Windaz 8

[realityhack]

I would like to see a user definable grid system for laying out windows and an easier way of tiling them and adjusting the dividing lines. Once you have a sufficiently large screen that's exactly what you need.

Not a bad idea. Patent it quickly before it gets into the public domain. Oh, wait...

[stek]

How can anyone seriously think this is any good, honestly CDE is better.....

[VectraMan]

That's stoopid. The first has some applications running, and the second is just showing the launcher application. At least they're not stuck on the Windows 3.1 Program Manager interface (like Apple devices).

I've installed it in VirtualBox too. I don't know what to think; I can see the green slidey interface might be good on a touchscreen, but I can't imagine ever having the desire to use it on a desktop. And then there's also the desktop interface that I can't imagine wanting to use on a tablet. I don't really understand why they're trying to give us both in the same OS, rather than have different flavours of the OS based on the same stuff underneath as they've traditionally done.

Of course it is a preview, so maybe there's a grand plan of better integration to come.

[PAH]

I don't really understand why they're trying to give us both in the same OS, rather than have different flavours of the OS based on the same stuff underneath as they've traditionally done.

To make sure everyone upgrades to W8 instead of touchy people upgrading to W8 and desky people staying on W7.

They can then charge a premium for other stuff that everyone might find handy, like proper virtualization, rather than trying to put a premium tag on coloured tiles.

[PAH]

I don't want fingerprints all over my screen.

I've patented a new device called a Wimble, a thimble that works on Windows touchscreens.

Also working on a Gimble, a thimble that works on Google touchpads.

Having trouble with the Apple version, can't think of a suitable name.

[doodab]

Having trouble with the Apple version, can't think of a suitable name.

iMble?

Or iMac Universal Navigation Tool?

[scooterscot]

Installed it on VWware, parallels did not like it.

Starting a famiier application means navigating more than before. A Step backwards surely.

[VectraMan]

Can anybody work out how to actually close an application having started it? This is often the way with phones and tablets too: you can never figure out what's running.

One interesting thing is that Aero is functioning in my Windows 8 VM, which never worked with W7 or Vista under VirtualBox. I guess they're taking hardware acceleration as red, even though there is none and the GUI is clunky as a result.

I notice the new Visual Studio has a "Store" menu.

[Sysman]

How can anyone seriously think this is any good, honestly CDE is better.....

Funny, I was just thinking that earlier this morning.

Though I must admit, my main use of CDE was to create terminal sessions.

BTW have you seen the later incarnations of KDE? Animated icons, wobbly windows, and a bouncing thing that follows the mouse pointer, underneath it and with a delay. I think someone got the inspiration for that from putting Christmas decorations up (while supping too much sherry).

[Spacecadet]

Installed it on VWware, parallels did not like it.

Starting a famiier application means navigating more than before. A Step backwards surely.

if you're starting it from the Metro interface then it should be one click - assuming you've arranged your applications sensibly and not just making life difficult for yourself in order to complain.

Applications can be pinned to the task bar a la windows 7

There is a registry tweak to turn the metro interface off, this (on my installation anyway) appeared to hide a lot of other windows 8 new features. Personally I think that most developers will be turning the metro interface off, just installing visual studio 2010 introduced about 10 new tiles to the interface.