ZombieSupaStar
Member
great now the desktop (do they even call it that anymore?) looks like the steaming pile of shit I see every time I turn on my 360.
Windows 8 Release Preview
- Thread starter celebi23
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I'm using metro on 4 devices right now.
My htc arrive
My dual core amd neo 1.6ghz with 4 gigs laptop dm3z
My dual core brazos 1.6ghz htpc
My bulldozer fx 8150 with 16 gigs of ram and tons of bells and whistles.
Metro is working just fine on all of these machines , the only snag is using metro on my 3 monitor pc. They need to put more work into that and from what i understand they are.
Probably because it'd be a massive undertaking and it just wasn't high enough of a priority. Windows 8 has so many changes already, you can only do so much. I'm sure things will converge more in future versions of Windows.
what is the problem with having flash in metro ? Its obvious that flash is dieing and ms is going to limit the flash sites you can go to anyway.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
The "main" reason for win8 was something that would work across multiple device types and create a new application model that would scale so devs wouldn't need to code multiple versions to get on the phone/pc/desktop/tv as well as create something to solve all the issues encountered over the past 20 years (security, performance, ui, install/updates, etc). People might be used to the old system but in many ways it was very very broken and needed a complete overhaul.
So much better ^_^ inb4 lm8r 'omg thats awfullllllll!'
Well, it is awful.
It's hilarious watching people simultaneously hold the idea that Metro is terrible because it lacks functionality, and then want that lack of functionality to extend to the desktop.
I dont want to lose functionality, I want a 'unified' experience. Not two seperate design philosophies running side by side.
A unified experience inherently means unified design sensibilities, which is the direct opposite of the entire point of keeping the Desktop around in the first place - full backwards compatibility.
Doing anything more than removing Glass and making minor visual upgrades to the theme would completely break most Windows 7 applications.
The Release Preview only has a few hints of the overall theme Windows 8 will ship with. Already, with those extremely minor changes, I'm seeing that theme propagate to hundreds of places in applications I use that I never once previously thought actually used theme elements. I can't imagine how utterly broken everything would be if there was anything of larger magnitude attempted.
Hell, the team probably did try more, saw how much it broke everything, and reverted the changes.
Iced_Eagle
Member
It's actually an app requirement that they support keyboard/mouse only, as well as touch only.
BTW, the list of "new" features in the OP is extremely misleading and I think it sounds quite negative.
Here's what's actually new:
- First glimpse at new desktop UI (Aero replacement). We won't see the final UI until release though.
- New inbox Metro apps (News, Sports, Travel)
- Multi-monitor improvements (can move Metro apps to any screen, much easier to get the charms, etc)
- IE10 Metro now supports Flash on certain websites (not every website thankfully, but just popular websites that absolutely require it)
- New boot logo
As far as I'm aware, those are the biggest ones to call out when compared to the consumer preview. The consumer preview already had tons of the base functionality, and naturally you can expect tons of bug fixes and improvements on that front.
And I feel I always reiterate this in every Win8 discussion, but as someone who uses it on two devices daily (a desktop and a laptop / tablet hybrid) I can tell you that you really don't have to worry about desktop playing second fiddle. On my tablet, I'm almost exclusively in Metro, when I convert it into a laptop, then I tend to be on the desktop. On my desktop I'm usually in, you guessed it, the desktop. Sure, when you press start, you're brought to the new start screen, but that's something that you will become comfortable with over time when you use the OS. Now I don't even think about it. It's all the same system to me. I vastly prefer Win8 to Win7 now.
*Edit*
Not really. Flash is only enabled for popular sites that absolutely need flash. For example, right now you can't go to Disney.com in IE Metro because their site is entirely flash based. IE is using the compatibility list feature to know that Disney.com needs flash enabled. Random Joe Bob's flash website likely won't work. It's also a custom version of Flash I believe that's been made better performing and more secure since it will be built into Windows. I'm still betting that Flash is going to die very soon due to HTML5. Flash in the browser is just a stopgap to prevent a very poor user experience, until HTML5 is more prevalent.
Isn't that what they did with Office?
That would look even worse. Inside a single application you'd have some themed elements the OS can control mixed with the majority of the application controlling its own surface. Microsoft can't magically go inside 3rd-party code and change how non-themed elements function.
The thing is, even Windows 7 shipped with multitouch support and native controls that were relatively touch-friendly - application developers simply chose not to use them. Probably for good reason, since there weren't many good touch devices for Windows 7. But the support has always been there for touch, and it's drastically improved with Windows 8, so it's up to the application developers (on the desktop and in metro) to make their applications touch-friendly.
They are... office is getting such an update but you can't expect adobe and others to want to put in the time to do that for their existing applications.
But these are all stopgap solutions.... the real "future" will be metro.... eventually every application will be in metro (office, adobe and everything else) and then we will have that unified interface we all want but they needed to make this gradual step to that goal. The other solution would have been to pull an ipad and cut off the legacy..... time will tell which one was the better way of getting there.
The one thing nobody has talked about yet are what will be new in the store.... I'm expecting some more 3rd party apps in the store and updates to the existing ones (live tile for the usa today app for instance).
Whatcha mean office is getting an update >.>? the 2010 version? New version? or the version they have made built in for ARM tablets?
Office 15 (aka the one that launches with win8) will be a desktop application but have some kind of touch enabled mode for tablet use.... we have seen screenshots of it but I don't know if we have seen the full touch optimized mode yet.
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/office/quick-peek-office-15-beta-refresh-142905
Iced_Eagle
Member
The "15" is the version, not a year. Office 2010 = Office 14. Office 2013 = Office 15 (or whatever it ends up being named).
Also, new update for SkyDrive apps on Windows/Mac! SkyDrive now supports using the photos picker in Win8.
http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/su...t-updates-skydrive-application-windows-143261
Sweet. This new Windows 8 integration sounds pretty awesome
Steelyuhas
Member
Now, we just need that at Office 15 open beta and my new software itch will be scratched.
The CP download link went up at like 9AM PST correct? Hopefully it's the same tomorrow.
The CP download link went up at like 9AM PST correct? Hopefully it's the same tomorrow.
Yep, I can't wait to try out the new Office either. I'm pretty sure that's when the links went up. I'm sure someone will find the direct download links before that though.
This is what it more or less will look like in the RTM:
They have said there are more changes to come even from that image though (probably icons mostly).
isn't that what they did do? the new app environment is made for Touch and Mouse/Keyboard. Each input type works just as well as the other. The old desktop environment was never designed for Touch and needs to be compatible with the all of the applications built for the thing.
Its not like Microsoft is going to suddenly stop working on the new environment after Windows 8's release. They will continue to work on it and improve on it. The big question is will we have to wait till Windows 9 to see more improvements or will we get yearly updates.
dragonelite
Member
So can i have my start button back in the release preview?
Jayayess1190
Member
Read on Neowin that Microsft has been furiously removing code that allows hacks to bring back stuff like that from working.
PwnCakes193
Member
I'm pretty pumped for this. I've been running the CP since it came out exclusively and I've had no issues. I can't wait to see how great the Release Preview is.
the touch stuff is made for keyboard and mouse use.
StudioTan
Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
This post is funny, especially the bolded as with typical desktop use it's almost exactly the same experience as Windows 7.
It doesn't look like its as easy to get to some functions that you normally just pressed start for.
brotkasten
Member
It looks different than before, which means you have to read what the pixels say that form text. That is hard and I understand that. The most important feature, type as you search, is still in it, even though it's gimped for some stupid reason.
David H Wong
Banned
It really doesn't sound like it.
brotkasten
Member
Judging by the implemented features and the stuff that is still missing or would make sense, I don't think they had time to even think about this.
I don't find this appealing at all.
Why risk pissing off your bread and butter customers to chase the iPad dream. The last year has shown that people are not interested in tablets apart from the iPad.
Just give me an evolution of Windows. Work on making your OS better instead of dumping it for an all in one thing.
Not used OSX but I'm guessing it doesn't have the same interface as iOS....
Why risk pissing off your bread and butter customers to chase the iPad dream. The last year has shown that people are not interested in tablets apart from the iPad.
Just give me an evolution of Windows. Work on making your OS better instead of dumping it for an all in one thing.
Not used OSX but I'm guessing it doesn't have the same interface as iOS....
brotkasten
Member
But the traditional desktop part of Windows 8 is better than Windows 7.
Looking at what Apple is currently doing with OSX I would say "yet".
We see this syndrome with every major Windows release. People hate change, and the UI is a massive change. I think though that people will get use to it, and after a while people will start to say Windows 8 is a great OS.
Fact is, Windows 8 is Microsoft's best OS ever, in technical terms it looks to be a massive step forward and light years ahead of what Apple is doing with OS X (and I am typing this from a Mac). Kudos to them for being brave and innovating, which everyone criticises MS for not doing, I really hope it is a success.
Fact is, Windows 8 is Microsoft's best OS ever, in technical terms it looks to be a massive step forward and light years ahead of what Apple is doing with OS X (and I am typing this from a Mac). Kudos to them for being brave and innovating, which everyone criticises MS for not doing, I really hope it is a success.
Look at trend. The tablet market is on pace to surpass the entire traditional PC makret in sales by 2015. Windows has to be there or else Microsoft loses the home computer market to Apple as the tablet skyrockets to being the primary home computer form factor of choice for consumers.
The iPad isn't the dream, its the future of the entire home consumer computer market. If Micrsoft didn't bet everything on tablets Apple wins the computer war. It's that important. In just a few short years tablets will be selling 300-400 million a year.
Microsoft knows the future hinges on tablets for the home consumer market.
I've been on W8 CP since the day it launched. My greatest gripe with it was how stupid and difficult it is to hit the corners on multiple monitors which has been tackled now and should be resolved for the upcoming RP.
I have read through this thread and would like to make some a few comments.
Most of you are complaining that you don't want or like how there's the Metro and Desktop mode living together and how stupid it is that the ideology of both designs have been slapped together. Well, firstly, had they forced everyone to use the Metro UI the backlash would've been incredible as pretty much no one is prepared to start living on the Metro UI as it is now, with it's lack of apps and functionality. Secondly, as I've said, I've been on the CP since it was released and I've practically been living in desktop mode at all times. Why does it bother people so much that there's an extra screen when they can opt to not use it for 95% of their time. Once they allow me to have metro constantly on on my second monitor I may start using it more regularly, as it's more adequate for 10-foot UIs. For me, W8 is exactly like W7 with many, many improvements under the hood, updated programs and a different start menu. Are you guys really suggesting that W7 (godly good) + many enhancements + 1 major change = steaming pile of garbage?!
The hate for ribbons is irrational. Ribbons are better than menus in every possible conceivable way. You know what's most important to me when doing stuff in windows explorer, or many other programs? Access to functionality. I don't care if it isn't aesthetically pleasing. I'd rather have my most commonly used commands right there in my face than a sleek interface with everything hidden behind a series of menus and submenus. Disagree with me? Collapse ribbons and you're back to how you like it.
Time and time again I find people adamant towards changes. Any and all changes will get some scrutiny from a mob forming somewhere on GAF. That's fine, I guess. It is possible people don't like new things, but I find the dismissal of a complete OS simply because of the Metro mode (which again is practically optional) quite silly. Dismissing an OS because of some good/bad cycle is even stupider.
Also, for the record, I don't think Vista was terrible at all. Vista was a major OS re-haul and it was fairly shitty in the beginning with the lack of drivers and whatnot. I still used it from the first beta which leaked and it was decent. It wasn't fully stable until the SP but after that it was almost as good as 7 is today. But people hated it already, which is probably why 7 was released so quickly after it and why, when you actually look at it the differences between Vista and 7 are so small, and yet people unanimously agree that 7 = Awesome and Vista = shit.
I have read through this thread and would like to make some a few comments.
Most of you are complaining that you don't want or like how there's the Metro and Desktop mode living together and how stupid it is that the ideology of both designs have been slapped together. Well, firstly, had they forced everyone to use the Metro UI the backlash would've been incredible as pretty much no one is prepared to start living on the Metro UI as it is now, with it's lack of apps and functionality. Secondly, as I've said, I've been on the CP since it was released and I've practically been living in desktop mode at all times. Why does it bother people so much that there's an extra screen when they can opt to not use it for 95% of their time. Once they allow me to have metro constantly on on my second monitor I may start using it more regularly, as it's more adequate for 10-foot UIs. For me, W8 is exactly like W7 with many, many improvements under the hood, updated programs and a different start menu. Are you guys really suggesting that W7 (godly good) + many enhancements + 1 major change = steaming pile of garbage?!
The hate for ribbons is irrational. Ribbons are better than menus in every possible conceivable way. You know what's most important to me when doing stuff in windows explorer, or many other programs? Access to functionality. I don't care if it isn't aesthetically pleasing. I'd rather have my most commonly used commands right there in my face than a sleek interface with everything hidden behind a series of menus and submenus. Disagree with me? Collapse ribbons and you're back to how you like it.
Time and time again I find people adamant towards changes. Any and all changes will get some scrutiny from a mob forming somewhere on GAF. That's fine, I guess. It is possible people don't like new things, but I find the dismissal of a complete OS simply because of the Metro mode (which again is practically optional) quite silly. Dismissing an OS because of some good/bad cycle is even stupider.
Also, for the record, I don't think Vista was terrible at all. Vista was a major OS re-haul and it was fairly shitty in the beginning with the lack of drivers and whatnot. I still used it from the first beta which leaked and it was decent. It wasn't fully stable until the SP but after that it was almost as good as 7 is today. But people hated it already, which is probably why 7 was released so quickly after it and why, when you actually look at it the differences between Vista and 7 are so small, and yet people unanimously agree that 7 = Awesome and Vista = shit.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Thanks for your post, puts some of my concerns at ease. I just got a new SSD and am considering installing Win 8 Release Preview on it tomorrow and using it as my main OS until the RTM later this year. Think I will encounter any issues? I need it to work with games (mostly Steam, Blizzard games and Guild War 2) and Adobe CS6. I'm sure the later won't be an issue. How's the driver support, can I just use nvidia drivers off their site or do I need special drivers?
Wiktor
Member
Because tablets are becoming insanely popular. Now they won't reach PCs popularity in the next decade or so, if ever, but even in the worst case scenario they will have hundreds millions users in few years. Microsoft can't afford to ignore that market.
With Windows 8 Microsoft wants to create unified system for all devices, hoping that they might be able to kill iPad the same way smarthones are killing dedicated cameras and mp3 players.
Why?
W7 was hardly different from Vista. W8 is by FAR the biggest UI change. Hands down.
I don't think you will encounter any issues. Most devices will work out of the box. For drivers, you'll might have to wait a few days until nvidia releases newer version compatible with the latest release, but I'm not sure. I have an ATI card and the dev preview drivers didn't work properly on the consumer preview build, but the newer drivers were released less than 24hrs after CP was released.
In any case, it's a new, blank drive, no? Just set up a multiple boot on the SSD and you can switch back immediately if you're not comfortable, but I would definitely give it a try as, as I've pointed out, desktop mode is, at the very least, as good as w7.
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