Windows 8 Consumer Preview Thread
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Soldato
What, so they just start their computer up, stare at the desktop for a bit and then turn it off?
It's called pinning icons to task bar or desktop. That's how the majority is launched.
I Dint use start menu most days. Every thing is pinned to task bar, most used files are pinned within the program task bar icon. I don't even have anything pinned to desktop. Now we go live tiles. I do as it provides instant information. Never got on with widgets, to messy and different from each other.
What I use start bar for, namely search, be it application, file or what ever. Windows 8 does in a much better way,
I Dint use start menu most days. Every thing is pinned to task bar, most used files are pinned within the program task bar icon. I don't even have anything pinned to desktop. Now we go live tiles. I do as it provides instant information. Never got on with widgets, to messy and different from each other.
What I use start bar for, namely search, be it application, file or what ever. Windows 8 does in a much better way,
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Soldato
I don't know anybody who does that. Everyone either has a few shortcuts on the desktop that they never use or a full desktop of shortcuts to files.
I never got my head round how the Windows 7 toolbar worked, and didn't much care for learning.
I never got my head round how the Windows 7 toolbar worked, and didn't much care for learning.
I've been playing around with Win8 on my old PC, can't get any sound to work at all, tried both my Audigy 4 and onboard Realtek,after many hours of trying a lot of things finally gave up,Windows says its working fine but no sound is coming from speakers.
I hate messy desktops, no icons whatsoever on the main screen for me (except for the taskbar that is). I know of quite a few people who prefer clean desktops too.
That's not to say I don't use the Start Menu, I think it's really useful to have it all categorised that way.
Soldato
I'm the same, I hate the desktop for some reason... I never use it. I either have stuff pinned to taskbar, start menu or I just windows key search for it!
Associate
Yeah. I occasionally use the desktop to handle temporary files - i.e. create a text file and then sort it later - but my desktop is always left clean. If I could pin the Recycle Bin to the Superbar or Metro Start and remove it from the desktop I would but strangely Microsoft doesn't allow that.
The only people I know that use the desktop a lot are people that aren't very good with computers, like my parents. I tend to use the desktop as a canvas for self expression - it reflects my personality. The last thing I want is dozens of icons cluttering it up.
Soldato
Same. And i mean that menu's about as simple as it gets. Just like nine categories and a tab for the file manager. But as long as there is one i know where i'm at. It's one of my main reservations about moving to tiling window managers. Sure, dmenu might be great in terms of resource usage/whatever, but it's a frickin' menu. Even mint menu doesn't use that much. I can't be expected to know the name of every program i'm ever going to want to use.
I like that wallpaper.
There seems to be two types of people in this thread -
1 - "I quite like some aspects of W8 but feel they have left the mouse user in the lurch with unintuitive mouse 'swipes' etc."
2 - "IT IS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY, GO LIVE IN A TREE YOU BACKWARDS, HIPPY ****TARD. YOU ARE HOLDING THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE BACK WITH YOUR STICK IN THE MUD ATTITUDE!"
There seems to be two types of people in this thread -
1 - "I quite like some aspects of W8 but feel they have left the mouse user in the lurch with unintuitive mouse 'swipes' etc."
2 - "IT IS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY, GO LIVE IN A TREE YOU BACKWARDS, HIPPY ****TARD. YOU ARE HOLDING THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE BACK WITH YOUR STICK IN THE MUD ATTITUDE!"
Well, I don't think Metro UI is too intuitive to use with a mouse. It seems like an unnecessary layer for the OS, with features I don't need. I hate all app stores and Xbox dashboard like panels too so that's not helping me to like the implementation of Metro.
With that said, Windows 8 seems to be a very sleek system that may finally change the perception of the Microsoft's OS... or not. It's certainly well suited for casual touchscreen and tablet users.
With that said, Windows 8 seems to be a very sleek system that may finally change the perception of the Microsoft's OS... or not. It's certainly well suited for casual touchscreen and tablet users.
The more I actually try and use it the more I'm confused by it.
For example there are two Internet Explorers. Use the desktop one and it's all normal use the one on the metro interface and it's essentially showing bing. I'm sure there's way around it but it's too frustrating to use.
M.
For example there are two Internet Explorers. Use the desktop one and it's all normal use the one on the metro interface and it's essentially showing bing. I'm sure there's way around it but it's too frustrating to use.
M.
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It's actually put me off posting in this thread (and the other one) - it would be nice to have a sensible discussion about the pros and cons of Win8, but I really can't be bothered with the purple-faced nerd rage which ensues every time anyone says anything remotely critical.
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Soldato
Like the team in the recent PCPro podcast I'm still trying to feel the love for Metro, but I've been using a standard desktop since this...
...20+ years ago, and although I appreciate the new features of Win8, and have grown to appreciate the slick simplicity of iOS on an iPad, Metro is just not what I want for my main PC. I like some of the new features, I just need them to swallow their pride and allow me to turn that new style interface off.
Of course, realistically Win8 is not designed for anyone with Win7. In fact they're probably relying on that to give them time to drip-feed 8 into the market via new retail machines and tablets. Then by the time 9 comes out we'll have had time to grow accustomed to the way Windows is moving.
Or everyone on the MS board will have been sacked.
...20+ years ago, and although I appreciate the new features of Win8, and have grown to appreciate the slick simplicity of iOS on an iPad, Metro is just not what I want for my main PC. I like some of the new features, I just need them to swallow their pride and allow me to turn that new style interface off.
Of course, realistically Win8 is not designed for anyone with Win7. In fact they're probably relying on that to give them time to drip-feed 8 into the market via new retail machines and tablets. Then by the time 9 comes out we'll have had time to grow accustomed to the way Windows is moving.
Or everyone on the MS board will have been sacked.
I'm a developer and I use my desktop
I have all my mostly used stuff either pinned to the taskbar or as a desktop shortcut. I don't have the time to look at pretty pictures on the desktop background. Its quick, simple and it works.
For someone resistant to change and even learning (re windows task bar) I don't think a tiling wm is for you.
Soldato
Change is fine when it's a good change, it's just not a good change in w8, what is the use in hiding the start button? what benefit does it actually give to hide everything?
Soldato
http://wallbase.cc/wallpaper/726814
I didn't spend much time in Windows 7 because it isn't clear, nor is it explained how such a system could make me more productive. It was clear at the time that Mint 7 could do that, so that's what i used. As has been said, there are clear advantages to using a tiling wm. I've not seen anyone come up with any serious advantages to Metro on a desktop.
Associate
Observations after a week of use...
1. More heavily reliant on keyboard shortcuts - if you were used to just clicking on everything from either Start Menu/Taskbar/Shortcuts, it takes some relearning
2. The "hot zones" need improving, particularly with multiple monitors, the Orb or similar needs to make a return to indicate the zone. Zone's should be configurable, e.g. Charms is between monitors and is difficult to find. Would be better if I could configure it to be on my right most monitor.
3. Microsoft Account for UK is not working fully. Limits the apps you can fully use.
Overall, Metro doesn't get in the way, since Windows 7 I've used the Start Menu less for regular applications, preferring the TaskBar and Jumplists.
It takes some time to relearn and modify your workflow, but serious work is done on the desktop and other than a bit of re-learning, over time, I'm actually finding it quite good - the first few days were annoying as hell.
The Metro Start Screen is used for Start->search as before, but also allows me to layout my simple apps so I can just launch those apps when I'm doing something less serious. I think with more apps and some remote control tweaks, it will make a good Media Center front end too.
Not perfect by any means, but MS won't drop it now, so may as well get used to it. I think it needs changes to your workflow/re-learning how you do certain activities, but also time to get used to it. I don't think a valid opinion can be formed after a very short period of time, as it is new and different. I also think that those that embraced the changes in Windows 7 such as pin to taskbar and jump lists will have a much easier transition.
1. More heavily reliant on keyboard shortcuts - if you were used to just clicking on everything from either Start Menu/Taskbar/Shortcuts, it takes some relearning
2. The "hot zones" need improving, particularly with multiple monitors, the Orb or similar needs to make a return to indicate the zone. Zone's should be configurable, e.g. Charms is between monitors and is difficult to find. Would be better if I could configure it to be on my right most monitor.
3. Microsoft Account for UK is not working fully. Limits the apps you can fully use.
Overall, Metro doesn't get in the way, since Windows 7 I've used the Start Menu less for regular applications, preferring the TaskBar and Jumplists.
It takes some time to relearn and modify your workflow, but serious work is done on the desktop and other than a bit of re-learning, over time, I'm actually finding it quite good - the first few days were annoying as hell.
The Metro Start Screen is used for Start->search as before, but also allows me to layout my simple apps so I can just launch those apps when I'm doing something less serious. I think with more apps and some remote control tweaks, it will make a good Media Center front end too.
Not perfect by any means, but MS won't drop it now, so may as well get used to it. I think it needs changes to your workflow/re-learning how you do certain activities, but also time to get used to it. I don't think a valid opinion can be formed after a very short period of time, as it is new and different. I also think that those that embraced the changes in Windows 7 such as pin to taskbar and jump lists will have a much easier transition.
I sort of have mixed feelings about Win8 since I can see how it would be great on tablets and touch screen users,desktop users well its going to take some time to relearn the shortcuts etc.
Personally I could get use to Win8 over time but the big question is will there be enough improvements/features to sway Win7 users?..I guess we will have to wait and see until the final version goes on sale and we get some sort of official figures and ratings.
Personally I could get use to Win8 over time but the big question is will there be enough improvements/features to sway Win7 users?..I guess we will have to wait and see until the final version goes on sale and we get some sort of official figures and ratings.