Replacing Windows 8's Missing Start Menu 396
jfruh writes "The Start Button, which has offered Windows users quick access to important programs, folders, and configuration options since 1995 and has looked more or less the same for all that time, has been re-engineered beyond recognition for Windows 8, replaced by a Start Screen of colorful Metro tiles that greets the user upon startup. One big problem: once you enter Desktop mode to access non-Metro apps, you lose easy access to all the stuff you expect from the Start Button. This has given rise to something of a cottage industry for Start Button replacements, with multiple replacement utilities available even before Windows 8 officially arrives."
Start menu is still there (Score:5, Informative)
The start menu is still there. You just don't see the icon in the task bar. All the functionality of it is still there. The first level is for commonly used programs. It's a nice clean layout that's easy to customize. From there, you can call up the 'All Programs' section. That's not organized quite so well, but it works.
There's no compelling reason to upgrade to Windows 8, but unlike Vista, there's no reason to actively avoid it.
UNIX runs on Macs in homes (Score:4, Informative)
Unix is expensive. [...] other than at work, I would bet you haven't touched Unix.
A Mac mini (which runs a UNIX OS since 10.5 [slashdot.org]) costs $650. So you're right that a real UNIX machine is more expensive than a low-end Windows PC, but not so expensive that only businesses can afford one.
Re:8 is NOT a replacement to 7 (Score:3, Informative)
Re:As a tech guy get used to it (Score:2, Informative)
Half my family ended up with it. 'Hey I bought this new computer and...'
You know what they *STILL* are using it. They do not care. Telling them otherwise is not going to make them suddenly drop 50-100 bucks on a new OS (remember all their stuff is windows and they know how to use it). Or even 'hey lets switch you out to...' is not going to fly unless I want to be 24/7 tech support for it. And that is a no also. Or 'hey lets buy a new computer' when the one they have still works...
For vista do these things. Turn off sysindexer (or at least update it), and replace the built in virus scanner with something decent (replace with the newer version it is way better). Do not use readyboost. Install SP2. Make sure it has at least 2 gig of ram pref 4. Turn on the auto defragmenter for at least once a week. You are set. The computer is now usable. Win 7 basically fixed these things. It is not that much different than vista.
Best reaction I get out of people on vista 'how did you make this work so well, it stunk before'.
Win 8 is going to stink. But it is what it is. *WE* are the ones who are going to deal with MS's mistake. So either learn the new thing or get left behind. For win9 they will switch it out again and we get to feel the pain again... Just like the last 10 versions.
Re:how about (Score:5, Informative)
On top of that, Windows 7 will be supported until 2019, or later if Microsoft chooses to extend its life like they did with XP. That is plenty of time for us to sit aside while Windows 8 is refined for greater usability, or flops and is redeemed by an apologetic Windows 9.
Re:Not too much, please... (Score:5, Informative)
Believe it or not, BSODs can occur due to bad hardware/firmware, not just drivers. While you may have installed industry standard apps and signed drivers, did you also verify that the firmware of your CD-ROM, BIOS, etc. were up to date? Also, bad memory modules, incorrect timing settings, and over-clocking can cause BSODs. I'm assuming that you were not overclocking at the time, so it sounds like your CD ROM drive may need a firmware update.
The point is that BSODs are not random occurrences, there is usually an underlying cause.
Re:My Stadegy. (Score:3, Informative)