Faiblesse Des Sens Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Why don't they call it Windows x86 or Windows x64? Names are just marketing. Plus, what if they expand to other "mobile" architectures? Lite might send the wrong message to consumers. RT... well they're just better off not knowing what it means than thinking it means something misleading like Lite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 It'll be running on lower-end devices(ARM may be getting stronger but still not in the league of a decent PC) and have 99% of the software functionality(since atm it's Metro only apps and whatever folks port across) so I'd say "lite" is pretty on the mark. RT is confusing, especially if they're not going to say what "RT" is for. At least in the old Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Pro/Enterprise/Ultimate was easy to decipher what they were for even if there was a ton more versions than required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Windows 8 ReTweet. Built entirely around Twitter integration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faiblesse Des Sens Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 and have 99% of the software functionality(since atm it's Metro only apps and whatever folks port across) so I'd say "lite" is pretty on the mark. Â It won't have anywhere near 99% compatibility with previous software. Likely closer to 1%. That's why it's important not to call it Lite but stress that it's a different version that focuses primarily on Metro and things designed for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Err woops. Got that the wrong way around. 1% is what I meant. And that 1% atm is just Office and whatever current Metro Apps exist. It's still Windows 8, so they can't deviate too far away in naming. They can't just call it "Win 8: Metro" cos all the versions run Metro (though Pro not booting into Metro by default might be nice). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Presumably the user could set any version to not boot to Metro by default, right? Â Right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faiblesse Des Sens Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 You haven't used it yet, have you? Metro is basically the start menu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 No, I don't have a computer to put it on. Can you elaborate on it basically being the start menu though? Cause everything I've seen makes it look like it's a different full-screen UI, which is not at all how the start menu is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 It's very much the Start menu: https://www.dropbox....25ee1#gallery:3 (even says at the top) The Start menu as we know it is now: https://www.dropbox....5ee1#gallery:10 (though these are dev preview not the newer consumer preview images so there may be minor changes since) Â The part we know as Windows now; the task bar on the bottom, a start menu in the corner, icons on a desktop, is pretty much just an app within Windows 8 now. Metro is the new start menu/desktop. Â (Also you can run it in a VM Ethan, it's all free to download and try out) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchikoma Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 Utopia/Bob, Windows ME, Windows Vista... It seems every 2-3 major releases, they try to break the mold, but break everything else instead. I'm cautiously... cautious about Win8. While there are possible technical justifications for it, I am very concerned about the plan to have a recovery mode that resets everything, preserves "apps" and wipes all traditional programs. It's a heavyhanded push to drive consumers into MS' walled garden app store and turn general purpose PCs into... smartphones, basically, for all but the hardcore userbase. Then if most users stick with the app store, why even support the old way? A generation or two later, why even allow free development of software without buying a license from MS and having your submissions all approved? "It's a security risk..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Yeah it could go a bit tits up. Though if they do clamp down too much there's a fair few hefty software developers that will put their foot down. Hopefully it remains as is. A large chunk of business rely on being able to churn out bespoke applications and fiddle with the settings, and many of these business are big buyers. If they're needing to splash out on certification and such to make their programs they'll jsut stick to older versions of Windows and MS will end up with an XP situation on their hands all over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 I don't know how to run a virtual machine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangelove Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Id also like to know how to do...that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 There's plenty of tutorials out there: http://www.redmondpie.com/install-windows-8-consumer-preview-in-virtualbox-virtual-machine-on-mac-windows-7-how-to-tutorial/ http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/virtually-windows-8-how-to-set-up-the-consumer-preview-in-virtualbox/70330 http://www.zdnet.com/photos/setting-up-windows-8-consumer-preview-with-virtualbox-gallery/6347416 Â Fairly easy to follow, the only issue is if Windows 8 itself cocks up, which is an issue I had with the consumer preview. Â Oh and you'll need this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/iso as the default download link gets the installer that will actually install the thing as your OS on your non-virtual and very real PC. Â Virtual PC's are also nice for messing about with new Linux version (though so are LiveCDs, and with less of the overheads) and OSX. As well as sticking in XP for those older games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchikoma Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Yeah. I think for the next 5-10 years, it will still be quite possible to run arbitrary code on PCs simply because if people can't do it one way, they'll do it another - like Linux, BSD, even MacOS. Though it's still unnerving to think that serious questions have been raised over whether that will always been an option. Personally, I think in the forseeable future, restrictions like that will be like desktop TPM options - easily switchable in the BIOS at the user's discretion. Still, it's something anyone who values these freedoms should keep an eye on as there would be huge money to be made by very powerful companies by removing that flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 Â So yeah, going back to an earlier point. There's now no start menu in Win 8 "desktop" app. Oh and best I can tell you need to hit the Win key to go back to the metro Start menu which is a bugger and a half. Â More pics here https://www.dropbox....dows_8?h=925ee1 (They're the "CP" range of images) Â edit: Wait for a brief moment a sort of start menu icon (and others) appeared on the right hand side, then disappeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faiblesse Des Sens Posted April 18, 2012 Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 edit: Wait for a brief moment a sort of start menu icon (and others) appeared on the right hand side, then disappeared. Â While in Metro or on the desktop? There's a popup for some stuff (can't remember what exactly) using one of the hot corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted April 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2012 On the desktop, and this wasn't like the hot corners thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixTwoSixFour Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 I call it Windows Hate. Â Because I hate it. Â And it hates me. Â im clevar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchikoma Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Don't tell me it eight all your files? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted May 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 http://www.brianbondy.com/blog/id/135/ Â Firefox for Metro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanb Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/03/making-windows-media-center-available-in-windows-8.aspx  So by default Windows 8 will not play back DVD/Blu-Ray. You need to buy the Media Centre pack (Which it won't include media centre either) This also means if you're gonna play back a DVD/Blu-Ray it'll be in Media Centre. I'm unsure if just installing VLC or whatever will do you fine, or if they use something at the OS level which will now no longer be included. Oh and it also loses support of video tuners, which is a bugger cos I like watching TV on my PC now n then.  On one hand it's kinda bollocks. On the other hand I guess these days a lot of folks are streaming, or watching digital content, and they're watching their discs on a dedicated player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 (edited) Yeah, the only time I ever watch disc content on a computer is on my laptop when I'm travelling, and that's only if I don't have a good enough connection for Netflix. Â *Edit* - Still crappy though. Edited May 4, 2012 by TheMightyEthan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faiblesse Des Sens Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Most everyone mentions installing another media player solves the problem. Anyways, what will actually happen is the cost of licensing the codecs or whatever will just shift to the OEMs since the people who would play DVDs on their computer are going to be buying complete desktops/laptops anyways. MS can now have windows on things without disk drives (tablets and im sure many laptops in the future, netbooks are already there) while not having to pay for dvd playing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchikoma Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Yeah, sorta lame at first, but it makes sense for licensing and realistically, I'd probably just throw on ffdshow and Media Player Classic - it's not like they're going to lock out the ability to read discs or something. Â Kind of strange though for a consumer... it's like getting a Blu-Ray player and finding out it can't do audio CDs. "What the? It can't even... Never mind, I have a half dozen other things that'll do the job..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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