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Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

windows.microsoft.com

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Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#61

Here's an official video/ad that highlights some of the ways people will use Windows 8 in Microsoft's eyes. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/release-preview

That looks pretty cool. I wonder how easy its going to be for people to discover the gestures because they seem to be so different than Android/ios. That swipe from the edge is going to be a hard one to learn/commit to muscle memory. it looked like that kid wasnt really doing that stuff on his screen.

They look a lot more intuitive/natural than iOS. I actually had to use Google when I first got my iPad to figure out how to do some pretty basic things. In fact, I didn't even think to look into it until I accidentally put my whole hand on the screen and unexpected things happened -- it made me question what else was there.

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#62
post #3

This OS might be the biggest Microsoft flop ever. There are just way too many fundamental changes which are not proven to be actually better. I would rather see new Metro UI as another full-screen app to see if it can stand on its own before they go all-in with it. Something similar to what Microsoft did with Windows 3.10 which was basically another DOS program. I guess, Microsoft is being run by different folks toda…

What sells this os to me, is that it will be an option to Android and the Ipad. Both of these fail in certain areas related to playing windows media content. A lot of radio stations,and a lot of Windows media content will not work with iOs or Android. But they do work with Windows 7 and hopefully Windows 8.

I will ditch my android tablet for a Windows 8 tablet in a heartbeat, if my windows media content works on it and if it's reasonably priced.

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#63
post #3

This OS might be the biggest Microsoft flop ever. There are just way too many fundamental changes which are not proven to be actually better. I would rather see new Metro UI as another full-screen app to see if it can stand on its own before they go all-in with it. Something similar to what Microsoft did with Windows 3.10 which was basically another DOS program. I guess, Microsoft is being run by different folks toda…

> "There are just way too many fundamental changes which are not proven to be actually better." I suspect that Microsoft has mountains of statistical data to support the statement "Metro is a better user interface." Anecdotally, I'd agree. How that translates into the market is of course another story. And if history is a guide, it will translate slowly just like every other operating system Microsoft has released si…

[deleted]

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems that the only people who click the start button are people who don't use Windows all the time. Commonly used apps go in the launch bar and infrequently launched apps are found by hitting the Windows key and typing the name. Nothing in Windows 8 changes that workflow for me.

I think your theory is wrong. Specifically, I use Windows for work all the time (due to Visual Studio) and I never do the typing thing. I can't even remember the name of the applications I don't use often, but I remember the icon so that's what I look for. I really don't think I'm alone with that.

If you don't use the application often, then you're probably not hunting for it in the Start Menu often and thus not going to be wasting your time in the new Start Screen often. For the very few times you do need to find the application, I'm sure the Start Screen will make whatever you're looking for discoverable.

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#65
I'll tell you why this OS will be the biggest Microsoft success ever...

Most consumers can be clueless, attention deficient, instant-gratification seeking, work/knowledge averse ... or can just want something simple.

A lot don't even understand the concept of the file-system (let alone the other 95% of Windows).

A lot can't even download a picture from a camera's memory card and place it into the proper folder after you show them how to do it 12 times over 3 months.

And most can't be expected to do anything that requires more than 1 or 2 easy steps (whether they can but don't want to, or just can't).

Metro re-invents the way the average consumer experiences and works with Windows to the point that even the village idiot could do something useful with this OS.

Why do you think the iPad was such a success, and where do you think 95% of its users are coming from?! The dusty PC running Windows.

With Metor, Microsoft will keep dominating the home desktop market (as they do now), prevent the outflow of users, and introduce themself in a very serious way in the tablet and phone market.

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#68
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple made the bet that there's a fundamental difference between the mobile experience and the desktop experience. They didn't replace OS X with iOS, they each exist as expressions of a different type of computing, for different purposes. Microsoft are attempting to provide one system as a single expression of both types of paradigm, and this is why the jury is out on Windows 8.

> "Apple made the bet that there's a fundamental difference between the mobile experience and the desktop experience." It's a bet they may have gotten wrong from a technical debt standpoint.

What do you mean?

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#69
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Developing for Metro might be amazing, but developing on Metro is a non-starter. After all, Visual Studio is not a Metro app (yet). Since most "hackers" will spend most of their time on the traditional desktop anyway, they see little reason to upgrade from Windows 7.

>Developing for Metro might be amazing, but developing on Metro is a non-starter. You can run the full Visual Studio 2012 natively on any x86 tablet such as this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxJQotodEVQ Does Android or the iPad have a full featured native IDE with debugging support without resorting to hacks? >Since most "hackers" will spend most of their time on the traditional desktop anyway, they see little…

Say that again? :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=BR&hl=en&client=mv-g...

Re: Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

#70
post #12

I do not understand the skepticism against Windows 8, specially from the hacker community. The only reason I do not use a Windows computer (anymore) is because there are so few ways to build things on it, compared to a Mac. I remember back in the day when I used Windows exclusively because Visual Studio was the only way to do build awesome things fast. With Windows 8, MS has brought back those days. Developing for Me…

> I do not use a Windows computer (anymore) is because there are so few ways to build things on it, compared to a Mac.

I'm using Windows to build things and I don't have any problems. More than that I remember having issues when I was on a mac (Sony Vegas).

Care to explain what you can do with a mac you cannot do with a PC?

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