Windows 8

[wmrcomputers]

I'm currently browsing the forum using Internet Exporer 10 (yes 10), on a Windows 8 operating system (yes.. 8).
Absolutely love it!!!

As far as I know it is likely to be released in Autumn 2012. Works great with a standard keyboard & mouse set up, but even more fun to be had on a touchscreen PC.

Worth having a play with if you're a geek like me

 

[wizzard]

I like the look of it

 

[shoes]

Any chance of a link up Wayne?

 

[wmrcomputers]

64 bit version http://wdp.dlws.microsoft.com/WDPDL/9B8DFDFF736C5B1DBF956B89D8A9D4FD925DACD2/WindowsDeveloperPreview-64bit-English.iso

32 bit version
http://wdp.dlws.microsoft.com/WDPDL/9B8DFDFF736C5B1DBF956B89D8A9D4FD925DACD2/WindowsDeveloperPreview-32bit-English.iso

Bear in mind these are BIG dvd downloads so take a while. Also, they are intended for developers to start working with and developing software that will work with it - Having said that it's as good as fully functional. Please remember though that eventually it will become de-activated closer to the time of actual RTM release.

 

[shoes]

Thanks dude, got both on the dl now No probs with the d/l i'll leave it on overnight.

I did the same with 7, I was very au fait with it by the time the RTM came out, I think I used the RC for a good year first.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Yeah same here. A remember using the RC to Vista - it was the most buggy and awful attempt of an OS ever. So far though I haven't had a single problem or glitch with this, so it looks promising.

Come back and update me with your thoughts when you've had 24 hours to play around with it mate.

 

[Wolfenrook]

How does it do with dual booting? I have no desire to mess up my current Windows 7 Ultimate install to try it out.

I did have a look at some screens and videos of it. My initial reaction was it looks too much like a Windows Phone, and all of the talk of "metro style apps" made it sound like too much of an attempt to be "a young and funky Apple generation rip off" if that makes sense?

I actually liked Vista (64 and 32 bit) to be honest, beat the pants of XP when it was released. How many of you remember the purple graphics in odd places and bsods if you tried to run xp off a raid array when it first came out? Not to mention the regular freeze ups etc. For a good 12 months after release of xp I went back to 2000Pro, went back to XP with SP1a I think it was. I wont even mention ME....

7 has been better still, just can't fault it. Lets hope that 8 is more of the same eh? But still, making it look like a tablet/phone.... I like the task bar. lol I even prefer KDE to GNOME if using Linux.

Ade

 

[The Stafford Beast]

Windows 8 will need some getting used to... especially for users with conventional keyboards & mice that have been used to Windows XP and above. Nice, basic chunky layout for touch-screens though.

For those of you that can't be bothered to install it, there is a video showcasing some of the features on the BBC News web site.

I prefer Linux with GNOME 3 though as it is more slick and useful despite not being able to change the colours of the theme easily

 

[shoes]

Yeah same here. A remember using the RC to Vista - it was the most buggy and awful attempt of an OS ever. So far though I haven't had a single problem or glitch with this, so it looks promising.

Come back and update me with your thoughts when you've had 24 hours to play around with it mate.

Aye, I will do. The macbook pro is getting nuked soon as lion has basically destroyed it, so when I do I'll set up the dual boot (possibly tri-boot) with windows 8 and let you know.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Dual boot with windows 7 works fine. It boots to a Windows 8 choices screen which give you option to boot to Windows 7 from there. I've read cases where an install has gone wrong though and you lose your boot loader for windows 7 - so make sure you have a plan B before going for it

 

[Wolfenrook]

I've done a repair to the MSB a few times, tedious and annoying yes, but luckily not impossible. Corrupted it a few times messing with Linux distros.

I think I will leave this one though. To be honest, I dislike the big and chunky approach they have taken, reminds me too much of android/iphone/windows phone stuff, oh and MCE but that was designed like that to look good on a TV. lol A 'normal' full HD gamers monitor here, no touch screen, so a bit pointless for me. I wont fight it though when the time comes for the big change (new pc, new monitor, new os etc), I didn't with Vista or 7 either. As I said though, I HATED XP! I think all too many techies have rose tinted glasses where xp is concerned. It was just 2000pro with broken bits and a kindergarten ui. Much like ME was 98SE with a bunch of bloatware and bugs added. In fact, pretty sure ME was originally supposed to be XP, but they hadn't managed to get it done in time, so just released a rehash of 98SE.

I used to enjoy dual booting Ultimate Edition, with compiz fusion etc, but with Windows 7 I stopped needing Linux really.

 

[wmrcomputers]

If anyone is thinking about giving Windows 8 a try (it has now been released), then here's some updated info...

*There are only 2 versions. Windows 8, and Windows 8 Pro.

*Most new computers come with Windows 8, and upgrading that to Pro using a "Pro Pack" costs £49.99

*You can upgrade from Windows XP / Vista / 7 at the moment to Windows 8 Pro for just £24.99 (limited time offer) - this is for an online download (costs approx £50 in stores).

It's VERY different to Windows 7, and takes a bit of getting used to - but once you have it's quite good. Not everyones cuppa tea, but if you like to keep up with the times then now is the time to jump on it.

 

[Darren]

Have you had any issues running your old games and programs, does it include windows live mail ?

 

[wmrcomputers]

The only issue i've had so far was that I couldn't install my epson printer from the disc - when I tried it couldn't set it up network-wise (its a wifi one), but then if i installed it via windows updates and THEN ran the disc it was fine. One other program required me to use compatibility settings but that was the case even in windows 7 as it's an older program.

It has it's own brand new version of Windows Mail. It's allowed me to add several email addresses and is working flawlessly... screen shot attached

 

[KencoPlenco]

Im currently using windows 8 on my laptop and desktop, i love it. the only thing i find annoying with it is that when you go back to the start screen you have to put your mouse cursor to the bottom left of your monitor to get it :/

 

[wmrcomputers]

Isn't that where the start button has always been though? You just don't see it until you drag your mouse completely into the corner, but other than that it doesn't cause me any hardship.

 

[KencoPlenco]

when i was on window 7 my start button was top left :/

 

[Gramaisc]

Can't you have it in any corner except bottom right..?

 

[wmrcomputers]

The default location is bottom left, but in previous versions of windows you could drag the entire toolbar to the top or the sides... it's one of my pet hates!! It belongs on the bottom left as far as i'm concerned and always throws me when i switch on a customers computer and they've got it elsewhere. lol

 

[Gramaisc]

I suspect that when you find it placed elsewhere, it's almost always there by accident and they just don't know how to get it back - so they just live with it until they actually start to get used to it there...