Windows 8

[MyNameDidntFit]

Well, we've known for a while that Windows 8 is in development but we're starting to get some real information and whatnot on what's going to be involved in the latest extortionately priced step in the PC OS market.

Anyway, what we seem to be looking at is a massively updated version of Microsoft's smartphone OS. Which means it's designed from the floor up with touchscreens and "apps" in mind. Take a look at the first video in a series of videos MS will be releasing on their blog to showcase their new baby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92QfWOw88I

For now, I am not amused. Certainly, it has a lot of rather neat looking stuff and it's all streamlined... but I just can't shake the feeling that my PC is damned well meant to look like a PC! It's had the same look for as long as I've been using one--a good bakers' dozen years--and I don't want my primary PC changing just now.

I know I sound all "rawr change"-y, but I just don't think I want touch to be the primary interface with my PC at the moment--my phone; sure, a tablet; sure, even a laptop... but... ah, heck. I sound all old and crotchety. We'll see where this goes.



A couple sources for features: Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2011/jun11/06-01corporatenews.aspx), Tested (http://www.tested.com/news/first-official-look-at-windows-8-reveals-metro-style-start-screen-video/2403/).

[Betty]

Ha. And all my friends didnt believe me when I said windows 8 is coming out soon.

I do want to upgrade my OS (vista is manageable for only SO long...), but the layout of 8 seems awkward and clunky ish. Too "people friendly", and almost forces you to have some social network addiction, or like its giant add campaign for something like twitter.
Im just a turd though...Since apparently macs are better and my computer is a "piece of shit", as quoted by my mac user of a friend (who cant troubleshoot her way out of a paper bag, mind you.....)

[MyNameDidntFit]

Aye. Well, from what they're showing so far, you can essentially switch your Windows 8 over to imitate the functionality of Windows 7--with a desktop, start bar and all those glorious things we love--to use alongside the W8 functionality.

I'm just not sure I'm a fan. Like I said, though, we'll see where it goes. And whether or not I get given a free touchscreen monitor >.>

[Betty]

sucks, cause I wasnt that big of a fan of w7 either ^_^

its trying to be hard like a smart phone.

[Konrad]

In terms of an OS for my smartphone, tablet, etc. it looks like your average OS with a cool multitasking solution.

In terms of my PC, it looks like that Media Center crap they've been pushing on me since XP that I never used, except all over Windows.
Frankly, I don't like it. I don't believe that putting a lot of huge icons and making everything super organic is the way to increase my productivity. I liked where W7 went and stopped in terms of "pretty and organic user interface". We'll see what else W8 has to offer, but if MediaCenterEverything is the only real change, Windows 7 will have to keep being the best I've had for a bit longer.

Look forward to seeing more videos, perhaps with more substance than "NOW YOU CAN SWIPE TO ALT+TAB WEE"

[Archangel]

I do want to upgrade my OS (vista is manageable for only SO long...), but the layout of 8 seems awkward and clunky ish.

sucks, cause I wasnt that big of a fan of w7 either ^_^

:/.

It... It is Vista, though.

Anyways, as for this whole Win8 thing... yeah... not lovin' it. It's just their Windows Phone 7 interface all over again, only for your PC. Which utterly confounds me. On the one hand you have a relatively small device used for... socialising, networking, taking pictures and so on. On the other, you have a much larger, more powerful machine for doing far, far, far more. Like, say, working. And an interface that's all about "apps" and "widgets" and all that other crap is not conducive to simply doing work.

Silly Microsoft...

[Kozahk]

Not a bad idea, but this is one of those crazy concepts people envision that would simply not suit their platform, and be thrown away before long. Kinda like those mind control games, nice concept, but it simply will not work.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Aye, maybe they should try again when we have a projected 3D control matrix so I don't have to hold onto my monitor that weighs several kilograms to use the touch interface.