Thinkpads Forum

dr_st wrote:The RT is supposed to be sandboxed and more secure. I can see why they want to go that way, since the primary complaint against Windows-based OSes has always been that they are not as stable as Linux/Mac. Justified or not, dunno.

No, I was referring to RT in the sense of the platform/API not RT the OS. Confusing? Welcome to Microsoft marketing...

They could have done it years ago. It's been over a decade that they have changed from the "upstart" as you put it to an established company, almost a monopoly. In all this time they never tried to get excessive control, and by not doing so, they actually got more control than anyone else (and in the process caught less "hate" from tech-savvy people than companies like Apple). I wouldn't be trying to change that, if I were them.

AFAIK they take a cut from sales via the store, but they don't exclude third party purchase/payment options (i.e. in-app purchases). So it'd possible to dodge giving them a percentage if you're willing to do the leg work of creating your own sales mechanism. You'll still have to use their distribution infrastructure, of course, but you'll at least be able to sell, say, the pieces of a software suite yourself.

So I think the problem with Microsoft is that the people who got them there in the first place have either left or were incompetent and just in the right place at the right time (ex: Ballmer). As a result, everyone making the big decisions there has never known anything *but* dominance. In their minds, customers will still buy Microsoft because they have to, not because they want to. The developers will still develop for Windows because it's Windows and they have to, not because it's the better platform. Of course we're rapidly reaching a day when that's no longer the case, but I don't think that's really set in yet as far as the management is concerned. Keep in mind, this is the same management that only saw the iPhone getting a point or two in market share some five years back. The idea that a good toolchain and a pleasant API would help Apple as much as it did completely sailed over their heads.

I like Windows 8 more than i liked Windows 7.

Why? Because it is better with touchscreens, and it require less action with the mouse to Work.

When i got used to it everything is easier to find, and faster to find.

When having multiple computers Windows 8 is way, way ahead of Windows 7 because of the sync between accounts.

To the original question:"It is just me or do other hate Win8".

No it's just you.

I've upgraded it and my feelings for it are mixed.

The boot speed boost is nice, and updates to Explorer and Task Manager are nice and all.

I am mixed on the Metro apps, they're OK, useful for some tasks, but i'm mainly in the desktop. I've used Start8 to have a miniaturized start screen, and i'm pretty satisfied. The shut down option is really out of the way though... and I don't know why MS didn't give users an option to turn it off.
the touchpad gestures are cool as beans.

I'm satisfied so far, had to tweak it a bit to my liking (e.g. disabling the lock screen) but i don't despise it. My Windows 7 disk image has yet to be used.

Anyone else want the option to delete Win8 and have your new laptop to revert to Win7 without the Win8 button panel?

I could care less if a PC I buy is even loaded with an OS. I wipe it to get rid of the bloatware and install whatever I feel like. It's easy when you get used to it. I do make recovery media in case I work on a similar machine.

There are plenty of shell replacement options for 8, you can turn off Metro, so no big deal. I used to get a bit excited about OS changes many years ago, but now I just wait for stable, mature versions and play with anything else in a VM.

Lately, from Windows to Unity, IMO interface changes are just pharting around for the sake of change. People who want to get work done use KVM inputs. Tablet interfaces are for media consumption, not production.

farmall wrote: There are plenty of shell replacement options for 8, you can turn off Metro, so no big deal. I used to get a bit excited about OS changes many years ago, but now I just wait for stable, mature versions and play with anything else in a VM.

No, it is a big deal because of what comes with Metro (the app store and increased lock down.)

But also, I can't help but think that if the pros for Windows 8 includes "you can use third party hacks to disable parts of the UI and can ignore the other parts" that something is kinda... wrong.

^^^ Exactly. When I pay for a OS, I don't want to resort to a 3rd party software to make it work like I want. Something just doesn't seem right to me. Another thing that bug me is the idea that I am not old/mature enough to make my own decisions. Microsoft would rather force Metro down my throat rather then let me decide. I don't particularly care for that.

Linux for me next time I have to change from Win 7. I prefer open systems anyway.

My only reason for having Windows now is that Win 7 is as good as it will get.

XP was childish, whereas Win 8 is infantile. Win 7 is adult.

If I want to touch a screen then I'll use my smartphone. Meanwhile my HD+ screen will remain free of fingerprints.

Win 8 seems a silly idea unless one has a tablet ... in which case Android is better than Win 8 or Apple.

Just my opinion.