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Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

marakblog.wordpress.com

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Re: Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

#11
Every one of the methods listed for accessing the Start menu in Windows 8 causes problems in a remote desktop connection.

-The mouse isn't always locked into the active rdc window, so finding the corner of the screen is tedious

-Swiping in from the side of the window with a mouse doesn't work

-Pressing the Start key on your keyboard will open the host Start menu, not the remotely connected instance

Of course rdc is a bit of an edge case, but it's very important for business/power users.

Re: Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

#12

Every one of the methods listed for accessing the Start menu in Windows 8 causes problems in a remote desktop connection. -The mouse isn't always locked into the active rdc window, so finding the corner of the screen is tedious -Swiping in from the side of the window with a mouse doesn't work -Pressing the Start key on your keyboard will open the host Start menu, not the remotely connected instance Of course rdc is a…

Interesting, not something I've yet to do yet I RDP into Windows 7 daily.

Re: Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

#13

The problem is that they tried to merge desktop and tablet user experiences in the first place. The idea of having to perform a full context switch / screen jump to launch a new app is a weakness of tablets... not a strength that should be forced on PC users. The ability to have N applications on screen at once, and launch others without losing any visibility into current windows, is something they lost... that's the…

You can still put icons on the desktop and pin them to the task bar..

Re: Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

#14

Every one of the methods listed for accessing the Start menu in Windows 8 causes problems in a remote desktop connection. -The mouse isn't always locked into the active rdc window, so finding the corner of the screen is tedious -Swiping in from the side of the window with a mouse doesn't work -Pressing the Start key on your keyboard will open the host Start menu, not the remotely connected instance Of course rdc is a…

Interesting, not something I've yet to do yet I RDP into Windows 7 daily.

If you run your RDP client in full screen, don't use multiple monitors, and map your windows key to the remote os then it gets a little better. The break-in period is a little painful though, especially disconnecting (Charms Menu > Settings > Power > Disconnect??). I'm hoping the 8.1 update smooths out some of the issues.

Re: Microsoft shouldn't have reinstated the start button in Windows 8.1

#15
post #10

"Microsoft wanted to converge desktop and tablet platforms..." I always wonder why we imagine it is desirable to 'converge' the user interface for a device you carry in a pocket with that of a device that has two 30" monitors. It is possible to play a violin like a cello but not very practical...

I do want them converge. However, I dislike MS approach with separate incompatible software stores. Ubuntu tablet seems to be the right way to do it.

"separate incompatible software stores" elaborate?
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