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A First Look at Windows 8 "Blue"

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by Arie, 2013/04/11.

  1. 2013/04/11
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff Thread Starter

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    You may have heard that Microsoft is working on a new Windows version. You may also have heard the Windows "Blue" name mentioned. "Blue" is the code-name given by Microsoft to this upcoming update to the Windows 8 OS, as well as its cousins such as Windows Server 2012, Windows Phone 8, and Windows RT. Rumor has it that it could be made available late summer/early autumn.

    In this two page article I take a look at the leaked 9364 Build of Windows 8 "Blue" and note some of the small improvements Microsoft seems to be making (mainly to the new 'Modern UI' interface).

    A First Look at Windows 8 "Blue "
     
    Arie,
    #1
  2. 2013/04/11
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Nothing in it that appeals to me. I really like Windows 8 efficiency and have learned to do without a Start menu too. But I spend the majority of time via the Desktop in the programs I use and only use Metro for launching programs. I don't use any Metro apps. nor do I foresee any need to use them ever.
     

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  4. 2013/04/11
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    With Tony here, nothing appeals and if they continue with the modern GUI and possibly charge for updates I can see a 90% switch to Linux for me (killing 3rd party start menu software makes that a 100% switch).
     
  5. 2013/04/11
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    So far Windows Blue doesn't offer anything new that I would use. I don't use any of the Metro Apps in Windows 8 so if Microsoft is continuing to improve Windows Blue just by tweaking the modern interface and including new modern apps then I am not interested in it.

    Hopefully they will bring some good desktop improvements with the new update instead of just focusing on the modern UI.
     
  6. 2013/04/12
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff Thread Starter

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    I agree with you 100%.

    Microsoft is only focusing on 'Metro' apps. For them the Desktop is dead.

    The 3rd party Start menu's will be fixed, you can be sure of that. They will just develop more of their own code. Classic Shell was the only one still working right now from what I've seen, but I'm sure that Stardock (Start8) will update their Start Menu.
     
    Arie,
    #5
  7. 2013/04/12
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    That's a real shame. :( To me, the thing that will save Windows 8/Blue isn't Microsoft changing course to reverse their decision to remove the Start Menu (that's probably never going to happen) but rather the 3rd party Start Menu replacements that will allow end users to use the Windows 8 OS how they want. So far the Start Menu replacements have made Windows 8 actually usable. As you said, as long as those programs get updated to work with Windows Blue then I think the new update will be bearable with customers.
     
    Last edited: 2013/04/12
  8. 2013/04/13
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Windows 8/Blue doesn't need saving, it will survive just fine because new PCs ship with it. IMHO, Windows 8 is just fine without a Start Menu. I don't need it and don't miss it anymore.

    I have only the shortcuts I frequently use on the Metro screen (desktop & 26 others on one page, no scrolling needed, no Metro apps). On my Desktop I have the standard icons: User dir, Computer, Network, Recycle plus 2 others: shortcuts to a text editor and control panel. My taskbar has IE, FF, Chrome & Libraries dir. That handles 99.99% of what I use on my comp.

    It took me several months, but I now feel the direction MS is heading is OK, so long as they don't attempt to do away with the Desktop completely.

    Anyone that feels a Start menu is needed should go two months without it and then post their opinion again.
     
  9. 2013/04/13
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    I can't agree Tony, But I'm up for the challenge. I'll report weekly (to keep this thread alive) with my findings and if after the two months if I've changed my mind I'll ship you a bottle of scotch.

    Classic Shell being uninstalled now.
     
  10. 2013/04/13
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    Ok, just a few minutes in and already encountered a couple of issues (nothing serious so far but one is very annoying).

    I've finally completed my registration with HP (yes I should have done that a few months ago when I bought this computer).

    Anyway, the final (new UI wizard) page says...

    Now to me as a PC user of many years how is this intuitive?

    How do I select the tile? I've always assumed a single click selects but in this case it re-opens the app.

    And where is the application bar, because sure as hell I can't find it.

    Note, these are rhetorical questions, I'm just pointing out how user unfriendly this OS can be. For others right click to select and the application bar magically appears.
     
    Last edited: 2013/04/13
  11. 2013/04/14
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    I agree, for us experienced users, it's not that intuitive. But it is intuitive for new users, in that, for new users, it's all brand new to them. They don't have to "not know" what they have previously learned. (to "not know" is actually an ability)

    For someone starting from scratch with computers, the interface is not that important. It's ALL Greek to them and they will learn it just as we learned to use a start menu.

    My first OS was Windows 98. Someone had to tell me to click on the Start button. And prior to that, someone had to tell me the mouse had a place where one pushes down, and that constitutes a click. And I also had to be told that I could lift the mouse and move it back onto the mouse pad when the arrow was at the edge of the screen! Once I had some simple basics, I figured out the rest on my own.

    MS is not too concerned with existing users. They know the future will consist mostly of people who have never used a computer before, many of which are familiar with cell phone usage. That's their target market.

    To rapidly learn Windows 8, experienced computer users need only consider the very very basics and move upward from there.
     
  12. 2013/04/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Microsoft may be bringing the Start Menu and the boot directly to desktop functionality back in Windows 8.1. We will see what happens though. Nothing is 100% official yet.

     
  13. 2013/04/18
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff Thread Starter

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    It would be shocking to see them reverse course on that!

    Useful, but after all their resistance? Have to see it :)
     
  14. 2013/04/26
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    Hi Tony,

    ~1 week on and even without Classic Shell I'm spending 99% of computer time in the desktop, Yes I have customised the Modern GUI but sorry I still don't like it.

    The next 3 weeks can't pass quick enough, and I seriously doubt you'll get that bottle, honestly you should be buying me a barrel for the hell you're putting me through. :)

    EDIT: I've just re-read the thread, TWO MONTHS, not one. Someone please kill me now. :)
     
  15. 2013/04/26
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Hahahahaha! Yes, I know how you feel, but give it a shot anyway.

    My Desktop icons are: My user folder, My Computer, Network, Recycle bin, Text editior, Control Panel. My start screen has only the frequent programs that I use. The Taskbar has only the shortcuts I need there.

    This works well for me as I have got used to moving the cursor to lower left to access the start screen when needed.
     

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  16. 2013/04/27
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    I can live with the "Metro" interface but why did MS remove the Power off option from both the Metro & Desktop ? Its counter intuitive to go to a corner -> Settings -> Power. Why not have a proper Shut down button ?
     
    muddyfox likes this.
  17. 2013/04/27
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    To be fair rsinfo that doesn't bother me too much, I've been using the actual power switch on PC/Laptop for years now (yes it does initiate a safe shutdown).
     
  18. 2013/04/27
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Agreed. I setup several clients' brand name computers that come with their own power applets w/ a shutdown menu.

    Of course, it's also pretty easy to create your own shutdown shotcuts/menu, but we shouldn't have to do that.
     
    AlexH likes this.
  19. 2013/04/27
    AlexH

    AlexH Just an Old Timer getting help ...

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    It seems that with 8, and the follow-on, Microsoft has done something they never did before: ignored legacy "Users" of Windows.

    New Users will not have to be confused by, or ticked-off by, the way they are doing things now. And worse, they have much less backwards-compatibility than any version of Windows before 8.

    It used to be a given that most of what you have will work in the new versions.

    Not necessarily true any more. I cannot help wondering if this is a good thing ...

    -a.
     
  20. 2013/04/27
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    I began using Alt+F4 when I switched to Win 8. But what about the average guy out there ?
     
  21. 2013/04/28
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    MS PR Statement:
    Windows 8 Raises the Averages!
     

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