Windows 8 -my verdict

[Ian]

[patmoore]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Ian, you're one of the few who have had anything positive to say about it. You're certainly more tech savvy than most. Typical users find it a major step back in their computer experience. The folks who come to me for computer guidance are (like me) elderly and don't need the aggravation of learning such a radically different operating system.

Last month I needed to burn some DVDs of a movie I created from wedding shots and was astonished to learn that Microsoft thinks we no longer need to have that capability.

Among family members and friends who have purchased the system the response has been 100% thumbs down. Even the 8.1 upgrade doesn't replicate the true start button. I've found the system manageable with Start8 from Stardock. Amazing that a system that cost billions to produce and market can only be made functional for a significant number of users with the addition of a $5 app. Certainly there are proponents out there and the numbers may grow over time but this article echoes my sentiments.

A simple solution is to issue an optional Service Patch that replaces Windows 8 with Windows 7. I'd opt for that in a heartbeat.

[escallonia]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Hello Ian I found your information about windows 8 very interesting. I have had windows 8 now for some time in fact when it first came out when you recommended it. I have noticed that I am getting adverts in my email I have browser 10 Microsoft these are separate to the e mails that contain the text.
I am quite happy with using the mouse although I do have a touch screen.
I run windows essentials also run super anti spy software the shut down is no problem. regards John.

[Ian]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Maybe I'm not as sensitive as most - I am an optimist at heart and I can understand why Microsoft has done what they did. I think the mistake they made is forcing the Metro interface on users by default and dropping or hiding too many neat features from Windows 7. However, I do like some of the new features in Windows 8 a lot and I think plug and play printer support, for example, is now excellent. I didn't need to do anything - the OS identified the printer on our home network and found the driver and installed it without me even noticing. So there is a lot to like, but I can understand why some will be annoyed with what Microsoft has done.

Ian

Ian, you're one of the few who have had anything positive to say about it. You're certainly more tech savvy than most. Typical users find it a major step back in their computer experience. The folks who come to me for computer guidance are (like me) elderly and don't need the aggravation of learning such a radically different operating system.

Last month I needed to burn some DVDs of a movie I created from wedding shots and was astonished to learn that Microsoft thinks we no longer need to have that capability.

Among family members and friends who have purchased the system the response has been 100% thumbs down. Even the 8.1 upgrade doesn't replicate the true start button. I've found the system manageable with Start8 from Stardock. Amazing that a system that cost billions to produce and market can only be made functional for a significant number of users with the addition of a $5 app. Certainly there are proponents out there and the numbers may grow over time but this article echoes my sentiments.

A simple solution is to issue an optional Service Patch that replaces Windows 8 with Windows 7. I'd opt for that in a heartbeat.

[David M]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

I've just been moved to a different office at work and had to leave the computer behind. So I've gone from Windows 7 pro with 16 gigs of RAM to an ancient machine running XP with 1 gig of RAM.

I quite liked Windows 7, the first version I'd be prepared to run at home.

[Ian]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

I've just been moved to a different office at work and had to leave the computer behind. So I've gone from Windows 7 pro with 16 gigs of RAM to an ancient machine running XP with 1 gig of RAM.

I quite liked Windows 7, the first version I'd be prepared to run at home.

That's progress for you, David!



Ian

[John Houghton]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

The missing Start button (the "Orb") is easily restored by installing one of the third party products such as Start8 and Classic Shell. I use Start8 and boot directly into desktop mode. The look and feel is then pretty much the same as Windows 7. It's not practical to stay in desktop mode permanently, as some popular applications come as tile versions - e.g. the Adobe Reader program for reading PDF files. It's therefore handy to know that you can exit from the tiled app by moving the cursor to the top of the screen where the cursor will change to a hand icon, and drag down to the bottom of the screen.

The Start button has been restored in Windows 8.1, but all it does is take you to the Start screen in tiles mode, but Start8 can still be installed to give the same functionality as Windows 7, which I prefer.

John

[John Perriment]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Seems that once you know what you are doing (that counts me out) it's perfectly possible to work around the issues with Windows 8 but it does beg the question, "should this be necessary?"

When my machine eventually dies, hopefully by then Windows 9 will be out, essentially reverting to an improved Windows 7. Failing this, I should be able to pick up a fairly cheap Windows 7 machine secondhand, or follow David M's lead by going back to XP! Even Vista isn't so bad once you find a way of disabling the stupid gadgets and learn to exercise patience when it crashes!

[Pol]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Seems that once you know what you are doing (that counts me out) it's perfectly possible to work around the issues with Windows 8 but it does beg the question, "should this be necessary?"

When my machine eventually dies, hopefully by then Windows 9 will be out, essentially reverting to an improved Windows 7. Failing this, I should be able to pick up a fairly cheap Windows 7 machine secondhand, or follow David M's lead by going back to XP! Even Vista isn't so bad once you find a way of disabling the stupid gadgets and learn to exercise patience when it crashes!

You can still configure and buy a new machine with Windows 7.

Have a look HERE for a machine (PC, laptop, all-in-one, mini PC) built to your own specifications and Windows 7 is still one of their options. It's a UK company and they get some excellent reviews. They also have their own forums - scroll down the home page to find their forums link.

Pol

[David M]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

I must admit to be surprised how nice Windows 7.was. They still haven't moved anyone into the office I vacated but I was only using it as there wasn't anyway of hooking up a computer in the room they gave me for an office when I started the new job nearly 4 months ago.
Using an ancient XP machine isn't a big deal for me, all I use it for is e-mail and uploading photos to the company server.

[John Perriment]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

You can still configure and buy a new machine with Windows 7.

Have a look HERE for a machine (PC, laptop, all-in-one, mini PC) built to your own specifications and Windows 7 is still one of their options. It's a UK company and they get some excellent reviews. They also have their own forums - scroll down the home page to find their forums link.

Pol

Thanks for the link, Pol, what a dazzling aray of options, I wouldn't know where to start. I'm hoping I don't have to replace my computer anytime soon but when I do, sadly my choice will be led by whatever is cheapest at the time rather than specification.

[Pol]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

Thanks for the link, Pol, what a dazzling aray of options, I wouldn't know where to start. I'm hoping I don't have to replace my computer anytime soon but when I do, sadly my choice will be led by whatever is cheapest at the time rather than specification.

It's good innit! Very impressive selection and with good support by the looks of things.

My desktop suddenly died just before Christmas and I didn't want Win 8 so I've been plodding along with a couple of Lenovo laptops ever since (one 15" the other 17.3"). They're pretty good but I'm longing for another desktop with a decent screen.

Our eldest son has offered to help me configure one but I'm stalling because clearing the winter energy bill, servicing and MOTs on car and campervan and endless other expenses keep 'getting in the way'.

In other words - I'm a tight-fisted old tart.

Pol

[patmoore]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

I put together a short video shortly after trying Windows 8. For users like me the present iteration is useless. My hat's off to anyone who can use it in its current form.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RpbC7DaMFw"]Windows 8[/ame]

[John Houghton]

[norn iron]

Re: Windows 8 -my verdict

I've been using windows 8 since it first came out and found no difficulty in moving from windows 7.
I'm 78 years old and wouldn't say that I was all that computer literate but I found it real easy to use.
I use it with Lightroom for image editing and generally surfing the web.


Ken C