back to article 'We asked firms if they were looking at Windows 8, most laughed'

This was the week when Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 8 got what can only be described as a bashing from the folks over at Gartner. Reviewer and research director Gunnar Berger didn't seem to think that the OS was all that good. In fact, when it's not on a touch device, he reckons the software is: In a word: Bad …

COMMENTS

This topic is closed for new posts.
  1. h4rm0ny

    I love how Gartner is ignored routinely by the IT community until suddenly some people hear what they want to hear and start quoting it repeatedly. Misquoting it mind you. It's not "Gartner", it's one employee's blog post and it was one of four or five in a series examining Windows 8. And he was really positive about it.

    "My overall opinion on Windows 8 is actually really good. That’s why I’m surprised at the amount of press – they love taking that one sentence and pulling it out of context. That’s driving me nuts. Overall, it’s actually a compelling product, combining a tablet OS and a desktop OS... I think that’s a very smart move."

    As to "0xB16B00B5"... instead of removing it, could they not just have added "0xB16C0C" and called it equality?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Gartner

      In my experience it's quite the opposite. I've read tech sites for a number of years and they always rave about Gartners predictions as if the firm is never ever wrong - specifically zdnet they always talk up Gartner predictions.

      Then surprise surprise a few days after Gartner said Windows 8 was bad on the desktop Zdnet run a story saying 'who really listens to Gartner?' 'Why should anyone care about their predictions?'

      Ironically the advertising on the page of the article was for..... Microsoft. Don't bite the hand that feeds is the message I got..... Regardless of how bad Windows 8 is it will do well simply because there are too many tech sites who rely on their revenue and there are too many astroturfers well placed on those tech sites to big up these products

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Windows 8 = Great tablet OS, Windows 8 != Great desktop OS. It's that simple.

      I don't want a phone/tablet interface on a desktop machine. This sort of dumbed down interface was tried with Gnome Unity and lots of people didn't like it.

      That said, some bloke from Gartner just trying it out and going "I don't like it" is a bit of a rubbish test, lacking in analysis and results. It's almost like Andy from Little Britain.

      Lou: "So what UI do you want Andy?"

      Andy: "Metro".

      Lou: "But you don't like Metro, you said it wasn't suitable for desktop machines."

      Andy: "I want Metro".

      Andy: "I don't like it".

    3. This post has been deleted by its author

    4. Field Marshal Von Krakenfart
      Paris Hilton

      @h4rm0ny

      Err.... not enough bits, how about "0xB16C00C5"

      Should be the pendant grammar icon but I'm going to use Paris (if you pardon the pun), "0xB10070B5" but not "0xB16B00B5" Does anyone else see '7' as a "J"

    5. TeeCee Gold badge
      Coat

      You may be proud of your B16C0C, but it's actually too short......

      1. Homer 1
        Boffin

        Most laughed

        It looks more like a limp sliver of 0xDEADBEEF.

    6. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      "As to "0xB16B00B5"... instead of removing it"

      They haven't removed it. It's one of those "magic numbers" that once used can't be changed.

      The actual solution in the code is to use a non-hex encoding.

      Developer was fired, apparently.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Windows 8 Is Crap

    It's an absolute dogs dinner of a desktop environment and I feel for any poor soul who gets lumbered with it. I just cannot see this being used in a business environment and I'm sure windows 7 professional is still going to be demanded by customers and supplied by MS for some time yet.

    1. Tom 260

      Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

      Looks like the current chain of alternating bad/good releases will continue then, ME / XP / Vista / 7 / 8

      1. Richard 81

        Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

        Sure as eggs is eggs. Sure as every odd numbered Star Trek movie is crap.

        1. CADmonkey
          FAIL

          Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

          Not forgetting odd-numbered World Wars.

          Or motorways, come to think of it

          Or even TESTICLES

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

        Alternating good/bad, yes. However, there has been a progressive decrease in usability since XP if you ask me. Windows 7 does the job; but it's fucking useless unless you use something like Classic Shell to restore an XP-style "All my programs are easily accessible again" menu interface.

        If it takes extra clicks to get there then you're doing it wrong.

        As someone who works on computers, I frequently need to get a lot of letters into it quickly; therefore a proper keyboard is essential as there simply is no way that a touchscreen interface can compare.

        Likewise for graphics...the inevitable fingerprints on the (no doubt) glossy screen just makes things harder.

        1. The Original Steve

          Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

          If you haven't managed to work out that Windows 7 really is faster in doing your usual day-to-day stuff compared to XP then I'm happy to let you continue to struggle. Pressing a single key and typing the first couple of letters of the application, control panel applet or even document is a damn sight quicker than doing it in XP by browsing alone. Honestly, move on and get over it.

          And your other points really just point out that you are not in the market for a tablet machine. Fair enough, but hardly makes WIndows 8 crap before it's even released though does it.

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Windows 8 Is Crap

            Different people work different ways. I organise programs by category and I can get to anything on the machine in less than two seconds without necessarily being able to remember what the program is called, if I haven't used it in a while. This is achieved with Classic Shell and it's a system that has worked well for me since...well...W95.

            The Vista/W7 interface -as is- just isn't as good. There's a lot to like about W7 but the out-of-the-box user interface is just not as good because it takes extra clicks to get there. Add that up over the life of the machine and that's a lot of time wasted.

            W8 seems to be going further into "design over function" territory, is all I'm saying. I'm sure it's lovely for tablets and consuming content; but for working and generating content it doesn't seem to be as effective.

            That wasn't me on the downvote, by the way.

  3. Test Man
    Thumb Down

    Of course firms aren't looking at Windows 8. They're only really looking at Windows 7 now. No reputable firm is going to look at an OS before launch, or even just after launch, as these things (reviewing) take time. Windows 8 will be taken up in significant amounts when Windows 9 is unveiled, assuming Windows 9 is unveiled in around 2-3 years.

    It's been this way for decades, save for XP, as that was around without a new version superseding it for a lot longer than the usual 3 years.

    1. Oninoshiko
      Pint

      I said lunch, not launch!

      I misread that as "No reputable firm is going to look at an OS before lunch, or even just after lunch" and thought "well I would look at an OS just after lunch either... gotta ease into things, besides, I'm sure they gave me things during lunch.

      Lunch is always better witha pint!

  4. Big_Ted
    Windows

    Serious question here....

    Everyone keeps on about how crap Windows 8 is and it seems to be the Metro interface thats blamed 99% of the time.

    I have been running the latest version for a couple of weeks and so far the only time I see it are on startup, press windows key and then on desktop, and the odd occasion I have wanted to access say the control panel.

    All the rest of the time I have a desktop that is fully populated with icons to launch programs and open documents.

    I have rooted a Google Nexus and burned a new Rom to it, also rooted and added CM9 to an HP touchpad, on top of that been able to do everything I always did without seeing Metro.

    So that being the case, is there anything other than Metro being an ugly oversized toysRus interface that people are so negative about.

    Yes I hate Metro with a vengance but never see it and the speed of start and shutdown etc is a nice bonus over Windows 7.

    1. Field Marshal Von Krakenfart
      Stop

      Re: Serious question here....

      All the rest of the time I have a desktop that is fully populated with icons to launch programs and open documents.

      That's hardly a windoze 8 feature, all my XP desktops are fully populated with icons to launch programs and open documents

    2. PaulR79
      Meh

      Re: Serious question here....

      I think it's the fact that the Desktop is the option and Metro the default along with making it completely unfamiliar where things are compared to previous versions of Windows. It took me a few minutes to find out how to shut it down even after I knew it was on the right side menu slide out thing. The things like start up time may tempt me and possibly others to suffer through it but it's very much like one step forward and two back.

      Something I saw coming pretty fast after the stupid decision to force Metro on every user has been produced by Stardock. I'm not sure how I feel about it since they're not going to be doing this out of the goodness of their heart but I've yet to see what they get out of it as it's a free download.

      http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

      Gonna list versions and features here for anyone interested. The main one that appeals to me is having it load the Desktop by default followed closely by adding a "Run..." to the right-click menu.

      Features

      - Adds a “Start” menu to the Windows 8 taskbar

      - Enables quick access and searching of your installed applications

      - Adds Run... option via right-click menu

      - Adds Shutdown... option via right-click menu

      - Choose a custom Start button image

      New in v0.87, July 2012

      - Automatically load your Windows desktop on login (vs the start screen)

      New in v0.86, March 2012

      - Adds control over the "Start" menu size on the Explorer desktop

      - Adds option for the "WinKey" to show fullscreen "Metro" desktop

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Serious question here....

      TBH I think it is just the Metro thing that is putting people off. The rest of Windows 8 is rather good (for Windows). They've made some big improvements under the hood.

      However, the Metro thing is a deal breaker. I hate it. Windows 7/Vista are bad enough with the darkening of the screen for some message boxes. I hate things taking over my screen. I hate context switching. I hate the way it works with a mouse. I hate invisible hot spots on user interfaces. I even dislike the show desktop hotspot on Windows 7 and I can see that. I want things to work when I actively click on it. This is my opinion on my home usage of Windows 8. I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt on a tablet though.

      With my IT manager head on: Considering the backlash we've had at work from users over upgrading to Office 2007/2010 from 2003 and the fact that we're having to provide training courses to appease them, I'm sure they're not going to be happy with Windows 8. Some of them even don't get on with Windows 7 and wish they were back on XP. It would cost us another arm and leg retraining people on Windows 8. A cost which can easily be avoided by avoiding Windows 8 altogether. All of our IT department universally (yes even the Windows fans among them) hate Windows 8 and thus it will not be being rolled out at work if we can at all help it.

      What I want from Windows 9 is all the good performance and technology enhancements of Windows 8 with the standard Windows desktop GUI. Why not provide Metro as a windowed application running on the standard desktop rather than have the desktop running as an application within Metro ?

    4. Anonymous Coward
      Facepalm

      @Ted

      "All the rest of the time I have a desktop that is fully populated with icons to launch programs and open documents."

      And that is /exactly/ the problem right there. I'm glad it works for you, but I don't /want/ my desktop to be filled up with crap aka dozens of icons. Its a hack and IMO a dumb one (no offense).

      I use Word a lot, so I'd need Word in there as well as two of my main templates. So far, so good. But I often use certain documents for certain periods of time. Say I'm writing a report on server migration options as well as risk assessment; I want those reports to be easily accessible. But I'm doing more than that obviously; there are also Excel sheets to work with and sporadically a PowerPoint presentation.

      So now I end up making documents (which reside in their own directories of course), only to manually open said file locations and then make symlinks on the desktop for each document which I think I may quickly need. When I'm done with certain reports I don't need those any longer, so then I should remove them again. That's a /lot/ of extra work for no valid reason (other than "Windows can't do it anymore").

      Microsoft is violating the golden rule of: "If it isn't broke, don't fix it". What's even worse is that they're /lying/ about it by claiming that the particular tool was actually broken while everyone who gives this a moment of thought will immediately realize that this is poor comedy which doesn't involve the start menu at all. All Microsoft is after is providing an interface which is suited for touch interfaces as best as possible. "Screw the rest".

      1. The Original Steve

        Re: @Ted

        Was under the impression recently used files appear in Windows 8 as they do in Windows 7 / Vista / XP. Although if I was in your shoes I'd just pin the root directory(ies) to the start menu or taskbar.

      2. El Andy
        FAIL

        Re: @Ted

        "So now I end up making documents (which reside in their own directories of course), only to manually open said file locations and then make symlinks on the desktop for each document which I think I may quickly need. When I'm done with certain reports I don't need those any longer, so then I should remove them again. "

        Pin Word to taskbar, use jumplist to access recently used documents (or even pin some of them there if you like), exactly the same functionality you had from the Start Menu.

        I think some people just seem to like making their life more difficult.

    5. Homer 1
      Paris Hilton

      Re: Serious question here....

      "So that being the case, is there anything other than Metro being an ugly oversized toysRus interface that people are so negative about."

      Yes, it's called the futility, inconvenience and unnecessary expense of the upgrade treadmill.

      XP works + Metro is fucking ugly = no compelling reason to upgrade + very compelling reason not to.

      It ain't rocket science.

      Maybe Vole should consider releasing something that's, erm, you know - new (in the actual innovation sense, not in the Green Bike Shed® sense) ... and, dare I say it, better, before expecting people to donate their hard-earned readies to the Keep Ballmer in Burgers Foundation.

      Me? I'll be giving the whole fiasco a major body-swerve, just as I have for the past decade. But it'll be fun to watch Ballmer sweat even more than usual.

      Euch!

      OK, maybe not that much fun.

      1. BOB JOHNSON

        Re: Serious question here....

        I have an office of 15 people (was 25 until recession / depression hit). We are at around 70/30 (XP/7)split. I won't be giving Redmond anymore money for upgrades that don't produce an out of the box, user friendly product. Win7 was bad enough and created time lost - labor costs that I had to eat.

        If I didn't need to use certain proprietary software, I would move the entire office to a Linux distro. I'm so miffed about the MS upgrade treadmill that I stop using any vendor that requires IE to view their site. There are plenty of other vendors that I can do business with and I don't need IE.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Go

    Windows 8 is brilliant

    No doubt the anti MS trolls will be out in force as usual with nothing new to say but after using Windows 8 for a good while now and also spending some time coding for it, it's a really pleasant system to use either on a tablet or on the desktop. Sure it's different and there's a small learning curve to get the most out of it but it's by far my favoured OS of the moment.

    As for the article saying that most enterprises were struggling with Windows 7, thats entirely untrue. A shade over 1 Billion users of MS windows are licensed, of that total, well over 600 Million are on Windows 7 (Thats > 600 Million in less than 3 years).

    1. FartingHippo
      Black Helicopters

      Plastic Green Grass?

      Your comment history is, erm, consistent to an amazing degree.

    2. JEDIDIAH
      Linux

      Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

      Having a tablet interface be the default for a desktop is just moronic. It doesn't matter if Microsoft is doing it, or if Canonical is doing it, or if Apple is doing it.

      The "non-geek" crowd simply doesn't take perverse pleasure in finding where Microsoft hid stuff this time.

      HID consistency has a 4th dimension to it.

      1. Darryl

        Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

        I'm an admitted geek (although I prefer the term 'nerd') and I don't like finding where Microsoft hid stuff this time either.

    3. Antony Riley

      Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

      Downvoted for astroturfing.

      If you weren't paid for what you do you'd have commented on at least one thing unrelated to Microsoft.

    4. jim 45

      Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

      I've also been using Win8 for a while and can't comprehend the torrent of hate and ridicule being heaped on it here on the Reg. To me it's a nice change, a fresh look, I really like the live tiles. It livens things up and It took me 5 minutes to figure it all out. The high-tech early-adopter types that post here apparently have outgrown their youthful interest in the 'new' and would now like things to remain changeless until they're are lowered into their massive stone tombs. How sad, really.

    5. lambda_beta
      Pirate

      Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

      Time to change meds!

    6. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Windows 8 is brilliant

      Yes, Genuine Windows 8® is fantastically brilliant in super-cool kinda way. I pre-ordered 200 copies just as a big thank you to Mr. Ballmer, who is the greatest CEO ever, even though I don't even own a PC! I love giving all my money to Microsoft, because its such a kind and gentle corporation that saves puppies from fire-breathing dragons. I'm planning my Windows 8 Party® already, with lots of cake and cookies and soda, and there'll be fun games with prizes, such as free laptops with Genuine Windows 8®, for those who pretend to be impartial commentards on Web forums, who promote Genuine Windows 8® by saying lots of nice things about it.

      ~Syed Kazmi, Microsoft India.

  6. My Alter Ego
    Coat

    0xB16B00B5

    I don't see why it's such a big deal, I personally go for the more petite figure.

    1. Tom 35

      Re: 0xB16B00B5

      The yanks freak out over boobs. See the stupid fuss over the "oh my god, if you slow down the replay and zoom in you can sort of see a boob for a second" super bowl thing.

  7. divx
    Happy

    Windows 8 - for the Devs

    Must.... Bash... Microsoft, people on this site need to wake up.

    As a developer, I'm really looking forward to working with WinRT. It opens the doors to so many developers its great! Javascript, C++, C#, VB can all directly access the WinRT API - Using XAML as the front end. Whilst WinRT has its limitations, Microsoft have realised this and so you can still use your Win32 applications. Apple/Google/anything Unix don't offer anything as exciting as this.

    Microsoft don't need to push Windows 8 to the business sector (nothing wrong with trying) but they have Windows 7 for that. They are using a pincer movement, using two operating systems to target a customer. When Apple did this with the iPad 2 + 3 (targeting different price brackets), they were applauded for it.

    As for the two different versions of Windows 8, again, It's a great pincer movement, but its going to confuse the hell out of the average Jo - So I'm not sure how that is going to pan out.

    We all know that Windows 8 isn't going to be one of the Great OS's, but it certainly isn't going to be a Vista. It's the building block to the new era of touch + sound interaction.

    [Insert bash comments below]

    1. Anonymous Coward
      FAIL

      @divx

      "Microsoft don't need to push Windows 8 to the business sector (nothing wrong with trying) but they have Windows 7 for that."

      Sure, but there's a potential flaw in your reasoning there: history shows that as soon as a new Windows version is released Microsoft will stop selling the previous version.

      SO if companies need new PCs, then what ?

      1. The Original Steve

        Re: @divx

        As a business with more than 5 PC's I'd assume you buy via a volume licence agreement. In which case you would use Windows 7 rather than Windows 8. Lookup downgrade rights.

        Most OEM's will also provide downgrade rights if you order a Windows licence via a PC that's tied to the hardware at no extra cost other than the media. (E.g. Dell and HP do this).

        That's how.

      2. BobChip

        Re: @divx

        Build your own. We do (admittedly we are very small, but we do need high spec. machines). It is simple, it can save you money and/or give you a better spec. for the same budget.

        And the best savings (and performance) are achieved by loading a Linux OS when you are done.

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Misleading Headline

    "'We asked firms if they were looking at Windows 8, most laughed'"

    I would say was intended to imply it's due to the quality of Windows 8, re-inforcing the rather tiresome Metro backlash. However it then goes on to say:

    "The fact is most enterprises are still trying to get to Windows 7 and few enterprises are ready for Windows 8."

    So in actual fact it's just due to your typical business IT timescale then, same as for every previous version of Windows. I'm pretty sure you could have asked a similar question in the run up to any previous version of Windows and got a similar response due the simple fact businesses are generally rolling out software a lot later than consumers.

    Really, nothing very exciting at all, but makes for a attention-grabbing headline for all the Metro whiners, and gives them an excuse to once again unleash their futile diatribes about how awful it is and how it spells the end for Microsoft, blah, blah.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Misleading Headline

      I agreed with you up to the last paragraph. At which point you demonstrate that you're another of the types who having a discussion/argument with is so futile one might as well be trying to prove a negative.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Misleading Headline

        Yeah right. I have a pretty balanced view of Windows 8; it's basically just a slightly improved Windows 7 with a new UI. It's pretty obvious Metro isn't ideal for desktops, regardless of what Microsoft claims, and I think they're probably aware of that but are going ahead with it on all form factors regardless, in order to leverage their way into tablets.

        If your response to a slightly annoying UI in an otherwise improved OS, that you don't even have to use the majority of the time is to piss and moan all over the place about how it spells the end for Microsoft and how Windows 8 is the new Me/Vista, how everyone will hate it, etc. etc. then you're the one there's no point having a discussion with (not that you are necessarily one of those people, but there's plenty of people like that on here and other tech sites).

      2. mhenriday
        Boffin

        The Greeks demonstrated a method for proving a negative -

        that, for example, the square root of 2 is not a rational number, quite some time ago (whether or not the proof in Eukleides' «Elements» is an interpolation). Just because the intellectually challenged, like Donald Henry Rumsfeld and his ilk, don't get it doesn't mean that it is beyond the grasp of the average Reg Reader....

        Henri

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Windows 8 - quoi ?

    Working for an organisation still issuing XP laptops (upgrade to Windows 7 has been carefully trialled, and being phased in over the next 6 months) I can tell you it's going to be 3 or 4 years before we have the stomach to go through another upgrade cycle. Our desktops are still XP. Although the server team are a little ahead of the game on 2008, with upgrades to 2010 being evaluated.

    I think we have reached the point where you can no longer have the same product stream for domestic and commercial use. I know it seems like a retrograde step, but they move to different drum beats.

    1. Danny 14

      Re: Windows 8 - quoi ?

      we are the same. XP + svr 2003. svr 2003 -> 2008R2 and recently exchange 2003 to 2010 with a move from office 2003 to 2010 (no plans to upgrade SQL 2005). W7 has been trialled as some laptops dont have XP drivers. I'd say less than 10% W7 machines.

      We use a universal XP installer (driver packs + KMS + FOG server for domain join, its a click and go solution) and we have a universal W7 installer too (driver pack + KMS + FOG so again a click and go for a seamless installation and domain join) that being said we do have a lot of P4 machines still - old GX520 dells with 1Gb RAM that do *work* in W7 but work better in XP.

      W8? Nope. Perhaps on a few evaluation tablets to see how they work on the domain.

      1. B4PJS
        Stop

        Re: Windows 8 - quoi ?

        You really should upgrade SQL to at least 2K8R2 if not go to 2012. There is so much improved between the way 2k5 and 2k8 that it doesn't make sense not to.

  10. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Hmm

    "'We asked firms if they were looking at Windows 8, most laughed'"

    No surprise there then!

  11. Britt Johnston
    Flame

    What next, RetrOS?

    Okay, the windows monolith is flaking. Each iteration takes longer for large firms to adapt to, as they try to control functions which add power but could be misused. Our sissies have recently recaptured the task manager - how dare users shoot down applications that are infinite-looping!

    So we need a different split: a draconian low-functionality system for corporate IT security, and a modern lean OS for private users -whether screen diagonal is 4in or 115in. Could be Windows 9 and 8 respectively.

    Luckily, by next time, you'll be able to run any corporate RetrOS on VMware in a corner of a mobile phone.

  12. Scarborough Dave
    Meh

    Will be testing W8 at somepoint in the next few months.

    We have been using W7 since late 2011, users and myself are happy with that as a stable OS.

    I am more interested how the W8 on a tablet and the integration with our existing software - presently using Apple Fondle Slabs (and happy with quality but a little expensive).

    After all when you go round Tesco, all you hear are the WM5 sounds on handheld scanners.

    I think this is where the main sales will be made and integration with existing windows business software all on the same or similar platform, this is effectively a business table addition and update for the old windows mobile platform – of which we still have a number of these devices still in service.

    The added advantage of a Windows Fondle Slab is that though they are portable they are not as desirable as iPads – so less of a theft risk.

    1. Danny 14

      Re: Will be testing W8 at somepoint in the next few months.

      We looked at ipads. We couldnt get users round the fact that they had no shared drives, network printing or "my documents". They were used as surf utilities and facebook pads. Windows 8 might change that so we'll look at a few to see if they can be used as tools.

      We have quite a few WM5 devices as stock checkers and datalabel scanners running our own software. The idea was to upgrade these to pad devices (to display more data and input quicker etc).

      1. Helldesk Dogsbody

        Re: Will be testing W8 at somepoint in the next few months.

        We're currently trying out Junos Pulse for both iOS and Android to resolve some of those issues - it shows some promise but we're not done tinkering yet. Comment has been made about trying a couple of Windows 8 RT devices for the field team though as they don't actually need a full fat Windows system while on the road.

  13. D. M
    Flame

    The place I work, upgrade to win7 (we just started a very small number of roll out for test, full upgrade will come in following months), has already created enough problems (incompatibility). On top of it, our external support provider absolutely hate win7 since it breaks their remote access (over user machine) ability. And I can tell from our very large user base (in the upper range of 1000s users, not 10k yet), any change to the interface is going to be a nightmare. We were planned to upgrade to office 2010, which has not happening yet (the stupid interface is a major issue).

    Don't MS learn anything? Once they found something works, leave it alone. The windows interface lasted so long, because it works, don't bloody break it.

    1. Danny 14

      Our W7 trial found very little incompatability. I needed to hack together one old printer - HP3500 and a couple of scanners had no W7 drivers that was about it. The old serif X2 software worked, clunky reconfigurable keyboards worked, various bespoke training software all worked (.NET based). XP classic mode does look almost the same as XP. The log on screen can be editted (you need to change this for each screen res though which is a pain). Front end VPN logon is mildly hidden from the old XP tickbox. I was expecting more to fail. W7 has nice support for more GPOs so I can see the point.

      Office 2010 change was an absolute nightmare. Not the install, that was perfect, the GPO upgrade script worked just fine and the OCT is great. The constant "CANT FIND xxx IN WORD!" is terrible.

  14. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    60 Hz

    ... and I want more than 60Hz for the monitor... I understand it is limited in W7, you guys in Europe maybe don't understand, but our office lighting is 60Hz too...

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Windows

      @AC

      Over here in Europe we're usually at 50Hz but even so; my monitor sits at 70Hz. My options are: 60, 70, 72 and 75Hz.

      I suggest you consider getting better hardware or more suitable drivers for whatever you're using.

    2. Darryl

      Re: 60 Hz

      Win7 has basically the same options as XP did, just buried in a different location, like everything. But, you can still set to any resolution/refresh/colour depth that your adapter and monitor can handle. It has the usual "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" checkbox checked, but you can uncheck that and go nuts.

  15. John Sanders
    Linux

    I showed Win 8 to one of my customers today...

    I visited a customer's premises today, they are finishing a migration to windows 7 from XP, I had to fix a myriad of problems on many windows 7 workstations because:

    A) Automatic updates on windows updating drivers break or change the screen resolution.

    B) Printers that for some reason do not work again (driver related too)

    C) Acrobat reader/pro automatic updates breaking stuff.

    D) Automatic updates in flash breaking older versions of Firefox

    E) Automatic updates in Java breaking Java applications.

    F) Firefox new UI (from v3) confusing everybody out (had to reorganize the interface so it looks like v3

    G) Internet explorer 8/9 new GUI confusing everybody out.

    H) General Windows 7 UI confusing everybody out, the taskbar behaves very differently (FOR THE WORST) Too many transparencies everywhere.

    The questions everybody makes:

    Why the heck do they have to update so often and break stuff?

    Why does the interface change for no good reason?

    This company has a mix of old/young people, and everybody is puzzled by some issue or another, curiously the older employees are the ones having less issues (they have more patience)

    When I showed Windows 8 to them (because they asked for a demo), they said to me that if I ever attempt to deploy that Windows they will throw me and the computers through the window.

  16. Anonymous Coward
    Devil

    Windows 8 is crap

    Oh! I retract that statement.

  17. mhenriday
    Pint

    Aren't critics being a tad too negative here ?

    Rather than an «unprecedented insult» to women, shouldn't «0xB16B00B5» instead be regarded as an unprecendented encouragement to plastic surgeons ? After all, they get paid to put the implants in and then, when it is discovered how dodgy they are, they get paid to take them out again. A real win-win !...

    Henri

This topic is closed for new posts.

Other stories you might like