Is anyone else up late downloading windows 8?

[Ed in Tampa]

I'm pretty happy with windows 8. I'm going to update my laptop later this week or early next week. The laptop is running windows 7 and is a pretty generic install unlike the custom install on my main machine. I think I can install right on top of the old system.

The only out standing issue I have is that I can't install my scanner. No windows 8 drivers and it doesn't look the the company is going to fix that. Well I wanted a new scanner anyway so I'll start saving up.

If you are into computers this windows8 stuff is a walk in the park.


Ed

Ed
You lost me on your last sentence,

If you are into computers this windows8 stuff is a walk in the park.

As I understand Windows 8 computer people have less control over what is going on. Microsoft is doing more for you, assuming that is what you "really" want to do. The problem comes when you want to control how and what is going on and try to take that control back from windows.

Can you explain what you meant by your last sentence. I'm really interested and I need to replace this desktop as it is starting to make me crazy.
Right now I go to the start screen and click on a program I want to run. Nothing happens for about 30 secs, the machine just sits there like I never clicked a thing.

[JPG]

. . .
Right now I go to the start screen and click on a program I want to run. Nothing happens for about 30 secs, the machine just sits there like I never clicked a thing.

It 'knows' you will change your mind, and, is giving you ample time to do so!:D

[reible]

Ed
You lost me on your last sentence,

As I understand Windows 8 computer people have less control over what is going on. Microsoft is doing more for you, assuming that is what you "really" want to do. The problem comes when you want to control how and what is going on and try to take that control back from windows.

Can you explain what you meant by your last sentence. I'm really interested and I need to replace this desktop as it is starting to make me crazy.
Right now I go to the start screen and click on a program I want to run. Nothing happens for about 30 secs, the machine just sits there like I never clicked a thing.

Hi,

First the things we think we know are often backwards of how things are. You see the new interface and you see the touch screen and apps. For those that want that it is there, but it is less obvious that the old windows is just a screen away. I'm not a fan of the new look, not having a touch screen is likely the reason, but that screen is only up a few minutes a day, the rest of the time you are on a screen just like windows has had for years.

When I start my day I power up, in a moment I've got a screen up, I login and chick on the mail app, in my world that is thunderbird. At this point I'm on a screen much like I have used for years and years. Along the bottom I've added foxfire, sketch up, designer, a reset button and a shutdown button, chrome, explorer.

On the screen I have shortcuts to my pictures folder, my download folder, and about 35 other places or programs. This is where I spend most of my time. Once in a while I pop back up and use the weather app, or use easy access to other programs loaded on my system. Only the apps stay up at that level the other programs take you back to the windows window.

The hidden stuff is all there plus more but then I fear many don't tread there, nor will they ever. Me I like to go exploring. I like to play, I like to customize. I still have access to all of that as I always have. If you are into that sort of thing as I am this OS works just fine and will not be "dumbing" anyone down unless they let it.

Boot times, shut down times are really fast. Program start up time is fast. It seems to run even my old vintage software. Like I said I like it.

Will this cure a particular computer? No idea, anything from me would be a guess and that guess would be a fragmented hard disk that is too full. To much trash left cluttering the system. For about $15 get a copy of Advanced system care 6 and let it have a go at it first. Might be the best investment you can make before you start upgrading hardware and or operating systems.

Ed

[Ed in Tampa]

Ed
It sounds like you run off the desktop which I think most people do. I tend to run off the start screen and keep my desktop for documents that I am using before I file them in a folder.
I do admit I like the setup on Windows 7 where you can put more than three commonly ran programs on the task bar.

One thing I learned from playing with Windows 8 is if you start typing something like control it will automatically place the control panel is selection of possible things you are looking for. That is nice, just get on the desktop or Metro screen and start typing.

Windows 8 is a severe learning curve and because I must replace my hardware I keep bouncing between Apple and Windows 8. Both will require me to relearn and rethink how I presently use my computer. So I'm trying to second guess which will be the power house of the future.

If Steve Jobs were still alive I would go Apple no question but since his death I don't have a lot of faith in Apple management to be able to stay in the forefront of the business. That said I still question Microsoft who seems to me to want to lie back on past laurels and only do what is necessary according to the market.

I have got to believe with their R&D money they could have come up with something far better than the Metro screen to tie computers, tablets and phones to one operating system.

[paulmcohen]

I am reading a interesting history of Windowsfrom version 1, and I learned that even Widows 7 had the ability to just type and it will find the application you want (after clicking the "Start menu"). Microsoft assumed everyone know about that feature so in Windows 8 they removed the need to click on the start menu.

[Ed in Tampa]

Something I learned today about Windows 8 from our local paper.

A reader wrote I understand Microsoft Sercurity Essentials is not compatible with Windows 8. The answer Windows 8 comes with a very robust antivirus built in. It is now call Windows Defender an old name from the past. They mentioned to install another antivirus you would have to disable Windows Defender.

Another reader wrote about the radical changed interface. And the answer said for people (like me) that wanted the old interface. They should install the "FREE" program "ClassicShell" at http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/ They said after a quick and easy installation the familar START button and all the familar folder-structured menu of programs and options will be back.

Looks good to me. Antivirus and the old Start button! Life is good!!!!!:D

I checked the link and it worked.