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BUMP + Windows 8?~
13 years ago
Many people already know I've been using the beta of Windows 8 for a very long time. By very long time, I mean since... January? Or maybe even December of '11.
Its done nothing but improve since~
For those who think its the next vista? Oh my god no. Just no, don't think that. Its better than 7 in my opinion.
For those who SAY its the next vista- ... Take it from a certified geek: Me. It is not the next vista.
Many will either love or hate the new start thing: Metro. Those who love it, love it. There are REASONS to love it. Sure, its better for a tablet- but ya know what? using a mouse doesn't kill it. Those who hate it are those who want the normal start menu back. They complain- but do you really want Microsoft to stick with the same basic design of Windows for its entire life?
Be adventurous.
A few great things about Metro (Windows 8 Start)
-Lock Screen: smooth and simple, giving you an update on how much mail you have, how many skype messages you have, and what time it is- all displaying on a visually appealing picture.
-Live Tiles: Those who are familiar with Windows Phone 7 and up know what these are. Metro is revolved around your apps. Apps like People (which is linked to your facebook, twitter, and really any social site you allow it to link to), Mail, Skype, Music, Games, Xbox/Xbox Companion, ... thats just to name a few. News, Weather... and then whatever you install. These live tiles display updates in real time when you're connected to the internet. They all smoothly slide in new updates on their own tiles, including pictutes.
-Marketplace: FINALLY. Microsoft is really starting to hit it with its own app store. You'll find many useful free apps right off the back. Obviously Skype would be one of them, and Chrome even has its own tile. Among these are Microsoft Office OneNoteNX (Its still pretty fully featured, and its free), Newegg, Amazon, Wikipedia, ...Angry Birds (Ugh, why), ..well, you'll have to just see for yourself. there's at least a thousand apps and counting up QUICKLY.
-Task Manager: Oh, yeah. trust me- those who had any problems with the old one(s) will rest assured that this task manager has practically everything included. Want to manage startup items? Go to task manager. Want to see what app is eating up the most data on your mobile connection? Task manager. Want to see what app is eating up the most RAM through color rather than hunting for that big number? task manager. Want to see every last (important) spec of your system, such as your CPU, Disk, RAM, Net speed, and the like? Task manager. And its ALL user friendly (and more visually appealing)
-Windows Kernel 6.2: Now this doesn't seem like a huge improvement over Windows 7's 6.1 ..at least, looking at the number. Heck, if someone stared at the main desktop of 8 to the one of 7's.. they wouldn't tell the difference. Now tell me, if you had two very similar cars, with one having a better engine inside- could you tell it by looking on the outside? I didn't think so. Windows 8 runs faster, and more efficiently than Windows 7. I'm not lying about this. It also squeezes damn near another hour out of my battery without lowering the settings. Again, efficient <3
-COMPATABILITY: << There's nothing to say here. I mean, unlike migrating XP to Vista.. Migrating from 7 to 8 is nothing. I really mean it. Virtually EVERYTHING is immediately compatible. (Don't get me started on saying your game doesn't work, I've found three games that didn't work so far- and most of those games used those damn bugged anti-hack tools. Thus, it things Windows 8 isn't what it is, and shuts your game down)
There's much more, but I just.. oh, right.
PRICE: Windows 8 is currently..$39.00 for the upgrade. Buying a backup disc is only $15 more. Yeah. Again, worth every penny and more. Don't wait around for too long, you'll pay the full price come January, which is going to be $99 I believe. Maybe more.
Anyways, I was gonna type more- which I will, but im about to pass out. its 4am. ;~;
You guys stay awesome <3
~Sparky
Its done nothing but improve since~
For those who think its the next vista? Oh my god no. Just no, don't think that. Its better than 7 in my opinion.
For those who SAY its the next vista- ... Take it from a certified geek: Me. It is not the next vista.
Many will either love or hate the new start thing: Metro. Those who love it, love it. There are REASONS to love it. Sure, its better for a tablet- but ya know what? using a mouse doesn't kill it. Those who hate it are those who want the normal start menu back. They complain- but do you really want Microsoft to stick with the same basic design of Windows for its entire life?
Be adventurous.
A few great things about Metro (Windows 8 Start)
-Lock Screen: smooth and simple, giving you an update on how much mail you have, how many skype messages you have, and what time it is- all displaying on a visually appealing picture.
-Live Tiles: Those who are familiar with Windows Phone 7 and up know what these are. Metro is revolved around your apps. Apps like People (which is linked to your facebook, twitter, and really any social site you allow it to link to), Mail, Skype, Music, Games, Xbox/Xbox Companion, ... thats just to name a few. News, Weather... and then whatever you install. These live tiles display updates in real time when you're connected to the internet. They all smoothly slide in new updates on their own tiles, including pictutes.
-Marketplace: FINALLY. Microsoft is really starting to hit it with its own app store. You'll find many useful free apps right off the back. Obviously Skype would be one of them, and Chrome even has its own tile. Among these are Microsoft Office OneNoteNX (Its still pretty fully featured, and its free), Newegg, Amazon, Wikipedia, ...Angry Birds (Ugh, why), ..well, you'll have to just see for yourself. there's at least a thousand apps and counting up QUICKLY.
-Task Manager: Oh, yeah. trust me- those who had any problems with the old one(s) will rest assured that this task manager has practically everything included. Want to manage startup items? Go to task manager. Want to see what app is eating up the most data on your mobile connection? Task manager. Want to see what app is eating up the most RAM through color rather than hunting for that big number? task manager. Want to see every last (important) spec of your system, such as your CPU, Disk, RAM, Net speed, and the like? Task manager. And its ALL user friendly (and more visually appealing)
-Windows Kernel 6.2: Now this doesn't seem like a huge improvement over Windows 7's 6.1 ..at least, looking at the number. Heck, if someone stared at the main desktop of 8 to the one of 7's.. they wouldn't tell the difference. Now tell me, if you had two very similar cars, with one having a better engine inside- could you tell it by looking on the outside? I didn't think so. Windows 8 runs faster, and more efficiently than Windows 7. I'm not lying about this. It also squeezes damn near another hour out of my battery without lowering the settings. Again, efficient <3
-COMPATABILITY: << There's nothing to say here. I mean, unlike migrating XP to Vista.. Migrating from 7 to 8 is nothing. I really mean it. Virtually EVERYTHING is immediately compatible. (Don't get me started on saying your game doesn't work, I've found three games that didn't work so far- and most of those games used those damn bugged anti-hack tools. Thus, it things Windows 8 isn't what it is, and shuts your game down)
There's much more, but I just.. oh, right.
PRICE: Windows 8 is currently..$39.00 for the upgrade. Buying a backup disc is only $15 more. Yeah. Again, worth every penny and more. Don't wait around for too long, you'll pay the full price come January, which is going to be $99 I believe. Maybe more.
Anyways, I was gonna type more- which I will, but im about to pass out. its 4am. ;~;
You guys stay awesome <3
~Sparky
Though, for the game incompatibility, it's mostly XP era that's been cut out, for the most part. So my fave games won't be compatible without a virtualization of XP on Win 8, sadly.
Roller Coaster Tycoon as well as plenty others I play are also perfectly compatible.
And there is a way to get rid of Metro through a free program called 'Start8'. Its by Stardock Corp. They're most notable for Windows Skinning applications like Windows Blinds and Logon Studio. Not to mention- they also are the maker of their own client as well as Gamestop's client of Impulse. (Essentially: Steam for everyone else)
Start8 replaces Metro until you say otherwise.
And, I've tested some of my programs with it, some work, some don't, especially ones that needed specific drivers (some of the current ones for win8 aren't backwards compatible)
Not trying to sound ragey here
But, I still think that if an OS is offered, a third-party program shouldn't be required to have it run properly (properly for a desktop/laptop w/o a touchscreen, I mean). Especially one from such a reputable company such as Microsoft. Doesn't help that with auto-updating programs, such as an email that notifies you instantly of a new message, tends to increase bandwidth usage, and ~75% of people in my area have bandwidth limits. So those of them with it, are tentative about having higher bandwidth requirements.
Doesn't help that a large group of indie devs are still ignoring it, due to the new restrictions that MS is placing on it's apps store. (what I've heard from the PC indie dev community)
I've tested most of my stuff on the dev copy of Win8, from Dreamspark. I'd run dual-boot of win7 and win8, but I don't like having processes running, that shouldn't be necessary.
Given all that, I'll probably still purchase a copy, with it's rather low price. So long as MS doesn't release a completely separate copy, where Start8 becomes unnecessary, I'll probably be happy.
There's a reason why Metro isn't disabled: Its a part of the OS. Its more than proper, and its more than a feature. You don't need a touch screen to enjoy Metro. It doesn't affect me in any way for instance. Even artist tablets work quite nicely with it. And as for your bandwidth problem, there ARE apps- and even settings in Windows itself- for that. "Don't download/Sync over metered connections"
Drivers aren't quite Microsoft's fault. They make a new OS with a new kernel. The drivers have to do with the technology companies that release them. If they don't wish to support newer Windows versions without you buying a new product... then you'll have to find generic drivers for whatever device you need to run. Microsoft does try their hardest though. If you have something dating too far back, then thats kind of the users fault. They wouldn't make the upgrade if they don't have the right materials.
No, its not a resource hog. The whole 'explorer' process (Local System) including system theme information, Metro, profile information, Application Info, the explorer browser, etc etc- currently is only running 173Mb, and thats with my system running 3 days. I see IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera all run half a gig in only an hour or so of operation. It also barely goes over 1% of CPU on my laptop.
My question is, if Start8 is running, does metro continue running, which is a total waste of resources. And any part of an OS CAN be disabled, with computers anything can be enabled or disabled. Such is shown by the "Pirate" installers for older OS's that would not install IE or WMP, but still allow you to use your legitimate keys to keep the system as a legal version without the needless programs that the standard version "required". (needless being mostly preference based, though IE did have a very nasty reputation, compared to the other browsers)
I have also been fooling around with a copy of win8 that a friend of mines boss allowed me to test programs on (something to do with trying to get EETs to get into working for retail stores). Though he won't allow me to test start8 on it, due to it not being acceptable in a corporate environment.
As far as drivers, I am rather patient, so I can wait to see if legacy systems get support, or if third-party groups create them.
I use it.. or really, used. I loved the tiles too much to keep the original start there.
My tablet: Wacom Bamboo Connect
No difference.
You've also had an upgrade from windows 7 Kasey :I i had to start all over.