Whats wrong with Windows 8.1?

It's the "in between" version.. ;) Meaning, over the years when MS puts out a new OS, it seems that every other one is the one that gets popular and the in between ones tend to not be so popular..

There was Windows 95 which was popular and Windows 2000, but Windows Millennium, not so much.. Then XP, which was popular, then Vista, not so much... Windows 7, popular, Windows 8..???

I'm a system admin for a CPA firm and changing OS's on a bunch of accountants is not fun! ;)

I skipped Vista and rode XP until I finally did switch to 7. I'll probably stick with 7 for awhile too... Or at least until 8 gains popularity in the business world and the application software accepts it..

For home and personal use, I think 8 is fine, just as Vista is basically fine for home/personal use.

Besides, it's mostly about 'change' in general, and just another license to buy and toss the other in the trash, but MS likes that I'm sure! :)

So, is the next chapter in Bob's world going to involve the new computer?? :)

Mitch

I just hated it when, years ago, we changed from a DOS based system at work which I was very comfortable with, to a "new and improved" Windows system. What is this thing you call a "mouse" and why can't I just type what I want it to do and it will do it? But lo, as time marched on I adjusted, now through all the Windows OS changes and find that each has a little bit of a learning curve, but they all seem to work out just fine after after time passes. Trick is, don't keep the old and the new. Just go with the new and learn it, don't keep falling back to the old. People in general just don't like to change what they know for what they don't and have to spend the energy to learn something new. As for the "mechanics" of 8.1 being bad, I not a clue. It just works and works well according to a bunch of folks, but "stand by" cause it too will move on to another OS as soon as the market gets saturated with it. That is the way it seems to work.

MitchF150 wrote:
So, is the next chapter in Bob's world going to involve the new computer?? :)

Mitch

You forgot Win 98, one of the most popular ever!;)

Really the only ones that were widely hated were ME and Vista. I owned both and found them to be buggy and unreliable.

My webserver, although it is down, is still running Win2K. I have a couple on XP, and now 2 on Win7.

And yeah, the next chapter will involve the new computer, as soon as I take the time to learn it! It is sitting here beside me, all shiny and new!! It's quite the machine!

Windows 8.1 is to operating systems like the 6.0 Powerstroke is to diesel engines.

Oh, yeah... Forgot about 98... That was a good one too.. ;)

Mitch

Win 8 explorer does not organize my favorites very well from the start menu.
Works fine in desktop mode.

Win 8 opens pdf in adobe instead of a browser window. Then back to the start menu when closed instead of desktop where I was.

Win 8 does not seem to remember my log in and passwords very well. Ok maybe security was tightened but why as security should have been improved.

Win 8 forgets how to talk to my network printer frequently. Win 7 never.

Finding programs seems difficult and not as intuitive. Maybe chalk this up to the learning curve.

Too much emphasis on spending money in the app store.

Too much seems linked to an MSN account that I don't have and do not want... ever.

Maybe it is all just a matter of learning a new system. Still I am annoyed, very annoyed. Looking forward to Win 9 as I assume it can't be worse.

OH48Lt wrote:
Windows 8.1 is to operating systems like the 6.0 Powerstroke is to diesel engines.

How so?
That one needs an explanation for the comparison.
We know the 6.0, but what exactly in Win8?

My problem is that in Windows OS you cannot separate the UI from the OS. They are created and marketed, to the average user, just that way.

I've been using it for a few months now and have it set up to look like XP or 7.Don't use the apps that much. For the most part I like it and how it responds. I really like how fast it boots up and shuts down.

My input is that Ballmer and company fell into the trap of top dog and ignored mobile. In fact Ballmer laughed at the iPhone. Years passed patting everyone on the back until they realized how far behind mobile they had fallen. Mobile sales were sky rocking and PC sales were declining. So they decided one size fits all for windows and mobile called 8.0.

8.0/8.1 is a significant success in improved performance and reliability and includes faster boot time. But they forgot about the mouse and non touch screens. Many don't like what they did. I'm not sure what they did to 8.1 Update as I had already installed Stardock to get DWs PC into something understandable on a non touch screen PC.

We all understand touch screens for phones and tablets. But touch screens for laptops and desktops - it makes no sense. Heads rolled at MS maybe including Ballmer. JMHO

Have you looked at the horrible graphics associated with the Metro aps? I'll take my iPhone or Samsung apps for both form and function over the MS apps. However, MS has realized that apps represent a huge revenue stream so hopefully they will work this out. They have stated that the Start function will come back but it didn't happen in 8.1 Update - maybe the next major update.