to pay for everything included in Ultimate.
I'm over my head, here, because I don't have inside insight, but I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft weren't to provide an update that allows more flexibility in designing the Start options, at least for the Pro and Enterprize versions. As for the different versions, there are significant differences in functionality, so users don't have to pay for features they don't want. But technically speaking, they are all the same core O/S with common user interface.
Windows RT is limited due to running on the limited ARM processor architecture. There are always solutions for the tech-savvy, but I think that most "Enterprize" users find the current tablet architecture limiting. It has great portability, and makes a nice adjunct to the desktop system - maybe even used more than (or instead of) the desktop, depending on the individuals role in the organization.
I like tablets (this is written on an iPad). But there have been numerous times when I lamented the fact that I can't do this or that on them. The "what if" factor of thinking about what it would be like if I could do everything I can on my desktop, with my tablet, intrigues me a lot. I believe this is where Microsoft is going. The technology is not there yet - because Intel has not yet released its new generation of mobile processor. As a result, the first generation of Surface Pro will not have the battery life of its ARM competition. But it will be capable of doing a lot more. And eventually, soon...
Imagine a tablet with the full power of your desktop. Now imagine your office, with that tablet connected to a large Hi-Def screen, and a wireless keyboard. The tablet is placed flat on your desk (a much more comfortable reading position, by the way), just above the keyboard, with the large screen monitor (perhaps also touch-capable) just beyond that. The tablet's touch-screen becomes your mouse. You are typing, and now you want to insert text somewhere else. Instead of having to lift one hand from the keyboard, place it on your mouse, locate the mouse-pointer on the screen, move it to your insertion point (possibly having to also use the scroll wheel to find it) and click it - you simply touch the tablet screen where you want to insert your text, and voila - you are there!
Then when you need to travel - you just take your tablet with you... How cool is that?
Windows RT is limited due to running on the limited ARM processor architecture. There are always solutions for the tech-savvy, but I think that most "Enterprize" users find the current tablet architecture limiting. It has great portability, and makes a nice adjunct to the desktop system - maybe even used more than (or instead of) the desktop, depending on the individuals role in the organization.
I like tablets (this is written on an iPad). But there have been numerous times when I lamented the fact that I can't do this or that on them. The "what if" factor of thinking about what it would be like if I could do everything I can on my desktop, with my tablet, intrigues me a lot. I believe this is where Microsoft is going. The technology is not there yet - because Intel has not yet released its new generation of mobile processor. As a result, the first generation of Surface Pro will not have the battery life of its ARM competition. But it will be capable of doing a lot more. And eventually, soon...
Imagine a tablet with the full power of your desktop. Now imagine your office, with that tablet connected to a large Hi-Def screen, and a wireless keyboard. The tablet is placed flat on your desk (a much more comfortable reading position, by the way), just above the keyboard, with the large screen monitor (perhaps also touch-capable) just beyond that. The tablet's touch-screen becomes your mouse. You are typing, and now you want to insert text somewhere else. Instead of having to lift one hand from the keyboard, place it on your mouse, locate the mouse-pointer on the screen, move it to your insertion point (possibly having to also use the scroll wheel to find it) and click it - you simply touch the tablet screen where you want to insert your text, and voila - you are there!
Then when you need to travel - you just take your tablet with you... How cool is that?
Some of that market research you'd like to see is right here. Those articles that basically say Microsoft tries but can't beat these guys in this or those guys in that. That's in Microsoft's research. So they have people that try different things.
The Zune was a functional product. But the "market" said iPod was the only way to go. Zune's market share didn't go to Apple when it was discontinued. The "market" said that Google was a direct competitor to Microsoft. Though Google's software doesn't directly compete with Microsoft's. The "market" now says that touch-capable tablets and handhelds are in. So Microsoft is turning the ship to get on that wind.
If the "market" says touch for everything except for the most prolific operating system in the world you have to wonder what is this thing we call the "market". I would go with my gut and push on new tech and everyone will follow. This is not something that solely applies to Steve Jobs. He's never been the only guy with original ideas...
Fun fact: his touchscreen devices were proceeded by Microsoft's Surface table. Sad fact: Apple's patents are conceptual. There are no plans or timeframes to develop their ideas. They simply write down something like "use two finger to zoom an image on a touch-sensitive surface" and then they sue whoever actually develops and builds the nuts and bolts of such an idea. Sad.
The Zune was a functional product. But the "market" said iPod was the only way to go. Zune's market share didn't go to Apple when it was discontinued. The "market" said that Google was a direct competitor to Microsoft. Though Google's software doesn't directly compete with Microsoft's. The "market" now says that touch-capable tablets and handhelds are in. So Microsoft is turning the ship to get on that wind.
If the "market" says touch for everything except for the most prolific operating system in the world you have to wonder what is this thing we call the "market". I would go with my gut and push on new tech and everyone will follow. This is not something that solely applies to Steve Jobs. He's never been the only guy with original ideas...
Fun fact: his touchscreen devices were proceeded by Microsoft's Surface table. Sad fact: Apple's patents are conceptual. There are no plans or timeframes to develop their ideas. They simply write down something like "use two finger to zoom an image on a touch-sensitive surface" and then they sue whoever actually develops and builds the nuts and bolts of such an idea. Sad.
to date, no one has done so yet. All that has been spoken of is the new shell. What wonderful "NEW" capabilities are these you speak of?
As for MS and their marketing, all they see is Apple making beaucoups money. Money they feel they should be making. In their bid to gain a significant portion of this revenue, they have left their ongoing long-term revenue out in the cold. Specifically, the Enterprise Market. Only time will tell if this market will be migrating full tilt to this handicapped way of doing things . I for one believe there is going to be a migration alright enough. I just do not believe it will be the one MS expects. And while on the subject, MS should have learned from the long history of backlash they have received from this element of their revenue. There can be no doubt that people are tired of it and looking for alternatives.
Competition drives change and offers the world more opportunity. MS continuing to emulate Apple will go the way of one of their earliest examples of it. The Windows Media Player is still garbage no matter how much it tries to emulate Apples i-tunes. Another piece of garbage in my honest opinion. That said, at least Apple had valid reason to design it in the fashion they did. MS implemented it just to garner users familiarity with the manner in using it.
Can't wait to see the wonderful choices available to all if/when Apple decides to break into the Enterprise market. You laugh but consider this. If anyone knows what can happen with another entity being a decade ahead in the market Apple does. Let's not forget the CEO of Apple now and his background there.
Who in the hell is or ever has lauded the superiority of Windows Mobile? Windows phones are junk. Sure, lets build an OS patterned after our Mobile OS. What a joke.
As for MS and their marketing, all they see is Apple making beaucoups money. Money they feel they should be making. In their bid to gain a significant portion of this revenue, they have left their ongoing long-term revenue out in the cold. Specifically, the Enterprise Market. Only time will tell if this market will be migrating full tilt to this handicapped way of doing things . I for one believe there is going to be a migration alright enough. I just do not believe it will be the one MS expects. And while on the subject, MS should have learned from the long history of backlash they have received from this element of their revenue. There can be no doubt that people are tired of it and looking for alternatives.
Competition drives change and offers the world more opportunity. MS continuing to emulate Apple will go the way of one of their earliest examples of it. The Windows Media Player is still garbage no matter how much it tries to emulate Apples i-tunes. Another piece of garbage in my honest opinion. That said, at least Apple had valid reason to design it in the fashion they did. MS implemented it just to garner users familiarity with the manner in using it.
Can't wait to see the wonderful choices available to all if/when Apple decides to break into the Enterprise market. You laugh but consider this. If anyone knows what can happen with another entity being a decade ahead in the market Apple does. Let's not forget the CEO of Apple now and his background there.
Who in the hell is or ever has lauded the superiority of Windows Mobile? Windows phones are junk. Sure, lets build an OS patterned after our Mobile OS. What a joke.
In the global user community, I am probably somewhat unique. I am a computer-Phile. I am technical. I am retired from Enterprise data center and desktop management for a Multi-billion dollar Multi-national organization. And, I currently run my own IT Support business, supporting a half dozen small business networks, more as a hobby because I enjoy doing it, than to make a living.
That being said, here are my favorite things about Windows 8.
It boots into the Start Screen fast - from which my live tiles give me a quick preview of what's going on, and from which I can quickly catch updates to my e-mail and current events. (And yes, I can also play games...)
WinRT applications (which run on the Start Screen) are like gadgets and such that I so often see installed on desktops, yet which so often seem to slow down windows over time (I have removed many a gadget and unnecessary background process to restore performance to client desktops). Yet, for reasons I don't fully understand, the WinRT Apps do not seem to have the same overall effect on system performance. (Frankly, I suspect that's because they are designed to run in the ARM environment, and are not "bloated" like mush of the desktop software - but so what? No matter the reason, it works.)
I like the fact that the former Microsoft Security Essentials are built into Windows 8. Most of my clients are small, with no IT expertise. Often I have found expired Anti-virus software on systems. I now have Security Essentials installed for over half my clients systems, and have yet to have a single one of them infected or affected by malware. And, they never have to worry about it expiring,
I love the fact that Hyper-V is built into the Pro and Enterprise versions. I know most users could care less about Hyper-V, but I use it extensively to run favors of the Windows O/S, Office, and sometimes other software, that is representative of my clients systems. It just makes it easier to support them.
As for the WinRT Apps, only time will tell which of them I find valuable - probably not many, just like on my Android phone and on my iPad. But that is really a very personal choice, isn't it? And time will likely provide a lot more to choose from on the Microsoft Store.
As for the whole Start Screen controversy, I don't think I'd have had the guts to "force" it on everybody, like Microsoft has. But for me, I'm glad they did. I might have dumped it within the first couple hours, if given the option. But now, I don't think I'd go back to the old way...
That being said, here are my favorite things about Windows 8.
It boots into the Start Screen fast - from which my live tiles give me a quick preview of what's going on, and from which I can quickly catch updates to my e-mail and current events. (And yes, I can also play games...)
WinRT applications (which run on the Start Screen) are like gadgets and such that I so often see installed on desktops, yet which so often seem to slow down windows over time (I have removed many a gadget and unnecessary background process to restore performance to client desktops). Yet, for reasons I don't fully understand, the WinRT Apps do not seem to have the same overall effect on system performance. (Frankly, I suspect that's because they are designed to run in the ARM environment, and are not "bloated" like mush of the desktop software - but so what? No matter the reason, it works.)
I like the fact that the former Microsoft Security Essentials are built into Windows 8. Most of my clients are small, with no IT expertise. Often I have found expired Anti-virus software on systems. I now have Security Essentials installed for over half my clients systems, and have yet to have a single one of them infected or affected by malware. And, they never have to worry about it expiring,
I love the fact that Hyper-V is built into the Pro and Enterprise versions. I know most users could care less about Hyper-V, but I use it extensively to run favors of the Windows O/S, Office, and sometimes other software, that is representative of my clients systems. It just makes it easier to support them.
As for the WinRT Apps, only time will tell which of them I find valuable - probably not many, just like on my Android phone and on my iPad. But that is really a very personal choice, isn't it? And time will likely provide a lot more to choose from on the Microsoft Store.
As for the whole Start Screen controversy, I don't think I'd have had the guts to "force" it on everybody, like Microsoft has. But for me, I'm glad they did. I might have dumped it within the first couple hours, if given the option. But now, I don't think I'd go back to the old way...
I don't have any experience with Win 8, but i have worked with 2012 server (same UI) and its a major pain in the neck to find anything. I am sure i will get used to it, but I don's see how such drastic changes to the UI will benefit the average sys admin, or any sys admin for that matter. We are talking about a server OS here, as far as I know servers don't have touch screens, most don't even have monitors. WTF MSFT ?
I am using Word and I want to call up Excel. I hit the Windows key and the Start Screen appears. I click on the Excel tile and it opens. Ummm, I missed a step somewhere. At what point to I click on the CLSID shortcut I just created? Why was I going to use that shortcut? I can't remember.
We all have some phobias about change but in a short while we'll move on and discussions about start buttons will be soo-win 7 era. I've been through every iteration of PC from pre-Dos to Win 8 and Android and we get over it and move forward. Tablets and finger touch are the driving force right now so Microsoft has to change with it or look obsolete. I see Apple as a consumer fad and Android as an annoying gadget. My bets are on Microsoft in the long run.
BTW: thanks for the CLSID to a start button. It will help a number of us during the transition.
BTW: thanks for the CLSID to a start button. It will help a number of us during the transition.
I'm surprised nobody is mentioning the new Win2012 Server has the same GUI as Win8.
If you RDP to multiple servers all day, you may as well learn the new GUI.
You'll never have time (or desire) to setup these Start Button workarounds on the 100-500 different servers you may be logging into eventually.
The new shortcut keys are essential. Learn those and getting around is SO much easier.
If you RDP to multiple servers all day, you may as well learn the new GUI.
You'll never have time (or desire) to setup these Start Button workarounds on the 100-500 different servers you may be logging into eventually.
The new shortcut keys are essential. Learn those and getting around is SO much easier.
The network admins must do less complaining than the self-proclaimed power users. Windows Server 2012 is selling.
because in Server 2012, the GUI can be disabled.
What the tarnations is this?! Users of the old tiller now have to conform to this steering wheel forced upon us by the manufacturer. What could be more intuitive than a handle you can swing left and right? Every sailor knows all about it. A wheel? Please, NO!
Now, these carmakers have forced upon us an ignition switch inside the car. Nothing was easier to use, or figure out, than the handcrank on the front of the car. I supposed my wife will now simply push this button and what, DRIVE the car herself?!
Steering wheels, ignition switches? This is merely change for change's sake. This is Henry Ford's attempt at making all our lives miserable. Just miserable. Maybe Mr. Ford will make a Model U and bring back the tiller and crank or I can't see his company lasting that much longer.
PS: I was going to do that "M$" thing but there's no "s" in Ford. Or Henry.
Now, these carmakers have forced upon us an ignition switch inside the car. Nothing was easier to use, or figure out, than the handcrank on the front of the car. I supposed my wife will now simply push this button and what, DRIVE the car herself?!
Steering wheels, ignition switches? This is merely change for change's sake. This is Henry Ford's attempt at making all our lives miserable. Just miserable. Maybe Mr. Ford will make a Model U and bring back the tiller and crank or I can't see his company lasting that much longer.
PS: I was going to do that "M$" thing but there's no "s" in Ford. Or Henry.
The complete and utter negligence in Windows 8 has spurred more dislikes from IT professionals. Why did Microsoft completely ignore these glaring issues.
The new interface is a complete and utter waste of space!!! Each platform presents its own challenges especially when it comes to I/O. So WHY do you cookie cutter this Microsoft? Each user is also different. The beauty of the Start>Programs is organization. I do not NEED every "tile" shoved at my face. I want the interface of the program when I need it. I will skip windows 8 if Microsoft does not fix this. My organization is difficult enough to manage.
The new interface is a complete and utter waste of space!!! Each platform presents its own challenges especially when it comes to I/O. So WHY do you cookie cutter this Microsoft? Each user is also different. The beauty of the Start>Programs is organization. I do not NEED every "tile" shoved at my face. I want the interface of the program when I need it. I will skip windows 8 if Microsoft does not fix this. My organization is difficult enough to manage.
What IT professionals? You mean these guys in here? LOL
Just stay with Windows 7 and you will be just fine.
Just stay with Windows 7 and you will be just fine.
Or would like to get it directly from The Microsoft Store (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store?defaultKeyword=&SiteID=msstore&Action=list&categoryID=38336300&keywords=windows+7&result=).
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