Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: pavane
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 01:23 PM

We have already been receiving calls from people who want Windows 8 removed and Windows 7 reinstalled.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: jacqui.c
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 02:43 PM

I've got 8 and am really missing my Vista. I dislike the side bars that slide out left and right if you move the mouse in that direction to, say, scroll down and which don't want to appear when you want them to. If I click into a photo or a download there doesn't seem to be a close screen to click on and I have to get the side bar to come out to take me back to the icons and then back into Firefox.

That's just for starters. I can only open Word by going into documents, opening something up and then it takes me into Word and I can open up a new document.

While it is faster starting up closing down is a pain in the arse. I have to go onto the icon screen and log off and then wait for a while until the sign on screen comes up and I can then click in the lower right hand corner and, finally, click close down.

Faster machine but the applications are more complicated, which slows everything down.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 03:24 PM

I'll admit there's a bit of a learning curve with Windows 8. For me, it took about 15 minutes, and then I had to teach a couple of staff members how to use it. So when I put it on my own computer, it worked like a charm.
I'm not sure I'll use the "Start" page all that much. The desktop is almost identical to my Windows 7 desktop. The installation process left all the icons and the taskbar icons exactly where they were in Windows 7. I was used to running most programs from the taskbar, so most things operate exactly like they used to.
To access applications that you don't use a lot, right-click a blank spot on the "start" page.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 04:37 PM

Just bought a new secondhand laptop dual-core intel with XP and a full height screen.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: Penny S.
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 06:10 PM

I am so pleased someone recommended me to buy my replacement laptop that I wasn't quite ready for before Win 8 came out. Win 7 seems fine, and I can switch between it and XP with no problems

Don, I know it's a digression, but time for teaching handwriting has been eliminated from timetables. I spent ages trying to undo bad holds in children who had never been shown how to hold writing tools or why, and would say, "but that's the way I've always done it". Why we evolved the opposable thumb is a mystery.

Penny

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: GUEST,JHW(cookie on old computer)
Date: 02 Feb 13 - 04:05 PM

Thumbs are for typing on mobiles (so I observe, don't have one, mobile that is)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: gnu
Date: 08 Feb 13 - 07:49 PM

Haven't read this thread yet but I will. Wanted to post a comment ASAP.

WIN 8 for one week today on a new machine.

I am thoroughly pissed that many things don't work. First and foremost, my ISP's security will not be compatible for several months so I have to pay $ in the meantime (yeah, I know but that's the way it is, eh?). And it snowballs from there. eg... bought an external portable HD that has a WIN 8 sticker on it.... I got my $ back today after the grief. Sounds great but, even tho I am technologically declined, I would wait another 6 months if I had the choice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Feb 13 - 03:17 PM

A new newsletter from PC Advisor reveals a surprising feature of Win8 that new users may want to know can be changed.

According to the article, the default setup is to download and install updates automatically. This is the same (in name) as the preferred setting for earlier versions, but with earlier ones when Windows decided it was time to install and informed you that "updates will be installed in 15 minutes" a simple click told it "not now, I'll tell you when."

For the default setting, when Windows 8 says "updates will be installed in 15 minutes" there's no "waitabit" button, and whatever you're doing will cease and go away if you don't save and get out, since the update will be installed in 15 minutes and you can't stop or delay it.

The instructions say that you can change the settings, with the prefered setting being "download automatically and notify me when updates are ready to be installed."

I'm a little puzzled by the instruction on how to waggle your finger or where and how to swoop your mouse to get to the settings, by the comment (after a couple of steps that say to click on specific commands) that

"Depending on which view you're presented with, go to xxx and do yyy and then zzz, or if kkkk click qqqqq and chose &%^#$@! and choose whatevrthef**."

Ordinarily I'd just post the instructions, but the article has several screen shots that (based on the above simple instruction) may be necessary for some to follow them.

Get the instructions at How to stop Windows 8 installing updates automatically

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 02:17 PM

JiK. Done. Thanks.

Here is the latest Windows Update...

I don't like it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 13 - 11:22 PM

I'm not going to bother with it. I typically skip one between upgrades. I used Win2000Pro for a number of years then XP Pro and now Win7 Ultimate. Win 8 is made for device that don't interest me. I use desktop and laptop computers, not tablets and such.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 02:35 PM

I loathe Windows 8 but it came on my new computer. The "charms bar" is almost the worst thing but even worse than that is that my old (but excellent) laser printer won't work on Windows 8 and so I now have to get a buy (and inferior) ink-jet printer. I just know this is all deliberately done to make people spend more money on replacements of stuff that didn't need replacing.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 05:27 PM

Jane -

Some vendors selling preinstalled Win8 machines were offering a cheap (sometimes free) "downgrade" to Win7. It might be worth checking with the manufacturer's website to see if any such offers are available if that would help you.

Recent Win versions have included a "Run As" option to allow some older equipment to be run "as if" on an earlier version. I don't know whether Win8 includes that sort of capability, but investigation before investment is often a good idea. Someone with Win8 here might be able to offer advice(?) if you don't rush to buy the new hardware.

Checking to see if new "Win8 compatible" drivers for your old printer - from the printer manufacturer - might also find a solution, although if the printer is more than a few models old for the maker that's probably just a faint hope.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 8 - reviews of general release
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 01:08 AM

A newsletter today offered:

"Yes, Windows 8 fell victim to the every-other-version-of-Windows-tanks curse. But surely Microsoft knew that was a possibility all along and is hard at work on an OS that will be to Windows 8 what Windows 7 was to Vista. We can hope, at least. So far, Microsoft is keeping mum about the next version of its Windows desktop operating system, but the usual leaks and rumors have started trickling out. Here's what (we think) we know so far."

For anyone interested, their "analysis" is at:

What Is Windows Blue? (You can kill the ad that pops up when in opens.)

A comment in the linked article is that "If you're not familiar with Windows 8, a laundry list of Windows Blue improvements won't mean much to you, so be sure to read our review of Windows 8 to get up to speed."

I wasn't impressed enough with their "review of Windows 8" to copy the link to here but the link is in the article at the link above. The latest speculation does suggest there's more of the same to come. Those who have already tried out Win8 may be more impressed than I 've been.

John