For the last few days I have been entertaining myself with Windows 8 Release Candidate Beta. I installed in clean on my “play” computer where I have been running Linux. I named the computer “Sandbox”. It asks for a name when you install.
A new version operating system, especially a pre-release version is too dangerous to install on a computer for which I must depend. That’s why I have the Sandbox. My old dependable “office” computer has been running Windows 7 very well since it was first released. I am not going to mess with that!
Sandbox is dependable hardware-wise. It is an AMD 45 watt, 64 bit, dual processor, 2.6 GHz and 4 Gig ram. It holds a 300 Gig hard drive. It’s a good dependable, low power machine. The on board video is its only serious weakness but it gets the job done. I ran it 24/7 as a server for several years. No problem.
Windows 8 is Windows 7 with touch screen features (mouse use is still just fine) and can run a new breed of small “Apps” software in various windows you have to discover how to open (and close). I find the new interface very strange and non intuitive as an old long time computer user. This new interface is the prime reason for creating Win8. Not something I couldn’t get used to but it is certainly different.
Win8 did its damndest to become the social center of my “connected” life during install. This is something for which I have no desire for a computer to force me to do. I don’t want an Operating System to become the controller of my life. It more or less commanded me to be socially connected through Windows Live. It also wanted to take over Facebook, LinkedIn and other social forums. I let Win Live go through as I do use Windows Live Messaging at work to get my personal email my company otherwise blocks.
I wasn’t aware Win8 install was going to do this to me. So when I first began setting up the login for the local computer install I didn’t know (it didn’t ask) I needed to use my existing Windows Live login. It just went ahead and created a new windows live login based on my usual email. I had to delete the new Windows Live account and figure out how to set up the new Windows 8 (after the install) to use my existing account, a real PITA. I hope MS gets that little glitch smoothed out before release.
Most of the Win8 apps are not yet functional. These apps seem to be a direct response to the Apple direct marketing of their private applications. Win8 is positioning itself so that it can compete directly with the iPad’s iOS and other touch screen operating systems with apps.
I have spent most of my time in the normal Win8 desktop display. It did seem more responsive even with Sandbox’s slower speed to my Win 7 system. It has much the same look as Win 7, however the Start button in the lower left screen corner and the attached pop-up menu are gone. The corners and edges of the entire screen are now various types of “hot spots” where other screens pop out and provide a host of new functions. It will take me a little time to figure how all this is going to help me.
I think “old” Windows 7 is going to serve conventional power software users and business users for a long time to come. (My company is still using XP pro and just now talking about Win7, maybe!)
Windows 8 will be useful for the folks who want social interaction, entertaining, touch screen machine that can still serve up a powerful Laptop Computer operating system for the heavy hitting professional grade keyboard I/O applications.