Easy install and I'm using it now. Only had it running for a few minutes now so I haven't had time to check it out. Firefox installed quickly and is running.

Les

Yep easy install, but still hasn't changed my mind about it...cough, gag, puke...

MSU

I'm trying to give it a chance but so far I'm still not excited enough to upgrade from 7.

Les

Heck I'm not exited enough to give it more than the 15 or 20 minutes I gave each of the previous releases (developer preview and consumer preview).

MSU

7 is the new XP.

8 is the new ME.

I know which one I would rather use.

What do you mean he's the Doctor? Doctor Who?

Shoot, I'd rather use ME than 8.

MSU

How true. Me stunk but at least it was something we could recognize as
Windows. I think Metro has a chance as an option but not as the default.

Right.

MSU

Yeah, I used Windows XP for 9 years.
I'm also glad I have just moved onto Windows 7 before 8 came out.
I was considering trying out 8 but I don't think I'll bother now.

Am I missing something? I cannot find the ubiquitous Solitaire game!

Les

Nope not there. There was some kind of game in the consumer preview, I don't remember what it was and it's gone from the RC.

MSU

The consumer preview had a solitaire game included but there were no options to change anything and every time you opened it you got a full screen ad advising you to go to the ESRB site for info on parental ratings.

Les

That's right! That's what it was. And I remember laughing at the ESRB notice for solitaire.

MSU

I just downloaded the newest Version and installing it again.
I wonder how close this will be to the real deal.

I've never been overly excited about any OS and W8 is no exception. To me, the OS is nothing more than a method to start my PC. The apps are the heart of my system. I don't need to be entertained by the OS as it appears that W8 does for some. Wow! Touch screen. Who cares? So far, W7 delivers what I need in an OS. I'd like to tell MS where they can stick W8 but this is of course a civilized site.

OK. Tell me where I'm off base.

The solitaire game has been a time waster for millions of office workers around the globe while eating lunch or having a coffee break. Companies frown on workers downloading and installing games or anything else on their computers. I have played probably thousands of games while eating lunch at my desk or sitting at home waiting for time to leave or just bored. The solitaire game is as much a part of Windows as the registry.

Les

So far "I REALLY HATE THIS" IT IS SO SCREWED JUST LOGGING INTO IT FOR
THE FIRST TIME. Now on this version I can't find how you get to the normal desktop like the other preview release. This sucks so bad it is
beyond belief. They will loos their Asses if they don't change this and stop making IT like your setting up an android phone.
It makes you think you need a windows live email and password. Not true. I used Gmail. Now that I am on the desktop what the heck is there to do ?
It sucks is all I can say at this point. It's much worse than Vista and Me ever was. At least there was something familiar in them. This
is just pure JUNK !!

This reminds me Of a Dog's Breakfast. I actually really and truly
HATE IT! I dread the day this will be coming on all oem systems.
It will make people crazy and me NUTS! I hate the thought of how
people will take to this. IT IS SHIT

I know I will be Down Grading a lot of computers. I hope they provide
the Windows 7 drivers if not I just may not take any machines with this piece of shit on it. I would rather work on a MAC than this.

WE NEED TO START A PETITION TO STOP THIS PIECE OF CRAP FROM HAPPENING.
THAT MAY GET THEIR PIG HEADED ATTENTION! I am very serious about this. How can we start one?

I am going to send an Email to Microsoft warning them that this can happen if they don't listen to all us users. I will let you know what
kind of reply I get.
This needs to be stopped.

My sentiments too. Put in a music CD and Windows Media Player came up and played the CD. Put in a movie disc and absolutely nothing at all happened. No error message or advisory to go looking for a DVD player. If you have a page opened it is full screen and the normally available minimize box is nowhere to be found. You have to play around with keyboard keys till you discover how to close the page and then you're back at that metro thing. I'm going to wager that desktop PC users will stay away from Windows 8 in droves. I'm really disappointed that Microsoft tried to foist this abomination on computer users. They should have made an OS geared solely for tablet and phone use rather than trying to combine two disparate systems into one OS. Makes no sense to me.

The installation process sucked me right into setting up an account when I installed the consumer preview. I suspect you will have to have one to get anything from the app store. Also seems to be some tie ins with the XBox thing too.

Les

Visit the Basement

:--)

Les

MSU

I don't remember what happened the first time I put a dvd in w7 but WMC probably started by default. Guess what MS decided to leave out of w8?

For any body who cares (not me), found this on another forum.

*****************
_z36

Didn't work on my install of the release preview.

Les

I recommend you also do it. We need to do something to stop that piece of shit from happening if possible.

The Email I sent:

This is not about getting Help with Windows 8 preview that I just installed. This is about something else.
I have been using Windows since 1991 MS Dos 5.0 and I am very well versed on every version since 1991.

You really need to listen to what I am going to say. It can make or break you.

If you release Windows 8 to the OEMs to install on new systems as you usually do it will be a serious mistake for you.
I have always loved Microsoft Products and looked forward to any of your new Ideas and Operating systems.

NOT THIS TIME.

I will not run Windows 8 on any of my PCs it belongs on a Phone or Tablet. If you insist on putting it on regular Desktops it will kill your business. Please Listen to what I am saying I know what I am saying and I am trying to help you. Don't do That. Make Metro an Option and not an unchangeable Default. If you don't you will loose millions of customers to MAC, Linux, Android whatever else there is will be better than what you have planned. There is Talk about starting a Petition to put a stop to your very poorly planned Idea. Change or you will loose millions of customers. Please don't take this lightly people really hate that Metro being the default Desktop and Will not buy it or even steal it.
If you treat Metro like "Windows Media Center" just an app that one can use if they want it will be good. What you are planning is absolute Suicide and I will hate to see you go down like that.
Seriously Please Reconsider and listen to one of your Oldest Customers.
Don't Use Metro on regular Desktops it will be a serious mistake.
I also advise that you Fire the person responsible for pushing this plan because they are leading you down a path of Failure.
Remember who your boss really is. It is all of us, your customers and you need to listen to us.
Sincerely
Mike

I imagine that Microsoft has bots crawling the web looking for anything related to Windows 8. I expect they are to far into the program now to make any drastic changes and will probably be saddled with another ME fiasco. I doubt it will break them though.

Les

A few little changes in their Code is all it would take. They have
plenty of time to Ease up on that metro.
If they throw that out into this world of "Normal Computer Users" They will have a huge problem on their hands.
Most of us here know so much more than the average user.
If we are having trouble with it just imagine a normal user. We are
more what you would call "Power users" that is not the norm.

It's being released to manufacturers (RTM) next month.

The damage is finalized.

Visit the Basement

No damage going to be done on my computer

edit: I really think they are going to be in for a rude awakening.

MSU

Try using the Windows key on your keyboard.

Les

Ah, OK. I thought you were just wanting to shift from metro to windows. I imagine that with maybe only a few very minor changes or bug fixes the release preview is what you will see when you buy Windows 8 at Staples or wherever.

Les

The mid-sentence capitalizations and the confusion of "loose" vs "lose" makes it less convincing.

I think they will get the message anyway. I use mid sentence Caps out of a habit and I mix up words like that. People need to let them know how much they are unhappy about it.
That is one of the reasons they let us use it before they release it.
Not enough people let them know or it would not happen.
I was very angry when I wrote that and didn't even think about things like that. It's too late to change anything in windows 8 or my letter anyway.

I used it almost all day yesterday and did a lot of Googleing to learn
how to do things and I feel a little better about it. Not that much better but better. Sometimes the more I hate something at first the more I end up liking it in the end. Time will tell.

Well, I know your intentions are good. I didn't mean to nitpick. We'll have to wait to see the end result of Microsoft's latest efforts...

It's foolish to presume that Microsoft is stupid. Many have made that mistake to their peril.

They want to have one system across all platforms for the future, and that makes all the sense in the world. This is also exactly what Google is trying to do with Android.

We all had to learn and adapt to new operating systems. this forum was born because users had to learn and adapt to Windows 95. We also had to help users adapt to the NT systems. we all managed to survive change.

I have seen more change than most. I remember when my computer was the size of a refrigerator, total memory was measured in kilobits, storage was on punched paper tape, the interface was a noisy teletype machine and I had to write a program for anything I needed to do, and it damn sure had ot be smaller than 64Kb in size! With this I determined and predicted the orbital location of satellites for every point on Earth.

I think you can manage W8.

Shelly

Part of the problem is that Windows 8 basically takes the "windows" out of Windows. There is almost nothing I do on my computer without having multiple windows open that I can see and easily navigate between. Metro throws that right out and forces you to have only a single full screen app at a time.

Plus Metro is butt ugly. I could get over that if the OS still behaved like Windows. But it doesn't.

MSU

Is that really true. Is window 8 only allow you to open on App at a
time and full window?

if that is the case then that sucks sweaty donkey ass.

One of the best things about windows 7 and others is that you can have a number of appz open and then jump from one to another
and leave them open

I dont know where they are heading with win 8
sounds like its not so easy to work with.

I am managing Windows 8 and will master it in a very short time.
I am more worried about How Others (My computer customers) will
handle it. The last thing I need is a phone call every 10 min telling
them what to do. That is what I am most worried about.
My plan now is to find a way to configure it so they will be able to
use it without jumping through hoops. So much about it is not clear.
There is very little documentation as to how to actually use it like a
normal computer. The Metro is fun but not all that much fun if your trying to run your business through it. Not everybody is a little
teenage girl chatting on facebook. People need to get things done and
Windows 8 is something that will make that very difficult for people until they learn how it works. They won't be calling Microsoft they will be calling me. They call me about any problem they have and Windows 8 will increase that 10 fold.

You might start here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-release-preview-ultimate-delta-guide-143044

I have found Paul to be extremely helpful with the introduction of every new Windows OS.

Shelly

When Windows 8 comes out will you be upgrading to it as you usually do?
Honestly will you?

I have not even looked at it yet. I never screw around with anything but final code.

Shelly

So we're debating with someone who has no hands on experience with it

edit: If memory servers me, I believe that Mike (JMC) was originally all excited about Windows 8. Before the developer preview was even out. Then he actually got some hands on experience with it and abruptly changed his tune.

MSU

Seems to me they have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Sure, Windows has evolved since 3.1 but in the process it has retained the look and feel that made it popular in the first place. There were changes with each iteration but they were still within that basic windows feel and look and people were able to adapt pretty quick. Microsoft is now asking people to accept some pretty radical changes in the look and feel and I'm guessing it will not be a popular decision. My personal feeling is that the consumer would have been better served with two different operating systems. One for the desktop in the traditional Windows fashion and another for the mobile/tablet crowd. I fail to see the need to combine all this into one system. Time and sales will tell if Microsoft made the right gamble. I seriously doubt I will ever buy a Windows 8 system.

Les

This is a nice App I found that does just what I want. It does not try
to be the old start button it just brings up a list of programs on the system and allows you to "send to desktop as shortcut"
It also keeps the look of the windows 8 metro style. This is a keeper.
Try it and you will like it.


Start8 0.86

http://www.downloadcrew.com/article/27201-start8

This is just what I was looking for and it's a free program made by
Stardock a very well known company.

It also allows you to have the Metro Screen and the Classic Screen open at the same time on the same page.

This is the "ReadMe"

Features:
- Adds a "Start" menu to the Windows 8 taskbar.
- Quickly access and search your installed applications
- Adds Run... option via right-click menu
- Adds Shutdown... option via right-click menu
- Choose a custom "Start" button image

System Requirements:
- Windows 8 Consumer Preview 8250 (x86 or x64)

Feedback:
- We've created a Start8 forum section for feedback at
http://forums.stardock.com/forum/1025.

Updates:
- Sign up for the mailing list at http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
to be contacted about new versions of Start8. You can also check the
website for new updates (if available).
- This version of Start8 is only intended for use with the
Windows 8 Consumer Preview and will stop working on September 1, 2012.

I'll have to give that a peek.

edit: Hmmm, just read this comment on that page. And I do remember reading about this aspect about a week or so ago.

MSU

You know how this stuff tends to go. The ole Cat and Mouse game.
There will be many other programs when the time comes. If MS was smart they would include such an app to begin with. They are being Pig Headed about this Start Button thing. It makes me wonder why. What do they really have up their sleeve? If you get my drift.

Edit: Perhaps they want to be just like apple and not let users change anything. If that happens I WILL GO MAC. Seriously. Why use a copy when you can have the Real Thing.

Well I just tried that Start8. It gives you a start button, when you click on it all the metro tiles come up in a start menu-like format. You click on one and guess what? Boom full screen app, no windows, no easy way to get back. Not quite what I was hoping for. But here's to hoping that Stardock comes up with something for the final and is able to circumvent Microsoft's no start menu plan.

MSU

If you slide the Mouse down to the lower left corner a box pops up that you can hit and get back very quickly. The Full screen everything is something I really hate. I hope StarDock has something for that.
Might be a good time to buy some of their Stock

Edit: This version of Start8 is only intended for use with the
Windows 8 Consumer Preview and will stop working on September 1, 2012

Well yes, that takes you back to the Metro Desktop, which is where we don't want to be anyway, Then you still have to click on the "desktop" tile to get back to any semblance of a normal desktop.

MSU

One thing I really love about Win8 is the IE10 has an excellent spell checker. It just automatically corrects most spelling errors. Sometimes it's auto and other times you need to Right click and select the correct word. Works very much like the Chrome Checker.

I found the perfect solution to the whole start menu thing. It requires
no program and will work on ANY version of Windows after XP.

Just go to:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

Right click on the "Start Menu" folder and send a shortcut to your
desktop.

If you would like it to be a single clickable button. Just copy the
above address and right click on your toolbar and select "New ToolBar"
paste the Address in the box and drag it out. Right click and uncheck
Show Title and Show Text. Then Hit the "View" and select "Large" and there you have your "Start Programs" with a single click button.

Problem solved.

It's not perfect, we shouldn't have to "fix" something that wasn't broken before.

MSU

OK, I've been checking this abomination out in a VM. I decided to go whole hog in order to really get the full feel of it. I put it on a spare hard drive and just switch which HD to boot from via the BIOS. I didn't want to allow a dual boot because I wanted nothing from this thing written to my main drive (ie. the MBR).

Well, I will say that my stance has softened a little. Many things are simply easier to do now than in the VM. Mainly the things that required the placement of the cursor in the corner of the screen (obviously so). Also I've been finding ways to do things that I usually do in ways that have always been in Windows. Just the ways I would normally do them are no longer there.

Time will tell of course. I still am not happy with it. But as I said, I have softened a little.

MSU

Same here. Actually I am starting to like it. This is a Desktop I
designed and does everything I want. Sliding the mouse to the left corner gets easier or just using the "Windows Key" takes you back and forth. I have the windows screen how I want it but I still see very little use for the Metro part aside from it's unique look. Who really needs that for anything really?

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Like it? No. Will I get used to it if forced to use it? Yes.

I really don't get the whole removal of the start button and as a result the start menu bit.

There really should be the option to boot into whichever side of the interface you choose. As it stands now, you get Metro every time you boot no matter what.

Something that I don't think has been mentioned. In the developer preview the only way to get to the regular desktop from Metro was to move the cursor down to the lower left corner. At least now there is a tile on the Metro screen to do it. But to go back to Metro you still move the cursor to the lower left...but who'd want to do that? Or use the "window" key to switch of course.



edit: Oh and of course there are still the hoops to jump through to shut the computer down.

Also, almost all of my bitching to date has been due to the Metro interface. That's the horses ass of this whole thing. Now as far as the regular desktop side. I've still seen no compelling reason to drop Windows 7 for it. It's almost the same, minus the aforementioned start menu of course.

MSU

Shutting down and booting up is a an unnecessary pain in the Ass.

If you want to defrag right click on your C: drive and select the
tools tab. You will see a "System Optimization" button AKA defrag.

I also changed my "Log In" to "Personal" this lets you boot up without
using a password.

I just discovered another way to switch between the two interfaces. Place the cursor in the top or bottom right corner (just as you do to get to "settings" to shut down. There's an icon in the middle that is labeled "start" when you mouse over it. Clicking that switched you back and forth also. Why in the world they call it "start" is beyond me.

MSU

You're just a sucker for anything new and shiny

MSU

That is true. I love new stuff.
I think where it will really take a beating is with Business customers.
I just can't see running a business with that. I could be wrong but just
training people to use it would cost a lot. I would like to see how it
runs on a Large Touch Screen on a regular desktop. I believe new Oem
computers will have the hardware to really get the use of it.

Yes I think business is going to be a hard sell too. As for a desktop with a touch screen...think about it. Would you want to have to reach out all the time to touch the screen in order to do things? Heck from the position I sit in I can't even reach my screen without leaning forward with a fully outstretched arm. Not very ergonomic and certainly tiring.

MSU

I have worked on one of the newer All-in-one computers with a touch screen. They use a Mouse and touch. Some things are better using the touch and some better using a mouse. It's never "just" a touch screen.
This Machine had windows 7. I wish I could work on it again so I could but this preview on it just to play a bit. I think the new OEM systems will be designed to use the touch screen for Metro and a mouse for the normal desktop. Like it or not, hold on to your hat because it is coming very soon.

People have posted pictures of their desktop screens and a lot of them are full of icons for all their programs. Can you imagine what the metro page is going to look like when Win8 gets loaded up with all the programs we like to use?

Les

I was thinking the same thing. You'll have to scroll a mile to find what you're looking for.

MSU

I think that panel that slides out of the right margin is called the "Charms". Wonder if somewhere in there they have a "My Little Pony"?

Les

MSU

Really Mark, it's bullshit but manageable bullshit. lets face it someday in some way we may need to run it eventually.

I'll agree with that statement

It's definitely become much more manageable as an actual OS environment than when it was in a VM.

MSU

Every time my install wakes up from sleep mode it re-boots. Did the same thing with the consumer preview install too. Kind of a PITA.

Les

Huh, haven't experienced that. Probably because I don't leave it on long enough for it to go to sleep

MSU

Poking around in the store looking at games. Found a card game pack but noticed that it stated "this app has permission to use your internet connection".

Any idea what that is about? It may be harmless but then again it may not be something I want to approve since there is no indication what it involves.

Les

That sounds a lot like a thing you would see when installing an Android App on your phone. What exactly that means is a good question.
I have never seen "To Use Your Internet Connection". That sounds really funky and I would not do it until I would see exactly what that means.

I wonder if it's due to limited memory in a cell phone which would preclude installing the whole program. Could be that all these apps will remain at the vendor and all that is downloaded is a small .exe to use the internet to access the app so it can be played on a mobile device. Wonder if you could use the app if your internet connection was down for some reason.

Les

It could be a cloud type program that would need to use your internet