Hands-On With Windows 8.1 Preview 505
adeelarshad82 writes "Microsoft launched the preview version of Windows 8.1 at the company's Build conference in San Francisco and early signs show that Microsoft heard the criticisms, and has responded with improvements. The new OS includes a number of changes starting with the return of the Start button and the ability to boot directly to the desktop. However, Microsoft hasn't given up on making the new-style tile and full-screen more usable for all users. If anything, the tile-based Start screen has gotten more flexible, with new smaller and larger tile options. Windows 8.1 also drastically improves built-in search, SkyDrive cloud syncing, mail and Microsoft Music."
Microsoft also released a preview of Visual Studio 2013 and .NET 4.5.1, and there's a program that will give developers early access to the PC version of the Kinect sensor. Other tidbits: Windows 8.1 will use a standard driver model for 3-D printers, and it's getting better support for both high-res displays and using multiple displays with different resolutions.
Windows Sucks! (Score:5, Funny)
I bought a Windows Vista 5 years ago. The first one exploded to blew my hand off. The next one killed my dog. It wouldn't support my joystick from 1986. The wifi screwed up and sterilized my nuts.
Overall I was left with a really bad feeling about all Microsoft products, which obviously must all have similar defects. Anecdotes by unverifiable semi-anonymous internet posters prove that to be true.
Don't be fooled (Score:5, Funny)
This release is actually just a re-branding of Windows 98 SE. If you previously purchased Windows 98 SE I strongly suggest you use that.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
What good is a start button without a start menu?
Works great in my car.
So by analogy, it'll work great in a computer.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
I'll wait for 8.11 (Score:5, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
I just love this from TFA:
The tile-based Start screen (which is actually where that new Start button leads to), has gotten more flexible, with new smaller and larger tile options. And more than two modern apps can now share the new interface's screen. No longer are you restricted to a large window and one slender side panel, but two apps can each take of half the screen, or, depending on what the app's developer has allowed, any portion you choose
Exciting times we live in, when I can have 2 apps running at the same time, side by side on my desktop, and even resize them! C'mon, this is ground-breaking. Though I guess it's not entirely novel, since I could do this with EMACS (and presumably VI), but it's pretty cool to see in a GUI.
Re:Lipstick on a Pig (Score:5, Funny)
Now that I've angered the Windows-8 fanbase
I wouldn't worry about him.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
He's jiggling it back and forth, muttering 'work you fucking stupid bastard' under his breath.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:3, Funny)
Now we're probably going to have to sit through hundreds of posts for "I've been using windows 8.1 for 10 years and it's just so awesome with the new start button, just what everyone wanted. MS is such a great company that listens to their customers."
You know that spam where some idiot says his friend's mom makes $$$$ every month working from home? It's probably true. Judging from the comment sections under most Windows 8 articles, it seems Microsoft (or some social media ad agency) is paying stay at home moms to promote the product and counter any criticism.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
What is wrong with you people? Microsoft has said that Metro is great, so you're being treasonous to suggest otherwise. Please report for reeducation and recertification.
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:4, Funny)
Re:the return of the Start button (Score:5, Funny)
That's not how car analogies work, and you know it.