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richfed
Sachem

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002

Status: offline

Administrator

Posted - March 03 2012 : 3:24:07 PM

... fancy name for BETA!

This is one sorry OS. Windows 8 is basically Windows 7 - without a start button or menu - with a tablet/smart phone interface over it. It is extremely unnavigable for me. There is a lock screen, then a log-in screen, then the tablet-like screen [made for touch screens, really] and THEN you can get to your desktop, if you can figure out how to ... only when you get there, there's no easy way to get to start/programs ... unless, of course you can figure out how to get back to the tablet screen. It is lousy. I didn't give it much chance, but I really did not like it. The download was a permanent thing - no rolling back to Windows 7 - and no way I was going to spend a couple of hundred bucks when it was released. So, I've been redoing my computer the past couple of days.

I usually enjoy these adventures with new stuff -- not this time. I will pass on this version of Windows.

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caitlin
Bumppos Tavern Patron

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002

Status: offline

Donating Member

Posted - March 04 2012 : 11:20:07 AM

Thanks for the heads up!

I look forward to new stuff too and it totally sucks

when you can't roll back.

Jack McCall: "Should we shake hands or something, relieve the atmosphere. I mean how stupid do you think I am?"
Wild Bill Hickok: "I don't know, I just met you."

"A nation with no regard to it's past will have little future worth remembering."
A.Lincoln

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things"

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Donna
Colonial Settler

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002

Status: offline

Posted - March 10 2012 : 11:09:48 AM

Rich, Thanks for posting this information. It's good to get some
real world input. We still have mainly Windows XP at the school.
But last August we added netbooks with Windows 7. We also got a load
of IPADS that the kids enjoy. I still use XP at home.
Oh, and happy belated Birthday!

Donna

Been onboard since 1998.

"Push hard, 'cos you got to clear the French outpost by dawn."

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richfed
Sachem

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002

Status: offline

Administrator

Posted - March 24 2012 : 5:24:03 PM

Well, being the nerd and wannabe geek that I am, after reformatting my PC and reinstalling Windows 7, what do I do? I download and install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview yet again. Glutton for punishment, I guess.

This time, the so-called Metro screen - with all the smart-phone-like apps, actually worked. Still, without a touchscreen - and who wants grimy fingerprints all over their monitor, anyway???? - it's a bit awkward to use. With this "feature" kind of laid-over the usual Windows desktop, the whole thing is kind of clunky. One can only hope that Microsoft makes this an easier transition for regular PC users than it is now.

However, if you mostly just stay on the desktop screen, albeit without the start button, you actually have a pretty good, enhanced and more secure Windows 7. There is now a little MOD available which installs a little start button that makes you feel a lot more at home.

I will continue to use this and see how it feels after extended use and additional Microsoft updates.

PS - Don't try this without Carbonite or some other good backup, because you still can't roll back to your original OS.

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richfed
Sachem

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002

Status: offline

Administrator

Posted - July 03 2012 : 4:48:12 PM

I "upgraded" to the Windows 8 Release Preview ... and it is better than the Consumer Preview. Very stable, nicely enhanced version of Windows 7. I still don't really use the Metro screen, except to navigate to Start. A Start button on the Desktop would make this all much better.

Still Applies: PS - Don't try this without Carbonite or some other good backup, because you still can't roll back to your original OS.

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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005

Status: offline

Posted - July 03 2012 : 5:37:34 PM

I will be interested to see how this works out for you. I have seen the adds, but really, I still use XP and see no reason to change. If I bought a new machine, and it came already installed on it, then OK. Maybe. I just don't see what they have created that is better than what I already have. Really, all I want is a way to boot up Firefox.