This Windows 8.1 Demo Actually Uses Mouse, Start Button

[DarkSable]

you don't get it. windows 8 (metro/microsoft store) is the first step for microsoft to create the MS version of the iOS walled garden. If windows8 and the MS store catch on in any appreciable way, MS will move forward with their walled garden and erect the barrier. Win8 has all the code necessary to prevent all aps and programs from running on your system unless approved by microsoft and activated.

You're right, currently it's not apple, but there is no doubt in my mind that's where they're aiming to go. In another generation or two of their OS it will happen.

You make a good point there, and you're right; I hadn't looked at it that way. However, I'm doubtful that's what most people see it as.

In addition to that, while I agree with you that microsoft sees that as a good idea (as they should; it's been incredibly successful for apple), they aren't there yet. When they do get there, then by all means, throw up a hellstorm and switch to linux; I know I will be. But for now, windows 8 is, after a little customization (not even requiring third party apps), a faster, more efficient version of windows 7.

...besides, even if we get to the point where MS tries to ban third party apps... these are computers we're talking about. The people who can figure out how to use something that isn't made by apple can figure out how to use something made by someone smart enough to get around microsoft's money-making measures.

 

[back_by_demand]

I find the commebtards saying they will stay with Windows 7 to be shortsighted, you can have all the functionality of Windows 7 with its Start Menu by spending less than a minute installing one of dozens of freeware replacements - but also get all the enhancements in networking, security and memory management - to stay with Windows 7 just because Microsoft hasn't enabled a Start Menu for you is just cutting your nose off to spite your own face
By all means get Windows 8, then moan that you had to spend 1 minute fixing the Start Menu, but the other is just retarded

 

[immanuel_aj]

Honestly. I'm not going to upgrade anything to Windows 8. But I do want to get a laptop one day with a touch screen to see if it's actually worth it. And it has to be a gaming laptop.
I'm just trying to imagine if there are any kind of situations some mouse/keyboard/touch hybrid control scheme would be great at.

 

[aredeecee]

So it's almost as good as Windows 95 now?

 

[jimmysmitty]

Great, now for those that are too lazy to press the windows button on the keyboard, they have conveniently add clutter to the desktop.
This is by no means beneficial and in no way brings back the functionality of the start menu that is needed. Let me add tiles that link to device manager, computer management, or whatever else I want to get to with ease.

That's easy actually. From Metro you just go to Settings then Tiles and then move the "Show Administrative Tools" to yes.

Honestly its amazing how anyone with a positive view on Windows 8 gets down voted while those who continue to bash it get up voted.

8 is not that bad and is a good move on MS part to modernize and move forward. Back when Windows itself first came out there were plenty of people who felt the same way. "I like my DOS why should I go to a inefficient GUI?". Then XP changed the Start Menu a lot and that same group wanted to stay with 98SE/2K forever.

It will always happen but later on down people will move to it and then hate the next OS with major changes to it.

 

[John Hadley]

I don't go to Linux developers and tell them that I don't like what they are doing with Linux either, but I don't use Linux on my desktop computer and I didn't buy my operating system from any Linux developer or pay any Linux developer a second, third, or fourth time for an upgrade to it either. If I'm a lifelong user of your product then you can expect that I will complain to you if you start doing things to it that make it less suitable for my needs. I couldn't care less if Microsoft made new versions of Windows that sucked if my old versions would continue to work with modern software, but they have control of the most used developer tools and all the programming interfaces that are used to make Windows applications and they use that control to coerce developers into making software incompatible with old versions of Windows if they want it to be able to support the new versions.

 

[ingtar33]

Honestly its amazing how anyone with a positive view on Windows 8 gets down voted while those who continue to bash it get up voted

I think is more a reaction to the paid Microsoft bloggers spamming the comments, if you've been down voted i'm sure you're just getting caught in the crossfire. I am comfortable and familiar with win8, and would never use it out of principle for what it represents (the first step toward MS's walled garden)...

 

[JPNpower]

Feedback and anger is cool guys, but its not going to work.
Money speaks. Sales speak. Drop in popularity speaks.
Give ol Microsoft some time, and it'll turn around and face the correct way again. And for us, Windows 7 works! Be patient, our better OS will come long before 7 becomes obsolete.

 

[littleleo]

Seems like a very minor change meant more as cosmetic touch up then any real change. If you want the start button back use classic shell don't pay MS and DL the app from their app store. When is there going to be a thread on how much a hassle MS has made out of installing their new Office products 2013 and 365. I can't give the stuff away it's as bad as Windows 8.

 

[mpdugas]

Good grief...this has to be the best shell game I have ever seen a company pull-off!

I love W8 and see this as merely smoke-and-mirrors manipulation of what is already available to anyone who has spent even a modest amount of time studying the new OS.

The big change?

Allowing you to set the same background for two Metro apps: Start and the so-called Desktop.

Folks, there is no W7 desktop anymore. Personally, I do not miss it at all.