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OT Windows 8

J

John T

Well-known Member
Okay, my aging desktop crapped out so I get a new HP with Windows 8 grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Its all tiles n works more like a tablet or an I Phone but you can get to the old Desktop configuration after a step or two. I was good at Vista and Windows 7 but now gotta go through that dern learning curve and as Im older that gets tougher grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Im generally good on computers but give me a smart phone or a digital camera and Im out to lunch. I can answer or make a call on my DUMB flip phone (which all my kids laugh at) but that"s the limit of my smarts...

Too old fashioned I guess and its hard to teach an old dog a new trick

John T
 
Windows 8 sux.

It is designed for tablets and touch screens.

I am going to reload my desktop with Windows 7.
 
When Microsoft stopped announced that they would stop supporting XP Pro I made the decision that my nest machine will be Apple.
 
I"ve done a little research, and I believe it is possible to download an Apple Mac operating system onto a Microsoft type machine. I think that will be my plan of attack when my only other choice is Windows 8.
 
Funny thing is windows says no support for XP but just yesterday I got an automatic update to install here at work for it.
 
I have been in the market for a new laptop for months but will not buy one due to Windows 8.

Hopefully, I can continue to nurse my existing one along for awhile.

I will likely take my brother"s advice and buy an Apple next time. My brother has been using nothing but Apple for decades and has finally convinced me.

Dean
 
Took me awhile but I like Windows 8 it has a lot little things that hidden. That keep your computer safe and running. There is an app you can get where one click will take back to old stile desktop. Can't remember the name right now. One thing I didn't like was the 64 bit system many of the older programs just will not work but I found new and better ones to replace them. After a short time you will find it to be more user friendly than the older systems and it doesn't crash all the time.
Walt
 
We are in the same boat. They just switched us from XP to 7 at work. Can't get my screen print to work and scanner is fritzy. Hate it.

On a personal level - no iphone/smart phone, ipad, notebook or even flat screen tv and don't want any.

With computer crime increasing (ransomware), Apple may be the better choice.
 
(quoted from post at 11:10:17 11/14/13) Okay, my aging desktop crapped out so I get a new HP with Windows 8 grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Its all tiles n works more like a tablet or an I Phone but you can get to the old Desktop configuration after a step or two. I was good at Vista and Windows 7 but now gotta go through that dern learning curve and as Im older that gets tougher grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Im generally good on computers but give me a smart phone or a digital camera and Im out to lunch. I can answer or make a call on my DUMB flip phone (which all my kids laugh at) but that"s the limit of my smarts...

Too old fashioned I guess and its hard to teach an old dog a new trick

John T
Click to expand...
ome stores are selling computers with "Windows 8 With a Windows 7 downgrade option". That says something. Microsoft is coming out with a WINDOWS 8.1 which returns START button among other 'fixes' supposed to help keyboarders, free to WIN8 users, but it is said, ' If you're a dedicated Windows 8 hater, the update to Windows 8.1 isn't going to change your mind. For everyone else, this collection of tweaks, fixes, and new features is useful, but everything here should have shipped in the original version last year.'.
 
Was faced with same dilemma beginning of the year. Took a little while but wife and I got used to windows 8. Still have old computer with XP and have to use it occasionally for old data. Actually prefer windows 8 now.
 
I'm not so much of an old guy yet but I still despise Windows 8. I still have yet to figure out how to swap between PDF documents and then back to my desktop to access the web browser. This is a real problem when looking at old PDF parts catalogs and then needing to swap back to the online homepage to check for availablity and price of parts. When I try to swap back to the PDF file it is no longer available which requires me to redownload it. Formerly it was available in the top left corner of my screen, but not anymore. I simply just use my laptop with windows 7 for PDF work. Leaving the Windows 8 laptop off keeps my blood pressure down.

It takes and act of congress to figure out how to restart the blasted thing with windows 8!!!

If they want a different interface for touch screen items that's fine but it has no business on my laptop or desktop.
 
Windows 8.1 is available free for down load at Microsoft.com and can be set to almost act like Windows 7. I agree I"m to old to learn anew.
 
There is a reason that Apple holds only about 5% of the PC market. If it were not for their other products (tablets, ipod, phones, etc) they would have already been out of business.
Years ago, I went into an Apple store (when they had stores), and was "greeted" by a snooty butler in a Brooks Brothers suit looking down his nose and asking me if he could "help me" in his most condescending tone of voice. Soured me enough to walk out of the store and not return.
A bit of observation: Apple had the attitude that even after you paid over twice the price of a PC, they retained ownership of YOUR machine. You were not allowed to open the case, or to do any upgrading yourself. Obviously, we consumers are not intelligent enough to see the inside of the machine - according to Apple. I also observed that Apple machines cost significantly more than competing machines.

What made the IBM compatible the "king of the hill?" The ability to make the machine anything you needed. The ultimate in configurability. Interchangeable and open standard peripherals.

And as to vulnerability to crashes and viruses, may I point to OS9 in the Macintosh? It crashed more than any Windows version to date. Virus makers are basically electronic terrorists. As such, they attack the MAJORITY computers. Why waste time writing a virus that would only affect 5% of the computing public when you can write the same virus and affect 95% of the computing public?

And along comes viruses for the iPhones. Why? Because they are currently the majority of "smart" phones.

For me, I will stick with WinTel machines and a good anti-virus program.

End of rant....
 
I work tech support for a software co., 9 out of 10 people seem to be in no hurry to use w/8. Throughout this year allot of callers - busineses have migrated to 7 because XP was their stable workstation platform but MS is dropping XP support next year.
 
(quoted from post at 11:36:28 11/14/13) ... There is an app you can get where one click will take back to old stile desktop. Can't remember the name right now. ...
Walt
Click to expand...
You might be talking about "Start8".
 
Hey John.

I recently bought a new Asus laptop and it came with windows 8.

This version of windows is intended for a tablet with a touch screen. It is clumsy at best with a mouse or the touch pad on a laptop.

I have been using windows since it was new and this is hands down the worst version I have ever used.

The fix: My son, who is a real computer suggested a program, Start 8. This product does not fix all the problems but gives you a window with the access to my computer, network and the like.

I have been using it for a year with success. Not as useful as windows 7 but useable. Costs 5 bucks as I remember.

Hope this helps,

Brad
 
I'm with you John--finally getting used to Windows 7 and the phone is ONLY a phone.
Since i work in a classified environment the phone does not take pictures and rest can wait till I get to the desktop.
Local guy has all the fancy apps. but is flat broke all the time and doesn't realize he is paying through the nose for all that stuff on his phone.
 
I may have to do just that lol Let the hair I have on the sides grow long like old hippies or the Hipsters my daughter showed me in Austin Texas. Maybe become a Beatnik, are there any of those left with the black Nehru sweaters and gold necklaces in coffee houses???

I will look those over

John T
 
(quoted from post at 14:48:47 11/14/13) AS I type I'm downloading 8.1 or else I may try that START 8 program. Oh well

THANKS TO ALL FOR THE INFO

John T
Click to expand...
ure seems like you would like Win7 better.
CNET, " Let’s get this out of the way up front: Windows 8.1 is not going to change how you feel about Microsoft's current PC operating system. If you were looking for radical overhaul of 2012’s Windows 8, or a retro throwback to Windows 7, this isn't it.

Instead, this modest update for 2013 is a series of generally positive tweaks and updates to Microsoft's forward-thinking OS, and a clear attempt to change the tenor of the conversation about Windows 8. So much so, that from the hype coming out of Microsoft and some of its hardware partners, you'd think that Windows 8.1 was a completely new product, instead of simply the kind of rolling OS update we've all become used to from both Windows and OS X. (In other words, think “Windows 8, Service Pack 1.”) ".
 
That dont surprise me one bit grrrrrrrrrrrr I may as well give 8.1 a try and/or then try that Start 8 program and if I still hate it back to Windows 7. HOWEVER I figure they will stop 7 support someday so I may as well get used to 8.1 or Start 8 and live with it, or do like our friend Mark suggests and go another route. Time will tell, I'm on my Laptop now with Windows 7 and I really really like it..........

John T
 
So Mark, sounds like you're knowledgeable in Linux. For us techno-morons, can you use "regular" programs with it? About all I use in my business is QuickBooks Pro, Word and Excel. Will these work with Linux? How hard is it to figure out?
 
Linux has its own version of WORD and EXCELL. It is compatible with WINDOWS. I am using it on a Dell laptop that is running Vista. I also have it on a Toshiba laptop that has Vista. It also is a FREE download.
 
(when they had stores) - The Apple Stores have not gone away.

snooty butler in a Brooks Brothers suit - no Apple store or dealer I've ever been to.

or to do any upgrading yourself - I've replaced drives and installed memory on every Apple computer I've owned since 1979.

What made the IBM compatible the "king of the hill?" - When P&G went all IBM (1980's) it was rumored that IBM had paid off a vice president. IBM wouldn't run the lab automation equipment, it was all Apple compatible so the labs had to go around upper management to get the computers they needed. One lab bought "spare parts" and assembled their own Apple. Also many companies already had IBM typewriters, clocks, mainframes, and other equipment so they bought IBM PC's because the purchasing department was comfortable with IBM.
 
Windows 8 is a POS from the git-go with 7 not far behind. 7 opens new screens at every opportunity leaving the user to dump the mess and start over. A curse on mankind.
 
I use a program called classic shell. You can configure it to go straight to the desk top at startup. I put it on and my wife never complain. We never see the Metro screen with all the tiles. If I do get there the window button takes me right back to the desktop. With this it isn't much different then Windows 7 and connecting to other windows 8 systems seems to be better. I haven't upgrade to 8.1 yet.
 
The "open office" and "Libre Office" work very well under Linux. My wife also runs them on Windows with no complaints. I am a fan, and prefer them to the microsoft products.

Fair warning though, microsoft does make changes to try to use their market share to bully OO and LO users into the microsoft fold. This means that if you are trying to work on a document with a group of people and some are using MS office while you use O. Office or L. Office there might be compatibility issues. Thinks like the figures moving around, the fonts looking different etc. I have also heard that those on the bleeding edge of spreadsheet use, with lots of complicated macros, etc find benefit in the MS office products. I use spreadsheets a lot with no issues, but I"m not doing much complicated stuff there. YMMV

Bob
 
So you really think that P&G had that kind of clout as to change or direct the entire future of computing???? Can you say conspiracy theory???

Whjen the Mac was introduced, you needed a special tool to open the case. This tool was exceptionally difficult to obtain for quite a long time. Apple would not sell you one, and the aftermarket was slow to respond. Upgrading memory required a replacement of the motherboard on the first few generations of Macs - the ones that looked like a Fischer-Price toy with the built in monochrome screen.

For those that are happy to pay double for their equipment, I say go ahead. I have also noted that green paint also draws premium prices <grin>.

I just never liked the attitude that I got from Apple.
 
John..About a year ahead of you and still learning. For some time I absolutely hated it now just still learning. So many little tricks. I learn something almost ever day. I did get the GEEK SQUAD support and has been worth ever penny I spent.
 
Still no word on QuickBooks Pro. That's a deal-breaker for me- can't run a business without accounting, and I'm too old a dog to learn a new one.
 
John T, I'm not a big fan of the Windows 8 interface either.
I've been running it since the first "developers' preview" came out.
I run it on a 5 year old Toshiba laptop, so its obviously not as
resource intensive as Windows Vista was.
In all that time I have never had the infamous blue screen of
death common with previous versions of Windows.
I also have not had a hung application or any programs using up
all the CPU/memory that needed to be killed via task manager.
While I still like the old interface better, 8 has been fast, stable
and reliable. Especially for Windows!

Mike (WA), not sure what version of QuickBooks you're using,
but the new version certainly supports Win8. QuickBooks
I'm no expert on Linux, but the only way I know of to run Microsoft
products such as Office on Linux is to run a compatibility layer
such as Wine. Similar products are available though.
Some version of Linux are free, tech support
is free via the community, viruses are nearly non-existent.
I don't use it mainly because I fix Windows based servers and
computers for a living.
Because of that, my time is better spent learning those products
in depth rather than using a Linux based system.
 
Hang in there. I am old also. I upgraded two of my computers to Windows 8.1. and I love it. It took some time to learn to navigate the new system. Initially, I didn't even know how to shut the computer down. Although sometimes frustrating, it is actually healthy for us to challenge ourselves to learn new things, solve puzzles, etc. Those who fail to agitate their gray-matter regularly, will reach the "drool on themselves while rocking" phase in life much sooner than those who seek new opportunities to learn and engage in problem-solving.
 
How can you find it so hard to use an iPhone, all it is touchscreen. For me I found it much easier to use than any windows I've ever had as far back as Windows 95!
Here's the screen of my phone all you do is touch the icon and do whatever you want very simple!
a135411.jpg
 
I was "forced" into Windows 8 by the lying cheating scum buckets at Best Buy. At that time the nearest Best Buy was about 55 miles from where I lived. I was about to start a new job in another state and it was decided that I needed to get a laptop so while I was away from home I could do e-mail and assist Mrs Wisbaker with her job search in the new state and computers and the internet are handy to have about when one is looking for a new place to live OR trying to sell he old house. Most of my reluctance in a Windows 8 computer was I didn't want to have to learn a new system in the short time I had. I called Best Buy and asked if they had Windows 7 laptops in stock they said yes I drove the 55 miles went into Best Buy and asked for a Windows 7 laptop, they showed me a few and I choose an ASUS laptop, drove the 55 miles home and found out it was a Windows 8 machine. Best Buy of Green Bay didn't get a very good customer survey, that bothered them they called said they'd make it right, I asked them if that included paying me for the 110 miles I drove just to get hosed by them, they said no, and tried to blame me, I pointed out that the box my computer came in didn't have much on the outside to indicate it was a Windows 8 machine, Best Buy blamed ASUS saying it was Asus's fault and they (Best Buy) had no control over the box design or what was on the box, I pointed out this was a computer model that was a Best Buy exclusive (easier to not have to honor the price match guarantee that way). They said they tried and I didn't want to be satisfied, I called the manager a lying scum bag.

Short version of the outcome never was able to get my E-mails and contacts imported, maybe as much of a problem with my former ISP than the computer. Once you get used to Windows 8 it's actually easier to use and has features you'll become accustomed to. I don't shop at Best Buy any more, don't even read their ads in the paper. When Mrs Wisbaker came to Iowa she took a job requiring her to have a laptop, she used her old Sony Vaio (an XP machine we boosted the memory on and upgraded to Windows 7) About 3 months into the new job her Sony died, she is now using my Asus with the Windows 7 shadow on it, hates the computer and is hinting I need to get her a new Windows 7 laptop from the Lenova store with my employee/partner discount. I'm back on my desktop, kinda miss Windows 8 and since CenturyTel/(link) hosed us on the new internet service I don't have my e-mail or contacts back anyway.

So you see I'm a grouchy in flexible fuddy-duddy and even I adjusted, I hope Best Buy made a killing on the laptop because I'll never buy anything from them again. The only downside is the wife is PO'd about using my laptop, maybe because of all the Air Force and Airplane stickers I put on it. And you all know if Momma ain't happy no ones happy.
 
Mike, most folks running Linux use the open source equivalent to MS Office, Libre Office. It's good enough for about 98 percent of users. QuickBooks is a tougher nut, since there's not a good open source equivalent; GnuCash is the closest substitute. There is a package called WINE that allows you to run Windows applications under Linux. I haven't used it myself and can't say how well QuickBooks works in WINE.
 

Thankfully for Microsoft investors, much-needed tailwinds could be headed its way in the coming months.

Microsoft will officially stop supporting its uber-popular Windows XP operating system on April 8, 2014. And it's the hope of many that this could give way to a massive refresh cycle, affecting Windows software upgrades, and -- more broadly -- PC sales.

There's certainly plenty of reason to believe such a refresh cycle might be primed to occur. As of April, there were an estimated 500 million PCs still running the dated operating system. If Microsoft were able to capture only a fraction of this cohort, it could mean big bucks.
 
I haven't seen any Nehru jackets since the Beatles broke up, John. But maybe you can still get into your old tie-dyed Grateful Dead t-shirt, you know, the one your wife uses to dust the furniture?
 
I'm not a gamer, I don't have a lot of "apps", whatever they are, I use the computer for bills (Quicken 2008- $5.00 w/free shipping on Ebay in 2011), for internet viewing, email. That's it. Most of the extra programs I have on my computer are anti virus, anti spyware, printer support and CCleaner. That's all there is, that's really more than I need.

Windows 98 was fine, XP was perfect, Vista less so. WHY DO THEY KEEP CHANGING WHAT WORKS?????!!!!!!!!!
 
(quoted from post at 18:01:39 11/14/13) How can you find it so hard to use an iPhone, all it is touchscreen. For me I found it much easier to use than any windows I've ever had as far back as Windows 95!
Here's the screen of my phone all you do is touch the icon and do whatever you want very simple!
a135411.jpg
Click to expand...

I can not for the life of me understand what you want all that crap on a phone for. To each their own I guess. My $9.00 Tracfone allows me to get calls and text messages from companies I want nothing to do with. What more can I ask for?
 
It's a good tool for information I guess, I can check the weather
in the middle of a hay field, take pics and post them on this site
right from the phone, no need for the digital camara and
compucker. Its much more convient, ar least for me it is. Yep
to each there own!
 
No, I don't believe P&G by itself determined the fate of the personal computer. Also, the P&G decision was made while the Apple ][ plus was still for sale, before the days of the Macintosh, or even the Lisa. The IBM PC of those days wasn't much more than a TRS-80. If you read what I wrote I also said that purchasing departments were comfortable with IBM because they already had IBM equipment. This made IBM personal computers an easier sale in many companies.

There have been lots of Macintosh computers that I have never owned; when the original Mac-in-a-box came out it was not superior to my Apple II GS, so I never dealt with it. I can tell you that no Apple computer that I have had required more than basic electronic tools to open or work on them.

I'm sorry but when I see comments like "when they had stores" and I know their stores are very successful and in cities all over the world I feel a need to reply.
 
The "special tool" needed to open the first Mac computers was a Torx screwdriver. The only thing was it has to have a long shank. when I needed on I simply cut off a normal trox screwdriver and added a piece of rod to lengthen it. The other "special Tool" was the case cracker. A little lever to force apart the two pieces of the case. I've never used anything other than a screwdriver for the tough ones. Most will come apart with just a couple bumps with your hands.

The Mac was Steve Jobs project. He believed that you should never need to have to add anything to computer other than the way it came from Apple. Steve Wozniak was the designer of the Apple II. He wanted plenty of room to expand which is what made the computer so popular. The Apple IIGS is made not only expandable but can be completely disassembled without any tools.

I don't see to many disadvantages to the end of Microsoft's support for XP. It's not like all the machines that still have that system will suddenly quit working on April 9, 2014, but then I don't try to keep up with the latest and greatest software. My Apple II machines still do just fine for what I need for my business records. I did change from an Apple //e to a GS last year just because it was easier to defragment the hard drive. I just get along fine with my trailing edge technology.
 
I still run XP on most everything. Like it
With some of my radio software, I have no choice.
even a few 98SE around here
Used computers are cheap.
Since they are going to discontinue support, I'll just buy a pile of old computers.
Clean them up, muscle them up a little, get XP like it should be,
then old style DriveImage them.
Should be ok for the next decade then.
Old software works fine for me. My Office is from 2000,
maybe even Office 95 on a few, can't remember.
Maybe for the modern internet, I'll just pick up one of those internet only laptops, that don't even have a 'real' operating system.
It'll be just like our tractor hobby, I'll take peoples 'old' junk they don't want and fix it up.
 
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