Resistance towards Windows 8

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#950545 11-Dec-2013 17:47

nathan:
nzkiwiman: Just built a new PC with Windows 8.1
Haven't used it much since the main computer is still functioning

Have struck a couple of non working applications (GrabIt and MagicISO) so I need to find alternatives
Missing the start menu (I use search all the time to get to things) and I need to disable speedscreen (think that is what it is called)

what problem are you having with MagicISO

they support that utility on Windows 8

Been uninstalled and I am not at home but from memory it was that I needed to run as administrator - and when I did it brought up the same error. (there was something else there as well, I'll reinstall over the weekend and check)

JimmyH

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#950601 11-Dec-2013 19:22

Number 1 mostly.

I'm in the market for a new PC as my main desktop is ancient and creaky. Tried Win 8, and had the salesdroid in a shop enthusiastically show me how "great" it was. I hate it. Don't care about the performance, the interface is awful. It's far worse than Vista, which I still have/use on one of my boxes ever was.

My main machine is a work platform, isn't a toy and isn't used primarily for media consumption. I want something that "just works". I don't want an interface that looks like it was designed by Fisher Price, I don't want core functionality (ie backup) borked. Above all I don't want to ever use, or even see, Metro. Ever. Period.

I have a tablet for media consumption and that's where touch interfaces belong, and should stay.

I held off upgrading for nearly a year in the hope that they would fix the steaming pile of excrescence that is the Win8 interface. Ver 8.1 seems to have improved things, but not much.

I can't hold off an upgrade much longer. The two options seem to be: (i) trying to get a vendor who will still ship a Win7 box with modern hardware, or (ii) buying an iMac and replacing much of my software. For the first time in over 15 years, I am pretty close to going the Mac route.

Unless MS announces fairly promptly that they will bring out 8.2 which restores the missing functionality (proper backup software, the start menu - which I for one use a lot) and provides an option to banish any vestige of Metro from ever appearing in any context, I expect I will be jumping ship.

Sorry for the rant - It's not that I dislike Windows 8 - it's more a case of visceral loathing.

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#950610 11-Dec-2013 19:35

JimmyH: Number 1 mostly.

I'm in the market for a new PC as my main desktop is ancient and creaky. Tried Win 8, and had the salesdroid in a shop enthusiastically show me how "great" it was. I hate it. Don't care about the performance, the interface is awful. It's far worse than Vista, which I still have/use on one of my boxes ever was.

My main machine is a work platform, isn't a toy and isn't used primarily for media consumption. I want something that "just works". I don't want an interface that looks like it was designed by Fisher Price, I don't want core functionality (ie backup) borked. Above all I don't want to ever use, or even see, Metro. Ever. Period.

I have a tablet for media consumption and that's where touch interfaces belong, and should stay.

I held off upgrading for nearly a year in the hope that they would fix the steaming pile of excrescence that is the Win8 interface. Ver 8.1 seems to have improved things, but not much.

I can't hold off an upgrade much longer. The two options seem to be: (i) trying to get a vendor who will still ship a Win7 box with modern hardware, or (ii) buying an iMac and replacing much of my software. For the first time in over 15 years, I am pretty close to going the Mac route.

Unless MS announces fairly promptly that they will bring out 8.2 which restores the missing functionality (proper backup software, the start menu - which I for one use a lot) and provides an option to banish any vestige of Metro from ever appearing in any context, I expect I will be jumping ship.

Sorry for the rant - It's not that I dislike Windows 8 - it's more a case of visceral loathing.

If you purchase a PC with Windows 8(1) Pro you can use the downgrade rights to Windows 7, but honestly with Start8 you would only see Metro if you want to see it.

nathan

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#950611 11-Dec-2013 19:38

JimmyH: Number 1 mostly.

I'm in the market for a new PC as my main desktop is ancient and creaky. Tried Win 8, and had the salesdroid in a shop enthusiastically show me how "great" it was. I hate it. Don't care about the performance, the interface is awful. It's far worse than Vista, which I still have/use on one of my boxes ever was.

My main machine is a work platform, isn't a toy and isn't used primarily for media consumption. I want something that "just works". I don't want an interface that looks like it was designed by Fisher Price, I don't want core functionality (ie backup) borked. Above all I don't want to ever use, or even see, Metro. Ever. Period.

I have a tablet for media consumption and that's where touch interfaces belong, and should stay.

I held off upgrading for nearly a year in the hope that they would fix the steaming pile of excrescence that is the Win8 interface. Ver 8.1 seems to have improved things, but not much.

I can't hold off an upgrade much longer. The two options seem to be: (i) trying to get a vendor who will still ship a Win7 box with modern hardware, or (ii) buying an iMac and replacing much of my software. For the first time in over 15 years, I am pretty close to going the Mac route.

Unless MS announces fairly promptly that they will bring out 8.2 which restores the missing functionality (proper backup software, the start menu - which I for one use a lot) and provides an option to banish any vestige of Metro from ever appearing in any context, I expect I will be jumping ship.

Sorry for the rant - It's not that I dislike Windows 8 - it's more a case of visceral loathing.

FYI Windows 7 is still available on new machines

You can also add a toolbar to your taskbar that points to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or try any of the number of the 3rd party Start Menu replacements

Windows 8 / 8.1 is still an awesome OS even for desktop users like you and me.

Maybe cast your eye over this article

http://www.zdnet.com/the-metro-haters-guide-to-the-windows-8-1-preview-7000018398

macuser

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#950612 11-Dec-2013 19:42

why do so many miss the start menu? The start menu was the worst under Windows 7, since you had to pour through various folders to find your stuff

nathan

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#950614 11-Dec-2013 19:45

macuser: why do so many miss the start menu? The start menu was the worst under Windows 7, since you had to pour through various folders to find your stuff

Indeed :)

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#950624 11-Dec-2013 20:12

thats one reason why I love windows 8. I have moved my most used tiles to the left of the tiles screen. Then even when in desktop mode it is so quick to just go to tiles click on the one I want and bingo, there you are. So much quicker than the start menu on Windows 7. Even much much tidier having the tiles than putting shortcuts on the desktop or task bar to quickly access the commonly used programs.

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#950645 11-Dec-2013 21:07

nzkiwiman:
nathan:
nzkiwiman: Just built a new PC with Windows 8.1
Haven't used it much since the main computer is still functioning

Have struck a couple of non working applications (GrabIt and MagicISO) so I need to find alternatives
Missing the start menu (I use search all the time to get to things) and I need to disable speedscreen (think that is what it is called)

what problem are you having with MagicISO

they support that utility on Windows 8

Been uninstalled and I am not at home but from memory it was that I needed to run as administrator - and when I did it brought up the same error. (there was something else there as well, I'll reinstall over the weekend and check)

using magiciso to read/mount iso files, or write them?

because you can just double-click an ISO in Win 8.1 and it will mount it as a new drive for you.

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Twitter: @nzregs

Regs

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#950648 11-Dec-2013 21:12

joker97: But i thought touch is enabled on the remote device and whether the server supports touch doesn't matter ... Right?

there is a difference between touch optimised and touch enabled. your fingers are a bit fatter than a mouse pointer, so for a good touch experience you need things laid out so you don't keep accidentally 'clicking' (*) the wrong thing.

(*) 'tapping' in the touch world: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/windows-8/touch-swipe-tap-beyond

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#950688 11-Dec-2013 22:07

ScuL:
3) You have been happy with Windows 8 from day 1

Great experience on my multiple devices
- HP Touchpad (Win7 era tablet)
- Custom Desktop (non-touch)
- Acer Iconia Tablet
Faster boot time
Kindle app is nicer than the old desktop one
I love having games that sync between my phone, PC and tablet (Spartan Assault, Skulls of The Shogan)
Start menu is more efficient that Windows 7
- Efficiency increases in proportion to the amount of apps you install
Smartglass for Xbox One is epic useful (screw xbox onscreen keyboards for messages now :D )
Metro Mail and Calender apps are aesthetically pleasing, especially after having to use Thunderbird for years
I'm finding more and more use for the Map app

So far my only beef has been the redesign of Windows Explorer for 8.1. They changed the order of the navigation pane and it's really pissing me off as I do things by muscle memory; I've managed to restore it most of the way with registry changes but not the whole way.

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nakedmolerat

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#950711 11-Dec-2013 23:24

No 3 for me (Desktop)

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Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Ragnor

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#950717 12-Dec-2013 02:17

nathan:

Maybe cast your eye over this article

http://www.zdnet.com/the-metro-haters-guide-to-the-windows-8-1-preview-7000018398

Scott Hanselman's videos are on Win 8 are great, have sent them to several people struggling with the change to Win 8
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ThreeAllNewWindows81VideoTutorialsWhatsNewIn81KeyboardShortcutsAndManagingWindows.aspx

Hammerer

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#950979 12-Dec-2013 14:34

I summarised the results so far and I'm not surprised to see that 3/4 are currently for Windows 8: 25 for versus 9 against. But looking at the original Windows 8 release we might have been 50:50 with 17 for versus 17 against.
1) You are opposed to Windows 8 (there is a large group that feels operating Win8 is counter-intuitive and intended for tablet/mobile use rather than on a desktop
9
2) You feel Windows 8 is not suitable for business use and therefore cannot upgrade from XP/7
-
3) You have been happy with Windows 8 from day 1
17
4) You have been happy with Windows 8 since the 8.1 update which changed the "start menu"
4
5) You have been happy with Windows 8 after the introduction of 3rd-party tools that bring the OS back to a Windows 7 style interface
4

I allocated many responses because the 5 options didn't cover everyone, some chose no category, some chose more than one category, and one was for Windows 8 but has never used it so I put them in 3 as if they were against Windows 8 and never used it they would be 1:
* indicate that the no category was selected.
^ indicates multiple categories were selected and I took the most negative towards Windows 8

1) You are opposed to Windows 8 (there is a large group that feels operating Win8 is counter-intuitive and intended for tablet/mobile use rather than on a desktop)
JayADee
stevenz*
surfisup1000
kiwifidget
networkn^
Klipspringer^
ScuL*
DarthKermit
JimmyH

2) You feel Windows 8 is not suitable for business use and therefore cannot upgrade from XP/7

3) You have been happy with Windows 8 from day 1
Gilco2*
gjm*
joker97
tchart
andrewNZ* (non-user but for Windows 8)
sidefx
Hammerer
MackinNZ
nathan
qyiet
reven
chevrolux
Regs*
mdf
Gilco2
CruciasNZ*
nakedmolerat

4) You have been happy with Windows 8 since the 8.1 update which changed the "start menu" [or 8.1 clean install]
Gordy7*
KiwiNZ^
BruceHamilton^
maxLV^

5) You have been happy with Windows 8 after the introduction of 3rd-party tools that bring the OS back to a Windows 7 style interface [or desktop users]
freitasm
TwoSeven*
BoydHQ
kiwifidget

Not allocated as they didn't specifically mention respond to the original post:
1080p
killerkiwinz
macuser
Ragnor

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#950994 12-Dec-2013 14:56

I don't really fit into the numbers but I'm a Win 7/Ubuntu user and have been for a while, I have used Win8 now and then on clients PC's etc. I hate the metro UI, worst thing MS ever did for a desktop PC/Lappy. but the OS from what I have used of it, seems clean, responsive and usable and the UI workarounds are fine with me.

Why I haven't upgraded? Cost. Simple as that. I change OS's about once every 5 yrs, never found a need to do it sooner, I have been on Win7 since late 2010? and don't see a reason to move anytime soon. but I can't be stuffed with MS's prices, its not worth the money.

CraZeD,
Your friendly Southern Geeky Fellow :P

nzkiwiman

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#951576 13-Dec-2013 12:58

Regs:

using magiciso to read/mount iso files, or write them?

because you can just double-click an ISO in Win 8.1 and it will mount it as a new drive for you.

Read/Mount
If so, thanks for the tip. I will try that out with the Office 2013 ISO I was trying to install

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