Just WHAT is the meaning of THIS?!..

http://i1-win.softpedia-static.com/screenshots/Windows-8_1.png?1372356027

I feel like Rip Van Winkle - waking up from a decade's sleep to see that DOG's BREAKFAST on computer screens!

 

It's Microsoft Vista for tablets.

That window, is like a menu on an older OS, that
takes up the entire width of the screen. That is
what the new OS brings, operations that hide the
rest of the screen.

If you can afford two monitors, it functions a lot better,
as that stuff can be put on one monitor, and your "ordinary"
desktop on the other monitor. You can then, kinda, see
what you're doing.

http://www.extremetech.com/wp-conte...s-on-finger-pointing-start-button-640x353.jpg

With only one LCD monitor, it's just an annoying OS. As
you effectively switch from viewing the desktop, to viewing
one of the new pasted-on functions. And back again.

*******

You can try the preview if you want, but only install this
on a *blank* hard drive, not over top of your regular OS.
Or, you'll be sorry. While this was installing, I only
had my blank hard drive connected to the computer, so nothing
bad could happen. After the install was finished, I connected
all the other hard drives again.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-download

What you'll discover, is that OS cannot run on just any computer.
The computer has to be reasonably modern. For example, my
second best computer has a Core2 processor (good enough),
but the video card is too old, and the screen stays stuck
at 1024x768 if there is no video card driver. The OS still
works, but things are a bit fuzzy. Only one computer here,
can actually run Win8/Win8.1 properly. And that's the computer
I'm typing this on. For many older computers, you don't
have to worry, as that OS won't install. It'll check the
hardware first, and reject the install.

The license key on the preview will be valid, until Win8.1
goes up for sale. When the stores stop selling Win8 discs
and switch to Win8.1, that would be roughly when the
license key on the preview will be invalid, and stop
working. The date should really be listed on the above
page, but I don't see it. An unofficial answer is
January 15, 2014.

Paul

 

I guess what I was trying to say is I prefer this interface: http://cdn5.windows7themes.net/wp-content/gallery/windows-8-screenshots/Windows_8_screenshot.png to the abject mess I linked to in my o.p. Is that interface still going to be around for desktop?

 

Your link won't open for me.

If you're referring to regular menus, they can be
added with third party software.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Start_Menu_replacements_for_Windows_8

Those probably won't override the start button on Win8.1 version,
so it'll be interesting to see the results when testing those
on 8.1.

It's not possible to remove Metro engine, without side effects.
If the tiles were completely removed (no GUI subsystem to make
them run), then some other decorations in the desktop stop working
as well. So "hammering" the GUI components in Windows 8, would
not be a complete success.

I used ClassicShell when testing Win8 preview, but did not
install it on my actual Win8 (bought version) installation.
That's to keep the Win8 OS more in its "reference" state.
Unmodified. I only test in Win8, rather than using it as
a daily OS.

This is Classic Shell. If you accidentally click on some
data file, which has the mapping set to a Metro application,
you still get thrown into a Metro screen. For example, on
this machine, if I clicked on a PDF file, the Metro PDF
reader would open. With painstaking work, you can undo
all the file mappings, and stop that.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2395/classicshell.jpg

Paul

 

Yep,
Paul

 

Well, that means I'm holding on to my Vista SP2 system as long as I can keep it going.

That Windows 8 interface is a MESS.

 

The mistake is putting a mobile interface GUI, on a desktop.

The Metro part might make sense on a 4" mobile device.
It's just a waste of real estate on a desktop.

And the lack of touch screens, means practical touch screen
gesturing, is years away. I don't plan on buying a new LCD
monitor, anytime soon. If my current one breaks, I have
a replacement I bought for $100 on sale, that will be
taking over. I'll be getting a touchscreen, around 2023

Paul

 

Paul:

Just went into a Staples the other day and the Tech guy showed me how to bring up the normal looking desktop:

Just click the square labeled "Desktop"! No need to download 3rd party anything.

 

If someone tells you all the tricks, it's great.

But if one of those Metro apps starts for some
reason, you could still be in for a surprise.
(Because there's no "X" on it, to dismiss it.)
To me, that's just bad design. A dual-mode OS needs
two escape routes for Houdini Not just the one.
Even if they'd bound the "escape" key to an escape
like function, that would have been better than
nothing.

Paul

 

___________

My point was it is right under our noses. No 3rd party anything required.

On the other hand, when you are in Windows 8's "traditional" desktop(as we've come to know the past 18 years), clicking "Start" leads back to the dog's breakfast - instead of a tree as it does in 7 and editions prior.

-The K-Man

 

Well, be advised that dogs tend to "place their marker" on trees.