I think this is great news!

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/04/future-windows-8-1-update-will-finally-bring-back-the-start-menu/

Now that will be good news for a lot of people when it finally arrives. It's just a shame that Microsoft has taken so long to realise that they made a big mistake, but a lot will still not be happy with those tiles in the right plane of it instead of the old normal stuff.

Agreed, it has taken a long time. It is my understanding that the head of the Windows 8 project was the one ignoring beta user complaints about the learning curve, lack of intuitive indicators showing how to use the new OS, among several other bits of feedback, and after Windows 8 failed to capture Microsoft's largest market (corporate users) even after the much lauded 8.1 free update, he has left the company.

Now it appears Microsoft is trying to undo the damage that was done. I think the tiles on the Start Menu is a sort-of compromise, and I think it will work out well overall. People can get used to small changes, like the double-wide Start Menu vs the Original Start Menu.

Personally, I really love the speed and under-the-hood features of Windows 8.1, and I will very much welcome the Start Menu back. I try to stay away from the ugly, invasive Start Screen as much as I can by using shortcuts on my Taskbar or Desktop.

Now... if only Microsoft would allow me to keep my TechNet subscription! That one has me even more upset than the Start Screen as I feel TechNet has been more than an invaluable tool in my professional toolbox to help me along in my career. By taking this tool away from dedicated professionals like myself, it seriously hinders my ability to learn MS's tools making it harder for me to get promotions. The impact will be a smaller pool of talented professionals with less of a reason to learn MS's tools specifically, which can open the door for other (read: competitor) products and tools.

Yes the beta trails I ran here I thought were very pointless I thought when all my feedback was either being ignored or I was being told, "but this is the way of the future" (I gave up after the 3rd beta release).

And "speed under the hood" is good except when you have someone (or a lot of someones) just staring at a screen wondering "what do I do now?".

I tried a few people around here with 3rd party shells for their new Win8 PC's, but even there they take time to install and configure for the users needs and in the end it was just simpler and cheaper for those peoples' needs to down grade them back to Win7 which they are very happy with.

As for TechNet, I can only see that M$ is trying to make up for lost profits there due to their recent and misguided mistakes.

Cheers.

As for TechNet, I can only see that M$ is trying to make up for lost profits there due to their recent and misguided mistakes.

That seems to be the commonly held belief, but it is very short-sighted if you ask me.

Other than startup, I see no performance benefits with win 8 the other 99.999% of the time you're using the computer.

---

If you don't touch it, you can't break it.
;

My startup was sped up more by my RAID'd SSDs than it was by my Windows 8 upgrade.

However, actually using the OS, I can see a noticeable difference in application performance using the same hardware that previously had Windows 7 SP1 x86-64 installed.

i'd like to see numbers and tests on that but strangely none come up when I google..
i do get a lot of 'how to improve your W8 performance tips' though.

---

If you don't touch it, you can't break it.
;

I think you need some help with your Google-fu:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406668,00.asp

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/138177-under-the-hood-of-windows-8-or-why-desktop-users-should-upgrade-from-windows-7

http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-vs-windows-7-benchmarked-7000002671/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012834/windows-7-to-windows-8-the-systems-biggest-improvements.html

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-explains-how-windows-8-smokes-windows-7/


Most performance review sites all say the same thing: Windows 8 performance is far superior than most pervious versions of Windows. Of course, you won't find the reports if you don't look for them.

I think you need some help with your Google-fu:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406668,00.asp

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/138177-under-the-hood-of-windows-8-or-why-desktop-users-should-upgrade-from-windows-7

http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-vs-windows-7-benchmarked-7000002671/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012834/windows-7-to-windows-8-the-systems-biggest-improvements.html

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-explains-how-windows-8-smokes-windows-7/


Most performance review sites all say the same thing: Windows 8 performance is far superior than most previous versions of Windows. Of course, you won't find the reports if you don't look for them.

The items being compared have a sound of desperation about them. Really should you be worried about speed of text rendering?! (Is the old stuff really that slow to notice?!!) Also note the repeated message only that "Win8 is 'faster' than previous versions"...

Sorry, but I'm sure I can claim better results for my install of Mageia4 Linux on an old AMD system that has been brought back to life with an SSD when the old HDD died. I may go to the trouble to give similar timing measurements for comparison...


[edit]

Note that today's computer hardware should be more than fast enough and the software good enough that speed simply should not be a problem. Everything should literally be faster than the blink of a human eye...

[/edit]

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

...Most performance review sites all say the same thing: Windows 8 performance is far superior than most previous versions of Windows. Of course, you won't find the reports if you don't look for them.

The items being compared have a sound of desperation about them. Really should you be worried about speed of text rendering?! (Is the old stuff really that slow to notice?!!) Also note the repeated message only that "Win8 is 'faster' than previous versions"...

Sorry, but I'm sure I can claim better results for my install of Mageia4 Linux on an old AMD system that has been brought back to life with an SSD when the old HDD died. I may go to the trouble to give similar timing measurements for comparison...

Further thoughts/surprise:

The comment: "Many people make it a habit to create a personalized system image and reinstall Windows every 6 to 12 months to improve their hardware's performance. Microsoft aims to make that chore a little easier..."

and also the euphemism about updates 'delaying things' give a bit of an 'ouch'.

You just shouldn't suffer such 'slowdowns' and need to 'reinstall'!

Also note that Linux has automatically supported that since the very beginning (last millennium!) installing a whole new system all without touching your own user data. Simply install and configure a new system and carry on as you were, all your data/documents and desktop settings are still there as before. Nothing special for that. Then also, you have the freedom to upgrade every few months to stay 'leading edge', or you can stay steady on a long-term-release for years (I've only recently upgraded a system from Mandriva 2009 to Mageia 4 (2014) for example...).

In comparison: To achieve the same on Windows (since the days of 3.11WFW!), the trick is to know what you are doing and manually juggle the partitions and registry keys so that your user data safely resides on for example a "D:" drive...


I'm not sure about the Windows copy now being slowed down because it also does a 'malware scan' of all files being copied... Ouch for that on various counts.


There's some reports about the new Microsoft boss now trying the angle that Microsoft is now the "underdog" and needs some motivation and sympathy! My take is they need to vastly improve the reliability and user usefulness of IT for the users.


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

[edit]
Strange days: Microsoft has become an ‘underdog’
[/edit]

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Oh deary deary me... Is this a sign of Microsoft descending into what I personally consider to be the crass bad old days of the scam 'errors' lies and deceit as was done against DRDOS?...


Hyper-V telling fibs about Linux guest VMs

Ignore our 'overly aggressive' warnings, says Redmond, your VMs are healthy

... while Hyper-V really is behaving in ways that make Linux guests look like second-class citizens, the software is telling fibs and all is well.

The article explains that “While running a non-Windows guest such as Linux on Hyper-V, the Hyper-V management console may display messages that indicate that the integration services for the non-Windows guest are degraded and no formal support will be provided unless the integration services are updated.”

Which sounds scary, until Microsoft explains that “This message is overtly aggressive in warning and users should feel free to ignore it...

To my mind, that sounds just like the blatant lies spewed out to 'trash the competition' as was done for:

How MS played the incompatibility card against DR-DOS: Real bear-traps, and spurious errors


Is the new Microsoft next going to call Linux a 'cancer'...?


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin


All just my own personal observations and opinions as always...

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

More of a question than comment: How did this come to pass for such long forlorn stagnation?


Microsoft Is Finally Killing Its Darlings

There are a lot of metaphors one could use to describe the decade plus longevity of Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2003, and Internet Explorer 6. But I'm gonna go with lichen. These software gems were hardy, reliable, unobtrusive, and enduring as wave after wave of technological progress crashed over the jagged rocks they clung to.

What, you don't like my metaphor? Microsoft has been working to kill these services, and they just keep holding on. It's apt! But I guess we can also call them zombies, if you insist.

But today Microsoft released seven security updates for Windows XP and four for Microsoft Office 2003...



Over TEN YEARS and STILL severe security holes and still the users cling on... Why?!


IT is what we make it...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

The better question would be, why can't Linux get to 2% of the desktop/laptop market share of all OS's Martin?

Cheers.

The better question would be, why can't Linux get to 2% of the desktop/laptop market share of all OS's

Considering the good technical and user advantages, that is a very good question...

Especially so considering the rampant success (too much so) for Linux everywhere else...

(And note: We really do need at least another two system to add into the mix to avoid an unhealthy monopoly...)


IT is what we make it...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

The better question would be, why can't Linux get to 2% of the desktop/laptop market share of all OS's

Considering the good technical and user advantages, that is a very good question...

Especially so considering the rampant success (too much so) for Linux everywhere else...

(And note: We really do need at least another two system to add into the mix to avoid an unhealthy monopoly...)


IT is what we make it...
Martin

Could it be due to the fact that it's just to unfriendly for the common person to bother with?

And as to its high use in the mobile market, well we can certainly see that the reported security holes being punched into it left, right and center doesn't make it any better than any other OS out there.

So why don't you just get off your high and mighty horse Martin and just live with the fact that your precious Linux will never be the success that you want (or wish) it to be for the common everyday user?

Cheers.

The better question would be, why can't Linux get to 2% of the desktop/laptop market share of all OS's

Considering the good technical and user advantages, that is a very good question...

Especially so considering the rampant success (too much so) for Linux everywhere else...

(And note: We really do need at least another two system to add into the mix to avoid an unhealthy monopoly...)


IT is what we make it...
Martin

Could it be due to the fact that it's just to unfriendly for the common person to bother with?

And as to its high use in the mobile market, well we can certainly see that the reported security holes being punched into it left, right and center doesn't make it any better than any other OS out there.

So why don't you just get off your high and mighty horse Martin and just live with the fact that your precious Linux will never be the success that you want (or wish) it to be for the common everyday user?

Cheers.

I want to know why if Linux is so good, Why cant they even give it away. Youd figure that the PC makers would jump at the chance to not pay for an OS.

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[/quote]

Old James

I want to know why if Linux is so good, Why cant they even give it away. Youd figure that the PC makers would jump at the chance to not pay for an OS.

Dell offer some of their computers with Ubuntu pre-installed.
Some other manufacturers offer their products with no operating system installed, making it easy to install the OS of your choice.

The reason a lot of companies don't do this, or only supply computers with Windows and other bloatware pre-installed is because Microsoft ties them into contracts to force them.

---

Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

I want to know why if Linux is so good, Why cant they even give it away.

Note how Microsoft is now giving away its OS for supposedly free-of-cost in India...

Also note how despite the supposed incredible high tech of Microsoft for 'protection' and DRM (digital restrictions management), there are still a very great proportion in certain parts of the world where the user has not paid Microsoft for the use of the OS copy they use...

Youd figure that the PC makers would jump at the chance to not pay for an OS.

That is part of the story... But the question remains why there is not greater take-up of Linux for desktop use despite very good credentials...


But this is a Windows thread... A better question is why there is such widespread use still of the antique Windows XP?

Why have such Windows users never 'upgraded'?

Really? Can Windows offer nothing better from so long ago?!


Or are there other reasons why users have never upgraded from WinXP?...

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Is this presaging a Vista-like short life for Windows8?...


Microsoft: Windows version you probably haven't upgraded to yet is ALREADY OBSOLETE

[OLD] versions of Windows 8.1 will no longer support patches [will not be updated]

Microsoft is urging users running Windows 8.1 to update their systems soon, since the company plans to drop patch support for early versions of the operating system.

Redmond said that after May it would only issue updates for systems running the Windows 8.1 Update release and later. The move means that Windows 8.1 systems which have not installed the "Update" package will receive "not applicable" notifications when attempting to install future system updates...


INCREDIBLE!

I guess a monopoly can do anything it likes and the users be expensively damned?...


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

And for yet more collateral noisome noise, just like flies around any dead and dying thing:


Bad PUPPY: Undead Windows XP deposits fresh scamware on lawn

Cybercriminals have already seized upon the end of support for Windows XP as a theme for numerous scams and fake software updates.

Microsoft pushed out its last ever patches for the 13-year-old operating system last Tuesday (8 April). Numerous YouTube videos "advertising programs and functionality related to Windows XP" that have appeared online over recent days are actually pushing adware and other undesirable apps...



Yet more silly cyber-pollution that is wasteful and annoying for all so inflicted, especially so for the victims and for anyone in any sort of IT support...


IT is what we make it...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Is this presaging a Vista-like short life for Windows8?...


Microsoft: Windows version you probably haven't upgraded to yet is ALREADY OBSOLETE

[OLD] versions of Windows 8.1 will no longer support patches [will not be updated]

Microsoft is urging users running Windows 8.1 to update their systems soon, since the company plans to drop patch support for early versions of the operating system.

Redmond said that after May it would only issue updates for systems running the Windows 8.1 Update release and later. The move means that Windows 8.1 systems which have not installed the "Update" package will receive "not applicable" notifications when attempting to install future system updates...


INCREDIBLE!

Yes it is incredible as the updates are free, simply just don't refuse those updates, so there's nothing new there that hasn't been done before with their other Windows OS's.

And for yet more collateral noisome noise, just like flies around any dead and dying thing:


Bad PUPPY: Undead Windows XP deposits fresh scamware on lawn

Cybercriminals have already seized upon the end of support for Windows XP as a theme for numerous scams and fake software updates.

Microsoft pushed out its last ever patches for the 13-year-old operating system last Tuesday (8 April). Numerous YouTube videos "advertising programs and functionality related to Windows XP" that have appeared online over recent days are actually pushing adware and other undesirable apps...

Again, nothing new there either as this has been the case for many years as well over all versions of Windows.

Also Martin The Register has always been well known for its "scare mongering" on any topic that'll get people to read it and most people know this so they ignore the site.

Most people here are also not as stupid as you think they are Martin so please stop acting like 1 that is, so just go back to manually checking for and installing your Linux patches.

Cheers.