Author Topic: Holy Tablet OS... I mean Windows 8 (Read 1554 times)

vicious796 · « **on:** March 01, 2012, 02:39:45 AM »

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

What a miserable and bloated piece of crap that looks like. This one may finally push me over the edge.

halfelite · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2012, 02:52:04 AM »

What is wrong with it. You dont have to use Metro you can run it like a normal desktop

NaRu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2012, 05:43:27 AM »

its something I most likely wont get right away but I don't think its crap though.

GoGeTa006 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:20:02 AM »

bleh. . . it doesnt look bad but its not something I'd really want to get my hands on unless Microsoft fucks us all up with some new DirectX version X.XX that can only run on Windows 8. . .

but yeah it seems like they were fapping to touch screens for a while. . .

(click to show/hide)

halfelite · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:34:59 AM »

In os that works on any tablet/phone/desktop it is the ultimate winner if it looks and acts the same across all, And more and more people are buying touchscreen for desktops now to. If the arm builds of win8 are like the x86 it will be a nice

tyrionlannister · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2012, 08:37:44 AM »

Microsoft already said that x86 apps cannot be ported or run under the arm version of Win8, so Win8 ARM may look similar to Win8 x86, but functionally it will only be a glorified Ios or Android equivalent.

Freedom Kira · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:54:26 AM »

The developer's preview has been out for at least half a year. It's relatively stable for something that's supposed to be under development, and even has Windows Updates going for it. I tried it briefly. The interface is weird at first but it's not too bad once you get the hang of it. Learning to use the interface is just as difficult as learning to use any new interface.

It is built like it's for tablets, but there is some functionality that doesn't work so well without a mouse. It's very odd in that respect.

You can use it like a desktop, yes, but the Start menu is gone. Instead, clicking where the Start button normally is takes you to the Metro screen. That's quite a pain. I'm not sure if Microsoft will change that when they start rolling out the OS. The desktop is identical to Windows 7, and is actually just another app.

There are numerous applications built-in that make the whole experience better though, like the RSS reader, which is pretty well-done IMO.

I remember there was a rumor about Windows 8 having virtualization support for all older versions of Windows to allow seamless legacy support. Anyone know if that's still true?

rkruger · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2012, 04:42:19 PM »

Quote from: GoGeTa006 on March 01, 2012, 07:20:02 AM

unless Microsoft fucks us all up with some new DirectX version X.XX that can only run on Windows 8. . .

They've done it before, and they will do it again. Those bastards.

halfelite · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2012, 05:56:43 PM »

Quote from: tyrionlannister on March 01, 2012, 08:37:44 AM

Microsoft already said that x86 apps cannot be ported or run under the arm version of Win8, so Win8 ARM may look similar to Win8 x86, but functionally it will only be a glorified Ios or Android equivalent.

That is true but more and more companies would have incentive to build both x86 and arm ports of their app, Even more so in the business world,

AnimeJanai · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2012, 06:09:47 PM »

They're making it harder and harder for hackers to run their x86 unsigned programs. When the hacking programs are all required to use only authorized signed system-provided code, then a lot of hacking will fall by the wayside.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2012, 07:59:15 PM »

I think I may download it and try it out but it just looks so fugly. I'm actually really unhappy about this shift in desktop computing to mimic a mobile interface. Even Ubuntu has gone that route now with the replacement of GNOME with UNITY. I firmly believe that the classic desktop style layout is a far more efficient interface for an actual computer. I understand the need to create a cohesive ecosystem for mobile and x86 computing but I don't think sharing the interface is the best way to do it. Are we as consumers really so stupid we can't handle having to learn two separate interfaces which are already extremely intuitive to learn?

Quote from: halfelite on March 01, 2012, 07:34:59 AM

In os that works on any tablet/phone/desktop it is the ultimate winner if it looks and acts the same across all, And more and more people are buying touchscreen for desktops now to. If the arm builds of win8 are like the x86 it will be a nice

What's wrong with Windows 7 on a touchscreen? I've used it and seems to work rather efficiently in terms of the touch aspect. I've also used Ubuntu on a touchscreen using GNOME and it works fine. I don't understand this need to switch to a mobile interface on the desktop simply to make it easier to use with a touchscreen. The current operating systems on the market work just fine. Everything is being dumbed down for the masses and I don't think they are as stupid as these companies think they are.

Luckily I use Linux 95% of the time but I do have a need to boot into Win 7 sometimes. When I am finally forced to move to Win 8 (and trust me, they will find a way to force you like by making only the latest Direct X run on it) I will do whatever I can to disable the metro interface and restore a Win 7 interface. I'm sure there will be plenty of tweaks online to get that done.

lapa321 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2012, 06:48:07 AM »

What i'm looking forward to is seeing how Windows8 ARM edition would handle something like this.

A phone has no difference hardware wise from a tablet. Aside from the obviously big screen, they've got the same CPU, GPU, Storage medium, Wifi, GPS, etc. The transformer tablet can plug into a keyboard dock. But an android laptop isn't quite in the same league as a netbook simply because it's hard to integrate android into your homenetwork unlike windows which has a pretty impressive network suite built in and ready to go. Heck, you can probably just buy a docking station and turn your phone into a nettop.

Will Windows 8 ARM be robust enough to handle transitioning between a Nettop, Netbook, a Tablet, and a Phone?

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:33:10 AM »

Quote from: lapa321 on March 07, 2012, 06:48:07 AM

But an android laptop isn't quite in the same league as a netbook simply because it's hard to integrate android into your homenetwork unlike windows which has a pretty impressive network suite built in and ready to go. Heck, you can probably just buy a docking station and turn your phone into a nettop.

Will Windows 8 ARM be robust enough to handle transitioning between a Nettop, Netbook, a Tablet, and a Phone?

Well, first of all as far as the network integration, of course a full fledged OS has an advantage over a mobile OS. However, compare Windows to Linux and Windows is clearly at a disadvantage in terms of security. However, MS has market share advantage. In terms of technology, Linux and Unix have a clear advantage but MS owns the majority of the market. This is a critical junction point for MS. The direction of personal computing is changing and pure market share advantage may not be enough. This is a purely experimental stage in personal computing where technological superiority and ease of use may ultimately make or break any OS company. Consider this a potential reboot of the industry if you will...

Ubuntu is trying to promote the same concept. They are attempting to run a fully functional OS that caters to both mobile and desktop users on a mobile device using a dock to turn the phone into a computing powerhouse. I think the general concept for both MS and Ubuntu (possibly the the majority of the Linux community) as well is good, but the method of implementation is poor. I think the whole concept of "seamless" computing is going to turn into quite the awkward affair. But maybe I'm being a pessimist and a tad old fashioned when it comes to efficient computing

.

I really feel the future of computing should be the integration of mobile and desktop devices through seamless and transparent syncing/sharing of various services, files, media, and programs and not simply interfaces/gui.Sharing of interfaces/gui just makes things more complicated as both mobile and desktop systems are uniquely different environments and require different approaches.

iindigo · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2012, 03:57:53 AM »

I tried it in a virtual machine… while it was pleasantly fast and responsive, the metro start screen is hella awkward. Maybe not so much on some tiny laptop or tablet, but a 2560x1440 start menu stretched across a 27" screen is nothing short of stupid. All I got to say is that Microsoft is really shooting themselves in the foot if they don't allow you to go back to the classic start menu if desired.

Also, the metro UI theme for the classic windows desktop is… blah. Reminds me of windows 3.1. Metro looks good as a touch-tile interface and pretty terrible everywhere else.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:47:27 AM »

Please delete this double post...

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:50:54 AM »

Quote from: iindigo on March 15, 2012, 03:57:53 AM

I tried it in a virtual machine… while it was pleasantly fast and responsive, the metro start screen is hella awkward. Maybe not so much on some tiny laptop or tablet, but a 2560x1440 start menu stretched across a 27" screen is not thing short of stupid. All I got to say is that Microsoft is really shooting themselves in the foot if they don't allow you to go back to the classic start menu if desired.

Also, the metro UI theme for the classic windows desktop is… blah. Reminds me of windows 3.1. Metro looks good as a touch-tile interface and pretty terrible everywhere else.

In other words they are abandoning their traditional user-base in favor of what "they" consider to be the "future' of modern day computing. I'm not "anit-Microsoft" in terms of a general business practice, however, in terms of practical application I am pure Linux. That said, I feel Microsoft is about to alienate their core user-base (as is Ubuntu) and this could be a turning point for the industry. This could be the moment where a new company introduces an OS that redefines what modern day consumer computing is. In other words, all those people who are so anti-monopolistic will be proven wrong in that even a so-called-monopoly is only as good as the competition (no matter how powerful a so called monopoly is). Innovation always wins in the end when it can compete on its true merits. Just wait until someone with capital realizes the flaw in which MS and fragments of the Linux community are heading who can introduce radical changes in a new OS but yet retain familiarity. I do imagine it will be Linux based as it offers superior security. Hopefully, they will be able to take advantage of this shift and improve gaming and commercial software compatibility.

krumm · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2012, 05:31:52 PM »

People always say Linux on the desktop is coming and will gain share, but sry they are full of shit. Linux is great for servers, but for the normal user it is a useless complicated mess. I like what Linux does and is about, but until it gets oem support with warranty's and tech support Windows and Apple win.

Now for the topic Windows 8 in its current form is crap and will get the vista treatment. The people that care will go backwards to win 7 and the ones that don't will suffer with it. There will also be the ones that like the crap and don't care. Microsoft is not going anyware no matter how bad windows 8 is. They will just fix it in win 9

rkruger · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2012, 06:34:31 PM »

Quote from: krumm on March 15, 2012, 05:31:52 PM

Linux is great for servers, but for the normal user it is a useless complicated mess.

You completely forgot about embedded systems.
(That includes phones, and possibly tablets, depending on how you look at it.)

Quote from: krumm on March 15, 2012, 05:31:52 PM

People always say Linux on the desktop is coming and will gain share, but sry they are full of shit.

But it doesn't matter, because the traditional "desktop" market as we know it, is fading.
It's expected that phones and tablets will make inroads on that market. Why do you think Microsoft is focusing on a tablet interface for Win8 anyway?

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2012, 07:25:06 PM »

Quote from: krumm on March 15, 2012, 05:31:52 PM

People always say Linux on the desktop is coming and will gain share, but sry they are full of shit. Linux is great for servers, but for the normal user it is a useless complicated mess.

If you ask me Windows on the desktop is complete mess to due its incredibly poor security and need for constant maintenance to maintain consistent performance.

Linux on the desktop is easier to use then it has ever been and overall is very stable. Once installed (which is incredibly easy thanks to the wonderful installers present with most distros) you can pretty much just let update on its own and go on with your life. With distros such as Mint the general user may not even have to touch the command line.

Have you seen the the vast amount of free software available for Linux? There is a Linux equivalent for just about every Windows application, most free and open source.

Stable, secure, generally easy to use, free and open source apps, and the OS itself is free and open source. I fail to see how that qualifies as useless?

iindigo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2012, 01:52:48 AM »

In a nutshell, Linux isn't a fit for general consumers until:

1) You guys agree on some standards. Variety is good, but it's possible to have too much of anything.
2) You no longer need to use the command line for anything, ever. Period. I don't mind CLI and use it all the time on OS X, but to the general consumer it's just that scary thing hackers use on bad computer movies.
3) You no longer have to go diving for random config files when something breaks.

And while it isn't strictly required, gaining widespread support from commercial software vendors would do wonders for the adoption of various Linux distributions.