A First Look at the Windows Technical Preview

HippsieGypsie said:

Geez, how many boxes do you have? By all means not knocking you, but that's like the record amount of licenses I've seen around here.

Have you tried 3rd party for Aero?

I have 3 boxes for Media Center one has 2 tuners 1 one tuner, the other one just a media center playing whatever. All have Blu Ray players and DVD players. I can play Region 2 (UK DVD) as I was from there 15 years ago. My wife has a box of her own ( don't dare tweak that one once it is right) and I myself have 4 at my desk running on 3 monitors. We also have a netbook and a tower I am giving to my brother in law as it has the slowest CPU. I am disabled with heart trouble so pretty much housebound so this is what I do.
I run virtual machines and can wipe and set up my Windows exactly as I like in no time at all. I image them as well. Nine PC's in total plus the one built up of parts for my brother in law. Some of us here go shooting, fishing, camping, hiking, motor racing etc. Computers is a big interest to me. I also have plenty of systems to fool with while still being fully up to speed.

No I did not know there was a 3rd part Aero, it has to be pretty stable and reliable. I don't want any instability.

Indianatone said:

Why, because I can and I'm a Geek. I like it fine in non metro mode except for the anemic look and lack of Aero. Was given 2 as gifrs and bought one when it came out at sale price. You can never have enough Windows Licenses. If M$ does what they say and upgrade 8.1 users for free I'll be sitting pretty too.

Fair enough mate. I'm not much of a geek when it comes to technology. I enjoy using computers, but am content with just the basics.

supertweaker said:

Only true of PDA devices. Desktop and Laptop computer users with a mouse and keyboard will always need and want the traditional Start Button/Start Menu/All Programs list. Navigating the system from the search field to all directories and files is a must. It's fast and efficient.

I use a Desktop PC and a laptop and do not need nor want a Start Menu, so please do not speak for me. I am not alone either so please do not presume we all think like you do.

I have no problems navigating the Start Screen with a keyboard and mouse. Keyboard and trackball in my case. Quick and efficient, and faster than drilling down though a start menu.

supertweaker said:

Only true of PDA devices. Desktop and Laptop computer users with a mouse and keyboard will always need and want the traditional Start Button/Start Menu/All Programs list.

I agree with alphanumeric, Lee, and many others. The Start Screen (along with Apps screen) is fast, fluid, and informational.

Navigating the system from the search field to all directories and files is a must. It's fast and efficient.

Not quite sure what you mean here. If speaking of search within Start Menu, 8.1 Smart Search is far, far better. Smart Search: Reinvented for Windows 8.1

Keyboard combos:

WinKey/S or Q (everything except when in IE, WinKey/Q when in IE is search with Bing via IE)
WinKey/F (files)
WinKey/W (settings)

Attachment 5177

Attachment 5178

Some scenarios:

I'm working along and just remembered I have to email Nathan again (notice I said again). WinKey > type "nathan k” > Search result appears and “Email Nathan” is on the list because Bing records frequent events and/or searches.


Attachment 5159


Had he not been in history this would have opened to choose options. One is his profile in my People app. Choose Email in this case. Email app opens.


Attachment 5160


But since he did appear, arrow key down then Enter > Email app opens and a draft email is addressed to him > Type email > Alt/S > Alt/F4 > Walla! Done!


Attachment 5161


I'm working along and the wife texts me that I have to cook dinner tonight and she wants chicken. Ugh! I don't like her recipe and I don't have one. WinKey/S > Type "Chicken recipes".


Attachment 5162


Press a result on the drop-down list > Search result appears, which is saved on a separate screen to refer back to if need be. Scroll down that screen and it will show Store results also.

I'm writing this post in Word 2013. Notice that because the words "Chicken recipes" is contained in it, it shows the Word file even though I have it open.


Attachment 5163


Select as many interesting ones as desired for they will each open on a separate IE tab > Make a decision on one or multiple > Either Ctrl/P to print or better yet WinKey/C > Share > Email it to yourself so to have it on any device including what? > Your PDA. You could add multiple email addresses to share it with anyone. I myself would use OneNote since I use that a lot.


Attachment 5164


I have a file, but I don’t know what it’s titled and not sure what extension it’s in. However, I do know it was an Office file and contains the words “square feet”. WinKey/F > Type “square feet” > Enter and walla! It finds the file I was looking for. Not sure why it brought up the other files, but I don’t care. It found the Excel file titled “Design Rates” which is what I was after.


Attachment 5165


The search results come up very quickly. No need to waste time opening File Explorer or a lot of programs to accomplish things. If needed, an app opens automatically, therefore a lot of times we don't have to chase through any menu in any form. :) I'm aware that files and programs are easily found within the Start Menu search, but that's about it. Kind of limited next to what Smart Search performs.

These tasks didn't disturb anything on my desktop or Modern screen I was working on to quickly return to. WinKey or Alt/Tab gets me back to that. All the apps needed to complete the task opened automatically. I'm assuming with multiple virtual desktops added in 9 multitasking will be even easier, even in the Modern Store apps.

Some claim this may not be suitable for enterprise?! Let's get real. This is a very productive system. How's 7, Linux, Chrome, and/or iOS looking now?

This post brought to you by


Attachment 5167

Some more eye-candy....

Hope it's real - entirely transparent taskbar looks good...



Source:

Device recognition...



Source: PCBeta