Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 15th Aug 2012 21:30 UTC
Microsoft has made Windows 8's final release available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, so if you are one of those - have fun. The 90-day trial has also been released, so us mere mortals can have a go at it as well. The evaluation version is Windows 8 Enterprise, so it contains a number of features regular users normally won't see. As far as I can tell - it's a bit unclear - the trial version cannot be upgraded to a final version a few months down the line. Happy testing!
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Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:2005-08-17
"Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish"
Seriously? you have two totally different GUIs running at the same time. You jump between them depending on which app you are running. One of these GUIS is really inconvenient on a desktop PC and its best "feature" is that it shows you less information instead of more on the screen.
Member since:2010-01-11
Member since:2005-07-06
"Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish"
Seriously? you have two totally different GUIs running at the same time. You jump between them depending on which app you are running. One of these GUIS is really inconvenient on a desktop PC and its best "feature" is that it shows you less information instead of more on the screen.
Seriously? you have two totally different GUIs running at the same time. You jump between them depending on which app you are running. One of these GUIS is really inconvenient on a desktop PC and its best "feature" is that it shows you less information instead of more on the screen.
Sorry I should have been more accurate in what I meant by 'fit and finish' - what I meant was in regards to previous releases. Yes, it can be a bit jarring moving between the 'Metro' interface to the traditional desktop but in terms of the desktop theme it is a lot better than the gaudy Windows Vista and the marginally improved Windows 7 appearance but that doesn't take away from the fact that the icons are out of place, the inconsistent usage of different GUI elements from various generations of libraries give a rough experience when compared to using Mac OS X.
I'm back on Mac OS X again and my brief experience has re-enforced why I've a Mac user because the more I used it the more my OCD went crazy to the point that I wanted to punch a box of kittens. Maybe it was my optimism that clouded my judgement but now that I've come down from my 'two day high' having used Windows 8 (used the leaked RTM then tried the 90 day trial) and faced the problems that I initially looked over in my excitement of trying a 'new toy' out.
Member since:2005-11-16
Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish rather than previous releases looking little more than quasi distributions resulting from the haphazard amalgamation of different groups works into a single distribution.
In my opinion Windows 8 has about the worst "fit and finish" of any Windows version released in the last 20 years.
The Windows 8/Metro UI just doesn't fit in alongside the traditional desktop. Using the two together has the feel of an unnatural Frankensteinian creation, patched together from different UIs designed for different purposes.
It's much less consistent, both visually and functionally, than the mix of Classic and Aqua apps back in the early days of Mac OS X. And unlike that situation, Metro/Win8 is too limited to be a full replacement for the desktop. Because of that this inconsistent mix of user interfaces will hang around indefinitely, rather than just being a temporary issue as people transition from the old to the new.
Of course this isn't a big issue if the only Win8/Metro component being used is the Start Screen, but Microsoft seem determined that this restrictive tablet interface is the future of the desktop OS. My main negative reaction to Windows 8 is down to the thought of eventually having to use crippleware full-screen mobile apps on my large screen mouse+keyboard desktop PC.
Member since:2005-07-06
In my opinion Windows 8 has about the worst "fit and finish" of any Windows version released in the last 20 years.
I disagree - Windows Vista had to be the worse; mixture of different elements, different ways the control panel items worked etc.
The Windows 8/Metro UI just doesn't fit in alongside the traditional desktop. Using the two together has the feel of an unnatural Frankensteinian creation, patched together from different UIs designed for different purposes.
True; I think what they're trying to do is create a Metro operating system where by the desktop is the optional extra rather than it being the other way around hence the feeling that the way the desktop operates is as though it is an uninvited guest that really doesn't work well with how Metro operates. One wishes there was a way to fine tune things but alas it appears that Steven Sinofsky 'knows best'.
It's much less consistent, both visually and functionally, than the mix of Classic and Aqua apps back in the early days of Mac OS X. And unlike that situation, Metro/Win8 is too limited to be a full replacement for the desktop. Because of that this inconsistent mix of user interfaces will hang around indefinitely, rather than just being a temporary issue as people transition from the old to the new.
Which is my biggest problem - I don't think Metro will even be able to scale up to handle complex applications like Photoshop or Microsoft Office which leaves me asking what is Microsoft going to offer to desktop application developers? Yes I was lamenting the possible demise of the Mac Pro due to the long refresh cycle but at least one is still confident in Apple not doing something stupid of merging the two operating systems into a single entity. Cross pollination yes, merging no.
Of course this isn't a big issue if the only Win8/Metro component being used is the Start Screen, but Microsoft seem determined that this restrictive tablet interface is the future of the desktop OS. My main negative reaction to Windows 8 is down to the thought of eventually having to use crippleware full-screen mobile apps on my large screen mouse+keyboard desktop PC.
If the move is to kill of win32 and the desktop then God help those customers who are the enterprise, engineers, designers, office workers that integrate data from multiple software packages etc. I only hope that maybe this over attention on Metro is to make up for years of neglect when it comes to tablets and with Windows 9 we'll see a more balanced focus back on desktop applications. I'm hopeful but realistic that Microsoft isn't above making stupid decisions.
Member since:2008-08-27
"Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish rather than previous releases looking little more than quasi distributions resulting from the haphazard amalgamation of different groups works into a single distribution."
Wait, but you just described how Windows 8 feels like. (bold text in the quote above) Jumping from non-Metro to Desktop and back from Desktop to non-Metro feels just that bad.
Windows 8 has a lot going on for it, especially in the performance department, but the user experience is a downgrade compared to Windows 7, unless you are happy with the limited UX from tablets.
Edited 2012-08-16 15:20 UTC
Member since:2006-06-02
I have been quick to disagree with you in the past but I also want to show I can be just as rapid in agreement.
I also find it a pain in the wotsit that people vote one down instead of replying. I also don't get the hysteria.
On the Windows 8 issue itself, I am genuinely undecided - but if what I have read on there being a $40 upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium is true, why not just try it out? It's not much more than the money I have voluntarily donated to Linux Mint in the recent-ish past, so it seems pretty reasonable on the face of it.
Keep posting, naysayers or no!
Member since:2005-07-06
I have been quick to disagree with you in the past but I also want to show I can be just as rapid in agreement.
I also find it a pain in the wotsit that people vote one down instead of replying. I also don't get the hysteria.
On the Windows 8 issue itself, I am genuinely undecided - but if what I have read on there being a $40 upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium is true, why not just try it out? It's not much more than the money I have voluntarily donated to Linux Mint in the recent-ish past, so it seems pretty reasonable on the face of it.
Keep posting, naysayers or no!
I also find it a pain in the wotsit that people vote one down instead of replying. I also don't get the hysteria.
On the Windows 8 issue itself, I am genuinely undecided - but if what I have read on there being a $40 upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium is true, why not just try it out? It's not much more than the money I have voluntarily donated to Linux Mint in the recent-ish past, so it seems pretty reasonable on the face of it.
Keep posting, naysayers or no!
Unfortunately what I've seen online has gone from people disliking some aspects of Windows 8 to the almost fever pitched hysteria by some whose reaction is as though someone had just punched their mother. It is great to have disagreements and dislikes but I think the position by some regarding Windows 8 has blown the problems way out of proportion to the point that I don't think many of these people have a clue on what they're actually raging about - that is, the ability to clearly articulate the problems in a reasonable adult way besides resorting to an online hissy fit.
If I was a Windows user I really can't understand what the hatred is regarding consistency - I mean, if one has put up with 20 years of inconsistency why is there suddenly an expectation in 2012 that after 20 years of it that Microsoft is suddenly going to clean up their GUI and deliver something better? I guess where I stand as a Mac user I spoilt a bit when it comes to the GUI but if I were a Windows user I'd upgrade without too many reservations.
Member since:2012-06-22
Here is the short list:
Infrequently used start menu items
Recent documents
Being forced to boot into the metro
VM hot spot problem
Poor organization of start menu items
And worst of all, the malware Metro screen that animates every time you want to do something simple like search or run a program from the start menu.
But if you spend all day in a browser then you won't notice the difference.
Member since:2008-09-11
"Same here. I wouldn't even run it if they gave me a free copy + $200.
As a Mac user who is tempted to jump ship after giving the 90 day trial an install, I can't work out where what all the hatred is about - honestly. I'm sitting here on my iMac running Windows 8 and sure it is a bit different but holy shitballs the way some people react around here is as though Steve Ballmer with Steven Sinofsky in tow both took pot-shots at your mother. Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish rather than previous releases looking little more than quasi distributions resulting from the haphazard amalgamation of different groups works into a single distribution. "
You see, that's the problem: we are Windows users and this one seems to be a release targeted at Mac users & demographics, that's why we hate it so bad.
Member since:2005-07-06
You see, that's the problem: we are Windows users and this one seems to be a release targeted at Mac users & demographics, that's why we hate it so bad.
Well I admit I am tempted but they would have to go along way before I even consider trading in my iMac and MacBook for a Lenovo Thinkpad and ThinkStation running Windows 8. Unfortunately for Microsoft half baked seems to be in their blood and I don't see it changing - where as Mac users will raise hell if an icon isn't perfectly alined where as in the Windows world it seems that users are happy to allow 20 years of crappy inconsistency be passed off as 'something to be addressed later' but 20 years later not only never actually addressed but amplified in some cases - open up several core GUI components such as the device manager, mouse control panel and Internet Explorer to see what I mean.
Member since:2007-11-11
Challenge accepted.
Oh Windows 8 how do I hate thee? let me count the ways: 1.- Tile UI quickly becomes a mess if you actually install any programs, 2.- Many of the "apps" (oh how I hate that word now) including those by MSFT are low res crap that looks bad even on my 1600x900 widescreen, 3.- Last one I used (CP, haven't had a chance to try it in RTM) you had to fricking download a 200Mb "app" and wanted an XBL account to play freecell... it's fricking freecell not an MMO! 4.-Without touch the UI is clunky as hell, 5.- Locking out the ability to just go to desktop means I'm trapped in TIFKAM (The Interface Formerly Known As Metro) whether i want it or not, 6.-Most of the under the hood changes could be trivially ported to Win 7 but I'm sure they won't, 7.-The new "faster boot" is actually an ugly MSFT hack (hybrid boot) that will cause problems down the line I'm sure, 8.- The MSFT appstore makes GFWL look good, 9.- After installing more than a dozen programs TIFKAM goes so tile crazy that the only way to use the OS is to bypass TIFKAM using the keyboard making the whole new UI completely pointless, 10.-The "one app at a time" full screen garbage wastes too much space and the low res tablet UI design makes it look just nasty as it wastes my monitor.
That enough for ya? If I spend another 30 minutes in Windows "LOL Hai! I IZ A Cellphone now LOL!" I could probably add a dozen more but then I'd probably pull an Elvis on my monitor and I don't want to buy a new one. As one of the poor bastards that will have to support this turkey (Although from the reaction of my customers the only "support" will be in the form of "Kill that ugly thing and put win 7 on!") I'll buy the $40 Win 8 Pro and run it in a VM just to learn how to fix the turd but that is gonna be about as pleasant as Vista with its constant "Cancel/Allow?" broken UAC mess.
Features
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/13/13 14:35 UTC
The third and final WWDC product I want to talk about is - of course - OS X 10.9 Mavericks. While iOS 7 was clearly the focus of this year's WWDC, its venerable desktop counterpart certainly wasn't left behind. Apple announced OS X 10.9 Mavericks, the first OS X release not to carry the name of a big cat.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/11/13 17:07 UTC
We already talked about iOS 7 yesterday (after a night of sleep, it's only looking worse and worse - look at this, for Fiona's sake!), so now it's time to talk about the downright stunning and belly flutters-inducing new Mac Pro. As former owner and huge, huge, huge fan of the PowerMac G4 Cube - I haven't been this excited about an Apple product since, well, I would say the iMac G4. This is the Apple I used to love.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/10/13 23:13 UTC
Apple held its big keynote event thing at WWDC earlier this evening, but since I was away with friends I've had to read up on it later in the evening. The company announced iOS 7, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, and they gave a preview of the new Mac Pro. Especially the Mac Pro impressed me, and while iOS 7's new Holo/Metro-inspired theme looks messy and garish to me, I do commend Apple for finally breaking the mold. This news item will focus on iOS 7 - I'll dive into the Mac Pro and OS X 10.9 tomorrow (it's late here now).
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/08/13 14:57 UTC
And yes, the PRISM scandal is far, far from over. More and more information keeps leaking out, and the more gets out, the worse it gets. The companies involved have sent out official statements - often by mouth of their CEOs - and what's interesting is that not only are these official statements eerily similar to each other, using the same terms clearly designed by lawyers, they also directly contradict new reports from The New York Times. So, who is lying?
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/07/13 11:40 UTC
This story is getting bigger and bigger. Even though most Americans probably already knew, it is now official: the United States government, through its National Security Agency, is collecting the communications and data of all American citizens, and of non-Americans using American services, through a wide collaboration with the large companies in technology, like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and so on. Interestingly enough, the NSA itself, as well as the US government, have repeatedly and firmly denied this massive spying on Americans and non-Americans took place at all.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 06/04/13 12:45 UTC
Ah, patents - the never-ending scourge of the technology industry. Whether wielded by companies who don't actually make any products, or large corporations who abuse them because they can't compete in the market place or because they're simply jerks, they do the industry a huge disservice and are simply plain dangerous. According to The Wall Street Journal (circumvention link), president Obama is about to take several executive actions to address patent trolls - which may seem like a good idea, but I am very worried that all this will do is strengthen the positions of notorious patent system abusers such as Apple and Microsoft.
Linked by nfeske on 05/31/13 10:12 UTC
With version 13.05, the developers of the Genode OS Framework take measures to ensure that Genode continues to scale well with a growing number of users and the steadily broadening platform coverage. Further highlights are the improved SoC support for Exynos 5, OMAP4, Raspberry Pi, i.MX, and new components for realizing headless systems.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/29/13 16:59 UTC
At the D11 conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook once again took the stage to be interviewed by Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. While most of the interview can be replicated by picking and reading 10 random Apple fanblog stories - there were still a number of very interesting things that warrant some closer scrutiny.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/24/13 17:26 UTC
So, the Xbox One disaster continues. Microsoft's policy for dealing with the used games market has reportedly leaked - and it's a clear and direct attack to destroy the used games market. Prices for used games will be set at the retail value of a new game, and retailers have to hook into Microsoft's computer systems and comply with Microsoft's terms and conditions.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/21/13 21:38 UTC
At an event earlier today, Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox - the third model, but confusingly named Xbox One. The big focus was TV, integrated Kinect, and all the other stuff we all expected to be forced down our throats. I think it took them 25 minutes to actually come to what should be the core of the story: gaming. Nothing groundbreaking in the gaming department, except for how Microsoft intends to handle the used games market and borrowing games from friends: pay up, buddy!More Features »
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Member since:
2005-07-06
As a Mac user who is tempted to jump ship after giving the 90 day trial an install, I can't work out where what all the hatred is about - honestly. I'm sitting here on my iMac running Windows 8 and sure it is a bit different but holy shitballs the way some people react around here is as though Steve Ballmer with Steven Sinofsky in tow both took pot-shots at your mother. Compared to previous releases it finally appears that Microsoft understands the concept of fit and finish rather than previous releases looking little more than quasi distributions resulting from the haphazard amalgamation of different groups works into a single distribution.