Too early for Windows 8 ?

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srob

52 posts

Master Geek

#721683 23-Nov-2012 09:23

surfisup1000:

I upgraded one of my desktops as a 'trial' of win8.

I've had some issues. eg, I cannot resize win8 mail columns -- annoying -- any idea how to do that?

And I keep getting stuck in metro apps without knowing how to close them. Sometimes the metro app gets squashed to the side of the screen and I get stuck in the interface. It is not intuitive using a mouse/keyboard.

I like win8 at the desktop level.But, the metro is too unintuitive for me.

Maybe I'm just getting too old :) I've heard some people rave about win8 but it doesn't really improve productivity over win7 (at least for me).

If you move the cursor to the top of the screen in a metro app a hand appears. Click and drag it to the bottom of the screen closes the app. Dragging it to the left or right pins them there so you can kind of multi task.

gzt

17104 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#721709 23-Nov-2012 09:58

As above there are a few things that are not intuitive for traditional windows users. Some time and effort is required to get to grips with it.

As a result I've overheard a few (non-touch screen) users complaining they just cannot get things done, and 'the start screen is useless'.

If it is the kind of user that takes time to get to grips with new things and is unlikely to give any real time to learn a slightly new way of doing things then maybe 7 is a better choice.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#721733 23-Nov-2012 10:27

As a PC around the house, Windows 8 is perfect.

For a business laptop however. I think I would stick to Windows 7. Or Windows 8 with the start menu workaround. I cannot imagine trying to run Windows 8 on my work PC with multiple monitors.

netspanner

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721738 23-Nov-2012 10:31

BraaiGuy: As a PC around the house, Windows 8 is perfect.
I cannot imagine trying to run Windows 8 on my work PC with multiple monitors.

Windows 8 is awesome with multiple monitors, using it now. If for not other reason than you get a taskbar at the bottom of both monitors.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#721753 23-Nov-2012 10:43

netspanner:
BraaiGuy: As a PC around the house, Windows 8 is perfect.
I cannot imagine trying to run Windows 8 on my work PC with multiple monitors.

Windows 8 is awesome with multiple monitors, using it now. If for not other reason than you get a taskbar at the bottom of both monitors.

I dont see the point at running a huge skype or email app on a huge monitor.

Windows 8 has the desktop. But isn't the whole point of Windows 8 to get users to use the Metro interface instead of the Desktop?

My point is that if you going to be using Desktop apps, rather stick with Windows 7. Or use Windows 8 (if u happy with no aero) with the current workarounds to bring back the start menu.

Its early days.. Maybe the Desktop will still be here for years to come. Maybe the Metro interface will die like the Flip 3D windows of Vista.

netspanner

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721833 23-Nov-2012 12:55

BraaiGuy:
I dont see the point at running a huge skype or email app on a huge monitor.

Then don't I never do as I don't like the full screen apps as well. I really dislike the reader program, and use adobe reader instead, its just as easy to configure the system to your liking.

Windows 8 has the desktop. But isn't the whole point of Windows 8 to get users to use the Metro interface instead of the Desktop?

My point is that if you going to be using Desktop apps, rather stick with Windows 7. Or use Windows 8 (if u happy with no aero) with the current workarounds to bring back the start menu.

Its early days.. Maybe the Desktop will still be here for years to come. Maybe the Metro interface will die like the Flip 3D windows of Vista.

I use W8 just like W7. Except the Start button is now the Start screen. Thats the only difference I see, as well as the charms.

People will quickly get beyond the "eeeww its different" mentality. its really Win 7 with a heap of improvements under the hood and a new visual interface. For $15 + to get a copy its a no brainer to me.

John2010

532 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721908 23-Nov-2012 15:33

BraaiGuy:
netspanner:
BraaiGuy: As a PC around the house, Windows 8 is perfect.
I cannot imagine trying to run Windows 8 on my work PC with multiple monitors.

Windows 8 is awesome with multiple monitors, using it now. If for not other reason than you get a taskbar at the bottom of both monitors.

I dont see the point at running a huge skype or email app on a huge monitor.

Windows 8 has the desktop. But isn't the whole point of Windows 8 to get users to use the Metro interface instead of the Desktop?

My point is that if you going to be using Desktop apps, rather stick with Windows 7. Or use Windows 8 (if u happy with no aero) with the current workarounds to bring back the start menu.

Its early days.. Maybe the Desktop will still be here for years to come. Maybe the Metro interface will die like the Flip 3D windows of Vista.

Would you explain to me as to why you would want to bring back the old Start menu as in earlier versions of Windows, for non Metro applications?

If one clicks in the bottom left corner of the Desktop, so just like clicking the old Start globe, Start page opens with just the tiles that you have decided you want on that page as being those most appropriate to ones needs (you can easily fit 60 on a medium sized screen before it starts to revert to scrolling). Click the tile to start the application. It is, in fact even quicker to ignore the mouse and just hit the Windows key which always opens the Start page, or takes you back to the Desktop from there if you have been on the desktop in that session (it also closes the full screen "Metro" applications, which someone has mentioned they don't know how to close).

In my experience the tiles are far more convenient than scrolling through the old Start program list, and besides, unlike Win 7's programme list and desktop shortcuts, which one could not reliably set up so things stayed in the same place between sessions, the tiles never, ever move from the arrangement one creates.

For myself, I only use non "Metro" applications so should be one who most feels the inconvenience you seem to be stating. The first application I open each day is MSOutlook, so I have its tile right where I want it on the Start screen so it sticks out when the PC starts (I could size it bigger than the others as well, if I had wanted), one click and it opens on the Desktop. Read mail, so now ready for next application (let's say MSWord), so tap the Windows key with my left hand, the Start screen appears instantly, right hand mouse clicks the MSWord tile (which in my case I have arranged with other commonly used desktop apps) and it opens on the desktop. Etc, etc through the day.

That seems to me to be multi times superior and quicker to previous versions of Windows, so I really just cannot see your point?

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Malboo

57 posts

Master Geek

#721981 23-Nov-2012 17:42

I dont use the start button much but its there now probably when I get used to W8 i'll not reinstall it if I do a

reformat,anyway it's just another tool if needed

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