Windows RT will be right at home with people who have, until now, been okay with the fact that their Android and iOS tablets are not running a desktop class operating system. They just want the basic web and multimedia functionality.
The bigger question is this: How will Microsoft educate consumers about the difference between RT and 8; ARM and x86?
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
I've spent some time with Windows 8 and I can say that I understand and appreciate its motivation. However, I wholeheartedly agree that Windows 8 on a desktop makes me pine for a more traditional Start Menu.
It isn't that the classic Start Menu was some perfect make-it-or-break-it feature for me, but what I miss about it is how non-invasive it is. As of Windows 7 all I use it for is to press the Windows key to type and launch an executable. Windows 8 does this as well, but it has to change the whole screen to do it which really feels like an interruption to my workflow or ability to concentrate on what I'm doing.
That said, I'm fine with Metro if it didn't have to fill my screen. The whole Windows 8 package would be greatly improved if it had an easily-toggled mode of operation for tablets, or for desktops. In tablet mode, it would behave as it currently does where Metro and its respective apps fill the screen, with the classic Windows desktop on the sideline.
For the proposed desktop mode, however, it would default to the traditional Windows desktop and would provide a familiar Windows logo in the lower left corner. Clicking this or pressing the Windows key would not produce a Start Menu but rather a self-contained Metro interface in the lower left corner of the screen. Launching Metro apps from here would simply put them into their own self-contained windows that can be managed as they would be with any other Windows OS.
Transitioning between these two modes of operation would be easy enough (for people who want to dock their tablet at home with a keyboard/mouse/monitor, for example). All those open Metro apps could easily be transitioned between being standalone windows in the classic desktop, or full-screen in the Metro interface.
On top of that, Windows 7 will be supported until 2019, or later if Microsoft chooses to extend its life like they did with XP. That is plenty of time for us to sit aside while Windows 8 is refined for greater usability, or flops and is redeemed by an apologetic Windows 9.
Absolutely nothing. The editors just know that continuously touching on this topic generates a lot of traffic. This site is full of people who never seem to grow tired of discussing and downplaying Islam and religion in general. I mean hell, there 533 comments as I write this, and just look how intense it has gotten.
It is projected to be supported until 2019. Between now and then, a lot can change and the general public reaction to Windows 8 could slap some sense into MS before we have to feel the need to jump ship from 7.
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Windows RT will be right at home with people who have, until now, been okay with the fact that their Android and iOS tablets are not running a desktop class operating system. They just want the basic web and multimedia functionality.
The bigger question is this: How will Microsoft educate consumers about the difference between RT and 8; ARM and x86?
Apparently their CMS does not generate a cache of static pages to be able to deliver content independently of a working SQL backend.
This is relevant to my interests. I don't work with Drupal
If you don't work with Drupal then how is this relevant to your interests?
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg
Do you have a second /. account with mod points?
Not to my recollection.
Not only that, but micro USB chargers are so common and inexpensive that you could pick one up at a gas station for like $5 if needed.
When all else fails, I guess we always have a fallback. =)
Yeah, but you're talking about Unix administration. I'm talking about tech support.
I've spent some time with Windows 8 and I can say that I understand and appreciate its motivation. However, I wholeheartedly agree that Windows 8 on a desktop makes me pine for a more traditional Start Menu.
It isn't that the classic Start Menu was some perfect make-it-or-break-it feature for me, but what I miss about it is how non-invasive it is. As of Windows 7 all I use it for is to press the Windows key to type and launch an executable. Windows 8 does this as well, but it has to change the whole screen to do it which really feels like an interruption to my workflow or ability to concentrate on what I'm doing.
That said, I'm fine with Metro if it didn't have to fill my screen. The whole Windows 8 package would be greatly improved if it had an easily-toggled mode of operation for tablets, or for desktops. In tablet mode, it would behave as it currently does where Metro and its respective apps fill the screen, with the classic Windows desktop on the sideline.
For the proposed desktop mode, however, it would default to the traditional Windows desktop and would provide a familiar Windows logo in the lower left corner. Clicking this or pressing the Windows key would not produce a Start Menu but rather a self-contained Metro interface in the lower left corner of the screen. Launching Metro apps from here would simply put them into their own self-contained windows that can be managed as they would be with any other Windows OS.
Transitioning between these two modes of operation would be easy enough (for people who want to dock their tablet at home with a keyboard/mouse/monitor, for example). All those open Metro apps could easily be transitioned between being standalone windows in the classic desktop, or full-screen in the Metro interface.
If people didn't bemoan things like this then we would still be stuck with Vista.
As far as tech support goes, having an understanding of how to support Windows is far more lucrative and marketable than just *nix.
I have to ask, though, will you still be saying that when Windows 7 has completely disappeared from retail and Windows 8 is the only option available?
so why should I waste my time putting up with them?
So that you don't get left behind. =)
On top of that, Windows 7 will be supported until 2019, or later if Microsoft chooses to extend its life like they did with XP. That is plenty of time for us to sit aside while Windows 8 is refined for greater usability, or flops and is redeemed by an apologetic Windows 9.
Worms that are there for the purpose of sanitation? Good idea.
Worms that are there because of something you ate? See a doctor...
It was eventually traced back to the Log Cabin where she was hiding out.
Absolutely nothing. The editors just know that continuously touching on this topic generates a lot of traffic. This site is full of people who never seem to grow tired of discussing and downplaying Islam and religion in general. I mean hell, there 533 comments as I write this, and just look how intense it has gotten.
Those future houses and vineyards on Mars are totally set. =)
At best that is a pet peeve for a handful of people but for everyone else, it hardly makes W7 a failure.
Yeah, my Audigy lost functionality when I switched from XP to 7, and I've never been very happy about that.
It is projected to be supported until 2019. Between now and then, a lot can change and the general public reaction to Windows 8 could slap some sense into MS before we have to feel the need to jump ship from 7.
W7 failures? Please explain.
Or a hideously distorted rendering of them.
Obligatory post describing my preferred environment that is not GNOME 3.