It's for the sake of unifying interfaces across devices, not just to do something different. Granted, it may not have been the best choice, but they tried it. I think it's fairly obvious that a conventional Windows interface wouldn't be best for phones and most tablets.
The interface is still the same, even if not all programs will run or be available on all versions.
Pretty sure the culture here will damn MS no matter what they do. If they ignored ARM, they'd get shit for that. If they released "just another Windows" on tablets, they'd get shit for not doing anything new. When they do something new, they get shit for it being different.
I wasn't clear what "reduced functionality" there is in Office RT, so I searched it out for my own information. This page from MS lays out the differences pretty clearly.
Yes, there are obviously some things missing (for now?), but it seems like it'd be pretty functional overall. The "commerical use" restriction (if obeyed) is probably the largest restriction, imo.
I'd buy one, but I'm just an average Internet user. Browsing, mail, maybe a video here and there. So long as few of the popular tablet games get copied over into the RT Store, I'd be totally content with it. For the right price, though, of course.
I'm sure there are plenty of other folks like me, but all you hear is the squeaky wheels around here.
I also have no problems using Unity or Windows 8... just to peg out your rage meter...:)
I know this is the wrong place to say it, but I'd actually prefer a version with Unity. I have no problems with it. I guess I'd rather ditch that and keep an up-to-date OS, though, rather than running on old versions.
I'm using a T43p right now that's still chugging along beautifully. It's got a few cracks and the Function key and my red nipple is missing. It survived two years in Iraq and Afghanistan and various other trips. It's getting dated for modern OSs, though. It only runs XP (dual boot) for the Windows world. The latest Ubuntu is running on it, too. I use that primarily, but even that is getting a little slow (the Dash is horribly slow). I probably need to drop back a few versions or getting a lighter Linux running on it.
I had two or three other Thinkpads before this and my wife has a Thinkpad Edge now. I'm not a fan of the chiclet keyboard, but at least it's modern enough to run Windows 8.
If the build quality can be maintained, Thinkpads are my only choice when buying laptops.
You can blame both, actually. It's not an either/or situation. Our leaders should be held accountable. So should Manning for dumping classified data instead of being a whistleblower on specific crimes or incidents.
I think by now it's just tradition to hate it. Same as with MS, no matter what they do . And change... always hate change!
I use Ubuntu, Win7, Win8, iOS and Android (Kindle Fire & HTC phone) on a nearly daily basis and they're all fine . Each has its quirks, but they're all usable.
The only thing you have to learn is to go to a corner. Lower left corner to Start. Top left corner to switch between applications. Right corners for search (no matter what (metro) appliation you're in, settings, etc.
It's new, rather than the same old stuff... so I expect there to be a little learning...
Start "menu" or Start "screen", I see it working the same way it always has. Click in the lower left, open start screen, choose what you want to run and it runs. Whether it covers 1/4 of the screen, 1/2 or full screen, it's all working the same...
I've never had the "swipe" issues the author pointed out and I haven't heard anyone else in the family complaining about it. Maybe it's a logitech driver / config problem? I'll try it out later, though, as swiping may be easier to get used to rather than going into the top right corner to switch between applications.
And you open up the left hand sidebar to close any application that's running, btw. Figured that out in the first few minutes of using Win8. Too bad the author couldn't figure that out.
Once you start your "mlitary C3 application" the OS is out of the way and you're using the application just like you would on Win 7. I'm pretty sure I can teach people in the military to "click there.. now click there"...
I found out how to shutdown the computer within the first couple of minutes of "playing around" with the new interface. Stupid people are going to be lost on any OS.
I'm pretty sure I'd have to get used to dealing with OSX if I switched to that for some reason, too. I had to get used to Linux when I switched to that on some of my computers. My wife, kids and I have no problems using Win 8. It's different, yes, so it takes a little learning. Just like anything new.
I think he meant MS forcing apps or the entire OS to be metro-style only, not VLC. Which is equally insane, imo. At least with the current implementation.
I don't think it's as black and white as everyone _needing_ to be entertained. It's just a method. University isn't going to turn into a skill tree where you choose a class and can't graduate until you reach level 65 and defeat the team of evil mascots...
I've never read so many "get off my lawn" posts about a topic. It's a technique. Not everyone has to use it. I know... it's different. And that scares you, but it will be okay.
I don't know that this would be a method I'd enjoy or not, but if it helps people actually learn a topic instead of memorizing answers, then I'm all for it.
Slashdot Mirror
It's for the sake of unifying interfaces across devices, not just to do something different. Granted, it may not have been the best choice, but they tried it. I think it's fairly obvious that a conventional Windows interface wouldn't be best for phones and most tablets.
The interface is still the same, even if not all programs will run or be available on all versions.
Pretty sure the culture here will damn MS no matter what they do. If they ignored ARM, they'd get shit for that. If they released "just another Windows" on tablets, they'd get shit for not doing anything new. When they do something new, they get shit for it being different.
I wasn't clear what "reduced functionality" there is in Office RT, so I searched it out for my own information. This page from MS lays out the differences pretty clearly.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/home-and-student/office-home-student-rt-preview-FX103210361.aspx
Yes, there are obviously some things missing (for now?), but it seems like it'd be pretty functional overall. The "commerical use" restriction (if obeyed) is probably the largest restriction, imo.
You don't understand, man! There was a typo on the Internet! Right there for EVERYONE TO SEE!
I'd buy one, but I'm just an average Internet user. Browsing, mail, maybe a video here and there. So long as few of the popular tablet games get copied over into the RT Store, I'd be totally content with it. For the right price, though, of course.
I'm sure there are plenty of other folks like me, but all you hear is the squeaky wheels around here.
I also have no problems using Unity or Windows 8... just to peg out your rage meter... :)
I know this is the wrong place to say it, but I'd actually prefer a version with Unity. I have no problems with it. I guess I'd rather ditch that and keep an up-to-date OS, though, rather than running on old versions.
I'm using a T43p right now that's still chugging along beautifully. It's got a few cracks and the Function key and my red nipple is missing. It survived two years in Iraq and Afghanistan and various other trips. It's getting dated for modern OSs, though. It only runs XP (dual boot) for the Windows world. The latest Ubuntu is running on it, too. I use that primarily, but even that is getting a little slow (the Dash is horribly slow). I probably need to drop back a few versions or getting a lighter Linux running on it.
I had two or three other Thinkpads before this and my wife has a Thinkpad Edge now. I'm not a fan of the chiclet keyboard, but at least it's modern enough to run Windows 8.
If the build quality can be maintained, Thinkpads are my only choice when buying laptops.
It's because the punishment is pretty light. If the punishment was no more driving, ever, then it'd be different, I think.
Plus the lack of public trans in so many areas is part of the issue, although it's usually just the excuse.
You can blame both, actually. It's not an either/or situation. Our leaders should be held accountable. So should Manning for dumping classified data instead of being a whistleblower on specific crimes or incidents.
We pay a yearly road tax based on engine size in Belgum. I'm sure it's done the same in other European countries, too, but I've only lived here.
It is nice traveling, but unless you can catch specials or book four months out, it isn't very cheap. 100 - 150 euro per person, one way.
I think by now it's just tradition to hate it. Same as with MS, no matter what they do . And change... always hate change!
I use Ubuntu, Win7, Win8, iOS and Android (Kindle Fire & HTC phone) on a nearly daily basis and they're all fine . Each has its quirks, but they're all usable.
The only thing you have to learn is to go to a corner. Lower left corner to Start. Top left corner to switch between applications. Right corners for search (no matter what (metro) appliation you're in, settings, etc.
It's new, rather than the same old stuff... so I expect there to be a little learning...
Start "menu" or Start "screen", I see it working the same way it always has. Click in the lower left, open start screen, choose what you want to run and it runs. Whether it covers 1/4 of the screen, 1/2 or full screen, it's all working the same...
I've never had the "swipe" issues the author pointed out and I haven't heard anyone else in the family complaining about it. Maybe it's a logitech driver / config problem? I'll try it out later, though, as swiping may be easier to get used to rather than going into the top right corner to switch between applications.
And you open up the left hand sidebar to close any application that's running, btw. Figured that out in the first few minutes of using Win8. Too bad the author couldn't figure that out.
Clicking on the tile to start the game isn't intuitive?
Once you start your "mlitary C3 application" the OS is out of the way and you're using the application just like you would on Win 7. I'm pretty sure I can teach people in the military to "click there.. now click there"...
I found out how to shutdown the computer within the first couple of minutes of "playing around" with the new interface. Stupid people are going to be lost on any OS.
I'm pretty sure I'd have to get used to dealing with OSX if I switched to that for some reason, too. I had to get used to Linux when I switched to that on some of my computers. My wife, kids and I have no problems using Win 8. It's different, yes, so it takes a little learning. Just like anything new.
I think he meant MS forcing apps or the entire OS to be metro-style only, not VLC. Which is equally insane, imo. At least with the current implementation.
It was a simple question. Do you have a link to such a study that I can read?
I don't think it's as black and white as everyone _needing_ to be entertained. It's just a method. University isn't going to turn into a skill tree where you choose a class and can't graduate until you reach level 65 and defeat the team of evil mascots...
So... if we all can't learn the same way that you do, we're wrong?
What kind of technique did you use and what kind of class was it?
I've never read so many "get off my lawn" posts about a topic. It's a technique. Not everyone has to use it. I know... it's different. And that scares you, but it will be okay.
I don't know that this would be a method I'd enjoy or not, but if it helps people actually learn a topic instead of memorizing answers, then I'm all for it.