Windows 8, which will soon be available for public consumption, is being touted by its developers at Microsoft as the most important advance in Windows since the release of Windows 95. If this claim is true, then Windows 8 is expected to revolutionize our concept of an operating system just as Windows 95 did when it replaced Windows 3.1. In fact, Microsoft’s claim that Windows 95 has been a massive influence on the way society uses computers is absolutely correct. However, whether Windows 8 will have the same impact is as yet an unknown, but Microsoft is enthusiastic about its newest contribution to the Windows community.
Recently, my fellow contributor here at LockerGnome, Ryan Matthew Pierson, brought to the staff’s attention that our readership consists of 65.5% Windows users. In his report, he stated that while the percentage of Windows users accessing our website has seen a steady decline during the past two years, the fact remains that the majority of people still rely on Windows as their primary operating system.
Being a Microsoft MVP, I am fortunate to have received copies of Windows 8, the final release version, for my personal use. In testing the final version of Windows 8 on my test desktop computer, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I enjoy how fast Windows 8 starts, however, I find the new GUI (that was once called Metro), hard to navigate.
That being said, I am a geek who always relishes the opportunity to explore new and different options as well as to play with new devices. Because of this, I always keep a new hard disk on hand just in case the inevitable happens and the hard drive on one of my laptops suddenly ceases to function. With this in mind, you won’t be surprised when I tell you that this past Saturday, while my wife was gone for the day, I decided to play. I started by popping a new hard disk into my spare three-year-old Toshiba laptop system and installing Windows 8. I know at the time I was thinking that I would give the new operating system one more go in the hopes of finding something in it that I couldn’t live without; I had all but convinced myself that I would most likely be sticking with Windows 7 for the next few years.
As with my previous installation, this went smoothly and without incident. I even waited patiently while all of the necessary updates were installed and the new operating system appeared with the new interface. Once it appeared, I installed Google’s Chrome browser (which I synchronized to my other systems) and set up all of my familiar toolbar and bookmark settings. This I followed by popping on a copy of the free avast! anti-virus software for additional protection before venturing out on the Internet.
On the positive side, I am willing to admit that Windows 8 has a “snappy” feel to it and that it is very quick in responding to commands, keyboard strokes, and / or mouse clicks. In addition, as I have previously mentioned, boot time is less than half of what Windows 7 takes on this same laptop system. However, I know that — in my opinion at least — even on my new Toshiba quad-core with 6 GB of RAM, any version of Windows is very slow to boot.
After experimenting with the new operating system, let me admit that, after several hours, I actually started getting a handle on using Windows 8. In fact, though I have used Windows 8 in all of its previous flavors before the official and final release, I can now actually start to understand why Microsoft has chosen to take the route it has. I can even see how its new concept may completely change the way we use a personal computer. However, my newfound respect for this innovative operating system came crashing to a halt when my wife returned home and saw Windows 8 on what she now claims as her computer. She wanted the old Windows 7 back on and had no intention of learning something new. To keep peace in our household, I quickly obliged and restored the laptop to its original state.
After all of that work, I later took some time and gave some thought to boot time and why it is so important. Perhaps not surprisingly, I came up with one simple observation. Imagine if, when the Apple iPhone was first introduced, Steve Jobs had stood in front of his audience and been forced to wait a few minutes for the system to boot. For that matter, how many of us would be delighted if we were forced to wait for several minutes while our iPad booted? For any electronic device, this would be like sounding a death knell to its popularity since our impatient society demands instant gratification. We are consumers who demand quick access to our stuff, no matter what the operating system is or who makes it.
I personally believe that this was the correct area of attack by Microsoft, which needed to eliminate the slow boot times that have always been associated with the Windows operating system. In fact, by decreasing its boot time and integrating its newest features, Windows RT instant-on could help to propel Microsoft back into the tablet arena.
What do you think? Is Microsoft heading in the right direction?
Comments welcome.
CC licensed Flickr photo above shared by koadmonkee
I think that back when we first got DOS and similar, and then windows 3.x etc, it was hard to use unless you really knew things. Then we moved to Windows 95 and 98 where it was becoming a lot easier.
This opened things up more for older people or less geeky/nerdy people so it was available for everyone. Apple came back on the market with a really simple interface, no viruses which i think also was why it took off.
Microsoft have probably seen that making things simple and child like is easier, and as they have moved more towards that , got slower and chunkier.
They have also not realized that people are getting smarter, having things less confusing is not needed as much now days as it used to be.
Having a familiar interface so people do not have to re-learn things is more beneficial. Look at Apple as an example, similar interface and very little change in how many years and versions? Features are still being added, but they basic overall look has not changed.
So when a person has spent years getting used an OS, they know where to look for things, and how to get around, go and change that and its going to confused the heck out of some, and turn others away who do not want to relearn things.
Ever noticed how many Linux users went nuts when they brought in Unity window manager on Ubuntu? Even Linux users hate having to relearn things they already knew!
Video of your parents is classic , but prime example of changing the interface being not so great.
Unsure about others, but i rarely shutdown or reboot, i just suspend. Is boot speed really so important compared to users feeling familiar with things?
I really wanna get my hands on a Windows 8 Desktop Touch Computer. I think change is a great thing, and with what Microsoft is trying to do is basically what we invision as the future.
I do hope Windows 8 is not so locked down like Macs. Where you cannot build your own computer with your choice of hardware, because I do wanna build my own computer, possibly running Windows 8, With a touch screen monitor.
With the Surface tablet, I think this might be a great hit, especially with education. Microsoft has always exceeded the expectations with education and business software, like word, powerpoint, Onenote ect. Having a full operating system on tablet with all their software would do great in school.
Yes they are and the Reason i say they are is because no matter how you slice at some point anyways we would of had a change how we use windows there would have been a point when the UI changes the whole system as we know it would have changes be the 3.1 to windows 95 type change but this change happened now with windows 8 and the start screen. the thing being tho is even if you hate the start screen which i dont a but if you do or did ther is so many improvements in to the desktop space to make windows 8 a worthy upgrade to windows 7 from performance to just end user features
It’s probably because i’m used to windows in general but I don’t care if my OS takes a few more seconds to boot up, as long as it boots up into something familiar and usable… Speed isn’t my only deciding factor.
Changing something just for the sake of changing it is ridiculous. To me, this is MS attempting, once more, to appear “innovative”- when all it’s doing with Win 8 is foisting a “one-size-WILL-fit-all because we say so” OS on everyone.
If MS wanted to offer a truly unique & wonderful OS- then they needed to allow for customizing which would allow the user the choice of which style they preferred. Instead- you get a heavy-handed bully approach that is the hallmark of MS. You don’t even have to wonder- they simply force their stuff because they are a monopoly. Have a look at the new MS rules for BIOS (UEFI) which will essentially allow MS to strong-arm the OEMs into locking out other OS installs over 8….Now, there’s one way to really cement your miserable OS onto people- make the hardware reject anything else.
Replace Microsoft with Apple and your statement still makes sense. Specially “one size fits all because we say so”
Except that re: UEFI, even Macs can have other OS’s installed (not Apple’s intent- but it’s possible). Apple is upfront that they want their hardware/software “married”. MS is attempting to appropriate my next laptop in secret.
Windows 8 is definitely the way to go except the metro interface.. people would hate change.. metro interface would have been welcome in a tablet.. but their are still users like your father and wife who would just need a browser to complete their tasks..