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Windows 8 is … Crap, Rubbish, Awful, Terrible, Horrible, Slow, A Disaster, A Flop?

google.co.uk windows 8 is ... search

Interestingly, I posted about downgrading my laptop from Windows 8 to Windows 7 because that’s what I wanted and didn’t particularly like Windows 8, and I’ve had a mini-debate going on with my blog readers.

It all started because I included an image of the google.co.uk’s automatic suggestion’s for “windows 8 is” which were all negative – “crap”, “rubbish”, “terrible”, “awful”

It seems that people think it’s some kind of conspiracy by Google to slag off Microsoft, and not that anyone would genuinely dislike Windows 8. One of my readers suggested I take a look at Bing, Microsoft’s own search engine. Amazingly I have to report that their suggestions for “windows 8 is” are worse than Google’s … who said there is no such thing as bad publicity ?

bing windows 8 is ... search (2)

Seven critical suggestions and only one positive, and this is MICROSOFT’s own search engine, bing belongs to Microsoft ! If Bill Gates was dead, he’d be turning in his grave now … Anyway …


I’m not able to get google.com where I am, you yanks can google it yourselves, but here’s what google.co.th says :

google.co.th windows 8 is ... search

“is not supported on this mac” – and there was me thinking Apple had there own operating system !

And google.ca :

google.ca windows 8 is ... search

And google.ch :

google.ch windows 8 is ... search

And google.com.au :

google.com.au windows 8 is ... search

And finally yahoo.co.uk :

yahoo windows 8 is ... search

For me that’s fairly conclusive evidence that Windows 8 is in fact very very unpopular, I mean really what were they thinking adding a new startup screen and removing the start button … Technically it might be great, and seems OK from what little use I’ve made of it, but so was Betamax and that flopped massively. I think Microsoft wanted to jump on the handheld/touchscreen bandwagon because they thought they were (or would be) missing out.

I’ll have a look at Windows 8.1 when it arrives, as it’s rumoured they are putting start button back in, and perhaps they’ll remove the hideous startup screen. For now I’m happy with Windows 7, so sticking with it.

Happy google’ing !

304 thoughts on “Windows 8 is … Crap, Rubbish, Awful, Terrible, Horrible, Slow, A Disaster, A Flop?”

  1. Last year, my husband bought me a hot-off-the–assembly-line Toshiba laptop with Windows 8. While I wouldn’t say it is as horrible as some of the search results, I did miss good old Windows 7. I would also like the “start” button back. That would make it so much easier to use. Thank you for liking my blog.

  2. I hate Windows 8. Not only is it hard for me to use (and I spend 8 hours a day on the computer), but forget trying to teach my mother and aunt how to navigate their new laptops. 😦 This could make us all switch to Macs.

    1. LOL, ah if only I had the money, it might be entirely Apples everywhere … however they’ve managed to annoy me too by substandard upgrades and taking stuff out, also refused to refund a defective iTunes store purchase … So I blogged about reverting my Samsung laptop to Win 7 here – https://doncharisma.org/2013/07/17/samsung-laptop-windows-7-drivers-for-np350e7c-s02uk-and-windows-xp-drivers/

      So I don’t like Win 8 either, but there are alternatives, win 7 or even Ubuntu which is where I may go if this continues, and MS and Apple don’t sort this madness out …

      Warm regards

      DC

  3. Pingback: Google vs Bing… | Branch on Maybe

  4. I do not think that ‘downgrading’ is the correct word to use when you talk about changing from Windows 8 back to W7. I also hate Windows 8, so for me, changing back to W7 would actually be an upgrade! But it may be time to change to Ubuntu, as another person commented above.

    Is it not time that all the ‘experts’ at Microsoft actually got it right and produced a system that is good for people to use and secure, and one that does not continually need updates??

    Upgrade to Windows 7!

    jeritilley.wordpress.com

    1. Couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve said … “Upgrade to Windows 7” maybe I should do a post on it 🙂

      Keep in touch,

      Warm regards DC

  5. I haven’t used Windows 8 yet – and don’t want to – ever! I think one of the worst things for photographers is pawing your screen all the time – not a great idea, covering it with grease and stuff.
    Carol (Mountain Coward)

    1. LOL agree Carol, they’ve yet to produce a tablet that really competes with a desktop or laptop … However Panosonic did announce a 20″ tablet, that looked very tempting, but not sure I’d be able to afford it, suspect it’ll be thousands (which I don’t have) … warm regardS DC

  6. Interesting that I should see this column today. I just returned a 2-week-old Asus laptop because of Windows 8. Figuring out where the “Shut down” thing was … frustrating. It lost a document I was typing even though I saved it every paragraph. What it restored was not the last save. Windows 8 would pop up in the middle of my writing or Word would disappear. Then I’d have to do a search and destroy mission just to find what I was writing.

    I might be looking to replace it with a Mac … and I’ve had a Windows hard drive for years. Enjoyed your comments.

    1. You are welcome, seems there are many that are totally hacked off with windows 8, Microsoft a bit dumb.

      It should be possible to get windows 8 installed on a new laptop, I wrote about how I did mine here – https://doncharisma.org/2013/07/17/samsung-laptop-windows-7-drivers-for-np350e7c-s02uk-and-windows-xp-drivers/

      I looked into MAC but too expensive for me, the Mac Book Pro 17″ (now discontinued) would have been nearly £2000 and the laptop I bought was only £550 … I figured I keep the money and use it for something else.

      Anyway, you know what you want …

      Warm regards

      DC

  7. First off,

    Thank you for taking an interest in my little blog. >;=))====

    Next,

    I decided to finally ditch WINDOWS a couple of years ago, and went to Linux instead. WINDOWS XP was the last WINDOWS version I found to be worth using. WINDOWS 7 was a complete waste of time for me, and I was not very happy with its user experience. Sure, they did a lot to automate more of the tasks and settings, but at the price of stability and being able to further customize certain settings.

    It was also upsetting to me that some of my favorite applications and utilities would no longer run. Plus, those glaring security holes and backdoors had me thinking just how much LESS security I really have. So, Linux was a choice I was toying around with for a while. I have found some very good, user-friendly “distros” that were easy to install and configure. If you can read and understand the instructions, you can have a beautiful, functional desktop greet you on your next boot-up. WINE (WINDOWS-Emulator) can be used to run SOME WINDOWS apps, and their site has a compatibility-table on what is support so far.

    Just some thoughts for those who are adventurous!

    WINDOWS 7, 8, and whatever following versions are just too bloated and very clumsy for those of us who are power-users. So I have taken the time to learn about and use open-source and freeware applications and operating systems. WINDOWS, unfortunately, is more about big profits for MICROSOFT, and controlling users on what they can do and/or install on their own machines!

    – Rev. Jim

    1. You are welcome 🙂

      Glad to hear you’re happy with Linux, I’m probably headed in that direction, but turning the rudder is months rather than hours …

      Keep in touch …

      Don Charisma

  8. Hilarious! just goes to show you should never download a new version of an operating system until at least 6 months after launch. Let the other people get rid of all the bugs! Nice blog.

    1. Thanks man … and yes I’m learning fast not to do any upgrades since the “matrix” seems to have changed whereby you get worse than what you started with 🙂 warm regards DC

  9. Hey Don, thanks for visiting and subscribing to my blog.

    I agree with most users that resulted into those search engine results. Most of the updates to Win8 was mostly for tablet accessibility and overall “friendliness”. Though I’m not quite sure if the 8.1 update changes much of this. I would still disagree with Microsoft on their UI changes until the whole world is nothing but a touchscreen tablet treasure trove.

    1. You are more than welcome 🙂

      Yes this has been a hot topic and much debated … I think Microsoft will need to address these problems in Win 9 or they will really start to hurt their market share … professional people and many others will continue to use laptops and desktops that aren’t touch screen, at least for the foreseeable future.

      Keep in touch

      Don Charisma

  11. Thank you for the follow. And, yes, Windows 8 is crap. After my FB rant, I uninstalled it and reinstalled Windows 7 (plus all my programs that it blew up). My husband hung in for several months until he had to reinstall everything after downloading a “free” upgrade. The first time he did this it blew everything up. I guess he thought they’d have the bugs out by the time the second upgrade rolled around. HA! He’s now back to Windows 7.

  12. I’ve had some exposure to W8. And I must say, I haven’t had much trouble with it. But last year I did get the shot and this year I got the booster, So maybe that’s why I did so well around it.If you didn’t get inoculated, then you’ll just have to take some aspirin and drink lots of fluids and hope that the problems pass quickly. Thanks for following Humorous Interludes.I am humbled and delighted.

  14. I agree with everything you have written here and couldn’t fault you on any of it, even if I tried. I will not use Windows 8 Period. I refuse to buy any new PC or Laptop with Windows 8.

    In my opinion Windows XP is the best OS to date. Windows 7 is okay and has some good features but Microsoft just can’t help themselves by meddling with things, trying to fix things that aren’t broken, and reducing the ability of the user to customize the user experience. If you are the type of person that likes to get under the bonnet, so to speak, and configure and customize your own PC.by tweaking certain settings, windows 7 users will find that that ability has either been taken from them or the settings have been buried deeper and deeper in order to deter you. It is clear that Microsoft doesn’t like people teaking the settings from their restrictive default values and with Win 7 Microshite (as I call them) have made a decided effort to thwart this.

    Treating people like 5 year olds and dumbing down, is the general theme of Win 7. Getting back to Win 8…

    I for one resent having to use my bloody PC like a pissing mobile phone. Guess what? Mobile phones and tablets and ipads and all that garbage are useless for doing any real work on. So why on earth does Microshite feel the need to imitate garbage. Yes I welcome the fact that I can check my email on my phone or quickly pull up the odd web page here and there if I am out and about, but that’s about it. They are good for nothing else. Honestly, does anyone seriously believe that these shitty and limited devices are going to change the way people do business? I don’t think so and I personally can’t wait for this FAD technology to disappear.

    Sorry for the rant but I feel better now!!

    1. Hi Dude, thanks for your detailed comment … I agree with what you’re saying here … XP was great … Microsoft do keep on moving things around … I use Win 7 because it works and the technology hasn’t moved on enought to warrant an upgrade …

      As for iPhones and iPads, I’m very much like you don’t use them that much for anything “serious”. However I do see the potential for larger screen tablet computers to be a serious tool, but not on a 7 inch or 10 inch screen. Panasonic announced a 20″ touch screen tablet, now one of those bad-boys I would like. But until lager screen tablets are widely and inexpensively available, then laptops and desktops are still current.

      The other problem I see is that many people don’t have any money. This affects the whole economy and the technology ecosystem. Until prosperity is returned in the west, all of this will continue.

      Warm regards

      DC

    2. Unfortunately,

      Most of the FORTUNE 500 companies would disagree about mobile devices being such a waste. Being that I own a few websites, one of which is to become a web-store, I need to take that into consideration when it comes to designing and working on my websites. It is a real pain to take a website that does not yet support mobiles, and redesign it so that it will display properly on mobile screens.

      I know of many folks who do just about everything on mobile devices. That’s the crowd that folks like MICROSOFT and so forth market to. WINDOWS 8 is an attempt to keep up with ANDROID OS, APPLE’s IOS, etc, because THAT is the direction much of our market is going.

      Eventually,

      All “computers” will end up being mobile devices, without mechanical harddrives, and perhaps without keyboards too! So, notebook and desktop computers will become a thing of the past 😦 The “industries” want it that way.

    3. Glad you feel better, Neil. A free rant is better than a $200 session with a shrink.

      The reason for Microsoft shoving Vista–& now Windows 8–down everyone’s throats is for one reason–for years MS has been trying to get into the consumer hardware device market, like Apple did with their first iPods, and recently Google’s Android OS and chromebooks

      MS’s XBox is their one hardware success, but due to their business structure XBox is a separate business entity (which was a very good business move by Microsoft to do so).

      Vista was designed to be the software foundation for Microsoft’s newest smartphone and their line of “net-books” (precursors to the current tablets) and laptops (remember those funny “Mac vs PC” commercials?). When Windows 8 was released, did you notice that MS was showing it on their new Win 8 phones and their Surface touch-screen tablet?

      MS is even duplicating a lot of Apple’s consumer purchasing methods (Brick & Mortar stores, an iTunes-like shopping page, etc.)

      Just like they did with Vista, MS is forgetting that their biggest customers is not the home-consumer, it’s businesses. These are the guys that invest thousands of dollars in IT and look very carefully at the ROI. When you have one IT admin that has to support over 100 PCs and 2-5 servers, they are not about to upgrade their entire infrastructure every 2 years just because Billy Gates got a new gizmo. About 1/3 of the businesses right now are still running XP or Server 2003!

      Right now every IT colleague I talk to has no intention of upgrading their company to Windows 8 (including the computer OEM companies). Big reasons are poor ROI, no compatibility with their mission-critical software, and loss of employee productivity and downtime. Each one of these translates to loss of dollars (or euros or yen) out of their coffers. And when money talks, OSes walk.

      Don’t be surprised if in 16 months Windows 8 goes the way of Windows Vista, Windows Me, Microsoft Bob, Windows 2.0–and the Ford Edsel.

  15. Google.us says the same things. Hmmm….that would that statistically people think that windows 8 is dreadful…..that’s the conclusion I came to and I switched over to a Linux distribution for my computing needs. Works about the same as windows but the software is open-source and for the most part, free.

    1. I may go the Ubuntu route as and when I want to upgrade, I don’t have money for new OS’es and Ubuntu is free … also apps like GIMP have come on a longway, so can do the same stuff as photoshop … warm regards DC

    2. When it comes time to upgrade OSes I’ll probably go Ubuntu as it’s free, and I don’t need to be paying microsoft anymore than they’ve had already … Also GIMP and other free software come on a long way and comparable now with Photoshop … warm regards DC

  16. Windows 8 is… crap. We bought new all-in-one computers earlier this year, with dual Windows 7 & 8 operating systems; within 3 months I had lost all my data three times, had tech support out twice after having sent the first computer in to be replaced, and had to return no less than 3 new computers that Windows 8 had fried. Never again. We bought a computer from a local chain store, Windows 7, and wallah. No worries.

    1. Yes I’ve heard from a few win 8 lovers and many haters … personally I’ll wait for windows 9 or may go to Ubuntu for upgrade, as I don’t like having to pay for operating systems …

      1. Ubuntu is pretty good but the “toolbar” would freeze up on me, resulting in a reboot. I have tried several flavors of Ubuntu and several Linux Mint distros. I personally prefer Mint, but a lot of people like Ubuntu. You could also look into the Debian release as well, people seem to like that distro a lot.

      2. I’ve used Debian and Ubuntu, based on the same OS, plus Ubuntu has commercial support … Mint looks cool, so may check that out too … thanks for the info … warm regards DC

      3. No problem…..just though I’d clue you in since I didn’t know how Linux savvy you were. Some people actually know it is out there as a viable alternative, others are clueless to anything but Windows (too bad for them)…Mint is just fork of the Ubuntu kernel…

      5. Sorry so long to respond. I have been lost in Bipolar la-la land. I did the Google and Bing searches for Windows 8, and much to my delight, there they were, crap, rubbish, etc…. I love it!
        🙂

      6. No worries, I understand bipolar, personally I think a lot of creative people are at least a bit bipolar 🙂

        Yup, seems a general consensus, I’ve heard various theories in the comments, all of which are plausible … hopefully Win 9 will be better !

      7. I tried Windows 8 for all of about a week. I just couldn’t not get on board with its “quilt-like” patchiness. I just want to be able to click an icon and have the program come to life (which is why I don’t get my love for Linux). It looked the DuPlo legos they make for toddlers.

        They are actually putting out Win 9? In my humble opinion, my two favorite Windows incarnations were XP and 7. Because Vista sucked too 🙂

      8. Agree entirely, except for the Linux bit, but can’t really argue as I’m still running Win 7 on all my PC devices …

        They will sooner or later bring out a win 9, my guess would be sooner with the bad reception that 8 has had !

        Cheers

        DC

      9. I really liked Windows 7. I used it for a while before I decided Microsoft was more evil than I first thought, and made the Open Source switch. It is a bit more work, but you learn lots of cool new stuff! 😀

  18. Everyone I know hates Windows 8. I need a new computer but I’m avoiding buying one because it probably comes with “8”. Also, thanks so much for the follow to my blog. God bless.

    1. I actually downgraded my own laptop that I bought that came with 8 (wrote about it on my blog) … However some say win 8 is good once you get over it’s “shortcomings” … Personally I’m sticking with 7, until I have to change … warm regards DC

  20. I do not like Windows 8! I am using Windows 7 and satisfied with it, 🙂 Thanks for following my blog, I will see you soon. Have a great day.

    1. Thanks brought a smile to my face:)

      Octophobia I didn’t even think of, I didn’t even know there was such a thing … thanks for the enlightenment 🙂

      CHeers

      DC

  22. Lots of information here! However, a bit much for someone as technically challenged as myself. 🙂

    Thank yo for choosing to follow one of my blogs. I do hope you will continue to enjoy the posts.

  23. Thanks for the intersting read.

    I’m going to keep this short since there is already walls of text on this topic.

    I recently bought a new custom built desktop and I was offered the choice between Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 8. In my opinion, Windows 8 is designed for mobile touchscreen devices and since I have no interest in such devices, Windows 7 was the clear winner.

    Oh and thanks for following my blog. 😉

    1. My pleasure and you are welcome 🙂

      That’s the simple version of the story with Windows 8 yes.

      Microsoft I think realise that mobile/handheld/touch-screen devices are rapidly taking market share over laptops and desktops. They wanted to get in on their action. However they were a bit premature about it, and made the mistake of removing the start button and assuming laptop/desktop users would be OK with this and we are not.

      So Win 7 is a good choice until Microsoft sort this issue out, maybe in Win 9 …

      I had a tech support guy from Australia tell me that they make a lot of money downgrading machines from windows 8 to windows 7 … as a by-the-way !

      warm regards

      Don Charisma

    1. Hey Kim, wow and I thought I was resistant to upgrades ! XP great uses low amount of resources, and I think most software still runs on it … vista was fairly rubbish, win 7 great still using … win8 almost certainly won’t … win9 we’ll see …

      I’ve used XP in Virtual Machine, and will run with like 64Mb of RAM (which is very efficient) … and obviously works great on older hardware if I come across it.

      sooner or later you’ll probably have to upgrade ? Probably why you were reading my post, doh !

      Warm regards

      DC

      1. I have a ten year old computer which has Microsoft Word 2000 on it! Why can’t I just keep using XP and why would I need to upgrade sooner or later – not very tech-ey obviously 🙂

      2. Computers have moving parts (hard disc) and electronics do “wear out”, partly due to heat, although dust isn’t good either … so at some point you will experience a failure somewhere in the system … often it’s the hard drive, also laptop screen inverters often pack up …

        Obviously make sure you backup your important files !

        Once your computer is “broken”, then you’ll be wanting another one. Second hand might be OK, but one is never sure how long it will last.

        New they in Europe and USA have to sell with an operating system, and that’s likely to be Win 8, Mac OSX for a laptop. Desktop computer you can buy without an operating system, and may be able to install windows XP, but availability of drivers for that hardware may be a problem, because XP is starting to age.

        So you will probably have to upgrade at some point, or it will become progressively more difficult to use continue to use XP.

        Does that help ?

        Cheers

        DC

      4. You are welcome, and you are doing very well if you have 10 year old computer still working and going strong … long may it continue ! warm regards DC

  27. I work in computer sales & service in Australia and I can verify that here, at least, the majority of people do NOT LIKE the Windows 8 user interface. A fairly large percentage of our servicing since W8 was released has been either replacing it with W7 or making it look and act more like W7 (adding a start button and boot to desktop). It is tolerable after these modifications have been made. Unfortunately an interface designed for touchscreens simply doesn’t work well on a PC or laptop.

    1. My conversations indicated that there where some that liked and some that didn’t like. But there were a lot who didn’t like !

      Forcing people to use the touch screen interface was a bit stupid on Microsoft’s part, but they are trying to push something new so I guess trying for progress.

      Some also said that every-other Windows generation is disliked, so vista crap, win 7 great, win8 crap, win 9 awesome … hopefully microsoft will “fix” these problems in win 9 …

      Personally I don’t have any need to upgrade, so stick with win 7 for now.

  28. I love this blog post. I just purchased a new laptop and bent over backwards and went to an unbelievable amount of hassle to get a machine that ships with Windows 7.

  29. Thanks Don – when all else fails there is always Ebay to let someone else enjoy the upgrade 🙂

  30. I “upgraded” to Windows 8 and have installed all the update, now up to 8.1 Any idea why I have to reboot my PC with the big switch, previously rock solid, at least once a day? Everything freezes and switch is the only option. Crap, Rubbish? who can tell

    1. Sorry to hear that Bob, personally I’ve stayed with Windows 7 and unless Microsoft pull a rabbit out of the hat, I’ll be sticking with Win 7 or going Ubuntu.

      I have no clue why your machine is freezing.

      Personally what I concluded about upgrades is that I don’t do them unless I have to. Exception to that would be when I’ve fully researched and understood what the upgrade is, and then only after gauging reactions and reports from other people. Rationale being I use my computer professionally, it’s a tool, an expensive tool that I rely on and I don’t want people messing with it unnecessarily or unless I’m certain there’s a benefit in the upgrade.

      If machine is under warranty then manufacturer may be able to help. If not and you own the licence for Win 8/8.1 then Microsoft may be able to help. Also check for searches like “problems with windows 8.1 upgrade” on google and you may find others with similar problems, who may have a solution.

      Sincerely

      Don Charisma

  31. Well, Win 8.1 is out and it is still junk.
    I used to rave about Ubuntu, but it has turned into a buggy freezing mess with all those arrogant programmers thinking us little peeons need to learn how to do command line fixes. Everytime I do an UPDATE it crashes and freezes and doesn’t work, then they send out a security update and it crashes it again. JUNK too.
    So, do I go buy a win 7 DVD to stay with untill I die?

    1. 🙂 doesn’t suprise me, not in the slightest … Hackintosh ? or perhaps another Linux derivative, Mint Linux ?

      Generally experience has proven that updates are a bad idea, I think I said earlier in comments here. My Ubuntu installation keep nagging me but I resist the urge. Windows 7 I carefully scan the list of proposed updates, and check each one make sure there isn’t anything odd … last problem I had Windows 7 was a Microsoft Bluetooth driver stopped my non-bluetooth keyboard working…had to get a proper one from the manufacturers site, problem solved … Apple removed functionality on a video player app, the google maps app and itunes on my PC, the DJ function, gone … If I had to choose being up-to-date vs a stable system, well it’s stable system thanks.

      So let’s just say I’m very cautious about installing any updates, I don’t like the arrogance that goes into removing stuff, especially Apple and the fairly likely breakage isn’t something I wake up in the morning and look forward to the hours, weeks, months of my life I’ll never get back.

      As for Ubuntu, generally it’s pretty good in my experience. If possible stick with the LTS releases, and don’t do updates or upgrades unless you have to.

      Also an unstable system can be often be sorted out with a re-install, but don’t know whether you’ve got the time or interest for that !

      I’ve fairly much said this, but these days I look for a stable system, then try not to alter it too much. Makes for a pleasant user experience, which is what the OS is there for.

      Win 7 DVD … good idea … Windows 9 maybe ?

  32. There should always be the option of windows 7. Given this huge mountain of rejection of Windows 8 then the obvious solution is to offer the option of Windows 7. Don’t force people to use windows 8 when they obviously don’t want it. Offer an option. Call it a down grade option or a re install option or whatever. BUT NEVER SIMPLY IGNORE YOUR MARKET and say “the desktop will be the new tablet” and “all you business people need to adapt”.

    In the car industry they never just produce ONE car and say everyone has to have it. Some people like racing cars, some like minis, some like Rolls. What would happen to their market if the car manufacturers said everyone has to have the same type of car?? They would loose market.

    Windows 8 is astronomically bad for business users. It is so user-unfriendly – so utterly crap – so non-functional – I can hardly express in words just how incredibly bad it is. God, it makes me almost violent just thinking about the lack of intelligence that produced this crap and then blindly forced it upon retailers and the general public.

    The Gross National Product of the developed world will fall this year, simply because office workers cannot navigate their own file systems, cannot copy and paste, cannot get rid of that idiotic Metro Interface that just pops up. Governments will see a drop in their tax revenues, small businesses will see a drop in their productivity and the development of all students will be stunted – simply because some dick head at Microsoft decided to impose such an aweful system upon the world .

    So, if you ever meet someone who says “I like Windows 8” then just hit them.

    1. HEy Craig, have to admit you made me chuckle a bit with this. Seems global famine may be the overall result of a couple of decisions by Mr Gates ?

      Here’s what I think went wrong. Decision makers have looked at what day-to-day usage of Windows OS is and forgotten about the “whole process”

      Most of the time the things I need are pinned to the start button, or I do a search or I do a “Run…”. In the odd occasion I need an obscure tool then I can navigate the menus until I find it. Also when I started using Windows 7 one of the first things I did was find out where everything is in menus, and have a vague idea where everything is.

      Having to think of a name for anything/everything and type into a search box, doesn’t really work for me, I want a menu structure to fall back on. I want to go admin tools and look for what’s probably an admin tool. For Ubuntu, I just binned their crap attempt at a more modern UI, in favour of the gnome failback.

      Also agree that tablets aren’t the final answer, well at least yet. When they have inexpensive 20″ tablets on the market I might reconsider, but trying to trade stocks on a 10″ iPad screen for a professional trader isn’t a comfortable experience. That’s just one example of many jobs that can’t be done on tablet.

      The people who are pro Win-8 basically try to say that those against are inflexible, unfashionable and defective because we don’t want change. I don’t agree. I’d happily install Windows 8 if they had left it pretty much the same as Win 7 for my desktop. Why they couldn’t just make two different UI’s, one for the tablet, I don’t know.

      Anyone for OSX or Ubuntu ?

      Cheers

      Don Charisma

  33. You are my idea of a blogger, because you model a certain ethos that seems to me to represent blogging, or its spirit, at its best. I know how saccherin that sounds, but oh well. Let people snicker. I still say that if Word Press ever needs to open an embassy somewhere, it should appoint you as WP Ambassador. Most striking is your true generousity. I love the way you turned on a dime, immersing yourself in two very different kinds of sites, and giving such detailed, thoughtful attention to the social contexts of each one.

    1. Hey Claire, I’ve been unwell for the last couple of weeks so been challenging to keep up with everything … I really appreciate your kind words and thank you. I’m not perfect, still need to think about myself a lot, but I do enjoy teaching other people, it helps me to be better at the things I am doing and more difficult to forget !

      I’m also currently going into partnership with an old friend, so need to put some creativity into that as it will hopefully make for more security:)

      Keep in touch, cheers Don Charisma

  34. Personally, I actually love the LOOK of Windows 8. The function of it, however, is another story altogether. But I think with a little practice it can be gotten used to. The fact of the matter is that skeuomorphism as a design philosophy is on the way out as computers, tablets, and eReaders become more prevalent in our culture and one of the big companies had to be the first to venture out into the vaguely off putting world of flat design. Like it or not, this is the way that OS design will go and I think that Microsoft, despite the bad reception, has a head start now on the competition. Let’s not forget that they followed Vista with Windows 7, one of the best OS’s ever made (in my own opinion!!!!)

    I think that their biggest mistake with 8 wasn’t the axing of the Start button, but the inclusion of the desktop at all, which was most likely not intended for the original build, given how awful an experience it is to have to switch between the two screens. The best I can figure it is that they either got themselves cold feet and wouldn’t commit to a complete overhaul with both feet (as they should have) or that they knew that they hadn’t managed to optimize this version of the OS for devices that were not using touch as an input (which they also should have).

    For now, I’m sticking with Windows 7. But I have faith in Microsoft (plugs ears at mention of the horrible, unprofessional manner in which they handled the XBone) and if they don’t iron this out with 8.x then you can rest assured 9 is gonna be awesome.

    1. You have made my understanding of operating systems clearer by encouraging me to think about this carefully. My thoughts are that underlying the user interface is the text based geeky end of things, Apple under OSX have a version of BSD unix, underneath Ubuntu’s awful user experience is well erm Linux, and it’s the same for Microsoft, there’s a geeky text/command line part. That being said, I don’t know why they didn’t go the Ubuntu route and offer more than one user interface to the underlying operating system. One for tablets and one for laptops and desktops that aren’t touchscreen. This horrible compromise that they’ve bolted new bits on and taken old bit out, a halfway house between user interfaces, to condition their customers is just awful. Apple has OSX and IOS, different user interface, why are Microsoft being cheapskates and only supporting one user interface, that’s let’s face it not the best of both worlds.

      Microsoft should have spent their time and effort on making OSX-like windows and a tablet/touchscreen IOS-like windows. Microsoft have never been innovators, only wannabes, very successful wannabes, so why start at a game they aren’t any good at now !

      I’m sticking with Windows 7 because it works and because I don’t need to change. I know where everything is and I don’t want to have to spend/waste valuable time learning where Microsoft has moved everything, again, I’ve already done it so many times in the past. Fashion doesn’t excite me that much and computer hardware isn’t advancing in power as much as previous steps, this has slowed down, so really a new version of Windows just isn’t yet required, not for me anyway.

      Thanks for making me think

      Sincerely

      Don Charisma

  35. I’m with you. I was warned off Windows 8 as it wasn’t user friendly unless used with a touch screen. Didn’t realize passions ran so high though!

    1. Win 8 I believe can be adapted to, but shame really microsoft didn’t do a seperate OS for tablets rather than trying to force their users to adapt, it has sprinklings of apple’s arrogance …

  37. Hmmm. Worse than Vista? Glad I’ll be using Windows 7 for a while. When I got a new laptop last year I chose not to get 8. I’ve not been sorry yet. And thank you for the follow! 🙂

  38. Win 8 lovers say people hate Windows 8 because it is “different”, OK – but when you really dig down into it, and I did. I have a win 8 laptop and win 7 desktop, I’ve been working with windows since 3.1 thank you very much and adapted pretty well to each version except the horrible iteration called ME (shudder).
    Anyway – the biggest problem with Windows 8 is that it takes extra steps to get anything done aside from opening a program from the tiles. If you do not have a tile set up, you have added steps to complete to get anything accomplished – it is counter intuitive of everything going on in the tech world today! The missing start button is just one example – try getting to the control panel. Click on the desktop tile – slide your mouse (or finger) to the lower right (hope it pops up) and hopefully find control panel. ARG! Oh and the BSOD is back with a vengeance is win 8 as well.
    BTW – a great alternative to the start menu button in case it doesn’t come back is Pokki it’s free and simple doesn’t take up a ton of space.

    1. Hey there, thanks for dropping by:) … I think change isn’t always a good thing or progress, but there is a “fashion” way of thinking that almost makes it deficiency not to embrace ever little change … I’m sure you know this already but we were given powers to reason for ourselves and decide what’s a good change and what’s not, and not get steamrollered by the “fashion” thinkers … implying that those who don’t want to change are “defective” because we’re not embracing change can be manipulative I feel …

      Anyway, Win 8 is here to stay, sounds like Win 8.1 will be an improvement…for now I’m happy to be out of Fashion with win 7, because it works and I will learn win 8 when I want to …

      I have a look at Pokki when the time is right !

      I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma

  39. have no experience whatsoever with Windows 8 and haven’t tried it in a search engine…I do know that a support person for the WIFI service I use told me they’d had problems with Windows 8, as far as getting it connected to their service

    1. LOve the doodles, mrs doodler ! I think Microsoft pushing the boundaries with Win 8 and removing features never goes down well … Microsoft are planning to release windows 8.1 later this year, hopefully problems will be solved for that !

      I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma

      1. I’ll do the same…hopefully I won’t need a new laptop for awhile and can avoid the whole Windows 8 thing…I managed to avoid Vista…jumping from XP right to Windows 7 🙂

      2. Computer equipment seems to have gotten (touch wood) more reliable, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you … Perhaps win 8.1 will be better or maybe we just have to wait for windows 9 !

      5. not sure how long a HP Laptop purchased in ’09 should last…yep fingers are crossed 🙂

  40. Hello Don! Well, very interesting test, must say! I still think this is some kind of fluke or joke or whatever. There reason I think that is because if you just type in “Windows 8 is” and search for that, none of the results on the first few pages have anything to do with “terrible”, “horrible”, “a disaster”, etc. Not on Bing, not on Google. There are a couple nay-sayer articles scattered here and there, but for the most part, you get articles that state things like:

    “Microsoft makes an aggressive, forward-thinking, and bold statement for the future of PCs with Windows 8, and vast security and speed improvements more than justify the $40 upgrade price.”

    I’ve actually found the most vitriol against Windows 8 on YouTube…however again, I think that it just people complaining about change, rather than complaining about anything in Windows 8 that is actually terrible. I’ve heard a couple video bloggers call Windows 8 a bigger disaster than Vista, something I think is largely impossible. Vista had literal problems…not the least of which was very bad driver support that left a significant portion of users and company installations high and dry without a way to get their systems working with it. Windows 8 doesn’t really have any literal issues that prevent it from working correctly.

    Windows 8…well, the thing people complain about most is simply the removal of the start menu in favor of the start screen. The new screen does the same thing as the start menu, and on top of that offers a much richer dashboard-like view of all your current information as well. The most frequently associated thing to the terms “windows 8” and “disaster” is the start screen…but it all simply seems to be people resisting change than anything. It really doesn’t take that long to get used to it if you just give it a chance. I think the second biggest thing people complain about is navigating through the start menu…but again, that is about as intuitive as it gets. You don’t have to use the scroll bar…the mouse wheel will scroll the screen sideways, but simpler yet…simply pushing the cursor to one side of the screen or another will also scroll. I do think Microsoft has not offered enough obvious, interactive feedback that helps users more easily discover the various ways a keyboard and mouse can be used to navigate the start screen. I think if they do a better job of making those things discoverable as people use the OS, it would alleviate a lot of the complaints.

    Complaints about Windows 8 being slow and clunky seem overblown and just plain bitchy to me. If you generally use the desktop, and do not use metro apps, Windows 8 has trimmed a LOT of the fat out of Windows 7 (which was already pretty slim!) I’ve used it on an old laptop, a less old laptop, a five year old media PC attached to my TV, my main desktop computer, and as virtuals on both windows and mac systems. Never once have I ever felt that Windows 8 or 8.1 was slower than Windows 7 in anything. On the contrary, it is amazingly fast and fluid. IE 10 is blazing fast compared to the versions of IE that came with previous OS versions, and still faster on Win8 than Win7. I get the feeling reading peoples blogs and comments that their dislike of the start screen just makes them fume, so they lash out at anything else in Windows 8 they think they can pick on. I would bet good money that if you forced these people to actually run tests to compare how fast Windows 7 was vs. Windows 8 on the computers they complain about…Windows 8 would win every test hands down.

    This is really not all that different than when Windows XP was released. The same kind of vitriol was spreading about the then relatively new blogoverse, People hated on XP originally largely because of its blue UI, and…you guessed it…changes to the start menu!! The start menu has always been the central piece in Windows. Much like with Windows 8…the vitriol spread, and people just started proclaiming that Windows XP was a total flop, a disaster, a hideous convolution of what was great with Windows 95 and 98…again, I think just because they wanted to complain about it and make it seem bad in it’s entirety…when really the thing people disliked most was the new start menu. People have NEVER liked it when the start menu has changed…but when they finally gave up resisting, and finally gave it a whirl….the news started changing and people began lauding the benefits of the improvements Microsoft brought to the XP start menu. Even until the last couple of years, when Windows 7 usage finally surpassed XP, it was the single most used and most loved Windows OS. It is still a heavily used version of Windows today…and I think it is easy enough to point out the ways Windows 8 is vastly superior to XP (even including the new Start Screen.)

    Anyway…Windows 8, assuming you ignore the start screen and install one of the various third-party start menu restoring utilities…is little changed from Windows 7. If you really want to use Windows 8, but don’t want to see even a flicker of a Metro screen, I recommend trying Windows 8.1 and install one of the start menu replacers. You’ll gain the seed and security improvements, and have your classic desktop look with the standard start menu. I do recommend you give the start screen a chance, though. Yes, it IS different…very different…but it brings a lot of improvements to the table as well. Real time information such as stocks, weather, news, RSS feed updates, music information, just about anything you can think of, to a richer platform for finding and launching your most used apps. If you find finding an app to be difficult, you can always search…which is instantaneous and can zero in on exactly the app you want in a heartbeat (very similar to how Mac OS X works…there is really no decent app management tool on OS X…only a few apps can be dropped onto the dock, meaning you pretty much HAVE to use search for all the rest.)

    1. Hi Jon, wow, that’s very detailed reply, thanks for letting me know all this, I feel certainly enlightened … Performance wise the little I used Win8 it seemed quick, but this can be deceptive on a fresh install …

      From a personal perspective I’ll stick with Win7 for now, which is the same as what I did when I was on Vista … eventually the circumstances will arise that I’ll move over to Win8, and I’ll probably be saying the same as I did with Vista to Win7, which was a massive improvement, Vista ran like a dog and can’t believe it took me so long to upgrade …

      Being a Comp Sci graduate I used to be all up for change, latest cutting edge stuff, but have spent far too many late nights and weekends evaporated fixing bullshit problems trying out stuff I really honestly didn’t need to … So my wisdom now is to take a step back, let others iron out the creases and change when I’m ready, I like this way, I feel more in control:)

      Jon, why don’t you (if you haven’t already) do a blog article with what you’ve said above, it’s very informative and helpful, happy for you to reference my blog article if you want …

      Speak soon

      Sincerely

      Don Charisma
      https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

      1. I totally understand. There are often kinks to work out in new operating systems (and not just Microsoft’s…both Google and Apple have had their fair share as well…including all the hate that goes with it. Apple Maps? ;P)

        My recommendations were simply IF you chose to give Windows 8 another try.

        I have thought a few times about starting a tech blog on WordPress. Maybe I will. I guess I could offer a lot to new Windows 8 adopters, offer Windows Phone tips, etc. I think the biggest thing lacking for Windows 8 users is insight into how to use the new style UI, and navigate through it. I think I have a lot to offer there.

        I do think that long term, a two dimensional, ubiquitously available, hyperinteractive, and available on all 2D surfaces operating system is Microsofts long term vision. They released videos, called Office 2019, a number of years ago. They recently released a new video of their future vision which can be found here:

        http://www.microsoft.com/office/vision/

        (You can also search for Office 2019 on YouTube for the original series of videos, which covered Health, Manufacturing, Business, Banking, and Education products.)

        Personally, I really like what I’ve seen in the Office Future Vision videos. I love the way tables and walls and windows are interactive screens, how setting a device on one of them automatically brings up information and “moves” it to the new “screen”. I love the clean two dimensional UI (from my old graphic design roots, I’ve always loved UI/UX), etc. If this really is Microsoft’s vision for the future, Windows 8 is the first real-world stepping stone I’ve seen Microsoft make towards it…and personally, that makes me pretty excited! 🙂

        I know people hate change, and ever since their anti-trust lawsuit, people just seem to hate Microsoft. In the end, whether that end is six months or a couple years down the road, people always end up seeming to like the “fop” releases in Microsoft’s “flip-fop” cycle. (i.e. Windows ME – hate; Windows XP – love; Windows Vista – hate; Windows 7 – love; Windows 8 – hate?; Windows 9 – love?).

        Anyway…best of luck, sticking with what you’ve got, or when you finally make the move. 🙂

      2. Why’d you get me thinking about Apple Maps ? In fact now I come to think of it Apple have been a strong influence on my resistance to upgrade … Google Maps on iphone, I was so happy with I can’t explain, then they replace with Apple Maps in an “upgrade”, complete and utter rubbish … it was only when a friend told me I could download a Google maps app that I was happy again … Google maps I use extensively to navigate in London on foot visting new places, saves so much time and hassle and stress, one of the primary motivators for continued use of iphone …

        Apple are complete c****s when it comes to upgrades, they just figure WTF we’ll take it out, who’s going to argue with a corporation the size of us … the sheer arrogance makes my blood boil and their patronising emails, eg “itunes store policy is all sales are final” …

        So yes now I check almost every single upgrade before I do it, no I don’t want features removed thankyou, fix bugs yes, but not blinking remove whole parts of my operating system or software application … oh yes and I do want my £3 refunded if the app you sell me doesn’t do what it says it will do, without having to fight for it !

        So yes, Windows 8 for me is very much analogous with Apple Maps, great point … change is great when it benefits and is a genuine improvement, but is hideous when when it’s substandard or they start taking the good stuff out …

        Interesting video, I took the time to watch, not sure if I like it or not at the moment …

        Flip-flop maybe … Windows 8 maybe later, never say never !

        Thought provoking thanks Jon … Cheers

        Don Charisma
        https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

    2. Now that is wow. And I would also like to say this to the win 8 haters, give it a try. Give it an open minded, unprejudiced try. You’l fall in love with Windows 8.

      1. 🙂 You’re funny ! Really I thought the search engine things was funny, and a bit hacked off at MS for trying to change my life without asking permission … for now I really don’t need to change to win8, so happy to wait until win8.1 or 9 …

        I love the name of your blog, really cool “May the code be with you” … making coding fun, if you can do that well then I’d say you’re truly amazing being … I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

        Keep in touch …

        Cheers

        Don Charisma

      2. Well I had been to Microsoft for their Win 8,1 BUILD. The start button is not entirely back. If seeing a start button will make people happy, then fine, But its functionality is jus the right click and show all apps part.. So, i dono if it would solve the people cribbing “My start button.. oh my start button” 🙂 And 8.1 does give a lot of options, but if you dont like 8.0 one bit, perhaps you’l have difficulty in liking 8.1 as well. Because the overall look and feel is the same except for the switching of tile screen to desktop and enhanced search options.

        Yep, I love coding with all its nastiness, malice frustration and its eureka moments or the aha moments. 🙂

      5. No, it’s a tablet. There is the Windows rt and the windows pro. I like the looks of the windows phone, but I’m not ready to drop the cash for one. 🙂

  41. i just got a new(ish) hp all-in-one yesterday that showed up with the windows 8 virus pre-installed, so i figured that i’d give it a fair chance… its fair chance lasted roughly 20 minutes before i sought out a nice, fresh copy of windows 7 ultimate. it took me a while, (i used to be a pc analyst), but i finally succeeded in eradicating windoze 8 and finally ended up with a usable, windows 7 system. i can’t believe how win 8 “spiders” itself completely all across a hard drive and whatever partitions may be on it – then it whines when you go to delete it and tries to prevent you from installing anything else… i firmly believe that ten years from now people will be looking on micro$oft as a mere artifact of the progression of technology – much as people today look back on the commodore 64 or an ibm 286…

    1. Hi Johnny, that’s about the same as what happened to me … the laptop was delivered to a friend, he started it up for me, and told me it took him a while to figure out how to use it … pretty poor … anyway, I’d already decided to win7 it as all my other machines are win7 …

      major corporations come and go, IBM used to be massive off the back of typewriters and then onto mainframes … they made their desktop PC hardware proprietory and in pops microsoft with build it yourself PC architechture, look where IBM and Microsoft are now !

      I think you made a wise choice, but perhaps revisit win8 once they’ve ironed out all the problems, that was my strategy with Vista and worked well …

      Good luck with your blog … I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma
      https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

  42. Was going to buy a laptop now but am probably going to wait until the next version is released. I have friends who’ve complained about Windows 8 and as it is I’m not usually one of the first to jump on new technology.

    1. Hey there, thanks for dropping by … Sounds like Microsoft will iron out the creases in windows 8.1 released later this year, so I reckon you’re onto a wise plan with that:) I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma

  46. This is M$/ we’re talking about. Yes, they may have revived the Start Button in 8.1 (and forced it on their users at that; apparently, there’s no option to hide it), but they won’t remove the Start Screen anytime soon.
    You’re better off using Classic Shell to bring back the Start Menu and to fix a few annoyances. (I use it in Win7 to bring back the Classic Start Menu and to fix annoyances)

      4. Windows 8.1 will include a start button. I hope to have a blog entry by next week as we have a copy available on non-domain joined.You speak, MS listens, not like dictatorship Apple 😉

      5. Yes, like that about Microsoft that they actually listen to their customers. Few months back I installed a new version of itunes, itunes DJ was gone, just like that no warning … how do they get away with it ?

        Roll on Windows 8.1 then … I’ve added you on my links –> friends, you doing the same helps people find our blogs 🙂

        Keep in touch …

        Cheers

        Don Charisma
        https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

      6. i suppose Windows 8 is having a similar issue, publicity wise, that they had with the first Vista. At the time the issue with Vista was that the software was too advanced for the hardware of that time so, naturally, the computer did not work very well. In my opinion it’s a blast from the past for Microsoft. I’m ok with Microsoft but i’m a big Fedora Linux fan 🙂

  49. What, no start button? But how does it work?! It’s annoying that all new products now come in Windows 8 without really having an option for other operating systems.

    1. There’s a link to the desktop from the new start screen, then you have to press windowskey+C to get a sidebar that has a search facilty, from there you can find all the stuff you need … bit like the Ubuntu new user interface, I just downgraded that, sometimes I like to search but all the time becomes frustrating and often I like to browse the menus, same as most people I guess …

      I’ve added a links->friends for you …

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma
      https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

  50. Thanks for visiting my blog – you have me thoroughly confused about which way to go with a new laptop. I may have to wait until things become less confusing 🙂

    1. Sorry for that … Windows 8 can be conquered with a little googling, so I wouldn’t worry too much if you’re thinking of a new Windows 8 laptop … Macs are a bit too pricey for me, and I had a couple of bad experiences with Apple, so I hesitate before buying anything else from them … I’ve added you to my links->friends …

      Keep in touch …

      Cheers

      Don Charisma
      https://doncharisma.wordpress.com

      3. Don,
        I was surprised when starting up my new desk top computer. Windows 8! For a business operation what a mess! What took one or two clicks of the mouse in Windows 7 now takes two, three or more. That is a waste of time. My time. Really don’t know what they were thinking but they have alienated alot of people. I dont like it and I have done what I can to rectify that. There is software out there, much of it free that by-passes alot of the nonsense and gives you a start button that is very functional. I am still adapting to it. Three days ago it crashed and though it gave me a chance to burn files for back up before it regenerated itself from a ghost image of the system, I still lost valuable data. I know better. I am not a fan. Thanks.
        Chuck

      4. Hey Chuck, you’re certainly not alone on this … Personally I’m sticking with Win 7, and may go Ubuntu route when it comes time to upgrade … probably a few years away yet, so plenty of time to prepare 🙂

      2. Windows XP exposed me to the Conficker worm, and I’ve been a Linux (mostly Ubuntu) user ever since. I haven’t even seen Microsoft Vista or later. Looks like I’m not missing anything of value.

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