Windows 8 Consumer Preview Thread

Chris1712 said:
I honestly agree with most of it. If you could 'swap' the Metro/Desktop relationship i.e. Metro is an App within Desktop it would be dramatically improved for desktop use IMO. I like Metro as a touch interface, but I don't need nor really want it on my desktop. I wouldn't mind being able to have portions of it windowed on my desktop though, that would be cool. Like the sports app etc. If I could have that windowed on my 2nd screen within Desktop that'd be a nice touch.

It's a shame because the task manager/explorer improvements are great, and it's bloody quick. I just find myself spending half my time thinking 'right so how can I do X now?'
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Having Metro as an app for the desktop wouldn't work in the long game. Sure it's appealing now, but won't let MS move forward in the way they want to go (whether we like it or not). It's akin to having the desktop only being available via DOS.

We've all got to remember that the new UI is 1.0 and they'll make it better. I've also read that it will be on a more aggressive update cycle to core Windows which has been typically on a 3 year plan. I'm guessing we'll see about 1 or 2 leaps forward a year, maybe more in it's first year.
 
But the point is to give me the CHOICE. I can't see Metro ever being the #1 environment for a DESKTOP, at home or at work. It does look like a nice Table/Phone UI, but it will always be second fiddle on a Desktop imo.
Metro is nice for consuming big shiny content, one thing at a time. The complete opposite of what most Desktop use it, the clues in the name lol. Windows, Metro has mde it just Window.
 
Chris1712 said:
But the point is to give me the CHOICE. I can't see Metro ever being the #1 environment for a DESKTOP, at home or at work. It does look like a nice Table/Phone UI, but it will always be second fiddle on a Desktop imo.
Metro is nice for consuming big shiny content, one thing at a time. The complete opposite of what most Desktop use it, the clues in the name lol. Windows, Metro has mde it just Window.
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Actually, for average users, especially at home, a 100% Metro desktop isn't as crazy as it sounds. They are primarily consumers and Metro suits them.
 
For a Desktop user NOT a Tablet user? Really? We've spent the whole last 20 years of software and hardware engineering trying to improve multi-tasking and now we're going backwards. It's pants!

I think I've been spoilt by Android. Why hasn't Windows got widgets? I don't want to open programs or 'apps' to see common information I just want it there at a glance, there's a reason I've got 4 MILLION pixels on my screen and it's so I can see lots of things at once, not so I can see one giant thing!
 
Chris1712 said:
But the point is to give me the CHOICE. I can't see Metro ever being the #1 environment for a DESKTOP, at home or at work. It does look like a nice Table/Phone UI, but it will always be second fiddle on a Desktop imo.
Metro is nice for consuming big shiny content, one thing at a time. The complete opposite of what most Desktop use it, the clues in the name lol. Windows, Metro has mde it just Window.
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Choice is use Windows 7 with gadgets then. You're not being given a choice in Windows 8 because people won't move in the direction MS want to go when you give them the choice.

People moaned about the Start Menu in Vista, the Start Menu in Win7 - because it wasn't the same. People didn't adapt to use the Win+Search, or the taskbar. So they're forcing the issue.

And in the large scheme of things, the average user will be able to do everything and more with Modern UI and apps - providing they're developed. Most people do only consume.

It's only geeks, nerds and enthusiasts - which seem to be the most reluctant to change - that may find things more difficult - though I don't accept that either - as most changes are relatively minor when you set aside the visual aspects.

And we're a minority.
 
For people like you and me, no, Metro isn't going to cut it. But for a large, large portion of users Metro would suit them a lot better than the traditional Windows desktop.
 
I think Windows 8 is going to be all about the shortcut keys. If you're a power user, learning every last key combination to get around is going to make workflow smooth. New users will have the fluffy stuff that takes longer but is a 'nicer' experience.

I've used Win 8 for a bit and I found it fine, hitting the windows key then typing in what I wanted was quick, Win+D to switch from an app to desktop and back again was very fast. Win key + arrow keys and all the usual things meant I haven't had any real issues yet.

I haven't used it much though and I've no idea how it's going to pan out, I'm wanting to swap over to Win 8 but a little worried if I'm honest (after berating people for dragging their heels). :P
 
I've been using Windows 8 for a while but have got fed up with the things that don't, i.e the Steam games I've just bought! I will upgrade later when the OS is released and agree that short cuts are the way to go.
 
Chris1712 said:
But the point is to give me the CHOICE.
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You have choice. Use Metro a lot/use Metro as little as possible. Use Windows 8/use Windows 7. Use Windows/use a different OS. Use a PC/go back to pen and paper.

Is there actually less freedom in Windows 8 than in previous versions, or is it just a case of you don't like the design that Microsoft have chosen for the new OS? To my mind, every version of Windows has had it's own UI design. Generally they have conformed to a very similar, evolving template, yet you were no more free to change that UI than you are now with Windows 8. It's not lack of choice that's the issue, nor lack of freedom. The truth is, you just don't like the new UI direction. It happens, and it's okay. It took years to get people away from 3.1, then 95/98/2000, then XP for the very same reason.
 
satchef1 said:
You have choice. Use Metro a lot/use Metro as little as possible. Use Windows 8/use Windows 7. Use Windows/use a different OS. Use a PC/go back to pen and paper.

Is there actually less freedom in Windows 8 than in previous versions, or is it just a case of you don't like the design that Microsoft have chosen for the new OS? To my mind, every version of Windows has had it's own UI design. Generally they have conformed to a very similar, evolving template, yet you were no more free to change that UI than you are now with Windows 8. It's not lack of choice that's the issue, nor lack of freedom. The truth is, you just don't like the new UI direction. It happens, and it's okay. It took years to get people away from 3.1, then 95/98/2000, then XP for the very same reason.
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choice, use Mac or Linux ;)

The userbase is moving to surfpads and tablets and phones and social media, its all getting people there.

its just a OS :)
 
satchef1 said:
The truth is, you just don't like the new UI direction. It happens, and it's okay. It took years to get people away from 3.1, then 95/98/2000, then XP for the very same reason.
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All MS's previous OS's had the same basic UI give or take a few tweaks, adoption has always been slow with Windows because new versions usually create more problems than they solve (XP is still by far the most compatible and thus very popular). Even when MS evolved the start menu they still left in a classic option, despite nobody feeling the need to use it because the new one was an obvious improvement.

The trouble with Windows 8 is the enforced metro UI is a disaster for desktop users, the integration between the new metro interface and desktop is poor and it just feels like two different OS's bolted onto one another willy nilly, metro adds nothing useful for desktop users leaving people wanting rid of it completely.
 
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james.miller said:
i wouldnt worry about the writing to the ssd, but i can understand wanting to move the folder because of a lack of space. My folder is only sitting at 1gb though - just how many apps have you downloaded? lol
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I'm not on a SSD yet, it was merely a question that came up during my Win 8 training, interestingly enough the Microsoft chap teaching us doesn't know and is trying to find out as we speak.
 
james.miller said:
I've only come across one game that doesnt work so far - LA Noire.
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Yes that's one, but I have found that any game that uses Games for Windows fails to start so, for example, Flat Out doesn't work either. I am assuming Steam will fix the problems for when Windows 8 comes out in not too long now.
 
prescott28 said:
Yes that's one, but I have found that any game that uses Games for Windows fails to start so, for example, Flat Out doesn't work either. I am assuming Steam will fix the problems for when Windows 8 comes out in not too long now.
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It's allready been said in this thread.you need to install the new gfw and possibly delete the old one.


ChileanLlama said:
On RP you could manually install the latest GWFL from MS (usually the one that installs with Steam games is an older version) and everything worked fine for me. You might also need to install .net 3.5 from Programs & Features too.
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ChileanLlama said:
We've all got to remember that the new UI is 1.0 and they'll make it better. I've also read that it will be on a more aggressive update cycle to core Windows which has been typically on a 3 year plan. I'm guessing we'll see about 1 or 2 leaps forward a year, maybe more in it's first year.
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You are probably right on this - I've seen a 'leaked document' that purports to show Windows 9 released in 2014 - just 2 years. I think MS hopes to make more out of us by getting us to update more frequently. I juts wonder how the 'average guy' who just uses 'Metro' apps is going to feel being asked to shell out after only 2 years.

There is the possibility that MS might be listening to its users about 'Metro' but I suspect Windows 9 will just be an improved 'Metro' interface and maybe a name to replace 'Metro' that is snappier than 'Windows 8 Applications'!
 
Glaucus said:
It's allready been said in this thread.you need to install the new gfw and possibly delete the old one.
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Tried that but without success. its not long to wait for the proper version of Windows 8 and, hopefully, a fix by Steam and by MS to make things work properly.

Having said that, being back in Windows 7 now has me doing things differently - I hardly use the Start button and juts use the Explorer shortcut and various application shortcuts. I am certainly ready for when Windows 8 is released!
 
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