Windows 8 Consumer Preview Feedback Thread

[frostedflakes]

If you really want to know why they are doing metro the way they are it is because of the iPad. MS had several meetings trying to figure out how they could get into the tablet market and determined that they couldn't write a new OS , new apps and take on the iPad, it would be a repeat of windows phone all over again. Instead they got the idea to take an OS with already lots of applications and lots of developers, the downside being that it would alienate some of the desktop users.

They are taking a huge gamble that they will gain enough market share with tablets to offset the loss they will take from desktop users, and there will be losses. I know of several companies that after seeing the direction of win7 and win8 that have already started researching a switch to linux. Companies like the freedom to choose and many of them feel MS is removing their ability to choose the more the OS develops.

Time will tell but I can see this easily becoming the point where MS either lives or dies.

The thing I don't understand is, why is it necessary to alienate desktop users. The Win 8 DP had a registry setting that allowed you to enable the old start menu, but for some reason they removed it from the CP. Why not make Metro the default but then leave the option to go back to the legacy desktop/start menu for the users who want it? This way, everyone is happy.

I just don't get it. What's the point of giving a big FU to desktop users who have little interest in Metro and the more tablet-oriented features of Win 8? I know we're in the "post-PC" era and all, but there are still a ton of desktop users out there.

 

[Dominato3r]

So is anybody actually using W8CP on a tablet? If so, how do you like it so far?

I'm gonna try installing it on an old all-in-one PC but I think it's gonna suck bad. Windows 8 assumes your touch device has no bezel, and this thing does.

 

[FM2n]

Ok, after using Windows 8 more and more, I'm discovering more shortcomings than I'd like to.

1. I've written a few batch files and I need to run during startup. I can't paste or create a shortcut anywhere, especially for startup. I can only paste it on the "Desktop's Desktop".
2. My wireless connection says Limited connectivity upon waking up from Sleep. I have to reboot the entire computer. Happens on two different laptops with different wireless cards, so I'm going to blame the OS.
3. I can't go into my Wifi Connection Status to view IP, etc. I have to go into Control Panel, Network Settings, Adapter Settings, right click on Wireless Connection, then choose Status.
4. I can't view a list of my wireless connections that I have memorized.
5. I can't find a way to set up a manual connection to connect to a wifi network.

Personally at this point, the start button in W7 is proving to be VERY valuable. I'm sure they will bring it back in the final release, but damn would that be a shame if they didn't.

In reality, Windows 7 and Windows 8 should be independent where we can still switch back and forth as we have now. Instead, to rename Desktop to Windows 7, and keep all the functionality of W7 in tack. Sounds like a winner if they go that route. Kinda like on some phones they have a Work mode, and a Game mode which just changes between themes or layouts.

 

[LR6]

I have tried the CP more and I still don't like it. I constantly use the start menu on Win7 to search, open recent files and click on about everything else that is on there. I use way to many programs to pin them all to the task bar. I also don't like Metro Apps always running full screen. If they could run in a Window I might actually like it.

I am planning to build a new PC later this year and unless something changes I will not put Win8 on it. That leaves me with Win7 or even going with a Mac. I can't believe that I am seriously considering a Mac.

 

[BD2003]

The thing I don't understand is, why is it necessary to alienate desktop users. The Win 8 DP had a registry setting that allowed you to enable the old start menu, but for some reason they removed it from the CP. Why not make Metro the default but then leave the option to go back to the legacy desktop/start menu for the users who want it? This way, everyone is happy.

I just don't get it. What's the point of giving a big FU to desktop users who have little interest in Metro and the more tablet-oriented features of Win 8? I know we're in the "post-PC" era and all, but there are still a ton of desktop users out there.

Because most people are so immediately turned off by it, that the first thing everyone who wants a real desktop will do is disable it. Then there goes any chance of making money off your app purchases and/or buying into their vision of the future. They're convinced that it people are forced to use it, they'll adjust to it, even wonder how they ever lived without it.

 

[13Gigatons]

What is the point of this if you have already purchased a iPad or any other tablet?

For the millions of desktops out there I believe Microsoft will optimize Windows 8 before release otherwise it's a train wreck.

 

[ultimatebob]

I've made my peace with the new Windows 8 Start Screen once I learned how to access the hidden Power User menu. It makes getting to the control panel and command prompt a LOT easier.

 

[JimmiG]

It's frustrating to see another Vista in the making, but that's exactly what's happening here.

I'm sure Metro is great for tablets and smart phones, but it's a huge step back for desktop users. Sure, "Touch is the future", but that doesn't mean the regular desktop/laptop computer with its mouse and keyboard isn't part of that future as well.

For one, touch can never match the pixel-accurate precision of the mouse (unless we all have surgery to make our fingers 1mm thick at the tips), nor the acceleration (sending the cursor flying over the 27" screen with minimal effort). This is why a desktop UI will never work well with touch, and a touch interface will never be optimal for a mouse. They're too different and need completely separate user interfaces.

 

[gmaster456]

I've made my peace with the new Windows 8 Start Screen once I learned how to access the hidden Power User menu. It makes getting to the control panel and command prompt a LOT easier.

Talking about Windows Key + X?

 

[Dominato3r]

I dont get how the start screen is a terrible replacement for the start menu.

The start search is infinitely better
There are no more confusing folders, you can group programs to your liking
You can pin your most used application to the first group

 

[Sureshot324]

Unless I'm missing something, Windows 8 CP is very reliant on keyboard shortcuts. Often I simply don't have my hands on the keyboard and I should be able to do everything with the mouse if I want to. I don't see any way of going from the desktop to the start screen without the keyboard since there is no start button. I can't even close a metro app without the keyboard since there is no x to close the window.

The start screen is nice, and I could accept it as a replacement for the current start menu but only if there was an option for it not to hide the taskbar. I don't want the taskbar to disappear ever, unless I'm running a fullscreen app like a game or video. Considering my taskbar is only like half an inch high this shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Modelworks]

The problem I have with the win8 and the overall trend in computing is the trend to dumb things down. That results in making things wonderful for the product manufacturers because there is less for a user to screw up but results in a narrowing of options for the user. The ideal PC and MS has promoted this over and over is a PC that has no software installed by the user, a system that you turn on and it downloads what it needs from the cloud from apps to the OS. The user can only control what the interface tells them they have access to use. They control the OS, the APPS , the flow of information in and out of the system . Once they reach that level of OS they can then begin to block people who build there own computers and start requiring computers to be all bought pre-assembled like a tv or a blu-ray player , complete with lockouts to make them useless for anything but the OS and apps they are sold for, only signed code will run. It blocks out piracy, stops malware and virus in their tracks.

This might sound good for the malware part, but the downside is you also have placed a strangle hold on innovation , stopped hobbyist from experimenting and locked the pc market into being totally corporate driven. Have any programmers here looked at the metro API ? I have and one thing is for sure it isn't looking to be something that everyone is going to feel warm and fuzzy over, some of the restrictions and procedures are so clear as to have the purpose of locking programmers to the OS that I am amazed there isn't more fuss about it.

MS has always wanted the control over hardware and software that Apple has wanted as well and win8 looks like the first stepping stone to achieve that.

Don't take your eyes off linux either because several of the distributions for all their talk of openness have been talking with hardware manufacturers as well and they are not talking about open hardware with these manufacturers.

 

[Shawn]

Unless I'm missing something, Windows 8 CP is very reliant on keyboard shortcuts. Often I simply don't have my hands on the keyboard and I should be able to do everything with the mouse if I want to. I don't see any way of going from the desktop to the start screen without the keyboard since there is no start button. I can't even close a metro app without the keyboard since there is no x to close the window.

The start screen is nice, and I could accept it as a replacement for the current start menu but only if there was an option for it not to hide the taskbar. I don't want the taskbar to disappear ever, unless I'm running a fullscreen app like a game or video. Considering my taskbar is only like half an inch high this shouldn't be an issue.

Put your mouse in the lower left corner to get to the start screen. You can close metro apps by clicking at the top of the screen and dragging downward.

It's stupid to do on a mouse but makes sense for a touchscreen.

 

[Ausm]

Thanks for the link downloading the iso now to test in virtualbox.

^^

 

[cboath]

I don't suppose anyone has considered the fact that all these normal desktop OS things could very well be back by the final and that the reason they're missing now is to keep testers from just reverting to the classic version and making them test out the new things. Given the feeback in this thread alone, seems like if they offered all the options people wanted right now, next to no one would actually be testing the metro side of things.

All these mouse gestures and hot corners and everything else clearly make more sense for smaller touch screens. They much less practical for normal desktop use, especially the larger monitor you have. I find it hard to believe that MS doesn't understand that.

 

[Dominato3r]

The Kindle application is up in the store. Looks really slick.

 

[BD2003]

I don't suppose anyone has considered the fact that all these normal desktop OS things could very well be back by the final and that the reason they're missing now is to keep testers from just reverting to the classic version and making them test out the new things. Given the feeback in this thread alone, seems like if they offered all the options people wanted right now, next to no one would actually be testing the metro side of things.

All these mouse gestures and hot corners and everything else clearly make more sense for smaller touch screens. They much less practical for normal desktop use, especially the larger monitor you have. I find it hard to believe that MS doesn't understand that.

Theyve pretty much out and out stated thats not the case. This is their vision. Theyve shown to be responsive to criticism to some degree, but this is basically what you're going to get unless they do a total 180.

 

[Sable]

Just wanted to chime in and say that I agree 100% with BD2003's assessment. This is a total waste front end for desktop users. I'm sure on a touch screen it's great but with a keyboard and mouse it's completely unintuitive, no close app button wtf?!

In what way has this made the desktop experience any better/faster/more efficient?

Oh, and I love how as soon as you need to troubleshoot anything it immediately reverts to desktop mode which I've no doubt is really inconvenient for touch screen users.

And I thought the new file system was meant to be in this but apparently it's only gonna be in the server edition? Did I hear that right? Might have to get that if it blows off the crap gui as well.

 

[frostedflakes]

Just wanted to chime in and say that I agree 100% with BD2003's assessment. This is a total waste front end for desktop users. I'm sure on a touch screen it's great but with a keyboard and mouse it's completely unintuitive, no close app button wtf?!

In what way has this made the desktop experience any better/faster/more efficient?

Oh, and I love how as soon as you need to troubleshoot anything it immediately reverts to desktop mode which I've no doubt is really inconvenient for touch screen users.

And I thought the new file system was meant to be in this but apparently it's only gonna be in the server edition? Did I hear that right? Might have to get that if it blows off the crap gui as well.

User interface

Server Manager has been redesigned with an emphasis on easing management of multiple servers.[10] The operating system, like Windows 8, uses the Metro UI when not installed in Server Core mode.[11] Windows PowerShell in this version has over 2300 commandlets, compared with around 200 in Windows Server 2008 R2.[12] There is also command auto-completion.[12]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_8#User_interface

There is no escaping from Metro apparently.

 

[bankster55]

as I said in the other moaning and groaning thread here:
The Win key is the toggle between Metro and Classic
You can also in either mode place your mouse cursor to right of date and click search in sidebar and see everything that would be in Classic Start, but better organized

 

[gmaster456]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_8#User_interface

There is no escaping from Metro apparently.

Metro is much easier to avoid using in Server 8. I'm not having to revert back to Metro nearly as much as Windows 8.

 

[Zaap]

MS= wasting billions in order to reinvent the square wheel.

Meanwhile, they already have Oragami for Windows on tablets. Why not just upgrade that for tabletPCs and leave the Windows 8 desktop (which actually isn't bad) alone?

Oh, wait I know why. Because Ballmer got his hands on an iPad, and went "Ohhhh... this is the future of everything! We have to copy it even if our people know jack-dick about the nuances of human interface design! Get my crack team of ME/Vista veterans on copying this iPad thing pronto! And make sure the Bob people design the look!"

 

[dagamer34]

MS= wasting billions in order to reinvent the square wheel.

Meanwhile, they already have Oragami for Windows on tablets. Why not just upgrade that for tabletPCs and leave the Windows 8 desktop (which actually isn't bad) alone?

Oh, wait I know why. Because Ballmer got his hands on an iPad, and went "Ohhhh... this is the future of everything! We have to copy it even if our people know jack-dick about the nuances of human interface design! Get my crack team of ME/Vista veterans on copying this iPad thing pronto! And make sure the Bob people design the look!"

Are you actually arguing that the iPad isn't the future if computing? That's like saying the command line will beat the upstart GUI 25 years ago. If you really believe that, I have a bridge to nowhere to sell you.

The next billion computer users will find an iPad easier to use than Windows 7. Arguing anything else is foolish and actually advocates that Microsoft thumb their noses, pretend the iPad doesn't exist, pull a RIM and begin the slow trek towards irrelevance.

Do explain why businesses would hate Windows 8 but clamor for iPads in the workplace.

 

[Phillip Atkins]

I'm running it at home at the moment, I don't like it.

I mean props to the fact you login with your email and it connects email, xbox and things all together that's kinda nice but I hate the Metro thing. It's obvious it is made for touchscreen computers and tablets and such.

I also like how it is pretty fast browsing through apps and folders and what not, but I noticed loading a large amount of music took a while.

 

[FM2n]

sooooo.. anyone know how to create your own shortcut? Particularly one in the startup menu.

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk