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IRL (In Real Life) => Tech Talk => Topic started by: eyebiter on April 09, 2012, 02:55:01 PM

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Post by: eyebiter on April 09, 2012, 02:55:01 PM
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Post by: eyebiter on May 01, 2012, 07:13:43 PM
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Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: MIGMaster on May 01, 2012, 08:19:18 PM
Oh no..... I'm scared. It looks like an Apple product only worse !
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Bison on May 01, 2012, 08:35:46 PM
I'm sticking with Win 7.
Title: .
Post by: eyebiter on May 30, 2012, 07:16:42 PM
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Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on May 30, 2012, 07:46:08 PM
That interface looks as ugly as an old Eastern Block subway map.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: eyebiter on September 17, 2012, 03:15:15 PM
This one is great

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjustdwl.net%2Fimages%2F2012%2FJune%2F19%2F4fe095c8aea52.jpg&hash=7761ff87daf0c273e16fdcd40419437a1464dd91)
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: W8taminute on September 18, 2012, 10:33:14 AM
My October issue of GameInformer magazine arrived yesterday and there was an interesting article are Windows 8.  There seems to be some talk that Windows 8 will be a closed system, something like iOS in which you are not able to buy any games unless they come from a Microsoft App Store.  Steam and it's kind are in danger of being driven out of business because of this.

Anyone hear anything to this effect?  A lot of indie PC game companies would probably close shop or be severely crippled if this news is true.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Martok on September 18, 2012, 12:35:54 PM
Quote from: W8taminute on September 18, 2012, 10:33:14 AM
My October issue of GameInformer magazine arrived yesterday and there was an interesting article are Windows 8.  There seems to be some talk that Windows 8 will be a closed system, something like iOS in which you are not able to buy any games unless they come from a Microsoft App Store.  Steam and it's kind are in danger of being driven out of business because of this.

Anyone hear anything to this effect?  A lot of indie PC game companies would probably close shop or be severely crippled if this news is true.
I think Microsoft would be risking committing virtual suicide if they did that, as one of the PC's main advantages over Apple products (although it's rapidly shrinking) is its viability as a gaming platform.  At the very least, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot! 


Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: LongBlade on September 18, 2012, 12:41:31 PM
+1 with Martok.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Arctic Blast on September 18, 2012, 02:08:00 PM
There is going to be an MS App Store, but it isn't going to be the only place software can be purchased. It WILL be the only way you can acquire MS approved apps, but they aren't closing the whole system off to Steam and everyone else. The sheer amount of disinformation flying around regarding this OS is mind boggling (not blaming you W8, blaming the idiot who clearly spent 3 minutes skimming message boards before he wrote that article).
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: W8taminute on September 19, 2012, 12:14:11 PM
That's good news Arctic.  The article I read was indeed short and did not talk about the ability of purchasing software outside of the MS App Store.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on September 19, 2012, 08:50:34 PM
I'm trying to run the preview version in Virtualbox on ubuntu linux but I need some AMD VT thing set in bios.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 26, 2012, 09:30:52 PM
Since that last post I was able to run 8 in virtualbox. The metro desktop is what it is. I click desktop and go to a familiar windows desktop but without a taskbar or start button. Pressing the windows key brings up a window with your apps.

I'm downloading the $39 USD upgrade to 8 Pro as I type this. Since I have XP on both computers, I need to upgrade at least one at this price. I have ubuntu linux 12.04 on a second HDD just in case.

More later...
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 26, 2012, 10:09:11 PM
Let us know what Win8 brings to the table that would make it worth the grief of upgrading from XP or 7. Don't care about tablets as I'm quite happy with iOS atm.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 27, 2012, 12:25:36 AM
Pro: I don't have to worry that the next number version of IE, DX, .Net, WMP, etc will work with XP. I don't have to wonder what happens when support ends. Supposed to be faster, optimized. Syncs with other hardware that I do not own at the moment. If I buy a touch screen I can use it.

Con: 32 bit version still does not use all 4 gb of ram even though I needed a PAE compatible CPU. To upgrade from a 32 bit version to W8 64 you have to buy the DVD version.
Learning curve.
Reinstalling software (now called apps) and hope that they work.

The system starts in the Metro touch screen. Click desktop and you see a familiar look. Press the Windows key and get to whatever you need.

The download did not take long and installation was about an hour. Everything hardware works so far.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 27, 2012, 11:55:53 AM
I decided to give it a shot as well since it looked like the upgrade wouldn't be a complete reinstall over XP unlike Win 7. Well... after getting past the tile screen to something that looks like a desktop I found all my icons still in place. Unfortunately the install removed everything in the program folder while leaving any and all icons as well as all pointers and references. The only programs that work are the ones that were installed to other directories. Of those, none has run properly yet. AT Gold won't update and Battlefield Academy keeps trying to patch but I've no clue where the D/Led patch went. >:(. Also, it looks like all those .net things have to be reinstalled as well. Any game or program that automatically looks for updates is blocked from doing so.

Hey, J2D, do you know if there is a program drop down list option such as was available through the old start button? All the Win key does is cycle between the desktop and the tile screen.


I'm starting to think that for niche wargamers and for indi developers who already have games out all the naysayers predicting Win 8 to be a disaster may not be too far off the mark.  :(
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 27, 2012, 01:05:12 PM
Mouse pointer to the left corner up or down should bring up a picture of what you have going on elsewhere, then slide the pointer down or up to see more.

Pointer to the right corners gives you other options. Start takes you from the desktop to the metro menu. Search takes you to a page with your apps. I have not found a dropdown/up menu like old windows.

It is taking me a while to get used to it. I updated the apps and found more stuff like free games.

The pre install thingy warned me that .Net would not work. I guess I need to install those before installing any games.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on October 27, 2012, 04:14:21 PM
Quote from: Staggerwing on October 26, 2012, 10:09:11 PM
Let us know what Win8 brings to the table that would make it worth the grief of upgrading from XP or 7.


Exactly.  I'm tired of companies churning buggy crap to get yet another hit of revenue. A lot of companies have no intention of ever making a stable product because they would have to shut down next year. The longer they game the system that faster people cease to care.


Give me a stable OS where apps run in closed virtual machines. Viruses, malware, etc should have no ability to do anything.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 27, 2012, 06:25:02 PM
Panzer Command won't run, I suspect .Net 1.1 is outdated.
Combat Mission Shock Force won't run, error for OpenGL, recommends new driver. AMD/ATI does not have a W8 driver.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 27, 2012, 06:55:23 PM
The only thing I've gotten to run so far are mostly Paradox games and Ageod stuff. HPS' Jutland seems ok as well. War Plan Orange gives a 'fatal error 770- cant get exclusive control of the screen' or some such thing. Arcanum seems ok though.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 27, 2012, 08:51:23 PM
I installed .Net 1.1 and Panzer Command now works.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 28, 2012, 12:44:01 PM
Found a page at AMD with legacy drivers for my GPU and W8. CMSF now working well.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 28, 2012, 02:06:31 PM
I find that closing programs is a pain. Do the 'tile' programs such as 'Maps', 'Music' and 'Explorer' close by themselves once you return to desktop? They don't have 'close' buttons. Also, I really miss having an 'All Programs' list such as was available under the old 'Start' button menu. Is there a way to set one up? Right now if I want to fire up a legacy program such as a game or spreadsheet or something like my eBay Sniping program I have to hope I have a desktop icon or I have to go dishing through all the folders and try to figure out which .exe or .bat or whatnot will start 'er up.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 28, 2012, 03:42:02 PM
There are a few webpages that list the hotkeys for W8. The tile apps can be closed with alt+F4

windows key + Q opens search but there is no all programs menu that I can find.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 28, 2012, 04:39:38 PM
 I'm going to try to reinstall a few games and see what happens. Most of them either don't start or toss out errors such as 'invalid serial'. I'm starting to think that all I've got here is a glorified media server that might play a game or two when it feels like it. I'm so very glad I chose to try it out on a spare 'puter that I was going to purge and reformat anyway.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 28, 2012, 07:40:42 PM
Go to youtube and look up <oops> be back with the proper name

Short and helpful
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 28, 2012, 07:42:48 PM
That is so bookmarked now...  :) Thanks!
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on October 28, 2012, 07:46:32 PM
Oh you found it? This guy

http://www.youtube.com/user/JAGTutorials
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: Staggerwing on October 28, 2012, 07:48:21 PM
He has a webpage: http://jagtutorials.com/. I googled it right after you posted.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on November 10, 2012, 11:51:28 PM
I haven't found a good reason to keep using the Start screen or apps on a desktop PC. I finally installed the Classic Start program. It also adds a toolbar to IE10 although I usually use firefox.

Windows Media Center is free for W8 buyers until January.
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: junk2drive on November 22, 2012, 07:26:09 PM
I have found IE10 to be faster than FF and better at streaming.

Screenshot tip

QuoteThis isn't the case with the old Print Screen > Paste into Paint procedure that has been around since Windows 3, but it is something that has been revised for Windows 8. Taking a screen grab is now fiendishly effortless – just by using a keyboard combination (Win + Print Screen or Win + Volume Down on tablets) Windows 8 takes a screenshot of the current screen and even saves it as a PNG file in the Pictures library!
Title: Re: Windows 8 preview versions
Post by: eyebiter on December 21, 2012, 05:27:15 AM
Windows 8: The Animated Evaluation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTYet-qf1jo