Windows 8 is great

[SEBAR]

I have been using Windows 8 for a little over a week now and am really starting to like it. It is not as difficult to navigate with a keyboard and mouse as I initially thought. The start screen with the metro tiles is great. Everything that you want is there; you can add, remove and configure the live tiles in any way want. Important information like emails are easily visible. Switching between apps and programs is also very easy. The upper left corner of the screen gives you access to the open apps and programs giving you a thumbnail view and the ability to choose one or close it. The desktop is the same as windows 7 with the exception of no start menu. This was probably the hardest thing for me to get used to. I am so used to clicking on the start many to do anything. Now everything is on the Start screen. Adding programs, apps or any other documents or web pages and easily be pinned to the start screen. I am still learning all of the hot keys and shortcuts but have found the Metro interface to be easy to use even with a mouse. Overall the interface is fantastic, easy to use and I feel it can improve productivity. Everything you use can be pinned to the start screen making it easily accessible with the click of the mouse.

I think the biggest problem with Windows 8 is learning curve. Windows users will have to relearn everything we have been taught since Windows 95 was released. Some of the things I do not like about Windows 8 are:

* Not being able to easily close a program or app

* Having the metro interface dump into the desktop when a program is selected on the Start screen. I am sure that when more apps are developed this will be less of a problem.

* Having to input your password in order to log out of your windows live account to browse anonymously

I will be updating this thread when I learn about new features or tricks.

Update 6/12/2012: I just learned a few more things about Windows 8 that you might find helpful.

1. the bottom left corner is the quick link to the metro start page. When placing your mouse cursor in the lower left corner a thumbnail is visible of the start page, by right clicking the mouse a more traditional start menu is displayed (Keyboard shortcut: Windows Key + X).

2. The new version of IE does not like the OC3D log in screen and will not load. I had to use Chrome. (This is fine by me because I prefer Chrome)

3. Here is a list of Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts (Bold = the shortcuts I have found most useful)

• Windows key – Brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.
  
• Windows key + B – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and select the tray notification area.
  
• Windows key + C – Brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.
  
• Windows key + D – Brings up the old Windows desktop.
  
• Windows key + E – Launch Windows Explorer with Computer view displayed.
  
• Windows key + F – Brings up the Metro File search screen.
  
• Windows key + H – Opens the Metro Share panel.
  
• Windows key + I – Opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness.
  
• Windows key + J – Switches focus between snapped Metro applications.
  
• Windows key + K – Opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)
  
• Windows key + L – Lock PC and return to Lock screen.
  
• Windows key + M - Minimize all Windows on the desktop
  
• Windows key + O – Locks device orientation.
  
• Windows key + P - Choose between available displays.
  
• Windows key + Q – Brings up the Metro App Search screen.
  
• Windows key + R – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and display the Run box.
  
• Windows key + U – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
  
• Windows key + V – Cycles through toasts.
  
• Windows key + W – Brings up the Metro Settings search screen.
  
• Windows key + X – Launch Start Menu.
  
• Windows key + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop.
  
• Windows key + Z – Opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.
  
• Windows key + Page Up / Down – Moves tiles to the left / right.
  
• Windows key + Tab – Opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.
  
• Windows key + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop.
  
• Windows key + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen. (Right side)
  
• Windows key + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen. (Left side)
  
• Windows key + Space – Switch input language and keyboard layout.
  
• Windows key + Shift + V – Cycles through toasts in reverse order.
  
• Windows key + Enter – Launches Narrator
  
• Windows key + Arrow Keys – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and enable Aero Snap
  

​A more comprehensive list can be found here. http://windowsteambl...00_5756566F.png

Update 06/13/2012:

4. Logging in: Windows lock screen can be confusing at first. When you first load Windows 8 the only thing you can see is the Windows lock screen with a fancy picture and the date and time. When I first started using it I had the hardest time trying to figure out how to log into Windows. There are a several different ways to get the log in screen to appear.

1. Drag the screen up
   
2. scroll the mouse wheel
   
3. pressing the space bar.
   

As you can imagine not knowing any of these steps can be very frustrating. I sat around left and right clicking everywhere on the screen. I would see the bottom of the screen start to move and then drop back down. It took me having to break out my laptop and doing a google search. But now that I know how to log in it is very simple.

5. Logging out: Logging out or turning off the system can be just as confusing unless you know some easy steps.

1. ctrl + alt + delete will bring up screen that will allow you to log out, lock the screen, switch users, open the task manager, or power off the system
   
2. WIndows + I will open the settings menu, in the lower right corner you will see the power button
   
3. Moving you mouse cursor to the bottom right corner will open that Charms bar where you can select the settings icon and then power off the system.
   

 

[seumasbeathan]

* Not being able to easily close a program or app

That was doing my head in when I tried it

 

[pickyantivirus]

There are just a lot of annoying things about 8. It's just the fact it's a more touch compatible/mobile orientated OS. I don't want to use a smart phone all day and then not have a physical KB/Mouse to use on a desktop/laptop. Fair enough windows 8 allows you to use these peripherals but,.... just not well. But then do I just feel this way because windows hasn't ever evolved this much before. I mean lets face it, since a GUI was put into windows it's been very similar all the way through with minor tweaks each version.

 

[arnzzz]

when i tried it i didnt really give it a chance, found it all a little disorientating

will be giving it another go soon enough, with

a little more patience this time round.

 

[SEBAR]

Using the keyboard and mouse is more intuitive in Windows 8 then you might think. When I first started using it I hated it but now it is more comfortable. I think a lot of the negativity comes from people just not being able to easily adapt to the changes.

 

[SEBAR]

That was doing my head in when I tried it

I learned how to easily close an application in Windows 8. When you have an application open simply grab the top edge of the app and drag it down to the bottom of the screen. The app will close and bring you back to the Start screen.

 

[Gothique Doll]

I have found that my comfort with Win 8 is very much a familiarity thing. First time I tried it, I hated it, nothing made sense, I couldn't find anything...

Each time I have another poke at it, it does get a little easier and less annoying. I am still not convinced that the metro screen is a good thing aesthetically - it is a bit visually jarring to move between it and the desktop - but it does feel no more or less useful than the start menu does at the moment. Changing habits based on movements is hard (such as how to close things and so on) as your hand begins to move in the way you are used to as soon as you think to do the action. When an OS changes how you need to move the mouse to do things, it makes it hard for a while. I don't have this trouble when I use, say Ubuntu, because it looks completely different and everything works differently. Win 8 is enough like the previous windows OS to feel familiar but different enough to confuse. I think they have tried a half way house to make it easy on everyone. I actually think it makes it harder to like and use at first because you feel like you ought to know it already and then don't.

I am still not convinced it is worth the upgrade though as Win 7 has been such a smooth and easy OS to use and I don't really feel like 8 is giving me anything I don't have, perhaps Win 9.

 

[SPS]

Interesting insight.

I'm glad that the metro screen is a lot more intuitive with mouse and keyboard because I feel that many people quickly jumped to conclusion without giving it a fair chance.

 

[SieB]

I still haven't tried it, after reading this though I might install it in a VM and give it a try.

 

[dipzy]

I tried before and hated it, i did fiddle around with it but wasn't happy overall. May install it again and see if i can learn to like it. but one thing i can say for sure is that i'll still most definitely stick to windows 7 on my main rig, and possibly put win 8 on a HTPC build if i ever do one

 

[SEBAR]

I am still not convinced it is worth the upgrade though as Win 7 has been such a smooth and easy OS to use and I don't really feel like 8 is giving me anything I don't have, perhaps Win 9.

You are right. Windows 8 is just windows 7 with the Metro Start Screen instead of a Start button. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft does with the future of Windows. I currently use Windows 7@home, Windows XP@work, Ubuntu on my laptop, and am learning Windows 8.

 

[SEBAR]

Updated the first post with ways to log into and out of Windows 8.

 

[dugdiamond]

nice little HEADS UP.

change is often never liked:

98SE users did not like XP ... XP users did not like Vista ... Vista users did not like win7 ... etc...

technology is changing, and so must we... whether we like it or not!

 

[p1ngman1969]

i had a little play with this last week.

really liked the look of it but it locked up a few times on me.

when is the retail release of this os. ?????

 

[Gothique Doll]

Rumour has it being released in October of this year.

 

[pickyantivirus]

I think I'll be making a dedicated VM with 4GB RAM, 2 cores and plenty of space to see how it performs. I'm interested in getting used to it so will probably try and use the VM as much as I can, but I don't want to be re-installing my windows 7 OS because I have only just got it setup perfectly. I'll let you know how I get on and if I discover anything different you lot haven't already. I am aware that the VM won't run as well as a proper install but it's still going to allow me to try it out.

 

[SEBAR]

I think I'll be making a dedicated VM with 4GB RAM, 2 cores and plenty of space to see how it performs. I'm interested in getting used to it so will probably try and use the VM as much as I can, but I don't want to be re-installing my windows 7 OS because I have only just got it setup perfectly. I'll let you know how I get on and if I discover anything different you lot haven't already. I am aware that the VM won't run as well as a proper install but it's still going to allow me to try it out.

Good luck on the VM, let us know how things turn out.

 

[pickyantivirus]

Good luck on the VM, let us know how things turn out.

Going pretty well so far. Runs smoothly and especially considering it's a VM. I have to admit, after how much I slated windows 8 at the start I wasn't expecting miracles.

I think the problem is, as others have said, we MUST evolve with the devices and technologies around us and this is the next step in the evolution of operating systems and the way we interact with devices in general.

Like Microsoft have already shown at E3 they want windows 8, windows phone and Xbox to work perfectly together and by making all the GUIs very similar it allows the user to get used to all 3 devices at once.

Love how smooth some of the stuff in windows 8 is, had a few "app" problems, but mainly down to the VM and now Windows 8.

Over all I think I WILL get Windows 8 a few months after release and give it a go (dual boot until I feel comfortable and safe in the environment)