Windows 8 Consumer Preview

I'll stick with my default stance on most things: Cautious Optimism.

Is anything being done about the clusterfuck c:\users\ folder being referenced in 1000 different ways by 500 different programs?

Here's the link to the iso:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

Regular:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

I'm not sure I want to ditch my Win7 install yet though, but it probably won't take long using 8CP before I do.

"Microsoft has also released a tool that lets you install the consumer preview on a separate partition on your computer so you can dual boot Windows 8 and another version of Windows." - http://liliputing.com/2012/02/windows-8-consumer-preview-now-available-for-download.html

Just to throw it out there: Stardock apps are not Win 8 ready. You can try, and you can post results . . but don't expect us to do anything any time soon.

I don't see how Windowblinds will work with W8 and still be the frontrunner. Stadock will have to come with new things to take top spots.

I'm downloading it now but I'm not even cautiously optimistic. It seems to me that the union between the traditional Windows UI and Metro will make for a inconsistent experience. I think many of things that are viewed positively when done on a tablet hurt the usefulness of a desktop UI. Having the start menu replaced by a full-screen Metro launcher does not strike me as a good compromise, for example. I wasn't convinced when I tried the Developer preview that this was a blessed joining; hopefully the Consumer Preview will change my mind.

I've been running it and it's a big improvement over the Developer preview.

I still haven't been shown that Windows 8 will do alot for me personally that Windows 7 doesn't do, but it is still early. I too am not seeing the advantage of the Metro launcher other than being the same that you could have on a mobile device, which I don't have nor need.

Quoting Island Dog,

reply 7

I've been running it and it's a big improvement over the Developer preview.

I asked this before but want to convince myself I read correctly. So you are running it now. Can you make it look like a win 7 desktop with the same taskbar, startmenu, etc using a windowblind? If so I guess you would have already been using the current build of WB and it works fine.

This is the "desktop". There is no more start menu, that is what Metro is for.

Quoting Philly0381,

reply 8

I still haven't been shown that Windows 8 will do alot for me personally that Windows 7 doesn't do, but it is still early. I too am not seeing the advantage of the Metro launcher other than being the same that you could have on a mobile device, which I don't have nor need.

The Metro UI is not what I'm looking forward to. The performance improvements, on the other hand, do make me a little excited. That, and the new Task Manager. And the new copy file dialogs. And the storage pools.

Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 3

"Microsoft has also released a tool that lets you install the consumer preview on a separate partition on your computer so you can dual boot Windows 8 and another version of Windows." -

I have already dual booted Win 8 Developer Preview. But I have checked all the above links and cannot find the tool you mention.

Possibly it's built into Win8?

Quoting Rosco_P,

reply 11

The Metro UI is not what I'm looking forward to. The performance improvements, on the other hand, do make me a little excited. That, and the new Task Manager. And the new copy file dialogs. And the storage pools.

All that sounds great. Normally I'm all for the newest thing out there. But the whole split-personality thing is scaring me.

I imagine that the apps I run will run as windows on the desktop.

I don't get the attachment most people have to the start menu and panel. Most of the apps I use auto-start on boot. Then, when I need something, I tap the Windows key and start typing the name of the app I want to start (usually it's notepadd++ or a mapped drive through explorer).

If I want to uninstall, I type [winkey] "uninst" [pick from the list or hit enter]. If I want to start WindowFX, I type [winkey]["window"][down arrow] [enter]. My hands never leave the keyboard and it's fast. If I want to open explorer, I type [winkey]+e. BOOM!

If you want to use your mouse in Win8 you can drag it to the lower left corner and the Metro UI opens. Click the app you want to launch.

What do you people use the start panel for?

Zubaz, change in how we have become accustomed to in interfacing with our computers will always be the hardest thing to accept. There will always be those users that follow the adage, 'If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.' I understand that change will still be the constant thing that we are faced with, doesn't mean we will like it or accept it.

Quoting Philly0381,

reply 15

Zubaz, change in how we have become accustomed to in interfacing with our computers will always be the hardest thing to accept. There will always be those users that follow the adage, 'If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.' I understand that change will still be the constant thing that we are faced with, doesn't mean we will like it or accept it.

A counter argument I'm not sure I agree with popped into my head when I read this:

Just because something isn't broken, doesn't mean it works for what you're using it for.

Something I shall ponder...

Quoting Zubaz,

reply 14

I imagine that the apps I run will run as windows on the desktop.

I don't get the attachment most people have to the start menu and panel. Most of the apps I use auto-start on boot. Then, when I need something, I tap the Windows key and start typing the name of the app I want to start (usually it's notepadd++ or a mapped drive through explorer).

If I want to uninstall, I type [winkey] "uninst" [pick from the list or hit enter]. If I want to start WindowFX, I type [winkey]["window"][down arrow] [enter]. My hands never leave the keyboard and it's fast. If I want to open explorer, I type [winkey]+e. BOOM!

If you want to use your mouse in Win8 you can drag it to the lower left corner and the Metro UI opens. Click the app you want to launch.

What do you people use the start panel for?

The start menu had many functions. You could simply launch programs, launch them with privileges, edit the shortcut, or use the jump list (in 7). You could customize the right side with various shortcuts to folders and other areas of Windows. The shutdown menu was there. There was a quick launcher for search. Yes, it was a mouse-driven interface but Windows is generally mouse-driven. There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts but if you have to do something you don't do every day, or you're a non-power user, you're using the mouse. In 8, that means bouncing back and forth between Metro and Aero.

All the keyboard shortcuts are present in Windows 7. So we haven't gained anything there. Even if I'm solely using the keyboard, the switch between Metro and Aero seems aesthetically displeasing. Having the start menu open when you used keyboard shortcuts didn't jerk you out of your UI and then thrust you back in after you launched the program.

Quoting Zubaz,

reply 14

What do you people use the start panel for?

Ok, maybe not everyone uses the startmenu but I do and everyone I know does. Even if I don't use the left side of the SM I use the right all the time like Pictures, Control panel. Computer, etc. Without knowing all the shortcuts I know I can access all those through an open window. Well there will really be no need for windowblinds then will there. Unless I'm still missing something. I guess one could still use skinstudio to skin everything except for the startmenu as long as WB will still work. I realize I could just continue to use win7 but all i'm trying to find out is will you still be able to skin win8 (except for the SM. Therte are a lot of people much smarter then I am so that is why i'm trying to find out more about what will be able to be done and what won't.

Good one Rosco_P. Of course we also have to take into consideration that folks will try to use, in this case, a GUI for other than what it was intended, that's where the change comes in. More things to ponder.....

I'll miss the start menu, but I'll move on. W8 is still skinable. With what's left to skin, anyone can be a skinner

Think of the Metro UI as a SUPER STAR PANEL!!!

You'll be fine.

This may or may not be addressed to anything I said. However as far as change it's expected and always will continue like my out taxes and bill all the time. I'm not against change and not knowing anything about windows8 was just trying to fine out what will be able to be skinned. Pretty certain by mow with many people using the builds of win8 that some of this can be answered. Such as will object dock still work, etc. maybe a nice post on "As of now what we know will work on win8 and can be skinned" Not upset at anything just looking for information that I know is available. So I will just wait and see.

Well, aside from that it'd obviously take me some time to download, our power went out around 3:30 in the morning so it'll be a bit (probably a day or two really) before I'm loaded up.

Quoting DaveBax,

reply 23

retty certain by mow with many people using the builds of win8 that some of this can be answered. Such as will object dock still work, etc. maybe a nice post on "As of now what we know will work on win8 and can be skinned"

As things are still in a huge state of code flux at Microsoft, we're not there.

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