OT - Windows 10

The technical preview version of Windows 10 is out.
The start menu is back - sort of.
Looks and feels much the same as Windows 8.1 otherwise.
If you feel like trying it, read the precautions and EULA very
carefully. They are collecting all sorts of data!

Wonder why they didn't do a windows 9?

They can't count.

Microsoft realized that so many users were put off by Windows 8 that they made a decision to skip 9 by coming out with something SO ROBUST that it warranted going straight to 10 which is supposed to have the Start button, items back on the tool bar, and a quasi Classic view.

Good luck to them. They lost me at Win 7. Besides, it is said that lap and desk tops are going away, being replaced by the likes of tablets. Apple has that locked up. Then again, tablets and smart phones don't interest me either. I'm a dying breed. A neanderthal. I keep rebuilding my tractors, motor scooters, pickups, lap tops, and I don't like rap music. I'm not fitting in much with...change.

Mark

I use Windows 8.1 but I downloaded a neat piece of software called 'Classic Shell' which restores the start button
Classic Shell

The mentioned Classic Shell is what I installed on everybody's computer around that got new ones with 8. Works well, never had an issue at all. There are other free and paid tools that do the same thing, takes seconds to install after a quick download.

At this point, 10 "looks" basically exactly the same as 8 or 8.1 with that tool installed (and 7 too). Only main difference is the start menu has the tiles on the side of it (you can turn the tiles back all the way on if you want).

So unless someone is a little experienced, no reason to try it now. They are collecting lots of data from the testers, in fact, they are recording every keystroke you type, and everything you speak into it, not kidding. Whether or not everything gets transmitted back to them, don't know, but it looks like it is and a lot of people aren't too happy about that. It is overkill for what they are doing. The released version won't do that. Also, there is speculation that the upgrade will be free for 8.1 users. If not that, might be cheap. They are going to more like how some Linux installs work, one install, then only incremental updates from then on, no major releases again, no reinstalling Windows with a new version, enhancements/changes just come in with the updates.

Also, if they could count, 10 wouldn't be right either. On the consumer side, not counting business releases, there was 1 , 2, 3, 95, 98, ME, XP, Vista, 7, 8 (plus some updated releases to those like 98 second edition or 8.1 etc.).