Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Published on February 29, 2012 By Savyg In Personal Computing

Who's excited? I'm excited.

I love the idea of the Metro UI to remove distractions and make computers more efficient (suspended apps will be taken off the CPU scheduler and most likely the video resources will only be in virtual mem). It was a little awkward on the Dev Preview but that isn't what the CP will look like anyway.

Storage spaces is probably my favorite feature they've talked about so far. 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.

I do wish ReFS was in the client builds, but it doesn't sound like it will be. (At least in the final OS...don't know about the CP.)

I definately like the plugin free browser idea too. Most of the time you browse they're unnecessary anyway.

Otherwise it's mostly just more efficient, and I can't argue with that!

Comments (Page 2)

Rosco_P

on Feb 29, 2012

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...

juryal

on Feb 29, 2012

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.

DaveBax

on Feb 29, 2012

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.

Philly0381

on Feb 29, 2012

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.....

Island Dog

on Feb 29, 2012

Elsius Saint

on Feb 29, 2012

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

ZubaZ

on Feb 29, 2012

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

You'll be fine.

DaveBax

on Feb 29, 2012

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.

Savyg

on Feb 29, 2012

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.

ZubaZ

on Feb 29, 2012

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.

ZubaZ

on Feb 29, 2012

Nice video from LifeHacker:

Savyg

on Feb 29, 2012

I'm back online, sweet.

Is it time to make an 'I have the power' joke? No? No, it never is. Oh well. Consider me pretending to have said something funny then. I'm sure that'll work.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, downloads are being prepared...

DaveBax

on Feb 29, 2012

Zubaz

reply 25

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

Understood. Thank you.

Wizard1956

on Feb 29, 2012

Zubaz

reply 25

huge state of code flux at Microsoft

That sounds logical, Windows 8 is a very fluxed up looking OS.

Daiwa

on Feb 29, 2012

Zubaz

reply 22

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

You'll be fine.

Your boss is not as sanguine.

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