SubJeff on 29/10/2012 at 08:52
It's there a way to disable the Desktop? I think I could live with the Metro interface only and I'd like to try.
Nested menus are far superior if you have a lot that you access. I hardly ever used it in Windows 7 because I have common programs pinned to the taskbar and a Rocketdock strip for common folder.
I can simulate this on the Start screen now.
Renzatic on 29/10/2012 at 10:00
If you're serious, you can close the desktop like an app from the metro taskbar and unpin the desktop tile. Just middleclick on it, and it'll free up all the resources it's taking up.
Why you'd want to go that far, I have no idea. But it can be done.
Albert on 29/10/2012 at 10:15
If the searchbar function could be given two functions, either the whole system or the applications menu, then I'd be all for a return of the Vista/7 start menu list in the form of a shell replacement or extension. Granted, I haven't tried 8 yet so I'm merely interjecting a small complaint I had for the search bar in Vista/7 that everyone is complaining about right now.
SubJeff on 29/10/2012 at 10:27
Quote Posted by Renzatic
Why you'd want to go that far, I have no idea. But it can be done.
I just want to try it, see how it works out.
I've given it a go now and it doesn't work. The Metro taskbar doesn't replace the desktop taskbar - my open Word documents weren't visible.
This is a very messy GUI. It's a bit crappy really. I can see what they are going for and some of it is really nice (I especially like the potential of fullscreen apps) but overall it's just not thought out properly. I've got to agree with ZB; this version should be a fail. With some tweaks though...
Renzatic on 29/10/2012 at 10:35
It doesn't do the application menu specifically, but it does practically everything else.
(
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3018396/win8_search.jpg) This is what it looks like...
The neat thing about it is that it isn't just system specific. If you want, you can click on one of the app tiles down below and search within it. Like if you've got a document you want to find in OneNote, and App in the marketplace, or a movie on Netflix. All searches are done right from that one spot.
It's pretty nifty grand.
Also, I retired paisley fish tonight and replaced it with future town. Thought you all would want to know.
Renzatic on 29/10/2012 at 10:44
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
I've given it a go now and it doesn't work. The Metro taskbar doesn't replace the desktop taskbar - my open Word documents weren't visible.
No, it doesn't. The Metro taskbar is just for Metro apps, and Metro apps don't play with desktop applications. It's pretty dumb, yeah. It would've been so much better if they didn't partition the two like they did.
Then again, maybe they didn't have a choice. Metro is, for all intents and purposes, new Windows. It's running on an entirely new set of APIs, has the legacy cruft cut away, and all kinds of other interesting stuff. When you're playing directly with metro apps, you're in a different environment.
...though you can alt-tab between metro and regular win32 programs, so hell if I know.
SubJeff on 29/10/2012 at 12:42
If they had just allowed total replacement of the Desktop with the Start screen they may have been able to change the way people use Windows and get everyone use to this on a mobile platform too.
It amazes me how short-sighted these companies are.
Albert on 29/10/2012 at 12:44
Strange... So, I'm probably going to get a copy anyhow (A friend of mine could probably get me it, free). But all I'm hearing right now is scaring me. This sounds worse than Gnome 3. And mind you, Gnome 3 isn't nearly as complicated, being but a mere DE.
Independent Thief on 29/10/2012 at 15:32
I'm planning to finally upgrade my machine from WinXP home, I've been using that OS for years now. I was going to replace it with Win 7, but do you think Win8 is really that much better for regular net surfing and gaming?
Renzatic on 29/10/2012 at 17:34
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
If they had just allowed total replacement of the Desktop with the Start screen they may have been able to change the way people use Windows and get everyone use to this on a mobile platform too.
Man, there's already a ton of wailing and gnashing of teeth because they replaced the start menu with this...gasp...new thing. If they nixed the desktop entirely, you'd have tech geeks committing seppuku out in the streets and/or murdering Microsoft employees.
Quote Posted by Independent Thief
I was going to replace it with Win 7, but do you think Win8 is really that much better for regular net surfing and gaming?
As opposed to XP or Win7? If it's the former, yeah. You get access to DX10 & 11, and all the many improvements they've made to the OS in the last 5 years. While it's not a night and day difference, things are generally smoother and more secure on the Vista core OSes these days.
The latter? Win8 is almost identical to 7 as far as games and the the internet go. It's thinner on resources, and doesn't eat through batteries nearly as quickly, but that's really only important if you're on a laptop. If you're on a desktop, it's basically Windows 7 with a new skin and a super big start menu.
