Windows 8 MS Preview - How Will WB Work on This?

from JoeUser Forums

 

If I don’t succeed in getting the YouTube Vid into this, the vid and article appear on Lifehacker’s  homepage.

It poses a very interesting question… what’s going to happen to skinning with the advent of Windows 8 on PC’s?

You see, There isn’t a Start Menu and taskbar, nor traditional windows. There’s a Start Page, and basically a Smart Phone interface with tiles and the weather tile appears to be a widget.

So what do you think?

 

To me at least, this diverges a good deal from prior build leaked (and employees fired) where there was a traditional taskbar and orb. Now it looks like they're using "Tiles" or an equivalent with a Winflag button (replacing the orb) to return to the Start Page...

There were other buttons (on the right side on the "Tiles" type bar or dock) but their function wasn't demo'd. 

123,760 views 73 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think ite feaky. I think its gonna be totally confusing. No taskbar, Startmenu? A smart page and a telephone. Where are we? In the yellow pages? That's what it sounds like. I'd have to see it. On a touch screen it looks great. The only thing I saw to skin is the keyboard or maybe the windows themselves. Doesn't look like it would exclude docks. you can go anywhere on your computer same as with the start menu. Bins might suffer without the taskbar. Unless you can make a taskbar that's a widget. Oh wait...that's DX. More to come.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think Stardock will be out of business with Windows 8.  I also think Windows 8 is a complete waste from what I have seen.  Gee, another Windows Me and Windows Vista, just what we need! :(

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

well its a pretty big change from what windows always has been. i don't see people giving up windows 7 for this anytime soon.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

What is wrong with microsoft? This is a terrible idea! Why must they keep changing our interfaces???

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm betting there'll be an option to use the Orb and taskbar or this new appearing thing. Don't forget, not everyone has a huge, touch screen computer.

Here are some of the prior leaked screen shots of 8.

http://windows8news.com/2011/04/13/leaked-windows-8-screenshots-gallery/

 

The MS announcement:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2011/jun11/06-01corporatenews.aspx

 

 

 

 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I see a taskbar and plenty of windows. I don't think Stardock will go under. I think it'll adapt, albeit slowly, but still adapt. Too much too lose not to.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This is more than likely why any news of updates to and future developments for the customizing software from Stardock has not been forthcoming. 

Just my opinion, but I think we are in for a whole new ball game when it comes to the Desktop User Interface.

Oh my, and you all thought there was alot of uproar with the release of Vista and Windows 7 leaving poor XP by the side of the road with no future.  :O

Individually and collectively we need to take a very close look at the video in the OP and decide real quick if we are going to part of the future. 

I know one thing.......if anyone of importance is reading this.........I would love to be in on the beta testing.   :-" 

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I thought Windows XP was going to kill Stardock. No wait, Vista for sure. Ok. Windows 7 then..

Incidentally, this is a demo of Windows 8 for tablets.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 8
I thought Windows XP was going to kill Stardock. No wait, Vista for sure. Ok. Windows 7 then..

Incidentally, this is a demo of Windows 8 for tablets.
End of Frogboy's quote

Ahhhh, now that would make sense, but the presenter did seem to slip in that the interface would also work with a mouse,  just saying. *_*

Of course if Stardock would like to show what might be in store for the Desktop with Windows 8 there is a ready, anxious and excited community waiting for the show to start.  :rofl:

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It's the immersive UI mode of Windows 8.  Great for tablets just like Media Center experience is good in its way too.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

After getting it right with Win7, I suppose they are due to stuff up the next one.

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Stmorpheus, reply 3
well its a pretty big change from what windows always has been. i don't see people giving up windows 7 for this anytime soon.
End of Stmorpheus's quote

While people may not "Give up" windows 7 for it.. since the pricing is basically the same those of us who haven't upgraded to windows 7 will be more than willing to shell out the SAME PRICE for windows 8 instead of 7. With MS history of pricing I imagine it will be in the same price range as windows 7 killing any retail sales of 7.(as if there were alot to speak of) Lets be honest here.. people who build computers don't upgrade til long after the cycle(and issues have been worked out).. the only people who tend to use new OS are those who buy new PCs, and those who skipped an OS or 2 before upgrading.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hmmm... Tricky business...  I think that most people will run 7 and some XP for a veery long time no matter what mumbojumbo MS cook up 2 make a few dollars more, but 7 will be new standard. :cylon:

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
2011Win7VistaWin2003WinXPLinuxMacMobile
April 35.9% 7.6% 0.9% 40.9% 5.1% 8.3% 0.8%
March 34.1% 7.9% 0.9% 42.9% 5.1% 8.0% 0.7%
February 32.2% 8.3% 1.0% 44.2% 5.1% 8.1% 0.7%
January 31.1% 8.6% 1.0% 45.3% 5.0% 7.8% 0.7%
               
2010Win7VistaWin2003WinXPW2000LinuxMac
December 29.1% 8.9% 1.1% 47.2% 0.2% 5.0% 7.3%
November 28.5% 9.5% 1.1% 47.0% 0.2% 5.0% 7.7%
October 26.8% 9.9% 1.1% 48.9% 0.3% 4.7% 7.6%
September 24.3% 10.0% 1.1% 51.7% 0.3% 4.6% 7.2%
August 22.3% 10.5% 1.3% 53.1% 0.4% 4.9% 6.7%
July 20.6% 10.9% 1.3% 54.6% 0.4% 4.8% 6.5%
June 19.8% 11.7% 1.3% 54.6% 0.4% 4.8% 6.8%
May 18.9% 12.4% 1.3% 55.3% 0.4% 4.5% 6.7%
April 16.7% 13.2% 1.3% 56.1% 0.5% 4.5% 7.1%
March 14.7% 13.7% 1.4% 57.8% 0.5% 4.5% 6.9%
February 13.0% 14.4% 1.4% 58.4% 0.6% 4.6% 7.1%
January 11.3% 15.4% 1.4% 59.4% 0.6% 4.6% 6.8%

 

Not a lot of Win7 sales?

That's the current stats for OS usage....;)

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

hahaha

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

BTW....following that trend by now [June] the ratio of XP to Win7 would be about 50-50 ...;)

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'd wager that part of the reason Win7's numbers are so high is that Vista was such a dog.  Had Vista not been so problematic, I'd imagine that a lot of Win7's percentage would be in the Vista column.  In other words, with Win7 being a decent o/s, I doubt Win8 would experience such a solid showing unless it's truly spectacular.  I also imagine it's a pretty safe bet that upgrading from XP to Win8 would not be much of a plan, a new machine would probably be involved.

Anyway I'm sure one way or another there'll be plenty to skin/customize on Win8.  No matter what it looks like, variety is always good. |-)

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 10
It's the immersive UI mode of Windows 8.  Great for tablets just like Media Center experience is good in its way too.
End of Frogboy's quote

I agree. Lifehacker's article and MS VP both clearly state that it's for touch screen computers. They also state that keyboards and mice will work as well.

Then I added: 

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 5
I'm betting there'll be an option to use the Orb and taskbar or this new appearing thing. Don't forget, not everyone has a huge, touch screen computer.

Here are some of the prior leaked screen shots of 8.

http://windows8news.com/2011/04/13/leaked-windows-8-screenshots-gallery/

 

The MS announcement:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2011/jun11/06-01corporatenews.aspx 
End of DrJBHL's quote
 

 

I bet this is a way to market the same thing two different ways, and that the user will have a choice which to purchase, OR a choice which mode to deploy on the same PC. 

The world economic situation will not change by end 2012 (when Ballmer insists it will deploy Wndows 8) so I doubt we'll see a a shrinking customization market if at all... depends on whether Tablets replace laptops, which they seem to be doing. I believe that this "build" is not a "final choice" and that MS is sowing the seeds for future markets. I stated and still believe that the Orb/Taskbar will be with us a long time as an option: Not as a separate OS. Very few will be able to afford that, and MS has always gone for the largest market. In this case, that will probably be an option for either/both on the same installation except for the Tablet, only the "Immersive Mode" as Brad put it.

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be great to have a TabletWB... I remember we used to skin phones... with "PocketBlinds". I'm officially old for remembering that. 

I also believe this is a great way to generate "buzz" in the computer world and the blogosphere, again in MS's interest.

Incidentally, I like the way it looks, and plan on investing in Windex futures. Especially when it comes to HG's computer. ;)

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That would be interesting. HG_Eliminator's Pizza PC. Sounds yummy.  

Yo...we can learn how to skin pizza.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

per Jafo's post it looks like there are still alot of xp users out there. maybe I'll reconsider and up my win7 to include the one that has the xp mode also??

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Another question. I think I asked this before but what the hey...is the XP mode limited to the Ultimate version or can it found on the Pro version too.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 Decided.... I don´t like it. :typo:

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

@gmc2 of the snappy new icon, depends whether you have programs solely suited to XP (that will only run on XP). If so, and you find no alternative to them, then I'd up to 7-Pro or 7-Ultimate. 

BTW, there's a great site where you can search for free alternatives for pricey software items: http://alternativeto.net/  

Quoting Uvah, reply 21
Another question. I think I asked this before but what the hey...is the XP mode limited to the Ultimate version or can it found on the Pro version too.
End of Uvah's quote


@PurpleUvah, 7-Pro and 7-Ultimate both have "XP Mode" in which you can run "XP only" software (which has no W7 alternative) - look at my answer to gmc2. 

Reply #24 from Elemental Forums Top

XP Mode is on Pro too.  I've got Win 7 Pro 32-bit so I know how XP Mode works. =) However, it will generally only run programs that don't require special graphics drivers and the like.  So a lot of productivity software will work, but games (apart from simple ones, like in-built OS games) in general won't.

Best regards,
Steven.

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 10
It's the immersive UI mode of Windows 8.  Great for tablets just like Media Center experience is good in its way too.
End of Frogboy's quote

 

Thanks for the clarification Brad, phew!