windows 8.1

[old_guy]

I got a pop up to down load windows 8.1 for free. Has any one else seen this and down loaded it. I am not to happy with windows 8 so I am not ready to just jump in on some thing that may make it even more difficult to use, or does it make it better to use. any input from you guys?

[1492]

Microsoft confirms bringing back the Start Menu button in a future update. Some media outlets have also reported that the Start Menu will be available directly from Tiles page in WIN 8. See Verge article from the Build 2014 Conference here.

[azjeffh]

Bumpyroad wrote:

x3 but you can't teach some old dogs new tricks. 🙂
bumpy

MIL wanted new computer and as much as I tried to talk her out of it, she wanted Windows 8. She asked me if "I was afraid of it", LOL.

BTW, MIL is 81. But I will agree, think she is the exception and not the rule.

[camperforlife]

mlts22 wrote:

camperforlife wrote:
Don't download from a pop up, go direct to Microsoft. I have come to love 8.1 and would not go back. I have to refer to a lot of schematics when working and being able to put one up on my 27" screen then pinch or zoom where I need it is great. I do my accounting on the same machine and the keyboard function is as comfortable as the touch screen. For me the combination of touch or keyboard is perfect and the Win 8 learning curve was short.

I'd be afraid of downloading something from a pop-up. Just the presence of a pop-up can mean potential compromise. Windows 8.1 is downloadable from MS fairly easy, and is a no charge upgrade from 8.0 (AFAIK.)

I like Windows 8.1 because of the added security features, as well as the disk deduplication (if I have ten copies of the same file from different dates, Windows will store one copy of the data that is the same, and have pointers for the rest of the stuff.) Plus, BitLocker works on all hardware (no need for a TPM.)

Of course, the UI changes take some getting used to, and this is a quite subjective thing.

I do believe that BitLocker is only available on the Pro version.

[Bumpyroad]

mlts22 wrote:


Windows 8.1 is downloadable from MS fairly easy, and is a no charge upgrade from 8.0 (AFAIK.)

yep, it was free when I downloaded it.
bumpy

[mlts22]

camperforlife wrote:
Don't download from a pop up, go direct to Microsoft. I have come to love 8.1 and would not go back. I have to refer to a lot of schematics when working and being able to put one up on my 27" screen then pinch or zoom where I need it is great. I do my accounting on the same machine and the keyboard function is as comfortable as the touch screen. For me the combination of touch or keyboard is perfect and the Win 8 learning curve was short.

I'd be afraid of downloading something from a pop-up. Just the presence of a pop-up can mean potential compromise. Windows 8.1 is downloadable from MS fairly easy, and is a no charge upgrade from 8.0 (AFAIK.)

I like Windows 8.1 because of the added security features, as well as the disk deduplication (if I have ten copies of the same file from different dates, Windows will store one copy of the data that is the same, and have pointers for the rest of the stuff.) Plus, BitLocker works on all hardware (no need for a TPM.)

Of course, the UI changes take some getting used to, and this is a quite subjective thing.

[burlmart]

monkey44 wrote:
After all these years, I'm finally getting fast with no errors, now, gotta change the entire way we input info ...

Well, it's only a small consolation, but the older we all get, the fewer such changes we'll have to make

[bcsdguy]

Bumpyroad wrote:

burlmart wrote:
speech to command computers as well as to be converted to text is getting very good. communicating (like one of these forum posts) can be done as well via a voice clip. Think of all the voice messages we now send and receive now = thanks to simple answering machines that blossomed some2 or so decades back.

Look at video reviews of products, podcasts, bloggerheads, etc. Who needs to read a long review if an expert ewviewer gives great video.

Pecking keys will be around a long time, but wie'll see less and less of them in use

On edit: spoiler alert: my sprrch grammer is worse than my typing.

careful I found at least 6 things that bcsdguy can fuss at you about. 🙂
bumpy

I know. It's a curse.:)

[monkey44]

Not so sure it's a learning issue as much as effective ... reaching across a keyboard and typing a vertical flat screen is more difficult. And would make you cut your fingernails every morning. 🙂

The idea that one would 'stab a screen', like pointing, seems odd to me ... Plus, then your fingers and hands block half the screen while your "typing".

After all these years, I'm finally getting fast with no errors, now, gotta change the entire way we input info ...

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

SuperDutyFiver wrote:
remember not having a color screen? What about not wanting to give up the floppy for a CD

I just threw out an 8086 computer that ran on DOS 3 - dual floppies, no hard drive.

Lets see - I've worked with:
DOS (Apple II)
Windows 2.1 (Apple Lisa)
Windows 3.1 (Mac SE)
Windows 95
NT 4.0
Windows 2000 (Mac OS X)
Windows Vista - Security Model changes
Windows 8

Yes, I really hate interface changes, but somehow I learn.

[SuperDutyFiver]

I just like everything to look the same-I use a few computers and and Android tablet now...so as soon as I get the new laptop with the swivel around screen and Verizon 4G I'll jump!

Anyhow-I have to laugh...remember not having a color screen? What about not wanting to give up the floppy for a CD(I actually still have a tape drive stored in a drawer for posterity!) I think the keyboard will go to the way side for many people-I just got a smart phone after resisting for quite a while-it is pretty awesome! Anyhow, the layout of the keyboard is bound to change soon-I'd love to have a single hand input device but it's tough to replicate so many functions through 5 fingers and not have them move too much or stir error...and who knows where things will go as retinal movement can be accurately scanned 😉

[monkey44]

Bumpy said: "...and yes, I was a great typist. took the course in high school and had the first male discrimination case in that one. the teacher gave the typing award to Charlotte and I typed rings around her."

Reminds me when typing was a girls class and shop a boys. I wanted to learn typing (besides, a girl I liked took it) ... and the teacher said NO, girls only, so asked the principal and he said yes - glad a boy was wanting it, Yup, took Home Ec too, but did get kicked out of that one.

Anyway, I was the worst typist in the entire class, kept type-over no matter how many times teach said NO ... couldn't quite get it. And, really tried, just couldn't get there ... slow, type-overs, missed punctuation - blah!!

So, at the end of the term, the teacher comes up and she says, "I'm gonna pass you with a "D", because I'm the only typing teacher here and if I fail you, I gotta take you over again. But if I pass you, gotta promise me you won't take Typing TWO ... "

And end of story, passed, no return. But, interestingly, learned to type with all fingers regardless, and have since honed those skills and can type pretty fast now. Who woudda thunk it? 🙂

[camperforlife]

Don't download from a pop up, go direct to Microsoft. I have come to love 8.1 and would not go back. I have to refer to a lot of schematics when working and being able to put one up on my 27" screen then pinch or zoom where I need it is great. I do my accounting on the same machine and the keyboard function is as comfortable as the touch screen. For me the combination of touch or keyboard is perfect and the Win 8 learning curve was short.

[burlmart]

R.I.P. Doug Englebart

Apple Macintosh and MS Windows owe SO much to Xerox and the PaloAltoResearchCenter (now silicone valley)

The Gui and the mouse.


But, if you wonder how long it took to come up with the internet as we have it, look at FDR's science advisor, Vannevar Bush

Hyperlinking and the 'Memex' 1944, AFAIR

[Bumpyroad]

burlmart wrote:
speech to command computers as well as to be converted to text is getting very good. communicating (like one of these forum posts) can be done as well via a voice clip. Think of all the voice messages we now send and receive now = thanks to simple answering machines that blossomed some2 or so decades back.

Look at video reviews of products, podcasts, bloggerheads, etc. Who needs to read a long review if an expert ewviewer gives great video.

Pecking keys will be around a long time, but wie'll see less and less of them in use

On edit: spoiler alert: my sprrch grammer is worse than my typing.

careful I found at least 6 things that bcsdguy can fuss at you about. 🙂
bumpy