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Windows 8 Arrives

microsoft.com

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Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#91

Post by nlawalker »

rossjudson wrote: post #61

I've gotten to look Metro more than I did at first. I still don't stay in it; I mostly just head to the desktop and use the newer, flatter Windows 7 I find there. The elephant in the room for me is the horizontal scrolling. I'm sitting there spinning the mouse wheel vertically, and what's on the screen is moving horizontally. That's a total disconnect. Why this emphasis on horizontal scrolling? I don't see how the ho…

Horizontal scrolling is easier and more natural if you're using touch. The wide screen gives you lots of room to sweep your finger back and forth and "throw" the content if you want to. Horizontal touch scrolling also evokes the feeling of paging through a book.

Of course, if you're not using touch, then yes, I agree it feels a bit weird at first. It doesn't take that long to get used to though.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#93

Post by MrMember »

jaybill wrote: post #79

And it STILL doesn't play DVDs without additional software! sigh

This makes sense from Microsoft's point of view. Why would they pay a royalty fee on every copy of Windows when such a small percentage of users play DVDs? Especially when the fix is as easy as just downloading VLC.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#94

Post by at-fates-hands »

I see this as a pretty big leap. Remember, this OS isn't about forgetting about Windows or forcing change on anybody. It's about creating an ecosystem similar to what Apple has. They want you to use their apps (Office, Bing Search, X-box Games) across all of their products (Desktop, Surface, Windows 8 phone) and make it so you can access the same info anywhere you are.

I'm surprised more people haven't picked up on this rather bold move.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#95

Post by HelloMcFly »

wtallis wrote: post #78
aik wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> Exacerbating this is the fact that Windows 7 is arguably at full stride right now and has almost no points that I really want changed. Sounds like another anti-innovation/change comment on hn. If this is not, please tell me how?

Change for the sake of being different is stupid and shows that you don't care about your current users. An improvement has to be worth the trouble of re-learning how to use the software and changing your habits. That's why the Ribbon got so much flak - it moved every button and ate up a lot more screen space, for relatively minor improvements to overall UI organization and discoverability. The UI-formerly-known-as-M…

This isn't change for the sake of being different, it's a radical (and risky) attempt at change such that the mobile and desktop environments become merged.

And you Microsoft Office ribbon example is great! That was another change that many saw as "change for change's sake", but it's become a UI function that the vast majority appreciate and depend on. I'm sure many of the HN crowd would have, or did, lambast the ribbon on introduction, and I'm equally sure many of them have come to love it. It sure didn't take me long.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#96

Post by moconnor »

nonane wrote: post #90
luma wrote: post #22

I've been running Windows 8 since they release the RTM version to TechNet subscribers on my primary laptop (about a month now). Short version - outside of Metro it's basically Win7SP3 and it works great. Metro is every bit the usability disaster that people have claimed when not running on a touch screen. The good news is that you really don't have to interface much with Metro at all. It replaces the start menu, but…

Plug: If you're running Windows 8 Pro and have an iPad you can try out the Win 8 Metro's multitouch features using my app ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWUEAx4dqP4&hd=1 ). Send me an email: support at jumpdesktop.com and I'll send you a free coupon.

I've used Jump for the past year; it's an excellent remote desktop client.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#97

Post by justindocanto »

mulletbum wrote: post #74
rossjudson wrote: post #61

I've gotten to look Metro more than I did at first. I still don't stay in it; I mostly just head to the desktop and use the newer, flatter Windows 7 I find there. The elephant in the room for me is the horizontal scrolling. I'm sitting there spinning the mouse wheel vertically, and what's on the screen is moving horizontally. That's a total disconnect. Why this emphasis on horizontal scrolling? I don't see how the ho…

This was my biggest issue as well. It seems Metro could have been easily set vertically, but instead there was this odd choice for horizontal that just feels incorrect.

I might be wrong, but I think they're mimicking the xbox dashboard which goes horizontal since you're moving it with the right & left trigger buttons. Feels natural on xbox but i think they probably wanted a sense of familiarity and thats why its horizontal on windows? Idk. Just my assumption.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#98

Post by HelloMcFly »

viscanti wrote: post #76
untog wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think he was just pointing out that Hacker News can be somewhat schizophrenic on this topic. "WTF why won't Craigslist improve, it is anti-innovation" vs. "Why did MS change their UI?!?" And yes, before someone makes the statement, HN is made up of individuals with their own opinions etc. etc.

I think the difference is between things that work don't need to be changed, just for the sake of change. Things that are broken, or suffer from poor usability should change. Not everything needs to change, but I think it's fair to want broken things to change without advocating that everything change just because.

But that's so short-sighted! You know what worked? The Motorola RAZR. But then the iPhone came out and it was a radical change and, even though many said at the time "I just need to make calls and text", it set the standard.

If your mentality is always "if it ain't broke don't fix it" then you're probably going to get disrupted. Windows 7 wasn't broke, but the future of the desktop environment looks like it might be, so Microsoft is trying to merge desktop and mobile. It may not work, but you must at least somewhat sympathize with their need to try.

Re: Windows 8 Arrives

#100

Post by indiecore »

ajross wrote: post #32
gabemart wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Upgrade copies of Vista and Win7 can be installed on an empty hard drive with minimal tweaking, but I guess being kosher with the licensing is important for some users.

If you're not willing to honor the license, what possible point would there be to paying for the software in the first place? I'm willing to be a Win8 crack is live on thepiratebay within the week. The discussion was about whether or not MS has decided to reduce their retail OS price from the ~$100 it is at right now. AFAICT, they have not.

Within the week? I'd be surprised if there isn't something there by tomorrow morning.
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