Windows 8 and VP12

[Dave Haynie]

For those intent on using Windows 8, another option is Classic Shell. This is a free, open source application that restores “a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but were later removed”. It works.. in fact, you have more options around Start Menu and some other bits than you do under any single Windows desktop shell (MS’s is, of course, called “Explorer” — but it’s the same thing, a desktop shell): https://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

With that said, there’s no reason I can imagine for a desktop user to upgrade to Windows 8. They make the usual claims about better security, but real security is a user’s practice, not a magic bullet in an OS. It does boot faster — they have a fairly clever hack that could been retrofit into Windows 7 for this, but it’s not such a big deal.

And the rest is RT/Metro, which is Microsoft’s answer to the iPad, basically. It’s a whole new OS running on top of the same NT kernel that Win32/Win64 and POSIX (there’s also a POSIX layer in Windows, essentially yet another OS for administrators and geeks). But make no mistake, it’s a devolution. WinRT/Metro (yeah, you’re not suppose to say “Metro”, but they have yet to replace that name properly) is probably as good for tablets as iOS or Android, other than there not being significant applications. All RT apps are sold only through the Microsoft store, and they don’t use Windows — you’re full screen, or two-by-two (you can two next to each other, basically half screen). That’s it.

And that’s a huge no-go for professional work. There’s sort of this meme around that claims tablets are for content only, not creation. Microsoft, of course, is claiming their tablet is different… without actually giving a single reason why that might be, other than the optional keyboard. Apple and many Android tablets have an option, some, like on my Asus Transformer, work as well or better than Microsoft’s.

But they missing piece here isn’t even screen size/resolution (the Asus has the same 1920×1200 I’m typing on here, albeit on a 10″ screen), but the lost ability to collaborate. Any creative project is a collaboration, even if its just with yourself. You’re talking ideas, assets, etc. and molding them into something new. But that doesn’t happen in a single application. Whether I’m writing a song, designing a circuit, drawing a PCB, a editing a video, writing a program, mixng an audio recording, etc. there are dozens of pieces of information, from dozens of sources, being taken in, molded, etc. to my ultimate goal. That doesn’t happen when you can only have one application in your visual context at a time. And this the HUGE fail in Windows Metro, WinRT, Modern, whatever you want to call it. And sadly, the press is so obsessed with the iPad and the mentality that’s created (which, again, fine for content use), this really hasn’t been brought forth. If this is really Microsoft’s planned future, we’re all going to be sticking with an older version or switching to some other OS in the next decade or so.

-Dave

[John Rofrano]

[Dave Haynie] “With that said, there’s no reason I can imagine for a desktop user to upgrade to Windows 8”

Agreed. This is also pretty much what Engadget said in their Windows 8 review which is worth a read. What they said in their warp up was:

Though you could install Windows 8 on an older Win 7 system and use it solely with a mouse and keyboard, the market is filling up with touch-friendly PCs designed to be used with Win 8. … In general, we’d strongly recommend any of these over a PC that doesn’t have a touchscreen. … If you have an older system whose touchpad won’t support Windows 8 gestures, you might want to stick with Win 7 until you’re ready to buy a new PC — without that touch input, many of those new features will be lost on you.

After using Windows 8 for a little while now I would have to agree. Windows 8 has nothing but frustration for mouse and keyboard users which means “all content creators everywhere” and I see no reason to upgrade unless you also upgrade to a touch capable device.

[Dave Haynie] ” If this is really Microsoft’s planned future, we’re all going to be sticking with an older version or switching to some other OS in the next decade or so.”

Already switched to Mac OS X late last year and there’s no looking back. I only wish there was a Mac version of Vegas Pro so I can finally get rid of my Windows PC. 🙁

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Neil Porter]

Thanks for this. Your presentation of Win8 faults with respect to several windows being open at once – but not in Win 8 – is a major aspect. I can’t work unless I can have that. It’s changed my mind. I have had a concern that Win8 will be ‘here to stay’ and that I would be left behind but I will just have to take my chances with that.

Regards,
Neil Porter

[John Rofrano]

[Neil Porter] ” I have had a concern that Win8 will be ‘here to stay’ and that I would be left behind but I will just have to take my chances with that.”

Windows 8 will probably be the slowest adoption of any version of Windows we’ve ever seen. If you think it took corporations a long time to migrate from XP, I can’t imagine any company in the world willing to absorb the enormous cost of retraining their workers with absolutely zero gain, and in fact, negative productivity gain because they won’t have touch screen and it will take longer to do simple things that use to take one or two clicks. Windows 7 will probably be around for a long, long, time just like XP is still around. I wouldn’t be in a rush to adopt it unless you just purchased an Ultrabook or something.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Peter Brown]

yes John I could not agree with you more Widows 8 is a big step backwards for the Desktop computer,
My favourite button has become the windows button to try and get some sort of normality to the system
I have been running window 8 for a month on one of my computers with Vegas 12 pro and some parts worked OK but I could not render anything in mp4 , avc, all I get is double images the same fileS work fine in window 7
my tip to everyone.
KEEP WELL AWAY FROM WINDOWS 8 !