4 ms·

Windows Blue will be a free update named Windows 8.1

11 points by Fletch137 13y ago

kunai 13y ago
I don't know why Microsoft insists on putting a touch UI on a desktop OS. There have been similar, more successful attempts at convergence, such as OS X's, Chrome OS', or Ubuntu's approaches, that keep the traditional desktop metaphor in place while simultaneously adding convergence features, and adding options to remove them. As a result of this obstinacy, we have a smattering of wacky Windows 8 "hybrids" that attempt to (poorly) solve a problem that shouldn't have existed in the first place. Touch, plus keyboard, mouse, and full-power CISC chip does not perfection make. A more pressing question would be why would Microsoft make Windows 8 touch-oriented when they already were planning to ship Windows RT anyway. Why wouldn't Windows 8 be a fully desktop-oriented system, and RT the tablet OS? At least Windows 7 is still on sale.
- jagermo 13y ago
  I am using Windows 8 on a non touch notebook for a time now (including the pre-versions). I find that the Modern UI in my daily work is irrelevant, I think of it as full-screen start menu. I wouldn't change back to Windows 7 (and I loved Windows 7, because of the new features (Windows 8 boots and wakes up way faster). In addition, there IS a complete desktop UI in Windows 8 and so far, I can run every program that i was able to run in Windows 7. Interestingly my Winodws 8 usage changed completely when I was reviewing the Lenovo Yoga and the Dell XPS. Both have an additional Tablet-Mode you can switch into. I did most of my work in the desktop mode, using mouse, keyboard etc (not even thinking about the touchscreen). When I surfed (you know, the typical couch scenario) I immediately switched to the modern ui and its apps an browsers, because it was just more comfortable. I'm not sure if I'm the model for every user, but I really liked the idea of having the desktop and the tablet mode available when I need them. I wouldn't want to go back to the One-Size-Fits-All approach.
  - jaxbot 13y ago
    I've always found the Metro UI as a total waste. A lot of people argue that you can just ignore it, because the desktop is still obviously there. This is partially true. But given that you can't disable the hot corners, and the full screen start menu completely interrupts whatever is on the screen at the time you pressed start, I've found that I, personally, am less productive with it. Plus it totally trips my OCD. I've resorted to just using the Windows 7 explorer on top of Windows 8. Speed improvements and latest software, without the unneeded touch mode that my desktop will never use.
- freehunter 13y ago
  I don't know why people insist on making a much bigger deal out of the start screen than it actually is. "I tried it for x time and never got used to it", "it's not make for mouse and keyboard", "they're forcing their app store on you"; all these arguments I hear but never actually experience. I've never needed or wanted a touchscreen with my Windows 8 desktop. A more pressing question is if these conspiracy theories are true, why does using Windows 8 on a desktop on a daily basis feel so much to me like I'm using a better Windows 7? Why does it feel like a straight-line evolution of the traditional desktop OS? If everyone else is only seeing the touch overlay and it's really such a big fucking deal, why am I not having this same issue? My mouse didn't break when I upgraded my OS; it still clicks on the same old desktop programs I've always ran.
  - kunai 13y ago
    Because every damn computer manufacturer out there insists that the only thing that is worth a damn in Windows 8 is the touch interface, when it's the exact opposite. The bean counters always love to do this, even though they haven't the slightest clue how an OS works.
    - freehunter 13y ago
      But it's not the manufacturers that are bothering me. I applaud the wave of innovation (even if it is misguided most of the time) in form factors that Windows 8 has spawned. I've always liked the idea of a tablet with a keyboard dock that would turn the computer into a workstation. Meanwhile desktops and laptops are still selling just like they always have. What's bothering me is the constant complaint I see, every bit as misguided, on every single post related Windows 8. It's the same as on every post related to a Google product, the only thing people talk about is Reader and how they don't trust Google anymore. And the biggest problem is that I'm hearing people who don't read tech news saying that so-and-so told them Windows 8 was only for touch screens and they can't use it. The misinformation campaign is so massive with Windows 8 that I have to believe it's coordinated somewhere. All I want is some legitimate conversation about a subject I'm interested in, but it's completely drowned out by useless and baseless complaints. Every time I see a post complaining about Windows 8, I now wonder if the person is a mindless parrot thinking they're cool for hating on a popular subject or if they're paid by someone. Who? I don't know. I don't care. We get it, you think it's cool to say Windows 8 is only designed for touch screens, even though that's a load of shit. It's been over a year. Either find a new talking point or just shut up and let the conversation move forward. It's not the bean counters. It's not the manufacturers. It's you that I'm pissed at.

11 points by Fletch137 13y ago

kunai 13y ago

I don't know why Microsoft insists on putting a touch UI on a desktop OS. There have been similar, more successful attempts at convergence, such as OS X's, Chrome OS', or Ubuntu's approaches, that keep the traditional desktop metaphor in place while simultaneously adding convergence features, and adding options to remove them. As a result of this obstinacy, we have a smattering of wacky Windows 8 "hybrids" that attempt to (poorly) solve a problem that shouldn't have existed in the first place. Touch, plus keyboard, mouse, and full-power CISC chip does not perfection make. A more pressing question would be why would Microsoft make Windows 8 touch-oriented when they already were planning to ship Windows RT anyway. Why wouldn't Windows 8 be a fully desktop-oriented system, and RT the tablet OS? At least Windows 7 is still on sale.

jagermo 13y ago
I am using Windows 8 on a non touch notebook for a time now (including the pre-versions). I find that the Modern UI in my daily work is irrelevant, I think of it as full-screen start menu. I wouldn't change back to Windows 7 (and I loved Windows 7, because of the new features (Windows 8 boots and wakes up way faster). In addition, there IS a complete desktop UI in Windows 8 and so far, I can run every program that i was able to run in Windows 7. Interestingly my Winodws 8 usage changed completely when I was reviewing the Lenovo Yoga and the Dell XPS. Both have an additional Tablet-Mode you can switch into. I did most of my work in the desktop mode, using mouse, keyboard etc (not even thinking about the touchscreen). When I surfed (you know, the typical couch scenario) I immediately switched to the modern ui and its apps an browsers, because it was just more comfortable. I'm not sure if I'm the model for every user, but I really liked the idea of having the desktop and the tablet mode available when I need them. I wouldn't want to go back to the One-Size-Fits-All approach.
- jaxbot 13y ago
  I've always found the Metro UI as a total waste. A lot of people argue that you can just ignore it, because the desktop is still obviously there. This is partially true. But given that you can't disable the hot corners, and the full screen start menu completely interrupts whatever is on the screen at the time you pressed start, I've found that I, personally, am less productive with it. Plus it totally trips my OCD. I've resorted to just using the Windows 7 explorer on top of Windows 8. Speed improvements and latest software, without the unneeded touch mode that my desktop will never use.
freehunter 13y ago
I don't know why people insist on making a much bigger deal out of the start screen than it actually is. "I tried it for x time and never got used to it", "it's not make for mouse and keyboard", "they're forcing their app store on you"; all these arguments I hear but never actually experience. I've never needed or wanted a touchscreen with my Windows 8 desktop. A more pressing question is if these conspiracy theories are true, why does using Windows 8 on a desktop on a daily basis feel so much to me like I'm using a better Windows 7? Why does it feel like a straight-line evolution of the traditional desktop OS? If everyone else is only seeing the touch overlay and it's really such a big fucking deal, why am I not having this same issue? My mouse didn't break when I upgraded my OS; it still clicks on the same old desktop programs I've always ran.
- kunai 13y ago
  Because every damn computer manufacturer out there insists that the only thing that is worth a damn in Windows 8 is the touch interface, when it's the exact opposite. The bean counters always love to do this, even though they haven't the slightest clue how an OS works.
  - freehunter 13y ago
    But it's not the manufacturers that are bothering me. I applaud the wave of innovation (even if it is misguided most of the time) in form factors that Windows 8 has spawned. I've always liked the idea of a tablet with a keyboard dock that would turn the computer into a workstation. Meanwhile desktops and laptops are still selling just like they always have. What's bothering me is the constant complaint I see, every bit as misguided, on every single post related Windows 8. It's the same as on every post related to a Google product, the only thing people talk about is Reader and how they don't trust Google anymore. And the biggest problem is that I'm hearing people who don't read tech news saying that so-and-so told them Windows 8 was only for touch screens and they can't use it. The misinformation campaign is so massive with Windows 8 that I have to believe it's coordinated somewhere. All I want is some legitimate conversation about a subject I'm interested in, but it's completely drowned out by useless and baseless complaints. Every time I see a post complaining about Windows 8, I now wonder if the person is a mindless parrot thinking they're cool for hating on a popular subject or if they're paid by someone. Who? I don't know. I don't care. We get it, you think it's cool to say Windows 8 is only designed for touch screens, even though that's a load of shit. It's been over a year. Either find a new talking point or just shut up and let the conversation move forward. It's not the bean counters. It's not the manufacturers. It's you that I'm pissed at.