Windows 8 - My thoughts on implementing it into my life

Windows 8 has been out for several weeks. From what I've read sales appear to be good. User reaction has been mixed (mine included). This comes as no surprise considering the radical change  Microsoft has taken with it. I've been using early releases of Windows 8 for several months. When the final release came out, I installed it on one device. Now on to the likes/dislikes.

Windows RT Surface and similar tablets.

The concept of an Arm processor tablet is good as it provides a low cost energy efficient device.

Windows RT only allowing applications from the Microsoft App store is a deal breaker for me.  The idea of it being in a restrictive silo of apps much like IOS on the Ipad isn't my cup of tea.. I left the world of IOS and no longer own an Ipad for that same reason.

Windows 8 Pro

I've found my experiences with Windows 8 Pro to be a good experience. I've been using it on a desktop computer, a Laptop computer as well as a tablet. Many people complain about it because the traditional start menu isn't there. I don't find that an issue because I took the time to learn my way around. I question the logic in people expecting Windows 8 to be like every other version of Windows since 1985. Technology has continued to advance so why shouldn't Windows advance? The rejection of Windows 8 people are doing now reminds me of the rejection of Windows that MS DOS users exhibited in the 80's. Those people can rest at easy knowing Windows 7 will be supported until 2020.

My dislikes
As I mentioned, I have only installed Windows 8 final release on one device. That device is an Exopc tablet. I have two $15 upgrades that I don't plan on using. The reason being despite how well Windows 8 runs using a conventional mouse/track pad & keyboard, the touch screen experience is what makes Windows 8 shine.

The EXOPS runs a single core Atom N455 processor with 2GB Ram and a 60GB SSD. Though it is a tablet computer it's essentially a 2010 vintage Netbook internally. The touchscreen is only a 2 touch  point screen. Despite all of it's shortcomings compared to modern hardware it runs Windows 8 amazingly well.
At some point I will get a larger notebook or desktop computer with a touchscreen running Windows 8 Pro.

Windows 8 The Charm Bar

Using Windows 8, the Charm Bar will become your best friend.
What is the Charm Bar? 

The Charm Bar is the bar on the right side of the above image. From the Charm Bar you have access to all parts of Windows 8.
How do you bring up the Charm Bar?
It can be brought up from any screen. On touch screen devices swipe a finger in from the right margin of the screen. With a traditional mouse move the cursor to either the top or bottom right corner of the screen and the Charm Bar will appear. From the keyboard Windows key + C will bring your Charm Bar to life.
What can you do with the Charm Bar?
I'll cover a few basics on this post
The most common features you will probably use are "search" and "settings".
Click or touch "search" and you get something like this.

This screen shows you every application installed as well as access to all files and settings on your computer. This one screen presents all the information information that required you to click start and then several more times to select what you were looking for in previous versions of Windows. Search also has a real handy feature. From the tile desktop just start typing what you are looking for and the search screen will come up showing you the results.
Clicking settings from the Charm Bar will get you something like this.

You will find yourself using settings often. Here you can adjust things such as audio volume, wireless connections, screen brightness etc. The most used feature here is the Power settings. This is where you put your computer to sleep, restart it or power it down.

Because Windows 8 is such a radical change to the "typical" Windows we have seen since Windows 95 it can look and feel awkward. Once you master the basics to get yourself around you start to realize the sensible approach Microsoft has taken with Windows 8.

More to come.

Windows 8 - The tile desktop

What is this?

That's my Windows 8 "tile" desktop. In early releases of Windows 8 it was referred to as the "Metro" desktop. For legal reasons Microsoft had to stop calling it the Metro desktop.

New users immediately ask "Where is my Windows desktop and Icons?"
Have no fear it is also there. Click the tile titled "desktop" and you get this.

I'm sure that's a more familiar desktop. You can install shortcuts to installed software on this desktop and have a more traditional Windows experience.
Installed software can be on the tile desktop as well as your traditional desktop and launched from either location. For example, If I click on the Google Chrome Tile it takes me to the traditional desktop and opens Google Chrome.
One thing you might notice on the traditional desktop is the lack of the windows "start" icon that normally appears in the lower left corner on previous versions of Windows. We all used to click that Icon to go my computer, photos, music, videos, control panel and other installed programs.
so where did the Start Icon go? The tile desktop is the start menu. In later posts I'll show how to dig into your computer via the tile menu.
But first I have to get back to the tile menu. In typical Windows fashion there are several ways to do it. On touch screen devices, swipe a finger in from the right margin of the screen and tap on "start". If using a traditional mouse move the cursor either to the top right or bottom right margin of the screen and the charm bar will appear. Click on start in the charm bar and you will be on the Tile Desktop.

Hint: From the traditional desktop hit the "Windows" key and it will take you to the Tile desktop.


Up next, The Charm bar, your best friend.

Windows 8 the myths & mystery of it

Windows 8 is just over a month away from being turned loose on the public. The rumors of it's failure are running rampant on the web. I can understand this as Windows 8 is probably the biggest gamble Microsoft has taken. It is the most radical change Microsoft has made since Windows 95. I applaud them for making the move.

Lets dispel  some of the rumors.

Windows 8 is only good on touch devices

 I have been running Windows 8 on a tablet as well as a notebook & desktop computer for several months without problems.

The typical user isn't going to know where to begin on Windows 8

This is true. However Microsoft setting up 32 "pop up" stores as well as putting representatives in Best Buy stores will help with this. An aggressive advertising campaign will also help.

Windows 8 is too different from the version of Windows I am currently using.

While it may be different, everything you currently use in Windows is there. It will be much like what you experience when trying to use a new smartphone or tablet. People have managed to adapt to them quickly.

Up next, lets look at this tile desktop.

Been a while.

It's been quite a while since I last posted to this blog. Keeping up with other "Geek" activities has managed to suck up much of my time.
Being an early adopter in the Chrome Operating system project has kept me quite busy. My activities in this project can be found on my Chrome in the cloud blog.
Two months ago I was fortunate enough to receive an Exopc slate.

The slate came loaded with Windows 7 and the custom Exopc overlay. While the Exopc overlay made the device peppy, I quickly learned Windows 7 isn't very touch friendly. Thus when Windows 8 release preview was made available I was quick to install it. This made the slate a faster comfortable device to use.
This resulted in my trying Windows 8 on an older notebook as well as one of my desktop computers. After a few frustrating experiences I've grown to really like Windows 8.
Over the next few weeks I plan to document my Windows 8 experiences in detail on this blog. I'm hoping to dispel rumours and misconceptions that are floating about the web. This will be an in depth look at using Windows 8 including tips and tricks to make it a better experience. All written from a daily user as opposed to a "glossed over" review from a tech journalist. I'll also provide links to many resources I've found related to Windows 8. 
Follow along on my adventures in the world of Windows 8.

Dell streak

I've been playing with my Dell Streak tablet for the past 24 hours or so. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. It must be understood that my standard of comparison is my 2nd gen Ipad2. 
Based on that, the Streak lost out of the gate. The display does not begin to compare to the Ipad. Holding the device at any angle other  than straight on in front of your eyes results in a skewed image.
The rest of the hardware in the streak is quite good. It's a shame that Dell opted to cut corners on the display. I'm hoping any future devices they create will address this issue.
Comparing any current tablet to the Ipad is tough. Apple has kept device quality their #1 priority. The extra $200 or so cost of the Ipad is a good investment to have the king of the hill.


Dell Streak

Google Stops shipping CR48 Notebooks.

As reported on Mashable,  Google has ceased shipping CR48 notebooks. Originally it was announced that 60,000 would be shipped. We can assume there are in fact 60,000 of them in use.
At this point anyone wanting a Chrome operating system notebook will have to wait for Acer and Samsung to offer their models sometime in the summer.
I'm hoping that those that received one of the Google notebooks will continue using them and provide feedback to Google to help improve the operating system.

Time for another Desktop Computer

I've managed to sell the majority of my desktop computers. The building of a new one is in process. I've always been a bigger fan of Intel processors rather than AMD. However my local Microcenter has a program where you buy an AMD processor and get a Motherboard for free. So I picked up an AMD Phenom II X4 3.2 Ghz processor and motherboard. The build is in process. Once completed I'll post details here.