Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) now available to download for x86 and x64

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mattwnz

20147 posts

Uber Geek

#603871 2-Apr-2012 14:55

Regs:
lchiu7:
I find it usable at work by relegating the metro interface to the touch laptop screen and keeping the Windows desktop on an external monitor. It's quite usable like that.. The main thing I miss is the Windows start button and being able to get to search easily from there.

I've been working with it for a week or two now.? I hardly ever encounter the 'metro' start screen in normal day-to-day use - sometimes I hit the windows key just to remind myself its still there :P

I have my common apps pinned to one of the two start bars (one per monitor, yay!) and I tend to use start|run for things like compmgmt.msc, dcomcnfg, eventvwr, services.msc anyway as they work over win2k, win7, win8.

as someone?said recently, arm?someone with the keyboard shortcuts?and have them use it for a while and the 'metro intrusion' (to a desktop user) largely becomes?a non-issue.

It still needs a start menu and I have been using now for a few weeks, and also mainly use just the desktop. A lot fo the 'apps' haven't yet been ported to the metro, so if you want to modify control panel settings for example, it opens up a window back on the desktop, which is really backwards. As you have said you hardly using the metro interface, but that is the start menu replacement. What I find most annoying is shutting down, where that used to be on the start menu. You now have to press alt+ctrl+delete, and then click on the off button and then click again to shut it down. Perhaps they don't expect these things now to be shut down to save power. I will be sticking with windows 7 this time round, but do like windows 8 startup and smaller footprint on my netbook, which it seems perfect for. Just a pity metro apps doesn't work on netbooks due to the 600 pixels height resolution.

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#603873 2-Apr-2012 14:55

nathan:
alexx: Is there some problem with the Windows Store at the moment?
On Win 8 it is telling me there is an update waiting, so I try to start Windows Store...

Store

Your PC isn't connected to the Internet, or Windows Store isn't available
right now. To use the Store, connect to the internet and then try again.

...and yes, I'm connected to the internet.

Store is working for me

If you're behind a proxy etc, set those settings in Desktop IE

Thanks for checking, no proxy here but in any case it was down for a little while but appears to be back now.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#603875 2-Apr-2012 14:56

networkn: My question, is anyone aware of any wavering on this whole MS Ramming Metro down our throats mess?

MSFT is listening to feedback and incorporating changes into the Release Candidate RC build

So far the complaints I have seen are similar to the ones that people levelled at every version of Windows prior, people complained about the tellietubbie colours in XP, then they complained about Vista, then about Windows 7

Yes it is a change, Windows has a start menu for 17 years and we're getting rid of it to replace it with the Start Screen

I personally have seen a lot of the complaints are from those that have virtualised the Windows 8 OS, and their virtualisation product doesn't pass the windowskey short cuts into the virtualised OS, so they can't just hit the Windows key, or windows key + X etc

One of the challenges with putting the start button back on the task bar is what do you then do with full screen metro apps, which have no start screen.

networkn

Networkn
32350 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#603883 2-Apr-2012 15:01

nathan:
networkn: My question, is anyone aware of any wavering on this whole MS Ramming Metro down our throats mess?

MSFT is listening to feedback and incorporating changes into the Release Candidate RC build

So far the complaints I have seen are similar to the ones that people levelled at every version of Windows prior, people complained about the tellietubbie colours in XP, then they complained about Vista, then about Windows 7

Yes it is a change, Windows has a start menu for 17 years and we're getting rid of it to replace it with the Start Screen

I personally have seen a lot of the complaints are from those that have virtualised the Windows 8 OS, and their virtualisation product doesn't pass the windowskey short cuts into the virtualised OS, so they can't just hit the Windows key, or windows key + X etc

One of the challenges with putting the start button back on the task bar is what do you then do with full screen metro apps, which have no start screen.

Well it doesn't sound difficult to solve to me, I suggested a fix a few pages back. Offer it as an OPTION (Enable by default disable as an option). Yes the virtual thing is a real killer too!

It's also as I predicted a NIGHTMARE to support remotely, all the extra graphics elements make it unbearable to support over VNC type connections even on a reasonable connection (Even over the LAN it's horrible).

Please give us IT Professionals a break!

Also it's worth noting that MS did offer a choice of the fisher price colour scheme or back to "classic"

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#603889 2-Apr-2012 15:06

networkn:
nathan:
networkn: My question, is anyone aware of any wavering on this whole MS Ramming Metro down our throats mess?

MSFT is listening to feedback and incorporating changes into the Release Candidate RC build

So far the complaints I have seen are similar to the ones that people levelled at every version of Windows prior, people complained about the tellietubbie colours in XP, then they complained about Vista, then about Windows 7

Yes it is a change, Windows has a start menu for 17 years and we're getting rid of it to replace it with the Start Screen

I personally have seen a lot of the complaints are from those that have virtualised the Windows 8 OS, and their virtualisation product doesn't pass the windowskey short cuts into the virtualised OS, so they can't just hit the Windows key, or windows key + X etc

One of the challenges with putting the start button back on the task bar is what do you then do with full screen metro apps, which have no start screen.

Well it doesn't sound difficult to solve to me, I suggested a fix a few pages back. Offer it as an OPTION (Enable by default disable as an option). Yes the virtual thing is a real killer too!

It's also as I predicted a NIGHTMARE to support remotely, all the extra graphics elements make it unbearable to support over VNC type connections even on a reasonable connection (Even over the LAN it's horrible).

Please give us IT Professionals a break!

Also it's worth noting that MS did offer a choice of the fisher price colour scheme or back to "classic"

If you don't learn the hot corners in Windows 8 how will you ever learn how to exit from a Metro style app?

Back in the Windows 95 days people still asked to use PROGMAN because they hated the Start Menu

The Windows 8 team is still listening to feedback don't be too concerned we're listening

Re the VNC thing I will have to test that myself. Personally I use Remote Desktop a lot remotely even over slowish 3G connections and I personally don't have a problem with the Metro Start Screen even remotely

simplestuff

84 posts

Master Geek

#603921 2-Apr-2012 15:35

Downloaded some of the apps from Store Quite interesting wonderful cookbook with heaps of recipes Carmen San Diego game plus lots of other cool apps.
All free to download and try
These features are looking pretty good. Anyone manage to get Movie maker working I keep crashing .

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#603960 2-Apr-2012 16:12

mattwnz: What I find most annoying is shutting down, where that used to be on the start menu. You now have to press alt+ctrl+delete, and then click on the off button and then click again to shut it down.

Or you could try the following...

Windows key + x -> r -> shutdown -h

Learning all these keyboard shortcuts reminds me of the days when I first learnt to use the vi editor on HP-UX back in the 1990's. Fun times.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#603968 2-Apr-2012 16:17

alexx:
mattwnz: What I find most annoying is shutting down, where that used to be on the start menu. You now have to press alt+ctrl+delete, and then click on the off button and then click again to shut it down.

Or you could try the following...

Windows key + x -> r -> shutdown -h

Learning all these keyboard shortcuts reminds me of the days when I first learnt to use the vi editor on HP-UX back in the 1990's. Fun times.

Windows Key + R brings up the run command, no need for X, then R

how about just pushing the hardware power button on your PC/laptop?

or Windows Key + I, up arrow, enter, up, up, enter

or creating a batch file, shortcut to the above SHUTDOWN command and putting that in your Metro Start Screen

there are many choices...

simplestuff

84 posts

Master Geek

#603994 2-Apr-2012 16:38

Drag the mouse to the bottom left hand corner go to the settings icon and click Power off is there

simplestuff

84 posts

Master Geek

#603996 2-Apr-2012 16:39

sorry bottom right hand corner

old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#603998 2-Apr-2012 16:43

nathan:
networkn: My question, is anyone aware of any wavering on this whole MS Ramming Metro down our throats mess?

MSFT is listening to feedback and incorporating changes into the Release Candidate RC build

So far the complaints I have seen are similar to the ones that people levelled at every version of Windows prior, people complained about the tellietubbie colours in XP, then they complained about Vista, then about Windows 7

Yes it is a change, Windows has a start menu for 17 years and we're getting rid of it to replace it with the Start Screen

I personally have seen a lot of the complaints are from those that have virtualised the Windows 8 OS, and their virtualisation product doesn't pass the windowskey short cuts into the virtualised OS, so they can't just hit the Windows key, or windows key + X etc

One of the challenges with putting the start button back on the task bar is what do you then do with full screen metro apps, which have no start screen.

I would suggest then that Microsoft listen to what people are saying otherwize Win 8 will be the next Win ME especially what they are saying about the Start menu

Regards,

Old3eyes

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#604009 2-Apr-2012 17:02

old3eyes:
nathan:
networkn: My question, is anyone aware of any wavering on this whole MS Ramming Metro down our throats mess?

MSFT is listening to feedback and incorporating changes into the Release Candidate RC build

So far the complaints I have seen are similar to the ones that people levelled at every version of Windows prior, people complained about the tellietubbie colours in XP, then they complained about Vista, then about Windows 7

Yes it is a change, Windows has a start menu for 17 years and we're getting rid of it to replace it with the Start Screen

I personally have seen a lot of the complaints are from those that have virtualised the Windows 8 OS, and their virtualisation product doesn't pass the windowskey short cuts into the virtualised OS, so they can't just hit the Windows key, or windows key + X etc

One of the challenges with putting the start button back on the task bar is what do you then do with full screen metro apps, which have no start screen.

I would suggest then that Microsoft listen to what people are saying otherwize Win 8 will be the next Win ME especially what they are saying about the Start menu

it would be good to know exactly what your suggestion is

Is it: bring back the Start Menu, start button orb into Windows 8?

The problem is how does that make the hot corners discoverable? How do your learn how to exit from a full screen Metro app? How do you discover the charms and how to share?

alexx

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#604051 2-Apr-2012 18:05

nathan:
alexx:
mattwnz: What I find most annoying is shutting down, where that used to be on the start menu. You now have to press alt+ctrl+delete, and then click on the off button and then click again to shut it down.

Or you could try the following...

Windows key + x -> r -> shutdown -h

Learning all these keyboard shortcuts reminds me of the days when I first learnt to use the vi editor on HP-UX back in the 1990's. Fun times.

Windows Key + R brings up the run command, no need for X, then R

Thanks, forgot about that one.

nathan: how about just pushing the hardware power button on your PC/laptop?

On my laptop, if I push it a short time, nothing happens and if I push it a little longer, then it stops and I'm not sure if it shutdown or perhaps it went into hibernation? In any case, I'm mainly thinking about rebooting a remote server, so my arms aren't long enough for that method and reboot is often more useful than shutdown (unless you have some remote means to start again, e.g. iLO).

nathan: or Windows Key + I, up arrow, enter, up, up, enter

That might be the best option - thanks again.

simplestuff: Drag the mouse to the bottom right hand corner go to the settings icon and click Power off is there

Takes some time getting the mouse in just the right spot so other options are quicker... and I imagine it could be more of a problem doing that over a slow remote desktop or iLO connection.

I'm interested to know if anyone has tried the following with windows 8 remote desktop or knows the status.

Connect to first windows server using remote desktop.
Start IE and connect to HP Bladecenter On Board administrator.
Select Server Blade running windows 8 and connect to iLO using.
a) Java
b) activeX

Use all Windows key options without problems.

This is not an uncommon scenario, if firewalls don't allow direct access to the HP Bladecenter On Board administrator.

Same question for virtualisation products.

VMware
VirtualBox
Linux KVM with windows 8 guest
others???

Edit: fixed some typos.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#604055 2-Apr-2012 18:15

my future workstation will probably look like this:

win 8 tablet, docked, permanently showing METRO screen with summary info.
2 or 3 x 23" LCD monitors for the desktop environment. its likely that all LCDs will eventually be touch enabled too

when i'm in the office I can see this working perfectly. I already try to 'touch' my screen (side effect of having a touch phone).

when i'm out of the office, i'll revert to using it tablet site without the two/thee big screens attached.

I've heard people complain that with no start menu, they cant find their recent docs. I never use the start menu for this anyway - for me I either use the recent docs from within the office app, or use the sharepoint portal (all my docs end up there).

I think many people are examining windows 8 without a though to how their hardware might change going forward. you cant take the experience on hardware of today and say that's what its going to be like for the next kit you buy/upgrade. If you don't like win8 on your current kit, stick with windows 7.

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