Author Topic: Windows 8  (Read 47481 times)

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Offline PeterGTopic starter

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Windows 8
« on: June 03, 2012, 01:27:27 pm »
I have been playing with Windows 8 for a few days now and think it is quite possibly the best thing to ever happen to the Linux community.

Anyone else played with Win 8?

Regards
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Offline Sionyn

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2012, 01:58:13 pm »
its the UEFI controls i not happy about quite cheeky of Microsoft
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Offline amspire

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2012, 02:07:33 pm »
I haven't tried it, but I have been following the news a bit.  I think Windows 8 will be a huge success. This is no Vista repeat.

Some people will not like the look of the interface, but they will just use the Windows 7 GUI.

I think the interface will be extremely efficient, once people get used to it, but I am worried by the coming of "Apps"-like applications. I hate not having a full install with no activation required, and Apps are the polar opposite.

I have heard different things about UEFI, but I gather that the people who really understand it regard it as something that was necessary, and it looks like it will be managed in a fair way. I gather this is not some kind of evil Microsoft tactic at all.

What do you think of the pre-release Windows 8?

Richard.
 

Offline PeterGTopic starter

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2012, 02:19:19 pm »
The new GUI SUX..............its a PC not  bloody tablet or phone.............
Testing one two three...
 

Offline AntiProtonBoy

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2012, 02:47:49 pm »
If you are a developer for the platform, your situation will SUCK even more.

The next version of Visual Studio, 2011 Express, will have no compiler support for desktop applications. Basically you are forced to build Metro apps, or nothing at all. IF you want to build your C++ projects, or whatever, then you will have to buy the Pro version. The situation really blows.

 

Offline PeterGTopic starter

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2012, 02:50:27 pm »
Seems to me Microsoft are out to piss everyone off.................
Testing one two three...
 

Offline M. András

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2012, 03:07:26 pm »
people must say no at once for this nonsense way of developing consumer electronics and software for them. even a damn sony tv menu looks like now a damned ps3 console... as for microsoft dont buy their products :) and tell f**k off if you dont change things and abandon all these idiot apps etc
 

Offline chrome

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2012, 03:19:53 pm »
Just wait for Windows 9, everybody knows every other version sucks.

Also I don't think this is great for Linux, more mac I bet (I don't like mac mind you).
 

Offline amspire

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2012, 03:27:14 pm »
I understand the criticisms, but then again, I remember how Windows 3 was bagged by the msdos lovers, how XP was bagged when it came out, how Vista was bagged and Windows 7 ended up with the same engine.

It is a brilliant move making the Windows GUI and tablet GUI's the same, as the old style Windows just cannot work on a tablet. Windows 8 phone will also have the same interface feel. Notebooks hardware will change, and I imagine Linux will make use of the touch screens before long as well.

Whatever we think about it, Windows 8 will change computers. I find it hard to find the "Bring Back MSDOS" people now. The current GUI will go the same way.

Richard.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2012, 03:30:47 pm by amspire »
 

Offline bullet308

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2012, 03:58:37 pm »
I also remember the introduction of Vista and ME, and 3.0 was a dog until 3.1x came out.

XP was never a dog per se. It just needed YEARS of updates and patches, ad infinitum.

IMHO, the biggest and best thing to happen to Linux as a desktop OS will be  the demise of extended support from M$ for XP in April 2014. I expect a significant uptick in Linux desktop deployment at that point and that I will be doing a fair number of them.

My unofficial nickname for Vista that I use with clients sometimes is "Windows 7 Beta (Non-Free)". Essentially, MS suckered people into paying for the beta for 7. Is that what 8 will be in relation to 9? We shall see.

As for the 8 GUI, I haven't played with it yet but I understand what they are trying to do: move to a new paradigm that is tablet oriented and away from the desktop. Well, tablets are nice and all, but the desktop isnt going away anytime soon. Is this akin to what Canonical is doing to Ubuntu with its new tablet-friendly interface? I was a long time Ubuntu fan and I am typing this on a Mint desktop box, so you can see how I voted on their new direction. My reaction to the Unity interface in Ubuntu is on a par with some of the big thumbs-downs we hear in relation to 8.  :-p
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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2012, 04:21:27 pm »
but then again, I remember how Windows 3 was bagged by the msdos lovers
It was a cumbersome buggy POS incapable of properly manageing even 640K of RAM

Quote
how XP was bagged when it came out
It was Win2K with the introduction of flawed 2nd guessing

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how Vista was bagged and Windows 7 ended up with the same engine.
Vista was a flawed nasty piece of crap. Win7 the clever name for the immediately required point one release

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It is a brilliant move making the Windows GUI and tablet GUI's the same
why?  Dumb the UI down to take the least advantage of machines with some decent interface device. IE: a keyboard.

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as the old style Windows just cannot work on a tablet.
Neither can Microsoft's laughable attempt at a windows phone

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Windows 8 phone will also have the same interface feel.
Nausea?

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Notebooks hardware will change, and I imagine Linux will make use of the touch screens before long as well.
Doesn't Android already do that?

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Whatever we think about it, Windows 8 will change computers.
Yeah it will obsolete a metric shitload of otherwise usable hardware as zombie clickers and other dreamers race up the next new thing cul-de-sac.

Quote
I find it hard to find the "Bring Back MSDOS" people now. The current GUI will go the same way.
It's not so much bring back DOS as bring back some of it's better aspect.  Touch screen pads don't replace notebooks although they may be fine for porn surfing research the are hardly work horses. It's moronic to dumb a UI down to match it's lowest possible entry point. A $50 Android box for TV has merit, a OS that hides everything useful behind a labyrinth of clicks is idiotic.
Sure they'll sell boxes and no doubt force Dell etc to sell the latest MS crud preloaded but none of it will stem the already happening MS demise.
The one good thing from all this is a release as ill conceived as W8, may well stem the perceived idea that desktop Linux distros should emulate Windows.

MS got it right with DOS, W95 and NT at the times of their release, its been so long since they pumped out a winner, I doubt they'll ever do it again.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2012, 04:24:32 pm by Uncle Vernon »
 

Offline AntiProtonBoy

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2012, 04:28:55 pm »
I can't wait to smudge the next generation PC displays with my greasy fingerprints, holding the damn thing awkwardly (RSI, yay) as I'm trying to do some work. As if my iPad and the iPhone is not scummy enough already! :P

Dunno... tablets are nice, touch screen phones are nice, but most of them are just toys. Tablets are OK for dicking around the net, watch videos, play some simple games, or view those kitten email attachments sent by your mum; but I don't get why MS thinks that the Metro touch interface will be of any use on a typical workstation in a typical workplace, where you have to sit at a machine for 40 hours a week. I'm struggling to see alternatives to workhorse platforms, such as desktops and laptops for real work. Tablets in their current form are simply deficient. Perhaps I lack imagination? All I know is that productive coding, design and CAD jobs need decent tactile input devices, with a comfortable physical environment.
 

Offline Bored@Work

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2012, 05:04:57 pm »
Seems to me Microsoft are out to piss everyone off.................

The question is just, will they get away with it or not? My guess is, they will.
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Offline PeterGTopic starter

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2012, 05:14:55 pm »
Seems to me Microsoft are out to piss everyone off.................

The question is just, will they get away with it or not? My guess is, they will.

I am not so sure, Apple (love or hate them) are gaining ground on Microsoft slowly. Linux is the best os out there but unfortunately it is far to fragmented for mainstream use.

Regards
Testing one two three...
 

Offline StubbornGreek

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2012, 05:17:55 pm »
I've read a lot of hate towards W8 - unfortunate (I've been playing with it here and there since the developer release).

It will revolutionize certain environments, such as tablets but the biggest ease-of-use W8 will provide is in the HTPC (Home Theater PC) arena.

Windows 7 was a big step forward for Media Center and the W8 UI looks (and feels) as though it has taken things to a new level. I haven't had the permissible time to install a Ceton card in a W8 machine (drowning in some other projects right now) but I really need to get the ball rolling in that regard.

The start button (or pseudo-start button) annoys me thus far but I think I'm just having a hard time letting go of habit.

Someone mentioned that they didn't like what MS did with UEFI - just FYI: UEFI (Initially EFI) was developed by Intel to address the need for governing server resources beyond the control of BIOS (16bit processing, 1 mb addressable space, etc.). Microsoft had no direct connection (to my knowledge) to the development of UEFI.
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Offline Bored@Work

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #15 on: June 03, 2012, 05:27:11 pm »
Seems to me Microsoft are out to piss everyone off.................

The question is just, will they get away with it or not? My guess is, they will.

I am not so sure, Apple (love or hate them) are gaining ground on Microsoft slowly. Linux is the best os out there but unfortunately it is far to fragmented for mainstream use.

It is just a guess, based on what they got away with in the past. And they got away with a lot, including illegal behavior.

My crystal ball also tells me we should expect some PR campaign from Microsoft, where they paint people who want to stick to a normal desktop as old-fogish hillbillies in need of a communist-style reeducation. Microsoft will pay a lot of "journalists" to spread the message.

Regarding Apple, Microsoft invested in them at some time when they were down. I don't know if Microsoft still holds an interest in them. I
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Offline StubbornGreek

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2012, 05:41:33 pm »
Seems to me Microsoft are out to piss everyone off.................

The question is just, will they get away with it or not? My guess is, they will.

I am not so sure, Apple (love or hate them) are gaining ground on Microsoft slowly. Linux is the best os out there but unfortunately it is far to fragmented for mainstream use.


Regarding Apple, Microsoft invested in them at some time when they were down. I don't know if Microsoft still holds an interest in them. I

That was some time ago and Microsoft no longer holds those common shares. They did it to keep Apple from folding as a company after their lawsuit (against MS) went south.
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Offline djsb

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #17 on: June 03, 2012, 08:58:26 pm »
I wont be going anywhere near Windows 8 until the situation with UEFI secure booting is clarified. If I can't install Linux on any Laptop I wanted to buy because of this I will steer clear.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/yes-uefi-secure-boot-could-lock-out-linux-from-windows-8-pcs/14897

I think Microsoft has shot itself in the foot over this.

David.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2012, 09:14:50 pm by djsb »
David
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Offline G7PSK

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #18 on: June 03, 2012, 09:23:35 pm »
I tried it a short while ago it crashed my computer so often I went back to XP. I have tried linux in the past but I spent so much time trying to find drivers for some of my equipment and having to use pass words every time I did somthing I gave that up as well. I just want the damn computer to work and do what I want without it keeps asking me if I am sure or will I give it authorization, I just told it so and it asks me again! its a tool like a car it should go when I say go and stop when I tell it to nothing more nothing less.
 

Offline baljemmett

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #19 on: June 03, 2012, 09:44:59 pm »
I wont be going anywhere near Windows 8 until the situation with UEFI secure booting is clarified. If I can't install Linux on any Laptop I wanted to buy because of this I will steer clear.

On PC hardware, you will have the option to turn off UEFI Secure Boot entirely, or to enrol your own signing keys ('custom mode'); it's ARM hardware where MS's distribution agreements forbid manufacturers from providing that escape hatch.  Matthew Garrett has done a lot of work on getting Linux to play nicely with UEFI Secure Boot; his recent blog post describes the scheme Red Hat are adopting to ensure the more streamlined experience.

Of course, all of this (the requirement to use Secure Boot out of the box, and to require (x86) or forbid (ARM) the custom mode option) only applies to hardware that carries the 'Windows 8 approved' stickers, as it's through that certification programme that Microsoft are enforcing their requirements.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2012, 10:18:38 pm by baljemmett »
 

Offline IanB

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #20 on: June 03, 2012, 09:46:27 pm »
I've been playing with Windows 8 a bit, and I can see the good parts. I think it is a bit too radical to find immediate mainstream acceptance, but I suspect that once it has been around for a while and had the problems ironed out it will find its place.
 

Offline Rufus

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #21 on: June 03, 2012, 10:50:13 pm »
Some people will not like the look of the interface, but they will just use the Windows 7 GUI.

The 'start menu' is Metro you can't just use it like Win 7. Even if you install a start menu replacement the incestuous mess microsoft always produce means Metro will still be there wasting disk space and probably memory. It will also leak through like the square blob that appears when you insert a CD which tells you to 'tap' it, how does one tap with a mouse?

Metro on a desktop PC is complete shit, how could something designed for a smart phone or 'fondle slab' be anything else.
 

Offline IanB

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #22 on: June 03, 2012, 10:55:00 pm »
If you use Windows 8 with a mouse it works more or less the same as Windows 7. Sometimes it takes an extra click or two, and sometimes you have to move the mouse pointer over greater distances, but the mouse works well. In fact, contrary to the "touch first" concept proclaimed by MS, Windows 8 in fact works better with mouse and keyboard than it does with touch.
 

Offline StubbornGreek

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #23 on: June 03, 2012, 11:29:43 pm »
I wont be going anywhere near Windows 8 until the situation with UEFI secure booting is clarified. If I can't install Linux on any Laptop I wanted to buy because of this I will steer clear.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/yes-uefi-secure-boot-could-lock-out-linux-from-windows-8-pcs/14897

I think Microsoft has shot itself in the foot over this.

David.

Meh, we'll see. I'm pretty confident that it'll work itself out - remember Windows 7 wasn't to EVER permit unsigned drivers but in the end... Besides, I still haven't seen one shred of proof that this will be the case (100% lockout). If you read anything (from a credible source), you'll notice the usual scare-tactic phrases that attract readers, like: 'may', 'could', 'might', 'may very well', etc. (EDIT) but no one states that this is definite.
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Offline Galenbo

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Re: Windows 8
« Reply #24 on: June 03, 2012, 11:45:21 pm »
I still haven't found any advantages in Win7,
so stick with my XP.

Maybe someday I will be forced (drivers?) but I think by that time all Linux version will be games-management-apps-fair polluted too.

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