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My first impression of Win 8

5K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  AstroOafAdventurer 
#1 ·
:banghead: :screaming: :banghead: :screaming: :banghead: :screaming: :banghead: :screaming:

The old laptop (Win7) died so I had no choice but to head to bestbuy.

Who thought a Tablet interface was a great idea for a computer. I figured I could just convert/move some of my desk top icons to a tile to access Chrome, Gmail, Astrosafari, etc. Took me for ever just to find the desk top, then I discovered I had to download apps. The Chrome app works fine, takes me right there. The gmail, Amazon, Ebay apps on the other hand :banghead: Why would I want to access things via the diminished capabilities of an app from my 2 MHz laptop.

MS needs to implement immediate company wide drug testing and psyc evals from the CEO down to the guy that tosses the new cakes in the urinals. I'd rather go back to ME.

Glad I only bought a $330 stop gap system until I can afford something better. If I'd spent $800 or more youd be seeing me on the national news.

Can you put win7 on a Win8 computer, or when does Win9 come out or will the use the Android OS to run that.
 
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#4 ·
sadglad said:
I went through the same thing. Installing this will ease most of the pain.
http://www.classicshell.net
:bow: :bow: :bow: :bouncy: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Randy, I installed it about 15 mins ago, I'm happier now, but it will take awhile if ever for me to get over win8.
 
#7 ·
Yeah...sigh. MS is discontinuing support for the XP o/s this month. Guess they need to shut the government down again to "Upgrade" to Win 8.1?? Imagine the Obamacare site if the webmasters start using Win 8.1? SURE makes me glad I live in Canada! (Sorry-LoL)
As they say, "To err is human, but to REALLY screw things up you gotta get a computer!! :rofl:
 
#8 ·
so sad :? windows 8 is a mess...
after you buy windows 8... you can pay even more money for downgrade rights and buy windows 7 :doh:
or switch to linux... and never look back :driving:
 
#9 ·
Windows 8 is the epitome of anything that a computer is involved with.
They are trying to force you yo do what you don't want to do. Use their E Mail and their products. Instead of being a useful and valued tool. The Imagneers are trying to force dependence on them so they can charge more in the future. Think about it. It cost more to buy a windows 7 disk than it does a computer with it installed on it. If that isn't a rip off scam then I don't know what is.
 
#12 ·
It's probably a hardware conflict... it's not you ? :)
In the Linux world, Some installers are better than others.
try Linux mint or zorin os, both are great, & easy to setup.
Almost flawless hardware recognition, and no drivers to fetch on your own ! :whistle:
 
#13 ·
I did not like win8 when I first started using it, but now I'm using 8.1. It's a little better. Win 9 should be going into alpha testing the 4th quarter of this year, IIRC. Probably will be in beta early next year, but I have heard different things on it, like a preview this year.
I was using classicshell, but haven't installed it on this setup. I hardly ever turn my machine off so it's always at the desktop. I'm slowly getting used to the hotspot idea, but it is a bit of a learning curve.
Oh, and 8/8.1 play games better than 7. :)
 
#14 ·
chevymaher said:
AstroWill said:
8 has made more people ask me about and have me install Ubuntu than any previous Windows version.
I tried Umbuntu twice. It just locks up my computers. I don't know what I am doing wrong. So I always default on my old free junk ones to windows XP.
Just some luck CM, next time I'm down that way we will have to do one as Windows XP isn't going to be getting any updates anymore.
 
#15 ·
You can still buy computers that have Win 7 on them. Boss just got a new Dell laptop with Win 7 among others. Newegg, Amazon, microcenter...all have new, used and refurb computers with Win 7.

I absolutely detest Win 8. It's a phone OS on a computer. Totally useless.
 
#16 ·
Yea 8... I disliked it for awhile. I still dislike it. I just keep it for Direct x 11.1
They gave computer users allot of junk to conform to tablets although tablets cant utilize the windows 8 OS. So the only logic is computer users conform for no logical reason.
They went even farther by taking simple settings and hiding them or removing them.
Neither tablet phone or PC benefited from its creation.
 
#17 ·
Microsoft is doing a good job of sealing their own fate! I don't think any operating system has been met with more dissatisfaction and disdain than W8! Yes... it's all about FORCING you into their idea of user experience!

But W8 is really still quite a bit W7 (which is still just an improved Vista)... just the GUI has been butchered! It is mainly geared toward tablets and touchscreens. Yes, they want to force you into AP's and products that require user fees. But the desktop plugin will at least allow you to function somewhat normally again.

Their search engine and browser are forcing you into a complicated and undesirable situation. But the new user doesn't know any better. I get the calls all the time... how do I do such and such ...

But there are ways around this madness. You can downgrade to W7, or you can hack and modify W8. In time, we will learn all the new tricks... again.

We still run workstations with Windows XP... but support is done. Not so much of a problem for the operating system, but no further support for 32bit version of IExplorer. It was only a few months ago we had to abandon using IEporer completely on these machines. They no longer support newer website technology. But Google Chrome does, and this is the workaround for XP machines. Chrome continues to support updates. Adblock is a huge bonus too.
 
#18 ·
Yeah, as long as AV vendors keep support up it's all good. My first taste of the new interface is Server 2012. Makes it impossible to do anything hardly. Why was it required to hide everything from a person that's using Windows as DOMAIN CONTROLLER; some level of competency is expected of the typical person you'd give those sort of rights to.
 
#20 ·
:banghead: Windows 8.1....AAAAAAAGHHH!!!!! :banghead:
So after being only a "casual" computer-user over the past 20 years or so, I bought my own laptop in August of 2013 @ Walfart. The entry-level Acer came with Win 8 installed and has taken me a LONG time to begin to figure out the basics as the last PC I used had a XP platform. Since Day One, every time I boot up, Microsquish has been popping up asking me to install the newer 8.1 o/s but has always had the "Remind me later" option so I've been hitting that and continuing on my merry way.
Two days ago, I no longer had the option of deferring the install; the screen froze and I had no option except to install 8.1 so I clicked "install now" and gave up my evening of surfing to let the install proceed.
I HATE 8.1!! My favourites on my browser are now arranged alphabetically and NOT in the order I wanted them left in! They are harder to access. Bing and Conduit are now back in the lead for search tools as are a number of other Bill Gates bs products that I had already UN-installed such as their e-mail tools and other crap I don't want.
My point is that I paid for the damned computer, not Microsoft! Who the hell are you guys to mess with my settings and arbitrarily make changes to my personal property?
Bill Gates and Microsoft: I don't care how much you donate to charity to assuage your guilty consciences....you people are nothing more than felons in my books and need to take a long, hard look at your business practices and how you go about implementing them (ie shoving crud down peoples' throats)!
As the Swedish Chef might say," Leeeve my hargin' fard drive alooone!" :whack: :whack: :whack: :whack: :whack: :whack:
 
#22 ·
Windows 8 on anything other than a tablet is an abomination. It is not set up for productivity. It is set up for entertainment. Speaking of which, MediaCenter is no longer included like in Windows7. Now you have to buy the professional version AND buy MediaCenter separately. I think if you're into serious gaming Windows is a must. Otherwise Linux is great. Media center apps work great and are not expensive like on windows. When we buy laptops we switch them to Linux when they start acting up. We generally buy HP because they seem to have good compatibility with Linux and provide Linux drivers for a lot of their hardware. I think more and more people will switch to Linux. I tried switching several times starting over 15 years ago. I had many failed attempts but I got farther every time and it got easier every time. Then one time I completed an installation and have been using Ubuntu for about 10 years.
 
#23 ·
I know this is old, but I really dug Windows 8...
Well once I installed Start8 which gave it a real deal Start menu.
You can still use it in 10, and have several options for Start menus
https://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
There's also Classic Shell which unfortunately is no longer being updated, but great product too, and as well free
http://www.classicshell.net/
 
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