Author Topic: Windows 8 pre-beta released  (Read 11158 times)

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Offline AngelFish

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Windows 8 pre-beta released
« on: September 14, 2011, 01:15:20 am »
Apparently Microsoft decided to get the jump on the inevitable leaks for their upcoming OS, Windows 8. Windows 8 has been a source of significant controversy in the past few months as a result of its use as both a Tablet and PC operating system. If you've been concerned, now's your chance to try it out!

Be warned that this is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 and will likely have some remaining bugs.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

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Offline ralphdspam

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2011, 02:20:47 am »
Wow... That's humongous.  Last time I tried downloading a 1 GB file, it got corrupted along the way.  I can't imagine downloading a nearly 4 GB file.  X.X

As far as the interface itself, there is a point at which simplification adds to the complexity of something.  I have a fear that if they simplify their OS too much, it will just make it harder to navigate.
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Offline Netham45

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2011, 02:25:13 am »
The thing about simplifying it is that the new interface isn't mandatory to use. It's a keypress to get back to a classic desktop, where everything is available as you'd expect. I'm not liking the removal of the "classic" start bar, though.
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Offline willrandship

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2011, 02:31:17 am »
So it isn't mandatory. That's relieving. I was afraid I'd have to deal with kiosks anytime I use a public PC anymore :P.

Offline Munchor

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2011, 02:53:28 am »
I was watching some videos on Windows 8 the other day. I'm not a Windows user, but it looks much better than Windows 7. Faster boot time, compatibility on more devices, they will no longer use NTFS file system, etc.

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2011, 03:01:09 am »
Not sure where you heard that it's not using NTFS, but it's running NTFS for me.
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Offline Yeong

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2011, 07:01:15 am »
Sig wipe!

Offline AngelFish

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2011, 03:34:34 pm »
I finally got a chance to try out Windows 8 and I must say that it's a lot better than I thought it would be.

Good things:
  • The new IE is blazing fast. It'll be a serious competitor in the browser market again if they can keep it that way.
  • You can use your desktop. The full desktop from Windows 7 appears to exist relatively unaltered in Windows 8. The only difference I've found is a smaller selection of backgrounds* and the windows themselves are more angular/ugly.
  • The built-in apps are interesting. While I can't say I'll use most of them, I know quite a few people who would definitely find them useful. The selection is reminiscent of Linux Mint
  • The learning curve isn't too steep. Users of previous versions of windows shouldn't have to spend a lot of time learning the new OS
  • It's great on a tablet. While I can't say I've actually tested it on a Tablet, the configuration of the GUI leads me to believe that a Tablet running Win8 would be delightful to use.
  • Task manager has gotten a well-deserved upgrade.

The Downside
  • Textual input seems to be bit buggy. The cursor will occasionally jump five characters ahead of where it should be, leading to a huge whitespace gap while typing.
  • Some of the default drivers don't appear to be as good as those in previous versions of Windows. My touchpad has always been odd, but it's very sensitive in the new OS. Accidentally brushing it will send it flying across the screen. I've had the same problem with Linux drivers.
  • JavaScript doesn't appear to be fully compatible in the new IE. I've seen several applications, including Omnom, break as in the new browser.
  • Some of the interfaces aren't exactly intuitive for PC users. For example, in tile mode, IE requires the right mouse button to be clicked before it will show the menu bars and there's no apparent way to shut the browser down short of closing every tab individually.
  • Integration between the Mosaic and Desktop portions of the OS is virtually non-existent. A process opened in the Mosaic will often not show up in the Desktop and vice versa. It's slightly annoying as it means that one must switch between the modes to use applications in both*
  • The Mosaic panel is awkward to navigate through using a mouse/touchpad. You're required to move the mouse through the entire length of the screen to hit a narrow scroll bar at the bottom of the screen. It'd be much easier if one could "grab" the background with the mouse and use that instead.

*It's still in pre-beta, so that's hardly surprising.
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Offline Munchor

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2011, 04:02:10 pm »
What about the Terminal, was it updated? Also, is there an easier way of installing programs, like "Windows Software Manager"? Stuff  like that could help me start dual-booting, but without it, I don't see the use of Windows.

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Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2011, 05:18:45 pm »
Blue speedlings of death? ???

Also Qwerty.55 installed Windows 8 on his computer and it wiped out the entire content of his hard drive including partitions from the IRC logs, with no warning. O.O

Although I was sure when installing a new OS it required a new partition or formatting, just make sure to backup if you install this, since it doesn't give any warning.

Also I saw screenshots of 8 and it looks too different for me. Until I am used to mobile/ipod like interfaces, I'm not gonna use it. I prefer the standard Windows-like desktop I've been using from 95 to Seven for now.

Also any idea of the minimum and recommended settings?

Offline calc84maniac

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2011, 05:19:51 pm »
Blue speedlings of death? ???

Also Qwerty.55 installed Windows 8 on his computer and it wiped out the entire content of his hard drive including partitions from the IRC logs, with no warning. O.O

Although I was sure when installing a new OS it required a new partition or formatting, just make sure to backup if you install this, since it doesn't give any warning.

Also I saw screenshots of 8 and it looks too different for me. Until I am used to mobile/ipod like interfaces, I'm not gonna use it. I prefer the standard Windows-like desktop I've been using from 95 to Seven for now.

Also any idea of the minimum and recommended settings?
Apparently there was some sort of warning with a Yes/No option, but it wasn't very clear that it was wiping the hard drive.
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Offline AngelFish

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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2011, 05:21:48 pm »
There was an option that might have said something about saving files, but it was very ambiguous about what was intended and there was no warning of data loss. It's my fault for installing the OS in the first place though :P
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Re: Windows 8 pre-beta released
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2011, 05:31:53 pm »
I see. And yeah I remember trying to install stuff or do something before and it wasn't very clear, like the first time I saw "Garbage Collect?" on my calc. I thought it would erase my entire archive or something.