Windows 8 editions announced

[Janthran]

I've had Windows 8 for a while now.
Since.. Sometime last year?

Spoiler

 

[FAST6191]

I tend not to use such things but if you do want a basic explorer extension ish thing to support direct iso opening http://www.pismotechnic.com/pfm/ap/

chartube12 re enterprise and consumer- depending upon how they work it there are enough of us that build gaming and application specific rigs that require the fancy versions of windows and we have not got a breakdown of what number of physical processors and ram is supported yet not to mention a few of us are masochistic enough to have domains and such at home (and with the rise of virtualisation that is probably going to continue to rise in number- certainly I have built a couple of setups for people that are deep into the network side of things and proper shared credentials/enterprise level gear is the next logical step) even if we discount those that work in IT and might wish to discuss it a bit (the trade is fairly well represented around here).

Edit- had meant to mention terminal server somewhere in that but forgot, done it now though.

Edit2- http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/19/win_8_enterprise_details/
Interesting extras for enterprise including some USB loading type options.

 

[Issac]

I really like the 11th line on that comparison chart... All versions actually have DESKTOP!!! Wow! What a feature! Desktop!

 

[DarkLG]

I've been reading around in different places and you wouldn't believe how many people complain about their being different versions lol

 

[Rydian]

I like how RT lacks "installation of x86/64 desktop software". I hope tablets won't be forced to use RT.

This is because it's a different architecture. You can't run x86 programs natively on an ARM CPU. This was not a choice of Microsoft, this is How Shit Works™.

And yes, conversely, you cannot run ARM programs on an x86 CPU without emulation either.

 

[blubbermarble]

I've had Windows 8 for a while now.
Since.. Sometime last year?

Spoiler

This build number is between 8175 and 8250.
Don't forget to try the desktop themes made for Windows 8

 

[Gahars]

Windows 8? I haven't even moved my way up to 7 yet.

I'm trying to get with "it", I really am, but they keep changing what "it" is!

 

[Anon10W1z]

Whoo! Windows is now simplified for good!

 

[jumpman17]

Microsoft has somehow managed to make the ugliest thing ever. Amazing. Just give me a list of my programs when I click on the Start icon. I don't want a stupid giant phone interface with pictures of everything. Who thought this was a good idea?

EDIT: Dear lord, they're using the horrible new Office ribbon bar for the explorer windows? Can't just use the word delete can we. Have to have a giant freaking icon to go with it incase I get confused.

 

[FireGrey]

This is a lot easier.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro for Home PCs.
Windows RT for tablets.
Windows 8 Enterprise for Business.

 

[Thesolcity]

There better be an option to disable that MetroUI crap. IMO its eye-searingly ugly.

 

[porkiewpyne]

Hmmm funny, I remember reading from somewhere that the Ribbon in Windows Explorer could be minimised or something along those lines. Will try to locate that article again. So till then take this with a truckload of salt.

 

[Rydian]

1 - Yes you can disable metro, unless running applications that require it (say, with RT on a tablet). Desktop? Yeah disable metro (just like you can disable AERO in Vista/7).
Windows as you all know it on a standard ARM tablet with all the windows programs is not happening, so expect metro on tablets.

2 - The average person DOES need common functions pointed out to them because the average person doesn't know shit about computers. Do you all know how often I need to show people how to transfer files from one computer to another with a flash drive? How often I need to explain what running a different browser is? Do you know how many times I have to show somebody how to access their mail throgh a browser so they're not tied down to using outlook on a single PC?

If you all think the average person knows what they're doing on a computer, then you need to get out more.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-is-browser.html

 

[Zetta_x]

1 - Yes you can disable metro, unless running applications that require it (say, with RT on a tablet). Desktop? Yeah disable metro (just like you can disable AERO in Vista/7).
Windows as you all know it on a standard ARM tablet with all the windows programs is not happening, so expect metro on tablets.

2 - The average person DOES need common functions pointed out to them because the average person doesn't know shit about computers. Do you all know how often I need to show people how to transfer files from one computer to another with a flash drive? How often I need to explain what running a different browser is? Do you know how many times I have to show somebody how to access their mail throgh a browser so they're not tied down to using outlook on a single PC?

If you all think the average person knows what they're doing on a computer, then you need to get out more.
http://googleblog.bl...is-browser.html

To support Rydian's comment, my sister didn't know there existed programs outside the desktop shortcuts and the shortcut list when you first clicked the start button. She has never seen the allprograms list and had absolutely no idea how to use it or navigate through it. She is the type of person where I set up image burn completely perfect, all she had to do was buy a blank CD and click burn. I gave these very direct instructions. She put in the blank CD, clicked the windows prompt that pops up about burning things to the disc. Tries dragging random shit to the new window, then calls me in nearly a panic attack because she has no idea what she was doing.

 

[FAST6191]

This is a lot easier.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro for Home PCs.
Windows RT for tablets.
Windows 8 Enterprise for Business.

Going to have to argue otherwise- Windows 8 Pro appears to support joining a domain* and group policy* (and I guess RDP host as well) which makes them business class operating systems in the small/medium enterprise world- enterprise is more of a licensing thing for massive companies/groups and seemingly in this case the deployment things (although I guess there will be an equivalent/new version of nlite/vlite) along with that USB stuff).

*basically the big two business requirements once you get past about 10 machines/many users that might change machines and start using some of the more exotic software/setups and not ones that I have ever found a decent workaround for other than install a different OS.

 

[kthnxshwn]

I've always wondered why Microsoft didn't simply charge less for Windows 8 and sell one single OS and offer the other things separately for whatever price they want. From a business standpoint, this makes tons more sense, but MS will be MS. I get the RT version for tablets, but I thought that market was dead once the iPad started to pick up and those became the face of tablets.

 

[FAST6191]

I've always wondered why Microsoft didn't simply charge less for Windows 8 and sell one single OS and offer the other things separately for whatever price they want. From a business standpoint, this makes tons more sense, but MS will be MS. I get the RT version for tablets, but I thought that market was dead once the iPad started to pick up and those became the face of tablets.

In many ways as of 7 they kind of do- you can purchase upgrade versions and by and large everything is installed/there on a basic home install able to be unlocked at any time and that is before you head into the very murky world of MS licensing and software licensing in general (they are frequently not that easy to reconcile). Equally it could be seen as utilising what remains of their shrinking but still more than considerable monopoly- without domains large corporate stuff and even a lot of smaller operations get very hard to manage very fast as you scale up the numbers of machines and things they need to do so you can pretty much force a purchase.

As for tablets ignoring any numbers debates maybe they just need a proper dyed in the wool software company to come in an show everybody how to do it just as they did with Windows phone.

 

[blubbermarble]

You know that there is "XBOX Live" app in Windows 8?

 

[rich333]

the first thing i do when upgrading is disable all the fancy stuff. put everything in classic mode and adjust for best performance. I can't help but worry that things will be slower. speed is the main thing for me. Vista was so bad I downgraded back to XP, Win 7 is great tho. Not sure if it will be worth upgrading to win8. Not interested in fancy UI, just speed & compatibility.

at first, I thought it was stupid to have more than one version, kinda like OSX (I use both OSes Daily) - But thinking of the way OSX is heading, maybe a few versions of that would be better. If I had the time I would downgrade to Snow Leopard.

I'm worried that both OSes will just become too simplified. Making it more accessible to many, but much harder to use if you know what your doing. I wish both OSes had 2 versions for both types of consumers.

Very keen to see what win8 is like, but won't be upgrading in a hurry (leant my mistake with OSX Lion)

 

[Sir VG]

The only thing right now that's a big UGH for me is the use of the ribbon interface on explorer. The thing is the whole reason why I don't use Office 2007/2010. I HATE the thing. Give me the good old toolbars/menus. Much MUCH more user friendly!

Been meaning to try Windows 8 beta, but it wouldn't install on a virtual pc, but I think I have a spare PC I can sacrifice for it.