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Re: Vista is gaining over 8/8.1
The idea of falling back to Vista or XP is misguided. I have used Vista on a home PC with absolutely no problems or complaints until about six months ago when it became obvious that some high quality websites didn't work well in my browser. That's when I learned that I'm stuck on IE 9 forever, there is no way to upgrade to IE 10 on Vista. XP has to be even worse. I don't mind using Chrome and other browsers, but some business apps for my work require IE.
8.1
This OS will go down in history as one of the most poorly designed, unintuitive, and least user friendly OS's ever made. It's a pile of steaming garbage designed to drive traffic to the Microsoft Store "Apps", which no one asked for or wanted.
With the introduction of the Ribbon garbage, windows 8, "subscription" software, and the forced kinect always online xbone fiasco, it seems that Microsoft is becoming more and more out of touch with its users.
With the introduction of the Ribbon garbage, windows 8, "subscription" software, and the forced kinect always online xbone fiasco, it seems that Microsoft is becoming more and more out of touch with its users.
Why half haven't upgraded - maybe?
Maybe half haven't upgraded because they don't KNOW they need to upgrade. Calling the follow on update to the original Windows 8.1 "update" was beyond dumb. When I ask friends, relatives, and co-workers what version of Windows 8 they are running most don't have a clue. And the only way to tell if you do have Windows 8.1 UPDATE is checking the infernal Metro interface to see if you have a search box in the upper right corner. The O/S doesn't report what version of Windows you are running other than 8 or 8.1. The idiots at Microsoft should have called the Windows 8.1 UPDATE, Windows 8.2 and been done with it. At least the non-geek masses might have figured it out. Only by poking and proding my friends have I been able to get them to get the far better for desktop users Windows 8.1 UPDATE.
On one machine I upgraded for a friend (from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 UPDATE) the update kept dying until I temporarily disabled her virus software. She would never have figured out she wasn't getting the update or any subsequent patches.
On one machine I upgraded for a friend (from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 UPDATE) the update kept dying until I temporarily disabled her virus software. She would never have figured out she wasn't getting the update or any subsequent patches.
Re: Why half haven't upgraded - maybe?
As a "non-geek" user disgraced with windows 8.0, I would like to agree and add to what hte above person has posted. My lap top is a non-touch screen with windows 8.0, and the user unfriendliness and the security holes I have experienced has made me want to pull my hair out. The reason I have not updated, is I am not sure if it will download with out a bunch of malware or some form of bug along with it. My daughter is geek, and when she has to help me with things I used to be able to do on her own, she often starts swearing, and tells me to downgrade to windows 7. I have seen many "non-geeks" do exactly that go back to windows 7. I would not be surprised, since these "non-geek" users maybe experiencing different OS on their phones, if they start getting up the courage and try a different OS on their computers now.
Re: Why half haven't upgraded - maybe?
@moonwatcher,
I think you have a point. Microsoft's Windows branding is still a bit confusing. After it became clear "Windows 8" was toxic from a PR perspective, they started using "the new Windows" and "the new Windows, with Office." I'm not convinced the average Windows 8 user realizes that these commercials are advertisements for an updated version, rather than an attempt to repackage the version they already have. Updating through the Windows Store vs. Windows Update is also a point of confusion. At least when it moves to Windows 9, Microsoft gets to sort of re-start everything, from a brand perspective. Unless they really shock everyone and stupefyingly decide "Threshold" will be called Windows 8.2.
I think you have a point. Microsoft's Windows branding is still a bit confusing. After it became clear "Windows 8" was toxic from a PR perspective, they started using "the new Windows" and "the new Windows, with Office." I'm not convinced the average Windows 8 user realizes that these commercials are advertisements for an updated version, rather than an attempt to repackage the version they already have. Updating through the Windows Store vs. Windows Update is also a point of confusion. At least when it moves to Windows 9, Microsoft gets to sort of re-start everything, from a brand perspective. Unless they really shock everyone and stupefyingly decide "Threshold" will be called Windows 8.2.
Re: Why half haven't upgraded - maybe?
@Michael Endler
I'm hoping for something great for Windows 9. Besides what we've already seen, plus Cortana and something with kinect. what else do you think Microsoft should do with 9 to "shock everyone"?
At least when it moves to Windows 9, Microsoft gets to sort of re-start everything, from a brand perspective. Unless they really shock everyone and stupefyingly decide "Threshold" will be called Windows 8.2.
@Michael Endler
I'm hoping for something great for Windows 9. Besides what we've already seen, plus Cortana and something with kinect. what else do you think Microsoft should do with 9 to "shock everyone"?
Choice
It's always about choice. I installed StartIsBack and had a Windows 7 machine, albeit with the superior security and speed of a new OS along with the simpler Aero-free UI. No big.
But I understand everyone's hatred of the new UI. For several years now Microsoft has been undermining, hiding and de-emphasising user interface standards they've promoted and lived by since the mid 80s, most notably in Windows and Office. It's foolish. Menus are gone or hidden, with busy, bulky ribbons taking their place. Shortcut key indicators are invisible unless you press the alt key, the help button is relegated to a tiny icon at top right -- the discoverability -- and much of the usability -- is gone. Hopefully they've learned their lesson and will return to better form with Windows 9.
But I understand everyone's hatred of the new UI. For several years now Microsoft has been undermining, hiding and de-emphasising user interface standards they've promoted and lived by since the mid 80s, most notably in Windows and Office. It's foolish. Menus are gone or hidden, with busy, bulky ribbons taking their place. Shortcut key indicators are invisible unless you press the alt key, the help button is relegated to a tiny icon at top right -- the discoverability -- and much of the usability -- is gone. Hopefully they've learned their lesson and will return to better form with Windows 9.
The devil!
Windows is the devil! use Ubuntu!
Re: The devil!
I do use Ubuntu some. I love it. But it won't run iTunes or other Windows based programs, not even under Wine, so I, like many others are stuck with Windows (and not willing to jump ship to Apple OSX). Over the last year I've installed Ubuntu on several friends' PCs and they are just fine with it.
Re: The devil!
@moonwatcher
According to this site, iTunes can be installed on Mint. It might work on Ubuntu as well.
Check it out:
iTunes on Linux
According to this site, iTunes can be installed on Mint. It might work on Ubuntu as well.
Check it out:
iTunes on Linux
Re: The devil!
Thanks. I'll investigate it and may give it a try on Ubuntu...But so far I've not found much to be hopeful about. Heck I might even give Mint a try in a dual boot setting (keeping my tried and true Ubuntu). I am currently dual booting with Windows XP, and had thought to upgrade to Windows 7, but for $89 to $99 it just seems to not be worth it, especially since Microsoft is already sounding the death knell for Windows 7.
8 or 8.1 or 8.1 update? Still haven't used almost any of it
I bought a new laptop in March when my old one died and got a new one with the 8.1 update. However, I mainly use it for the operating system only and excepting the photo/file viewing and video viewing aspects, I just have not had any need to be bothered to use any of the Windows programming (much of which I deem second-rate). Thankfully I was able to turn off many of the tiles that were sucking up my data with their relentless but unnecessary updating to unwanted tiles. I also removed nearly all of them from the "Modern" interface leaving only seven that I might possibly find useful in the future (and all of those are related to the computer manufacturer and my security system and only Windows help).
p.s. I work on an iPad for my job and can say, with confidence, that tablets and their touch screens just suck. The buttons are often too small to touch accurately and there is a great risk of changing screens because the touch is too sensitive during the scrolling process. They're not even that great for watching videos because the speaker points away from the back of the device and away from you. So, Windows attempt to design for the improbably popular tablets half-baked if you ask me.
p.s. I work on an iPad for my job and can say, with confidence, that tablets and their touch screens just suck. The buttons are often too small to touch accurately and there is a great risk of changing screens because the touch is too sensitive during the scrolling process. They're not even that great for watching videos because the speaker points away from the back of the device and away from you. So, Windows attempt to design for the improbably popular tablets half-baked if you ask me.
The hate for Win 8
One one hand this doesn't surprise me. My first look at Win8 was the developer release and I thought for sure it was going to die in alpha and there was no way Microsoft would actually release such a poorly thought out UI. Then I played with it long enough to get used to it. I still didn't love it but it was less clunky than my first impression. Now I'm running 8.1 and aside from the occasional "oops, I wanted the desktop version of that app" I have no problems. It is a bit odd jumping out to the Metro UI to launch apps but I have my home screen setup and organized so that I can find all my apps very quickly and it's actually faster than opening folders on the Win 7 Start Menu. I will say the one thing that really annoys me is remote control of Server 2008+ boxes. With no Start button it gets painful trying to hot key to open the home screen or launch apps. I'm not sure that was thought out all.
Re: The hate for Win 8
Having recently purchase a Spilt, I have been introduced to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ( which makes me wonder why MS just didn't wait to release 8.1 in the first place ? ) Oh yeah, shareholders.
Anyway, it has taken some adjustment and the frustration that comes along with it. I now use it for very simple things like browsing and the occasional document. It looks like I might have to use it more than I intended as my Mac Book Pro is running hot and the Split is just fine.
Hopefully I can get my Mac to cool down, otherwise I will become a Windows 8.1 expert against my will.
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7/7/2014 | 9:43:25 AM