Poll: Windows 8

[Total LOLige]

Windows 8 has gotten a fair bit of flak since it's release. I want to know what your opinions on this marmite OS are. Is it a steaming crock of shit that will be the downfall of Pc gaming? Or is it the beginning of something beautiful.

My thoughts
Frankly I don't see what all the fuss is about, so what if it's got a shit start menu(that really isn't that bad) it can do everything Windows 7 can and better. It starts up much quicker than 7 and executes tasks quicker. Task manager is great in 8 no more getting up MSconfig to fanny about with what loads at start up, it's right there in task manager. I've had less problems with 8 in terms of getting games to run than I did with 7. My verdict, it's just as good as 7, probably better. Face it it's not as bad as Vista or ME.


So your opinions on Windows 8, please.

edit: the fourth poll option should be I've never used it.

 

[Vausch]

If I didn't have to start with the tiles every time and if the start menu was there, I'd be happy with it. Thankfully until microsoft updates it to give it the real start menu there's always third parties.

 

[Total LOLige]

If I didn't have to start with the tiles every time and if the start menu was there, I'd be happy with it. Thankfully until microsoft updates it to give it the real start menu there's always third parties.

I think an upcoming service pack is adding a boot to desktop option.

 

[Esotera]

They haven't actually added anything to make it superior to Windows 7, and have made it bloody hard to use if you're running it on a desktop (which everyone does).

Also it is reducing PC sales and is therefore killing PC gaming, if anyone is up for a flamewar?

 

[Rylingo]

I don't mind it. It's certainly not in the same villainous league as millenium edition. There's some issues with an OS that's essentially two completely separate OS's jammed together. It just doesn't really work that well.

I spent the whole of last week installing Windows 8 at my workplace. Every single worker requested it be replaced by 7 within a week.

 

[DoPo]

Also it is reducing PC sales and is therefore killing PC gaming, if anyone is up for a flamewar?

OK. So... what now?

OT: I've got no real opinion - I got Windows 8 for free and I still haven't played it. Whatever - doesn't excite me. What I've heard is what Esotera mentioned (I dunno about the PC sales, though - I can't be bothered to look into it), so it's not exactly making the OS more appealing for me. I'll install it and try it out. At some point. Maybe. Then I'll judge for myself.

 

[JoJo]

It's got good points and bad points, I like the ease of switching between windows, the start menu is fine for me and it's works pretty fast. Some of the "apps" though seem to be poorly designed, for example Skype is often slow and as far as I can tell it's impossible to zoom on Abobe Reader, which makes reading PDF's with small text an absolute pain. Similarly, I can't even run Minecraft on my fairly new laptop because the graphics card driver software isn't designed to work with Windows 8 and Intel have decided not to make an update to allow this for reasons. The lack of a traditional start menu means accessing stuff like control panel takes longer than it should too.

That said, I feel many of the complaints are more about it's difference from previous versions rather than it actually being worse. It could easily exceed Windows 7 in my eyes if they could fix up parts of the start screen and get the apps to a higher standard.

 

[Esotera]

Also it is reducing PC sales and is therefore killing PC gaming, if anyone is up for a flamewar?

OK. So... what now?

I have no idea, I guess we should attempt to derail the thread? Therefore I am posting a vaguely related xkcd:

OT: I guess a whole load of changes will be made with the first service pack, that might make it a bit more bearable to use. But I'm not holding my breath...

 

[Total LOLige]

Snip

Haha, that's brilliant.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I got windows 7 instead of 8 because of the bad reviews. Although I still don't like Windows 7.

 

[anthony87]

I got windows 7 instead of 8 because of the bad reviews. Although I still don't like Windows 7.

How come? I never used it myself but people I know have only said good things about it, I always thought of it as XP but with a Vista coat of paint. Then again...I use Vista on my desktop and Windows 8 on my laptop so what the hell do I know eh?

 

[Mocmocman]

I'm running Vista, so I don't care about your Windows 8 problems.
In all seriousness I've used it and it seems to be more for touchscreens and iPad-esque devises more than PCs. I don't like the fact that instead of X-ing things out you drag them to the edge of the screen, makes me thing that there's a bunch of windows open. I also don't like the interface, it seems to be targeted more towards people that like dragging things and bright colours. But I don't hate it.

 

[Worgen]

I've got 8 on my laptop, the ui sucks, its clearly meant for touch screens or tablets. The only thing I can say it does better than other windows os's is its boot time is very quick and its task manager is fantastic. Other than those two things, 7 is better in every way.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I got windows 7 instead of 8 because of the bad reviews. Although I still don't like Windows 7.

How come? I never used it myself but people I know have only said good things about it, I always thought of it as XP but with a Vista coat of paint. Then again...I use Vista on my desktop and Windows 8 on my laptop so what the hell do I know eh?

I installed Windows 7, it told me to update it. So I did, it BSOD'd me. I repartitioned the drive and then reinstalled it. I've not done the updates in fear of it derping up. That is why I like OSX better.

 

[Vausch]

If I didn't have to start with the tiles every time and if the start menu was there, I'd be happy with it. Thankfully until microsoft updates it to give it the real start menu there's always third parties.

I think an upcoming service pack is adding a boot to desktop option.

Then I may consider an upgrade. People tend to forget even XP was terrible until Service Pack 2 came around.

 

[thePyro_13]

I don't have it on my PC(still win 7); I let my brother have the free copy of win 8 i had from uni. From what I've seen of it, their are more settings and options, overall its better. Its the start screen that really slows me down, using it to open desktop programs is fine, just type and click(or press enter) but getting stuck in the full screen tablet mode of a program(like control panel) is just so much worse.

I think it will be fine after they tweek it a little bit.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

It's an OS clearly designed for tablets and smartphones, yet it's being tagged onto desktops as well.

 

[Kinitawowi]

I've bemoaned most of Windows 8's failings before (and I make a living selling the shit!), but its biggest issue is its attempt to be all things to everything. Windows 8's goal is to be nothing less than a grand unifying system that can simultaneously power a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a phone and a 720. These are all completely different machines used by completely different users with a completely different set of needs; it just doesn't work. Even Apple aren't that stupid, running separate lines for iOS and OSX.

I've used Windows 8 on touchscreen devices before now, particularly when I was doing some work on a store stock HP Envy X2 (the one where you can undock the screen and use it as a standalone tablet; think Asus Transformer only a bit less buggy); and it's undeniable that it does feel pretty smooth to use on a touchscreen. The gestures for the Charms Bar and the corner hotspots and app closing and so on all seem precisely geared for that model. Problem is, it's obvious that it's been designed around the touch interface first and everything else a distant second (so it can strike into the ever growing tablet and smartphone market, where Microsoft has had negligible presence), when it's the everything-else that's being forgotten about. The one thing a laptop or desktop will always, always, always have over a tablet is a proper keyboard. Windows 8 is predominantly intended for devices that don't. It's tossing its biggest strength out of the window in order to get into the ground floor of a sector where it has no place.

It's also heavily dependent on its app store (particularly in the Windows RT incarnation as used on the Surface), which is currently terrible.

In short, Windows 8 feels like Microsoft deciding that it doesn't care about its current massive install base and striking out for a whole new market. And striking out badly. It's alienating existing Windows users and the tablet crowd don't care because Android, iOS and whatever bastardisation the Kindle Fire uses have that market firmly cornered. In attempting to create an OS for everybody, they've created an OS for nobody.

 

[DrunkOnEstus]

I hate it because of how it affects my job. I have a lot of clients who rely on me to keep their PCs updated and running smoothly without any thought on their part. 9 out of 10 clients say "get this the hell OFF my PC" within 3 days. And it doesn't seem to be a matter of learning a new UI, it's that the UI really isn't optimal for the Kb&M setup in the business space. The subscription setup for office has people running for the hills too.

Basically, it really seems like Microsoft wanted to chase the Apple market, that intangible "shinyness" where looking cool and minimalist is more important than usability and getting work done. It's become more of a content consumption OS than a creation one. Business and industry was their bread and butter, and Microsoft shot themselves in the foot in that regard.

Frankly, I don't want it on my home PC until I see what comes with the service pack. I already have a fast, solid 7 where there's 64-bit drivers for fucking everything, and I don't need to install third party software or have issues with certain programs. The only reason I would have it would be if my clients wanted it, which would require me having more familiarity with it. Thankfully they all want to see it die in a fire.

 

[Fluffythepoo]

Only reason i didnt switch right away was because i wanted to wait till win8 drivers came out for my comp.

Streamlined architecture and ridiculously improved security alone make win 8 worth it. But i was pleasantly surprised to find charms, live tiles and the new start menu are way better than previous windows interfaces. Annnnd the keyboard commands/shortcuts are soooo awesome in win8.

But heres what i do with my start menu: 6x4 live tile news apps on far left (so it fills the screen when you first bring up the menu). I hit the windows button and its like a visual RSS feed of headlines that are constantly updating and changing to the point ill just stare at the start menu for 5mins+ reading headlines sometimes. Theres even steam-sale live tiles thatll constantly update and tell you what today's deals are without even needing to open the apps up.