There've been several comments about Windows 8 above. It has touch screen/mobile technology and also it's traditional desktop feaures. Apparently it's OK on a mobile or iPad, but needs extra clicks when using a desktop.

 

There will always be people working in offices who need a big keyboard, separate big screen and a desktop PC, and perhaps Windows 8 is going to annoy them if it's more time consuming to use than WIN7.

There've been several comments about Windows 8 above. It has touch screen/mobile technology and also it's traditional desktop feaures. Apparently it's OK on a mobile or iPad, but needs extra clicks when using a desktop.

 

 

Take it from me mate. I've not found anything yet that makes me feel i'm less productive on Windows 8, nor can i find anything that takes more clicks. That's why i'm using it as my everyday OS at the mo, just to weed out any troublesome sticking points.

Exactly.

I find that tech knowledge is very age independent. I know some great developers/programmers who range in age from single digits up to their 70's. The great thing is you can stick even the youngest and oldest in the same room and they'll chat as if they are the same age.

 

Brilliant.

 

I agree, age is a big factor, older the better.

Take it from me mate. I've not found anything yet that makes me feel i'm less productive on Windows 8, nor can i find anything that takes more clicks. That's why i'm using it as my everyday OS at the mo, just to weed out any troublesome sticking points.

From http://www.godandscience.org/general/windows_8_review.html

As you can probably tell, I hate Windows 8 a lot. For the average, somewhat proficient user, Windows 8 hides all the things that makes Windows 7 so useful. Windows 8 seems to be designed specifically for tablets, for which it will be a great OS. However, for those of us who want to use computers to make documents, presentations, spreadsheets and graphic editing, Windows 8 will annoy us to no end. I am glad my laptop is a high end gaming laptop that should last for years. For me, I will be waiting for Windows 9 or possibly some Macintosh cat OS (Oh no, not that!).

 

I haven't got W8 yet, but I probably will in due course, so I rely on reviews, no doubt some are good, but they seem mixed at present.

From http://www.godandscience.org/general/windows_8_review.html

As you can probably tell, I hate Windows 8 a lot. For the average, somewhat proficient user, Windows 8 hides all the things that makes Windows 7 so useful. Windows 8 seems to be designed specifically for tablets, for which it will be a great OS. However, for those of us who want to use computers to make documents, presentations, spreadsheets and graphic editing, Windows 8 will annoy us to no end. I am glad my laptop is a high end gaming laptop that should last for years. For me, I will be waiting for Windows 9 or possibly some Macintosh cat OS (Oh no, not that!).

 

I haven't got W8 yet, but I probably will in due course, so I rely on reviews, no doubt some are good, but they seem mixed at present.

 

Agreed.

I agree, age is a big factor, older the better.

 

Eh? That's not what i said at all. I said a good head for tech is age independent.

 

I haven't got W8 yet, but I probably will in due course, so I rely on reviews, no doubt some are good, but they seem mixed at present.

 

To be fair, i see nothing in that quote to back up his statement.

I've found a lot of people are just either looking at screen shots and deciding they like it based on the metro interface, or they've tried it with it in their minds that they wont like it.

 

My girlfriend is a tech novice and she can work it easily (thank god)

My girlfriend is a tech novice and she can work it [WIN8] easily (thank god)

 

I think that is what a lot of reviews have said; it's good for people using hand-held devices for emails, FaceBook, etc. for younger people always on the move, doing something short and quick, but will people working in offices all day on something needing a lot of thought, like a complicated spreadsheet, a pdf, or even web developers find it easy to use? The desktop interface is still there, so perhaps that's OK, people can choose which interface to use.

 

[i don't think I would use the touch-screen facility much, I would be forever cleaning the screen to remove jam and soggy biscuit.]

Edited March 12, 201214 yr by Wickham

I think that is what a lot of reviews have said; it's good for people using hand-held devices for emails, FaceBook, etc. for younger people always on the move, doing something short and quick, but will people working in offices all day on something needing a lot of thought, like a complicated spreadsheet, a pdf, or even web developers find it easy to use? The desktop interface is still there, so perhaps that's OK, people can choose which interface to use.

 

I know what you mean and i always approach a new OS with a fair level of scepticism. However I'm really enjoying Windows 8. I've got it running as my main office system to give it a fair go and I'm finding it really smooth to use and a breeze to switch between Metro and desktop. Some features are just a bit weird mind you. However, I'm likely to upgrade when it eventually comes out.

Everyone or Everybody same thing. And of course you are correct in saying that there are exceptions but of course that would then make your original statement incorrect LOL

 

 

stop nit picking.....

I'm finding it really smooth to use and a breeze to switch between Metro and desktop. Some features are just a bit weird mind you.

You're a 20-odd-year-old geek, though. Absolutely no offence intended - I am too - I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at. You have an understanding of OSs beyond that of the majority. Millions of other people know routines/human macros to do certain tasks, take those away, replace it with a mobile interface, and they've got a problem - "it's different".

 

I will give it a try though, it's where the world is heading and I've heard only good things about W8 speed (before you are inevitably forced to bloat it, as with all Windows machines). I'm watching my Macs slowly change to more advanced iPads - so hopefully Metro will make some sense to me!

 

I honestly believe MS is trying to jump the gun in the transition to global OSs - ie. Windows, Android or iOS. As it has been mentioned in this thread - a good majority of the world are almost ready for that, so good luck to them, but I don't think they have the right market for it. Apple/Google users are generally younger, and generally more tech-literate because of the generation they're in (or older and tech-literate by interest/job). Windows essentially occupies corporate and 'Bob & Susan with 2 kids and 3 laptops'. Of course, it still occupies more tech-literate people, like yourselves, than all other OSs combined, but as a percentage of the total users of Windows, this bracket is relatively small. The same bracket within OS X or ChromeOS users will be extremely high (as a percentage remember, not a total). With that in mind, it would be easier to 'convert' Apple/Google users to a completely new way of working - mobile-on-desktop style.

 

These videos depict some of the potential problems well, the average Dad (both Windows users - important factor) using W8:

• 
  
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I'm looking for replies/questions/issues with my argument(?), I'm looking into UX at the moment so am finding this semi-viral problem quite interesting.

Edited March 13, 201214 yr by andyl

You're a 20-odd-year-old geek, though. Absolutely no offence intended - I am too - I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at. You have an understanding of OSs beyond that of the majority. People know routines/human macros to do certain tasks, take those away, replace it with a mobile interface, and they've got a problem - "it's different".

 

Mid thirties actually and the actual question posed above was "How does it fair for designers and developers" so i think my post was pretty relevant.

 

Just to add, my girlfriend up until last weekend had never owned her own computer or worked with them, so a complete novice, it's only taken her two days to work her way around Windows 8.

I'm not going to mind Metro so much if I can continue to launch things the way I've been doing since Vista - by hitting the Windows key and starting to type the name.

 

Andy - I think the reason there are more technically-inclined Mac users is there are only two types of Mac user - the tech group, who want a polished OS with commercial software such as the Adobe CS (but with *nix underpinnings), and posers.

No, definitely not. I think this whole notion of "replacement" is ridiculous from the off. Different devices perform different tasks to a different level.

 

There will always, always be the need for desktop PCs. But, the tablet does offer a different way of doing more basic tasks that appeals to a lot of normal users.

 

I still maintain W8 could change the game. Imagine a Tablet, with Metro UI, yet with a docking station (keyboard, mouse, monitor etc) that turns it into a desktop PC with the normal Windows interface. Now imagine you also have a docking station at work. You'd never need to transfer a file again, you'd never have compatibility problems again, and you get the best of both worlds in a single device...

Good idea, but wouldn't simply haveing a "work" laptop that you take home do the same thing?

Good idea, but wouldn't simply haveing a "work" laptop that you take home do the same thing?

 

No...because you're not then getting the best of both worlds in regards to a Tablet and a Desktop. When you are on the move, and you just want to check your email, or watch a video, you don't want or need a full desktop OS. You don't want to have to whip out a Laptop on the tube and fire up a full desktop OS just to reply to an email from your boss. If you could take a small tablet with you on the move, that is so much better adapted for mobile usage, yet when you get to the office and "dock" it becomes a full computer, switching to a desktop interface...that is what I am getting at.

 

Yes, you may say, why not just use your smartphone? But if that argument was true, there wouldn't exist the market for tablets in the first place. People clearly want something that can fit the gap between phones and computers. All I'm suggesting is that if W8 has dual interfaces, then one device could work as both your tablet and your computer - potentially.

 

IMHO, something between a laptop and a tablet is in my mind the best idea. People do want a keyboard, and anyone who's used an iPad knows typing anything longer than a text message on it is a horrible chore. This is why I think the Transformer Prime is more of a step in the right direction than an iPad, it's just so much more versatile. The only aspect the iPad is a better device for me is the App Store, but to be honest I use so few apps anyway and Android is catching up - fast.

Edited March 13, 201214 yr by brightonmike

Mid thirties actually and the actual question posed above was "How does it fair for designers and developers" so i think my post was pretty relevant.

 

Just to add, my girlfriend up until last weekend had never owned her own computer or worked with them, so a complete novice, it's only taken her two days to work her way around Windows 8.

My mistake, take it as a compliment. I was getting at the fact that you're young/techy. I wasn't in any way suggesting your post was irrelevant, Mike.

 

That's good news then - but consider this: if she's coming from nothing, then it won't be a problem. Eg. chopsticks - learn from a kid and they're no problem, learn knife and fork then go to chopsticks, they're a problem. Make sense?

 

Andy - I think the reason there are more technically-inclined Mac users is there are only two types of Mac user - the tech group, who want a polished OS with commercial software such as the Adobe CS (but with *nix underpinnings), and posers.

I'm not disputing that at all

Eg. chopsticks - learn from a kid and they're no problem, learn knife and fork then go to chopsticks, they're a problem. Make sense?

 

So chopsticks are bad for usability?

 

 

IMHO, something between a laptop and a tablet is in my mind the best idea.

Shall we dust off our PDA's then? I have a ipaq going for a decent price

Windows essentially occupies corporate and 'Bob & Susan with 2 kids and 3 laptops'.

 

3 laptops between 4 people?

 

If it's the case that Bob and Susan are sharing one then I hope Bob is clearing his browsing history after those late night sessions before Susan goes on it, otherwise his supper's gonna end up in the dog.

 

Poor Bob

Poor Bob

Bob should have been more careful.