Anyone use Windows 8?

[cmore]

"And yes, when TV went digital, and I had to have a converter box, or a new TV, I removed the TV, and honestly, I have not missed it. I know"

A least your interface with the TV remained unchanged. They did not make u learn a completely new interface to watch tv. And a converter box allowed u to continue to use your TV with out buying a new TV.

 

[TripleR]

Reading this thread has become quite entertaining - lol.

Listen, Win 8 is different. It was meant to be. There is a learning curve - so learn. This stuff is not rocket science but you may have to spend a few hours to get the basics and you will continue to discover useful things as you move along. Some have said it performed poorly - not so. It runs great. This goes back to my earlier post of using the proper hardware. A system can never be too fast but it can easily be too slow. In short - buy power.

I preferred the traditional interface of Win 7 and, yes, Win 8 will remain quirky until all the apps are designed to run in Metro. But, did you quit using phones when they went to touch-tone? Quit watching TV when it required a cable box or a dish?

Oh come on Egbert, if it was as great as you proclaim and as easy to use this thread would not be so lopsided, some of us may be "old codgers", but that doesn't mean we are new to computing or change, just not change for change sake and change that makes our lives and computing more complicated rather than easier.

Like many others, I started back in the days of DOS and I was actually a bit earlier and my first computer didn't even have a hard drive, all programs were on disks. We are not a bunch of Luddites, we just simply don't find Windows 8 to be a good, user friendly system.

 

[cmore]

Oh come on Egbert, if it was as great as you proclaim and as easy to use this thread would not be so lopsided, some of us may be "old codgers", but that doesn't mean we are new to computing or change, just not change for change sake and change that makes our lives and computing more complicated rather than easier.

Like many others, I started back in the days of DOS and I was actually a bit earlier and my first computer didn't even have a hard drive, all programs were on disks. We are not a bunch of Luddites, we just simply don't find Windows 8 to be a good, user friendly system.

Well stated.

PS Dos was great as compared to the system I first used.

 

[daveshoot]

I've only used 8 so far on user machines I was supporting remotely. While I recognize that anything new has a learning curve, I didn't see any advantages to it, and found the new concealment of key functions (like file explorer) irritating. I also don't think the ribbons added much to Office apps, although they are just a different way of doing the same things.

They seem to think the way to "simplify" the Windows experience is to hide anything complex. Since this doesn't really simplify anything, it actually makes it harder to get at the under the hood stuff you need to really do things.

I think 7 is the best they've done so far. My big ol' PC at home still has the Vista it came with, because I am too cheap to pay the upgrade. The one before that came with ME (Millenium), and I couldn't upgrade that POS soon enough.

 

[Egbert]

Just for clarification, I'm not advocating for Win 8. My only point is, if you enjoy/use technology, at some point, you will have to face a learning curve. Win 8 may not be your deal, and may not be the reason for you to move forward - but - perhaps Win 9 or something as yet unheard of will be. Just as an aside, Linux is great but don't think the move will be without a HUGE learning curve - especially for those who grew up with the DOS command structure.

I've worked with computers since 1973, starting with large-scale IBM mainframes and ended my last 20 years managing a citywide network. Believe me, I didn't like everything that came along. I was able to avoid certain things but there was always the "un"avoidable that forced me to dig in and figure it out.

I don't live for technology but I do adapt when necessary or useful. In fact, I just got my first smartphone about 30 days ago. I don't like smartphones because they are too big and too expensive - but, I finally couldn't avoid the need for some of the features. Spent the evening punching around on it ... good to go.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by my remarks. I just wanted to toss in another point of view.

 

[RobertN]

Neither do the IX machines. My wife had a Sparc that ran for three years between power down/reboot. And then, it was shut down to move it.

Oh, ok.. Another 'Apples never break or get virus' post'...

 

[Midniteoyl]

To me MS is blowing a big advantage of windows Vs Mac by keeping compatibility with older software where as Mac required new hardware to run almost every new operating system.

Really? You dont remember the uproar over having to upgrade almost everything to go XP then... There's a reason MS tries to do some legacy stuff.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Just for clarification, I'm not advocating for Win 8. My only point is, if you enjoy/use technology, at some point, you will have to face a learning curve. Win 8 may not be your deal, and may not be the reason for you to move forward - but - perhaps Win 9 or something as yet unheard of will be. Just as an aside, Linux is great but don't think the move will be without a HUGE learning curve - especially for those who grew up with the DOS command structure.

I've worked with computers since 1973, starting with large-scale IBM mainframes and ended my last 20 years managing a citywide network. Believe me, I didn't like everything that came along. I was able to avoid certain things but there was always the "un"avoidable that forced me to dig in and figure it out.

I don't live for technology but I do adapt when necessary or useful. In fact, I just got my first smartphone about 30 days ago. I don't like smartphones because they are too big and too expensive - but, I finally couldn't avoid the need for some of the features. Spent the evening punching around on it ... good to go.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by my remarks. I just wanted to toss in another point of view.

Ya.. I love hearing how Win8 (or, XP.. remember when NO ONE liked XP and the 'Start Button' in the first place? ) is too complicated and switching to Linux is gonna be great! Haha.. Nope. Think you need to learn in Win8? Be prepared for Linux..

And for those that complain MS is trying to 'hide stuff' to make it 'easier'? Can you say Mac OS?

 

[Midniteoyl]

Egbert - which phone did you get? Please say a WinPhone8

 

[MossRoad]

Because there would be 6 different versions just in the US.. .. Best thing in the world is to NOT build in Cell service..

If you have to travel, each additional device you have to carry and maintain becomes a hassle and a liability. I can take an iPad over the cell network to connect to my systems with a VPN and drive the whole plant from my tractor. I can also make and recieve phone calls on an iPad. I can't do that with a Surface. Both are similar in price. And the iPad weighs less.

 

[MossRoad]

I bought a new laptop with 8 installed. I had it configured to work like XP. A friend did it for me, so don't ask me how to do it. It took me an hour to figure out how to shut down 8.

Push the power button.

W8 will shut itself and all programs down nicely with one push of the power button. You may have to set the power button options in your control center, but that's what we did on the surface and a PC that we have that has W8. That feature has been around at least since XP.

 

[aczlan]

Installed Windows 8.1 on a Virtual Machine. Once I installed the classic start menu (making it look like 7) and the usual programs (Chrome, Firefox, Acrobat, 7zip, Notepad++, etc) its not too bad. Might switch to 8 when it comes time to reformat my Win 7 laptop (I have licenses for 8 through school).

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Push the power button.
W8 will shut itself and all programs down nicely with one push of the power button. You may have to set the power button options in your control center, but that's what we did on the surface and a PC that we have that has W8. That feature has been around at least since XP.

You can also set it to hibernate the computer when the power button is pushed. Less risky with small kids who like to push buttons...

Aaron Z

 

[Egbert]

Egbert - which phone did you get? Please say a WinPhone8

Samsung Galaxy S4

 

[MossRoad]

A little while back my father asked me to upgrade his systems to Windows 8 - he thought it would be great. After putting it on, he hated it, hard to find things, not intuitive, and lots of little issues with programs/antivirus, etc... Ended up deleting and restoring his laptop to the org. configuration - he is happy again.
Windows 8 reminded me why we have all Mac machines in our house. I NEVER have to fix or deal with issue on my wife's or kids computers anymore. I can't figure out what to do with all my free time anymore.......

We have several dozen Macs at work. They have just as many problems in a production environment as our PCs. . Also, if you really need deep Mac support in a production environment, good luck with that. There aren't many Mac gurus out there compared to Windows gurus.

 

[MossRoad]

OK, now I know many of you will find this amusing, but my cell phone is over 10 years old. It still makes the calls, lets folks leave messages, and lets me retrieve those messages from voicemail. I've seen no need to "upgrade" to a phone that has features that I would not use. I do not text or surf the web, while driving, and spend a lot of my time on the road. For internet, I am more comfortable with a laptop, or even a desktop.

And yes, when TV went digital, and I had to have a converter box, or a new TV, I removed the TV, and honestly, I have not missed it. I know, I am in the minority here, but change for the sake of just getting the "latest", is a bit silly, for some of us. :2cents:

You know, I used to laugh at people that used GPS. The Boy Scout in me just said "Read a map, you idiot". Then I played with a GPS last summer. Guess what? Its a map. Its a whole lotta map in a box. A generally really good map, and a heck of a lot easier than folding up that piece of paper over and over again. And its a talking map. So you don't even have to look at it. And it tells you how fast you're going, how far you have to go, how far you have gone, what time you can expect to be there, etc....

As for cell phone, my employer gave us iPhones. If I'm out in the woods and see a plant, I can look it up in my hand. Or a bird, or a bug. Or a restaurant, cause you might get hungry in the woods.

I generally agree that change for the sake of getting the latest is stupid, but a lot of the new technology is just fascinating AND useful.I feel sorry for folks that are baffled by credit card gas pumps and roundabouts. And having a library at your fingertips is just a huge luxury. My wife hated technology. Last year she won a Kindle at a convention. Can't get her off it now. She downloads books from the library, converses with the kid at college several times a day and generally keeps up with current events much better now.

 

[MossRoad]

Oh come on Egbert, if it was as great as you proclaim and as easy to use this thread would not be so lopsided, some of us may be "old codgers", but that doesn't mean we are new to computing or change, just not change for change sake and change that makes our lives and computing more complicated rather than easier.

Like many others, I started back in the days of DOS and I was actually a bit earlier and my first computer didn't even have a hard drive, all programs were on disks. We are not a bunch of Luddites, we just simply don't find Windows 8 to be a good, user friendly system.

Disks? You had disks? We had cassette tapes! :laughing:



Here's a little clip for all us old dudes.... enjoy!

 

[aczlan]

We have several dozen Macs at work. They have just as many problems in a production environment as our PCs. . Also, if you really need deep Mac support in a production environment, good luck with that. There aren't many Mac gurus out there compared to Windows gurus.

Heresy , how dare you suggest that there are jobs for which a Mac is not the ideal tool for the job or that it can have problems :rotfl:.

Aaron Z

 

[Midniteoyl]

If you have to travel, each additional device you have to carry and maintain becomes a hassle and a liability. I can take an iPad over the cell network to connect to my systems with a VPN and drive the whole plant from my tractor. I can also make and recieve phone calls on an iPad. I can't do that with a Surface. Both are similar in price. And the iPad weighs less.

iPad isnt a full computer either..

 

[Midniteoyl]

Push the power button.

W8 will shut itself and all programs down nicely with one push of the power button. You may have to set the power button options in your control center, but that's what we did on the surface and a PC that we have that has W8. That feature has been around at least since XP.

Default is that power button will put the computer to Sleep with a push, and to power off with a 4 sec hold.