I just watched this video on Microsoft’s latest operating system and laughed until I cried. It is a lengthy video, however it does cover some of the absurdity and frustration of Windows 8.
I have been a Tech since 1999 and am always ready for change, but Windows 8 is exactly what the video states:
“2 user interfaces, stapled together”
Please note* There are some parts of the video that may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.
Windows 8 only runs Internet Explorer 10 and you will find that some sites don’t work. There are a few ways of fixing this – if you’re using the new full-screen App version and get any issues, the fix is basically to try opening the site in the desktop version. (Does not apply to Surface RT) Click or touch the spanner icon, then click on
View on the desktop option to flick over to the regular Windows desktop and view the site in desktop IE. (Introducing IE 10 Video)
You may not see the compatibility icon in all sites:
If you see the icon, click on it (the compatibility icon looks like a broken page) to set the browser to a mode which is more amenable to sites that haven’t yet adopted HTML5 or are not expecting to see IE10.
If there isn’t a compatibility icon, press ALT to show the menu bar, offering the ability to add your current site to the list (via the Compatibility View or Compatibility View Settings options) Add your sites there.
Once there, if you’re still seeing issues:
· If browsing a site is still incompatible, in the desktop IE10, press F12· Click on the “Browser Mode” menu, then Select the IE10 Compatibility View, and close the debug view by 
clicking the X in the corner.
· If the IE10 view doesn’t work out, then try setting to a previous mode by repeating the F12 trick and choosing an older version of the browser from the menu.
This tip has been known to work on troublesome websites.
I pulled Windows 8 out of production this weekend. This coming from someone who put Vista into production. (Vista, an Unwelcome Guest)
I really tried to work with Windows 8, but it just doesn’t work as an upgrade on my system setup.
I guess there was no way to know all of this when running the preview in a virtual environment and not really having it in production.
Yes, I really wanted to jump on board, but conclude that Windows 8 is a “cut to code: FAIL” at this time and will be reviewed next year with the first Service Pack release of Windows 8 and not a day sooner.
Launch Event for Surface Tablet (Windows 8)
I went to the Microsoft Store on Friday, found 70-85 people in line to “buy” the Surface tablet.
I was standing in that line too, until a Microsoft employee walked by and said “you don’t need to stand in line if you just want to check out the new tablet.”
Makes me wonder how many other people didn’t know that either.
(I really expected the store to be a bit more crowded than this)
Nothing to see here, back to the office to install Windows 8.
Installing Windows 8
Installing Windows 8 reminded me of a long par 5. You’ve got 235 yards left to the green, 175 years to clear the water. You wonder what you are going to do, trying to make the right decision, whether to layup or take a hybrid out and take your chances. Wind direction, how’s the lie, where’s my bailout area.
That’s about the same talk in my head I had with myself before installing Windows 8. Sure, I should have done a clean install, but as a test monkey, I wanted to run it as an end user, hope for the best.
After the clicking the download, it checked my system (as I previously posted) then I clicked Next.
Went through the credit card gambit and 5 minutes later, the process began. Download took 15 minutes. (Even with a 29.81Mbps download speed)
After that, you just let it cook, reboot, install. From start to finish, 1.5 hours. I’d rather would have been on that par 5.
The good news is, everything came over, all my apps, files, data, etc…, just had to put in a few passwords here and there. Yes, the install went rather well.
We May Not Need Badges, But We Do Need a Start Button
Fiddled around with the TILES and did my usual tweaking. I gave up trying to figure out the desktop without a START BUTTON. I don’t want to use Windows 8 without one. Head on over to STARDOCK and snag it. It’s worth the $5.00.
Oh and Bauer, you heard me say it here, I really rather like the LIVE TILES on the other start up screen in Windows 8.
Please stay tuned for Windows 8 – Tip of the Week posts!
Just a few short days away from the release of Windows 8 into the wild. With some trepidation, we wait and have bets on who gets the first call… a failed upgrade, a printer that wont work, where the desktop is, where is the Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Dropbox, Angry Birds apps, etc…
So it got me thinking, where is the upgrade advisor that I can share with the users and show them that their system will work or will fail miserably on Windows 8.
Remember the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor? “To see if your PC is ready for Windows 7, download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.”
It’s been replaced with the “Fast and Fluid Experience”?
In Windows 8, rather than having Upgrade Advisor, Setup, and Windows Easy Transfer as separate apps or features, we’ve folded them together into one fast and fluid experience in which we first determine if your PC, apps, and devices will work in the new OS, note which things you want to keep (apps, files and/or settings), and then install the new OS. (via Building Windows 8)
As you start to install Windows 8, the program scans the PC to determine compatibility, resulting in a summary report such as this one:
Windows 8 setup compatibility summary
It provides information on the apps and devices that will work in Windows 8, those that won’t work, and any other system information that is useful to know when determining whether or not to install Windows 8. A detailed compatibility report is also available if you want to print or save the information, or desire more detail about what to expect once you get to Windows 8, including which apps or devices will require updates.
Ok, well I guess that will work if I am a user and don’t review (or care) what you found and just happy ass click on Next buttons. It’s Windows reimagined, so we imagine its much better, right?
Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant:
The Windows8-ReleasePreview-UpgradeAssistant file is a small 5MB file which will download quickly and will check your system for compatibility with Windows 8. NOTE*** if you do not want to install Windows 8, close the window after it checks compatibility.
If some of your apps or devices aren’t listed, it might be because they haven’t received or determined compatibility info for that app or device yet. Surprise?! Your printer may not work.
Head on over to the Compatibility Center for Windows 8 Consumer Preview to see if there’s more compatibility info. The “Community” votes whether their device or app was or was not compatible.
576 votes compatible, 86 votes not compatible. (When their own product has “not compatibles” it makes us pause)
After running the UpgradeAssistant file on a 4 systems, the top 3 incompatibles were:
When you click on More info, they direct you to a generic answers to some common questions about Windows 8 Release Preview website. Here’s the information I found for you:
To play DVDs in Windows 8 Release Preview, you will need to install a third-party app that supports DVD playback. Microsoft has decided to removed DVD playback from Windows Media Player in Windows 8.
Secure Boot is a feature enabled by UEFI – which replaces the traditional PC BIOS and prevents “unauthorized” operating systems and software from loading during the startup process. Microsoft mandates specific implementations for x86 (Intel) and ARM PCs. Any computer with a Windows 8 logo sticker has Secure Boot enabled.
And on desktop PCs, we wont be “snapping apps” so no need to bump up the screen resolution.
As always, and to keep with the tradition, Vista, an Unwelcome Guest - Windows 7, Oh No You Di’Int, I will put Windows 8 into production next weekend.
I am just not sure I get it. Excuse me for a moment while I clear my thoughts.
Microsoft is jumping into the tablet market in ten days and I just can’t help but think, “will it float to the surface?”
Here is 3 simple reasons why:
1. They are building the device themselves. Sure, they have a hit with the Xbox console, which has been out on the market forever, but who do you know that has a Windows Phone… or a Zune?
2. It’s NOT an iPad so why are you pricing it the same as an iPad - Starting at $499 for the 32GB version without Touch Cover and a 32GB version with the Touch Cover for $599. Microsoft is also offering 64GB model for $699 with a Touch Cover included. (cost an additional $119 for a Touch “keyboard” cover, which you want, don’t you think? The matching cover…keyboard) (via the Verge)
3. Windows 8 and no apps. As of the beginning of October, there is no Facebook app; no Twitter app; no YouTube app; no CNN app; no IMDB app; no Dropbox app; no Hulu app; no ESPN app; no MLB at Bat app. There are no YouTube, Google Maps, or Gmail apps. Can you say oopsie?!
Not really sure why I would volunteer to be that test monkey for their new tablet. I mean, it’s a tablet for Pete’s sake! We are going to read with it, check our emails and surf around the net. Can you price your product as though it is an iPad when this is your sloppy specifications? (From Microsoft’s website, here’s the download spec sheet link) Seriously?! Really?!
Now, let’s just take a quick look at Apple’s iPad tech specs… Go on, click the link. (be sure to click on their Technical Specifications and/or Open link when you get on the Apple web page) We’ll wait whilst you peruse the Size, Weight, Storage, Display, Chip, Camera, Battery, Input/Output, Audio, Video, Built-in Apps, etc…
It’s OK, we’ve got a few minutes here while you finish up.
I am a PC not a MAC, but it is lame not to have full specs on your product. Or apps that actually make your device useful.
Let me quote ThinkGeek:
Since I have a Microsoft store down the street, I think it is only fair for me to go in there on October 26th and get some pics and report back. Stay tuned!
Can the Windows Store possibly be ready by Oct. 26? via PCWorld
UPDATE as of October 16th at 9:00am: Microsoft has posted the TECHNICAL SPECS! (And you can Pre-Order Now)
Installed Windows 8 on a Virtual Box. Note* to get my exchange account working, I needed to use the proxy exchange server address. It’s sort of clunky on a regular PC, but the preview begins. (Already gave the Developers Preview a whirl and it was just ok)
Here’s the link to get started:
UPDATE: Literally! Updates already for Windows 8! Man, that’s rush to preview, huh? (and yes the updates crapped out the OS. Doing a “refresh” now)
