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Windows 8 really worth it?
I'm a linux guy, lately sort of edging away from Ubuntu towards Mandrake, dunno why. As long as it's not stupid Red Hat it's good linux.
But I can't lie, I use Windows a helluva lot more often than I'd like to admit. Primarily Win7, although I still have XP-SP2 and 98SE on older machinery.
Spent big bucks on Win7 Ultimates (32 and 64). And now Win8 has been around long enough to overcome the worst driver/API teething issues, get a service pack, mature a bit, etc.
Is it worth the upgrade? Yeah, I've done my research, all the MS-affiliate nerds and gutless review sites are proclaiming Win8 is all that, harder, better, faster, stronger. I believe it's true, just suspicious of the hype. So I appeal to TBCS gang, men with balls and powertools and reckless disregard for any technical fluff which isn't written on the hard specs and datasheets.
One thing I see on Win8 which I instantly reject is new interface. Looks like crud, I'm old fashioned and want a PC that does stuff far more important than stupid social networking gossip and constant vicarious updates about every trivial little change in posture.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Opinion time:
I'm still rocking XP, and am fine with it.
I know that there's stuff to (attempt to) just go directly to the desktop. My question is, why would you need to make 8 act exactly like 7, when 7 is there?
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Yeah, I utterly avoided Vista and stuck with XP and linux. Working XP Mode was what finally moved me to Win7. So far I haven't found anything which isn't 100% compatible and problem free with it (just click icon, it runs, no configuration/tweaking needed).
Win7 is a good, solid, and "lightweight" Windows build (that is, substantially less bloated than usual for Microsoft). I'm just wondering if Win8 is a real upgrade (improves performance!) ... or if it's just an ugly interface combined with "this year we put a 12 on the box".
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
nope screw windows 8. I would rather run windows vista or me. Now if you can get windows 8 for 15$ like i did go for it.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I'm of the opinion that if you have a tablet or touch-screen device, go for Windows 8. But for most people it's not the best OS out there, especially for keyboard and mouse. I usually get each Windows upgrades, but not this time.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
blaze15301
nope screw windows 8. I would rather run windows vista or me. Now if you can get windows 8 for 15$ like i did go for it.
I got it for $15 too, but still haven't installed it. I've heard there are big issues with eyefinity. Add to that that it really is a touch-centric interface and I'm not sold.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Windows 8 blows. It's the worst OS ever created. Vista is awesome in comparison, but I'm rocking Win 7 on all my machines
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
It's decided then.
Especially since Win8 looks like it's all about tightly integrating the (ugly) new GUI hierarchy with the latest WMP and IE versions ... apps which I replaced in Win7, and which IMHO get incrementally more restrictive on every major version. I also reject the Cloud, and will never be convinced that any kind of wireless tech can be as fast, reliable, or secure as a CAT5e run. No intention of touching my screen whenever I code or game, hate those oily finger smudges.
All told, not worth a new proprietary file system (which is still inferior to at least a dozen linux file systems). Or another half point max cap on the useless WEI metric. Or USB3, encryption, etc, since these things can be supported in Win7 (and superior non-Microsoft alternatives are available).
I haven't yet used Win8 at all, ever, but from what I see it's not even worth ten bucks ... I'd probably even wipe the branded Win8 preinstall off a new laptop rather than waste time on the so-called "steep learning curve" for the idiot-looking interface. I agree, it looks good for mobile devices ... although Android and iOS are seriously less bloaty.
I think I'll be a Win8 hater. The attitude worked when riding out WinME and Vista.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Not sure what's with all the hate. I've been rocking it for about 4 months now and it's fine. I did have Win 7 Ultimate and if you already have something that awesome then just stick with Win 7. Windows 8 is fine though - again not sure where all this hate is from.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I use W8 on my main laptop, which with the weather (which makes the computer room bloody freezing) is currently my main PC and there really isn't anything wrong with it - if you install it, try it for a couple of days or a week, you'll probably dislike it - I've been using it for months now and it's utterly usable. Having said that, the main reason I'm still using it is that I don't have time to reinstall 7 heh. As I've previously mentioned in another post, if you have a touch-screen, it's almost definitely a worthwhile upgrade - if you're on Vista, again, definitely worth going for as it kicks vista all over the playing field in terms of stability and reliability. If you're running (and happy with) a W7 installation on a non-touchscreen machine, I really can't recommend the upgrade.
If you're asking for opinions, I'd strongly recommend you ignore anyone who gave up on it inside the first week or so - it DOES take some getting used to - ask people who've actually lived with it and listen to what they have to say....
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
It's not really hate. But it is a decision to avoid hassles a year or three or ten down the road, I've had to deal with plenty of other people's broken ME/Vista problems, more than enough to make me incredibly happy my deliberately "obsolete" Windows machinery always worked perfectly. I'm sure Win8 is good, based largely on Win7 and all, but it just demonstrates that Microsoft's focus has been on optimizing elements and directions which have nothing to do with the way I actually use a computer. If I want a mobile touchscreen OS, I'll buy a toy with Android or iOS.
Maybe my "hate" is just angst at the utterly ripoff prices I paid for a couple of Win7 Ultimate editions, the same day I downloaded half a dozen free opensource linux distros. Won't fall into that trap again.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
All I have to say is this:
Windows 8 Modern interface feels exactly like Android when using a keyboard and mouse. At least, to me it does....
It isn't that I hate Win8; it's that it has SO much different things between ANY previous versions.
To be honest, it seriously reminds me of Windows 3.1, in ways I really can't describe.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
A smart approach to implement functional GUI on a device with limited display area.
A useless hindrance on a device with multiple widescreen monitors.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Konrad
A smart approach to implement functional GUI on a device with limited display area.
A useless hindrance on a device with multiple widescreen monitors.
Pretty much how I fell about it.
I need multiple windows open! Win8 is a multitask killer!
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
8 is a joke. Ballmer needs to be shown the door.
Once more of the casual games on steam (worms, peggle, etc) get cut over to the native linux client, I'll be ditching Windows on my workstation. The only reason it still has Win7 on it is because of the games.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I was reminded of Win 3.x too!
I really don't know why people prefer using only a fraction of the display area on their massive monitors. I like to fullscreen everything, I only split the display across multiple windows when I need to manipulate content between them. Few things irritate me more than when an app locks itself into some puny arbitrary little window dimensions or refuses to offer more than 5 lines at a time on drop-down lists and such. I bought three large monitors, not three dozen little phone-sized displays.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Well, not a dozen windows, but it is nice to be reading one thing, and typing it into another window.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Drum Thumper
8 is a joke. Ballmer needs to be shown the door.
Once more of the casual games on steam (worms, peggle, etc) get cut over to the native linux client, I'll be ditching Windows on my workstation. The only reason it still has Win7 on it is because of the games.
Is there any reason you dislike it or do you just need something to hate all the time? Have you tried it for more then 2 weeks? The biggest thing I see people complain about is that it's different. Guess what? All technology changes! I'm not advocating that change (in this instance) is a good thing but it happens. Just because it's different is no reason to hate it outright - at least base discontent on something logical...
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I coudn't even go a whole week, much less two. I tried for about 2 hours! What a retarded pain in the ass. I've never owned an Apple machine, but did play with one for an hour or so and it made more sense than W8
In 10 years I'll be just like one of these annoying XP guys who are still using it way after 7 came out. I just hope W9, is better. So, I guess I'll at least be keeping W7 for three or four more years?
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I still use XP, although admittedly not a lot over the last couple years (since Win7 runs XP stuff flawlessly). There are advantages to a Windows OS which is fully decompiled, hacked, and modded ... much better overall than the support Microsoft once provided. I can't wait until MS decides to abandon Win7.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Possible problem is, TGS? The way Win8 is behaving, Win9 will simply be the Modern interface. No Destkop, period. Which means NO destkop apps. And the fact that all apps HAVE TO come through the market? Goodbye open-source and freeware apps on Windows.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Can't say I like where the cloud is going. It almost seems like a sophisticated distributed-internet version of the old IBM dumb terminals ... only the front-end "shell" of an OS, apps, and data stored on your computer, the real meat hidden somewhere deep in Fort Microsoft. Again, great for a mobile device, not wanted on my dinosaur desktop computing.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
^The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Seriously, I don't CARE how fast Internet gets; NOTHING beats having files live and in your hands.
Despite what big companies think, there IS such a thing as "No Internet Available".
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Ah, the day came when I realized things I had recorded "permanently" on my DVR were disappearing. Without notice, without fanfare, just quietly slipping out the back door.
It seems that when the limited licenses expire, the syndicates simply erase all access. Not very permanent at all. Nice of them to never inform you, and it makes you wonder what else they may have deleted (although, truthfully, if you don't even remember missing items then they probably weren't very important).
Screw DRM, screw the cloud, save files, save bandwidth, support your local hard drive!
(It's also nice to get away from the spam, ads, and malware.)
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AmEv
Possible problem is, TGS? The way Win8 is behaving, Win9 will simply be the Modern interface. No Destkop, period. Which means NO destkop apps. And the fact that all apps HAVE TO come through the market? Goodbye open-source and freeware apps on Windows.
This is, in fact, my only real complaint about Windows 8. The marketplace is anti-competitive and is a way for MS to get more money for providing essentially zero service to developers.
I might be slightly ok with it if it meant a complete end to viruses and malware, but it won't.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
^Yes. So, what would that mean? Windows 9 couldn't run Steam, Origin, GoG, or anything like that.
The push to Linux by Valve was because they were thinking in the future. If Windows can't run Steam, then they don't get any money. They can't just push to their Mac client as not everybody can afford a Mac.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Windows will keep supporting Steam/etc until Microsoft bludgeons into those markets with their own version. Then it's just the usual pattern of Microsoft-EEE, within a few years it's standard issue on every Windows distro and the mainstream forgets that there used to be (better, competitive, often free) alternatives.
I'm thinking Microsoft just hasn't concluded Steam is a lucrative market, yet.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AmEv
Possible problem is, TGS? The way Win8 is behaving, Win9 will simply be the Modern interface. No Destkop, period. Which means NO destkop apps. And the fact that all apps HAVE TO come through the market? Goodbye open-source and freeware apps on Windows.
As a .NET developer, I can tell you categorically that that's not going to happen
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Maybe not. It just feels that way.
Only time will tell.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
One thing I can find little information about. What does Win8 offer for compatibility with older Win apps? Without using it firsthand, it seems that the XP mode is just ported straight from Win7. More people seem to be complaining about incompatible Win8 apps in WINE, broken DOSBox, etc, but that's always the case before the OS matures.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheGreatSatan
I coudn't even go a whole week, much less two. I tried for about 2 hours! What a retarded pain in the ass. I've never owned an Apple machine, but did play with one for an hour or so and it made more sense than W8
In 10 years I'll be just like one of these annoying XP guys who are still using it way after 7 came out. I just hope W9, is better. So, I guess I'll at least be keeping W7 for three or four more years?
I guess trying an OS for 2 hours is enough to justify (presumably) several years of hate. /s
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
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Originally Posted by
Yeticorn
I guess trying an OS for 2 hours is enough to justify (presumably) several years of hate. /s
Hate is strong language. But the statement is essentially true: I only need to watch a bad movie or read a bad book once, for a few hours, to form an opinion about it which lasts for years.
Having said that, I agree with some people here - and many other places online - that the Win8 UI has a persistent-user benefit, it supposedly "improves" and self-customizes as you use it over time, so it's not really fair to entirely condemn it on short notice.
But it just doesn't look like it would work for me. It is clearly designed to streamline certain kinds of computers and computing which are different from my computers and computing. It doesn't seem to offer any substantial improvements in other (non-UI) areas, so even overwriting a retro Win7 Desktop theme over the disliked Win8 UI isn't going to justify the upgrade costs.
If I get Win8 incidentally preinstalled on a new lappy or something then I'll try it out, the same way I would use up a crappy preinstalled Norton AV subscription. Probably because I'd be too lazy to spend time installing another OS, hunting for the right drivers, etc. But I won't deliberately seek the product (especially not after buying into Windows so many times for so many years), in fact my laptop requirements would be based primarily on compatibility with non-Microsoft hardware and non-Windows operating systems, regardless whether Win8 is an option.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I tried out Windows 8 in a virtual machine. The new interface bothered me at first, but once I learned some of the keyboard shortcuts, I started to become cool with it. The PC version of it is capable of running desktop applications. When you select a desktop app on the new "full screen" start menu, it opens it up on the desktop. There's also options to pin it to the desktop's taskbar.
I tried it out because I'm going to buy a laptop later this year and it will probably have it pre-installed. I made sure that it will still run all the applications that I want it to do and it was able to run them.
The new interface is weird. The desktop icons, as well as folder icons, have these little check boxes in the upper left corner. I wondered what the heck they were for, so I consulted Google. Those check boxes are there to make it easy for people to select more than one item with a touch screen. With a mouse, you just hold the button and make a box around everything or hold down the control key while you click each item. Windows 8 was definitely made for touch screens.
I'm not going to go out of my way to upgrade my desktop to Windows 8. But, I won't be afraid to use it if I get a machine that has it pre-installed. I currently run Linux with XP in a virtual machine.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
Windows 3.x = Good
Windows 95 = Terrible
Windows 98 = Good
Windows 2000 = Terrible
Windows XP = Good
Windows Vista = Terrible
Windows 7 = Good
Windows 8 = ?
You decide.
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
There are a couple of problems with this list IMO heh.... Firstly, Windows 95 wasn't that bad, Windows 98 wasn't much good until they got around to 98SE which was a pretty good, stable OS. Windows 2000 was, and remains, a very stable OS for it's intended use - it was never meant as an everyday desktop OS, and you missed out ME which, admittedly, sucked the big one in SOOOO many ways, and finally XP which only really got reliable and stable with SP2 (which also pumped up it's resource requirements).....
That kinda messes up the Good, Terrible, Good, Terrible order ya think? :)
Windows 3.x = Good
Windows 95 = OK
Windows 98 = Good, eventually....
Windows 2000 = Good
Windows ME = Terrible
Windows XP = Good, eventually...
Windows Vista = Not as bad as many people think
Windows 7 = Very Good
Windows 8 = ?
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I'm just going to do microsoft a favor and never acknowledge that Windows ME ever existed in the first place (^_^)
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
What the hell for? They didn't do us a favour by releasing it :P
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Re: Windows 8 really worth it?
I see Microsoft consumer PC things a little differently ....
Win3.x = just a bloated DOS menu program
Win95 = an even more bloated DOS menu program plagued with memory leaks and compatibility problems
Win98 = best of the 9x, as far as that goes - 98SE halfway successful
WinNT = the almost-forgotten stepchild hidden in the attic - NT4 halfway successful
WinME = FAIL! - ugly baby that refused to drown for too long
WinXP, Win2K = marginal, but evolved into ...
WinXPSP2 = SUCCESS! - still pirated today!
Vista = FAIL! - and not as bad as many people think? ... perhaps, but hackers and pirates wouldn't even take it for free
Win7 = SUCCESS!
Win8 = ?
Following this rough pattern, Win8 should be suboptimal compared to the last successful Windows generation. Why pay money to be Microsoft's market-technology-research guinea pigs? That's as dumb as spending premiums for nothing more than the special privilege of advertising corporate logos on your laptops and t-shirts. To my mind there is a difference between being an "innovator" or "early adopter" and being a gullible subscriber to digital mugging.
And, of course:
Linux = variable, but (except for Red Hat) the distros are consistently good to awesome