Windows 8

[Gun]

Fair enough

I got my Windows 7 from the software supplier at my mum's old work, I think they were based in Singapore. I got Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for about $15

 

[FroyoShark]

Fair enough

I got my Windows 7 from the software supplier at my mum's old work, I think they were based in Singapore. I got Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for about $15

I got Windows 8 for free (legally)
My dad did/does a little work for Microsoft, not sure exactly what, but he gets free product keys from them

 

[Gun]

I got Windows 8 for free (legally)
My dad did/does a little work for Microsoft, not sure exactly what, but he gets free product keys from them

Wow, that's awesome

 

[FroyoShark]

Wow, that's awesome

Meh, I usually use Linux anyway, but it's nice to have the most up to date version of Windows for anything that doesn't run in Wine
Definitely would not have any version of Windows (legally) if I had to pay for it (I built my PC)

 

[n2stuff]

Windows 8 is nice-- with some modifications.

First thing I did: Installed Start is Back. This brings back the start menu and basically forces the desktop unless you change the settings, makes it just like Win 7.

Second thing: Installed a theme patcher and a custom theme. Not necessary, but I'm not a fan of the blocky look

Windows 8 seems faster than Windows 7, and once you use it with these modifications you probably won't want to go back to 7

I just installed it. Looks good so far. I will be more than happy to pay $3.00 for it. Thanks buddy. +rep

 

[ped]

I gave Win8 a longgg try out, and yeah it worked, but I did miss the start button.

It's horses for courses, you either love it or hate it.

 

[FroyoShark]

I gave Win8 a longgg try out, and yeah it worked, but I did miss the start button.

It's horses for courses, you either love it or hate it.

Try it with start is back and a custom theme. Basically turns it into Windows 7 with all of the updates and features of Windows 8 for $3 (or free... ).

I couldn't stand Windows 8 until I tried SiB.

 

[ped]

Try it with start is back and a custom theme. Basically turns it into Windows 7 with all of the updates and features of Windows 8 for $3 (or free... ).

I couldn't stand Windows 8 until I tried SiB.

Thats fair comment, I used to have XP heavily skinned.


I might try that.

EDIT , feel free to inbox me a link

 

[electron]

My mobo blew on my old laptop... So my new one came with Win8; at first I was upset b/c Win7 was my cozzy little home. Hower the resume speed from hibernation is so fast that if you blink you can miss it! (or its the quad core )

-Problem: There is no "start menu" instead everytime you boot you get the huge metro screen (which IS NOT) too productive for laptop/desktops.
-Solution: Since I prefer a quick start menu on top of my programs I got CLASSIC SHELL its free and skips the metro screen, and straight to desktop with a slick icon: http://oi47.tinypic.com/9stg92.jpg

-Problem: They cram metro apps down your throat (like electron was saying); i.e. Opening a .PDF will launch A SEPERATE metro app environment, so will pictures, movies, etc... Although like most fresh installs of Windows internet explorer is only for downloading chrome/firefox and runing IE only active-x
-Solution: Set your DEFAULT programs
Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Default Programs

*BIG NEW CHANGE: New computers loaded with Win8 have a MoBo that uses SECURED UEFI (instead of BIOS); which makes life difficult if to quickly boot Unix... Sure you can modify grub for it, but I don't want to tinker with it and risk damaging the SIGNED signature that only works with that MoBo (unless you dd the MS partition(s))....
---------------
ALL-IN-ALL it is not a drastic change if you like Win7 yes it has many annoying obstacles; however Microsoft lets you turn off all the unnecessary "jazz/bells & whistles" that pester people who actually use a computer, while fixing lots of problems.

Yea that's pretty much what I did with my personal laptop & desktop. I changed all the defaults and I'm not using any of the metro apps. Kind of makes it just like Windows7 which then after doing all of that what is the point of the upgrade? but yes the system is very fast and I do like running it like Windows7 so I'm sticking with it for personal use. For business though I only have 2 VP's that are using it finally, made all the changes for them and they are happy with the speed increase, things are much snapper in Windows8. For a multi-user station though, it is way too much hassel to have to do that for each profile; sticking with Windows7 on those for now. I tried it also on phone & a touch screen enabled PC and on thoses I really do like it. On tradition style PC's & Laptops, got to dump the metro stuff; bottom line is if you don't have a touch screen, metro is no fun......Waiting to see what Windows 8.1 brings...got a rough beta copy of it....but I'll wait to see what the final release has.

 

[Soulero]

Try it with start is back and a custom theme. Basically turns it into Windows 7 with all of the updates and features of Windows 8 for $3 (or free... ).

I couldn't stand Windows 8 until I tried SiB.

I agree, Start is Back is great. One of the few pieces of software I've actually spent money on. And who doesn't theme Windows?

 

[Hydroas]

I had the Winfail 8 developer preview and it was annoying... like all Windows it is crap, just Windows XP is a bit of use full, but its to old now.
At the moment I have Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and if think it is the best System at this time. You can make what ever you want, Playing and the other stuff. Just the installing of some Programs is a bit harder than in Windows.

 

[Soulero]

I had the Winfail 8 developer preview and it was annoying... like all Windows it is crap, just Windows XP is a bit of use full, but its to old now.
At the moment I have Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and if think it is the best System at this time. You can make what ever you want, Playing and the other stuff. Just the installing of some Programs is a bit harder than in Windows.

As far as Linux goes, if you want something easy to use, I always recommend Linux Mint. It's like Ubuntu but it has a much nicer interface, and uses less system resources.
The Linux Mint Blog » Blog Archive » Linux Mint 15 ?Olivia? RC released!

 

[ped]

I had the little hacks to skip the metro theme and go straight to the Windos 7 style desktop, I then had a better idea...


I just installed Windows 7.

 

[Soulero]

I had the little hacks to skip the metro theme and go straight to the Windos 7 style desktop, I then had a better idea...


I just installed Windows 7.

Windows 8 has quite a few performance improvements, and seems much smoother to me than Windows 7. Plus it's newer, so it won't be "outdated" until long after 7 is. Either way, Linux is still the best choice (IMO of course)

 

[Bacon]

yurr... I used to have a triple boot with Win7 and found that the boot time of Win7 was about as enjoyable as ruining over your hand with a truck. Thus I always seemed to boot into Linux b/c all I really did was browse (It also made the native terminal for ssh so much easier than putty)

However when you need that program that can only run on Windows you realize how hopelessly dependent on windows you are.

Ped is right I have everything on win8 so it feels like win7. The only reason I don't is b/c is is so dang snappy and less problems than before. One last EXTREME ANNOYANCE on win8 is updates rebooting (I like auto updates, but at least ask me!) I also hibernate often.
Fix:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU\NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers (create this)
With a hex value of 1

 

[ped]

^^ That's a neat little trick.

I also had issues with X64 drivers for some of my devices, (I have a lot of devices).

Incidentally , From power switch press, to usable desktop is 9 seconds on my system, quicker than most systems hibernate resume.