windows 8

[bruce45]

anyone tried this ?
would cumulus work with it?
will it be any better than windows 7?

give it a bit of a test but not sure if it is any better than windows 7.

any input about windows 8 would help

[gemini06720]

Windows 8 is viewed by many technical analysts as a 'Vista' upgrade to Windows 7 but without Start Menu - its Metro user interface, is primarily designed for use on a touch-screen tablet.

From personal experiences, although limited, Windows 8 is not an upgrade from Windows 7 - just a side move with a very annoying user interface.

Most of the software used with Windows 7 should be useable under Windows 8, including Cumulus.

[bruce45]

thanks for that info. must say was not really wanting to move to it . just interested in others thoughts about it.

[steve]

I can't think of any reason that it wouldn't work. I don't propose to produce a 'Metro' interface for Cumulus.

[mcrossley]

As Ray said, basically Windows 7 with the Metro interface. I know some people who are using it full time on their work laptops and like it, and others - like me - who cannot see the advantage of Metro on a non-touch device, and find it annoying. There again I would hate a touch screen desktop - I cannot stand finger marks on screens
The really bad thing for me is the inability to disable Metro, imho this is a really bad move for MSofts corporate sector which tends to be very conservative.

[nking]

An amusing youtube review http://www.youtube.com/embed/v4boTbv9_nU. There are a few more to see in this series.....

[gemini06720]

The really bad thing for me is the inability to disable Metro, imho this is a really bad move for MSofts corporate sector which tends to be very conservative.

Mark, there might be ways around the Metro user interface.

Here are three links from the many I have read and appreciated (I do hope you will be able to access the articles without having to subscribe ):

• - Stardock Start8: Put the Start Menu back in Windows 8
  - Easily revive the Classic Start Menu hidden within Windows 8
  - Tips for navigating Windows 8 with your mouse

[mcrossley]

Ah Ray, yes there are 'hacks' of varying degrees, but you won't catch my corporate customers doing that to an OS for mass deployment in an organisation. Many of them were 'scared' of the Vista/Windows 7 interface and used the built-in feature to retain the XP look'n'feel (a mistake in my opinion, the users could have coped with that change). There is nothing in Windows 8 that I have seen so far that makes it a compelling upgrade for corporate users.

[gemini06720]

There is nothing in Windows 8 that I have seen so far that makes it a compelling upgrade for corporate users.

Indeed, Mark, nothing at all...

[bruce45]

thanks for all you interesting comments and i must admit that i dont think windows 8 is really for pc or laptop use more for tablets

you cant even play dvds unless you pay even more than the £600 asking price per user

[geoffw]

My reading of the situation is that Windows 7 users do not have any reason, yet, to rush out and buy it. However, to be fair to Microsoft it doesn't come with just Metro and 'traditional Window' as a supplement. You get the choice to use one or the other depending on your hardware - which is fair enough IMHO.......

With the increasing popularity of Tablets Microsoft has to get on on that market!

We bought my wife an Ipad2 for Christmas and I must say I'm very impressed ........ The only thing missing is a 'Cumulus App'

[nking]

Geoff - I quite agree the ipad's are good for quick and simple internet related functions but not having any standard usb ports is an oversight/pain IMHO - so I don't think Cumulus is a go'errrrrr

[gemini06720]

Geoff, for the time being, Microsoft confirmed (reiterated) that Windows 8 will only be offer with the Metro graphic user interface and nothing else ... even with all the less-than-positive comments from the (most-of-the-time-biased) technical writers. In order to access a 'known' interface (such as the ones we have been used with previous versions of Windows), one has to make modifications to the registry - not something I would recommend to the average users...

[geoffw]

Geoff, for the time being, Microsoft confirmed (reiterated) that Windows 8 will only be offer with the Metro graphic user interface and nothing else ...

Well that does surprise me, I was convinced I'd heard that users would have a simple choice of Desktops. Metro might look fine on a tablet or a smart-phone - but not on a 20 inch+ Monitor that doesn't offer touch screen!

[gemini06720]

Geoff, with Windows 8, Microsoft is try to 'grab' the phone and tablet market, something they should have done years ago but failed miserably.

As I wrote, it is still possible to deactivate the Metro graphic user interface, but not easily... Maybe by release time Microsoft will have a simple user-friendly option to go from one GUI to the other.