Windows 8 experience

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Gary RV_Wizard

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I recently installed Windows 8 on one of my systems (the other desktop has Win7 and the rest are Androids).  It replaced Windows XP Pro, so the transition required a clean install, to the point of formatting the target disk.  Upgrades from Vista or Win7 do not require that, but XP does. I'm told there is a way around the disk re-format for XP, but it was not immediately obvious and I had already backed up the data anyway, so I just did it. The penalty is that you have to re-install all your applications, but it had been at least three years since I had cleaned house so I didn't mind spending the time to do that.

The Windows install went easily, but the learning curve is every bit as steep as you may have heard. I even had to do a web search to learn how to shut the darn thing down! The Metro interface, which Microsoft calls the "new Start Page", is pretty and has some tablet-like functions (apps) that are decent, but I suspect most people will choose to immediately launch the Desktop app, which goes to a more familiar Windows-style desktop.  A "Desktop" button is pre-installed on the Metro Start page, so you don't have to worry about a way to get there.  I also installed a non-MS piece of software called Classic Shell, which provides a traditional Windows Start button on the desktop. It provides most of the familiar Start button functions, so makes it easier to adapt. MS provided practically no Help to advise on using the new interface, either in Windows itself or via their website, but there is quite a bit of help from third parties like CNET, including You Tube videos.

Just about all of my previous applications installed and ran fine. The only major exception was a really old one that pre-dated even Windows 95 and Win8 would not allow to run at all. I've been meaning to replace it for years, but never got around to it!  Software install generates a button on the Metro Start screen so you can launch direct to it without going to the Desktop first.  Most of the applications also installed a shortcut on the Desktop page, but I had to create a few manually.  Oddly enough, I had problems installing MS Streets & Trips 2013, which debuted after Win8 came out. It omits some required DLLs when installing in a 64 bit environment and also failed to activate the license properly. Microsoft  had some advice but basically said "call customer support to get the details", but  I found some help elsewhere online and got it straightened out after 45 minutes of putzing around. I didn't want to deal with the help desk people in India - it's just too frustrating for me.

Had no problem at all with the various device drivers  - Windows handled everything without asking me for help. I've got an old Sony dye-sublimation photo printer I haven't tried yet, but everything else works fine.

As a retired computer professional, I was motivated to get acquainted with newer Windows technology and knew I had the skills to cope with the changes. I also wanted to replace my 32 bit version with 64 bit to take full advantage of the cpu and recently expanded memory in my system. All in all I am happy with the transition, but it's not one I would encourage anybody to make without good reason. Especially if your PC skills are on the light side. If you are running Win7 or even Vista and are happy, I think that staying there is the smart choice. Even staying with XP is ok, though it is getting long in the tooth.
 
I agree with Gary's assessment of Win8. I installed a beta of 8 a few years ago and I used it for a month before I decided it was not for me. My main complaint was not with the operating system itself, but with the new "ribbon" tool bars. I just don't like them. I agree that if you are not forced into using it then don't bother with it. Win7 is a much better choice in my book.

I have been using my Chromebook for the last few months and the only time I use my Windows machine is when I edit and post process my photos. That is about one hour a month. It seems so strange now when I boot up my Windows computer.
 
Many industry reporters were very negative about Windows 8 when it was first released, but have since changed their opinion after spending some time with it.  One key is to learn the keyboard shortcuts if you don't have a touch screen.  They make using Windows 8 much easier.  Even Windows 7 is easier to use with the keyboard, but most people have the mouse habits ingrained that they never explore the keyboard shortcuts.

Personally, I think getting rid of the Start button was a good idea.  In Windows 7, I would either click the Start button, or press the Windows key, and start typing a program name to run a program.  I almost never used the Start menu.  In Windows 8 you just start typing when you're on the Start screen and the same thing happens, no mouse required :)  There are many more keyboard shortcuts that make using Windows 8 (or 7) easier than getting CTS from your mouse.
 
John Canfield said:
You'll have my mouse when you pry it from my cold dead hand  :D :D.

When your hand goes numb, I won't have to :)
 
Hopefully touch screens will (quickly) come down in price.
 
It works fine with a regular mouse, track ball, etc. Everything you could touch is also mouse-sensitive.  There are a few things in Win8 that are geared toward gestures rather than clicks, but a mouse drag works nearly as well. Like anything else involving manual dexterity, once you learn it, it's second nature and you don't even realize you are doing it.

I also bought a "touch mouse", which is basically a movable touch pad with a cursor, but haven't really found much need for it yet.  It's convenient for scrolling and panning, but has no real advantage for most things. It's certainly not necessary for use Win8.

I may eventually get a touch screen, but see no pressing need for it (and they are still expensive). The touch screen is great for navigating links and buttons but I still prefer a cursor for text entry & editing (and I do a fair amount of that).
 
I got a new laptop, because I needed one, and got Windows 8 on it because I wanted to see what it was all about, and be able to use it "in case".  Gary summed things up pretty well, though I don't have many apps installed yet.  It is a different animal to be sure, and takes some getting used to, but like most things, once you do, it's not so bad.  It is pretty confusing initially, so take some time getting used to it.  We'll see how it goes as I use it more.
 
I have actually found the new File Explorer to be pretty slick and a big improvement over the Win7/Vista explorer. Many of its capabilities are hidden by default, though. You have to click View or Home on the menu to see the slick new features they have added.

I discover something new almost every day!
 
Hmm, I have a Bamboo touch pad I use with Photoshop. I wonder how it would interface as a pseudo touch screen...
 
captsteve said:
Hmm, I have a Bamboo touch pad I use with Photoshop. I wonder how it would interface as a pseudo touch screen...
Steve - Amazon has this to say in the product description:

Bamboo Touch is compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and Mac OS X (10.4.8 or higher.) It requires a powered USB drive, a colored screen, and a CD/DVD drive.
 

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