As a happy Linux user, I’m watching the launch of Windows 8 from a perspective similar to someone who goes to the local speedway expecting to see a multi-car pileup.
The train wreck that was Windows Vista drove many of us (me included) to the Linux OS or the Mac. With Windows 8 set to roll out a whole new interface (one optimized for mobile devices instead of the desktop), I think I can already hear the brakes screeching.
Apparently a few publications agree (from this SJ Mercury News-powered SiliconValley.com email):
So will Windows 8, an operating system that targets both PC and tablet users, save the day? Recent reviews — of the release to manufacturing, or RTM, or final, version — haven’t been kind. InfoWorld: “Yes, it’s that bad. … From the user’s standpoint, Windows 8 is a failure — an awkward mishmash that pulls the user in two directions at once.” Computerworld: The “two interfaces uneasily coexist.” But according to Gizmodo’s detailed review, the “execution” is “not half bad.”
Note that Ubuntu Linux went through something similar a couple years ago; they moved from a “standard” desktop environment to something more comfortable on a touchscreen.
That interface was called Unity, and while it’s ultimately grown into something useful for desktop users, Linux users can pick and choose from five different (and mature) desktop environments, so I simply downloaded an alternative desktop (XFCE) and kept working.
Windows users don’t enjoy the same level of choice.
For Microsoft, the idea is to create a uniform user experience across computers — from the desktop to mobile. Which makes sense. Be nice to pick up a project on your tablet right where you left off on your desktop — using approximately the same tools.
The problem is there really aren’t any Windows mobile devices. At least not enough to make it interesting.
You slip behind the wheel of Windows computer every day? I’d keep my foot near the brakes.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
The good news for those of us who are running Windows (myself included) is this….
If you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 8 then just don’t upgrade.
If you have a PC that is running Windows XP or 7 it is not going to stop working the moment Windows 8 comes out. There are some important dates to keep in mind however.
Windows XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft after April 8, 2014. Anyone running a PC with XP after that date will be completely on their own. Do you feel lucky?
Windows 7 will no longer be supported by Microsoft after January 2020 so if you’re running Windows 7 you have just over 7 years until you need to think about upgrading to a new version of Windows or to a different OS entirely.
If Windows 8 is launched on October 22 of this year as planned, the boxed versions of Windows 7 will still be available from retailers for another year past that date and PC’s with Windows 7 preinstalled will be available for sale from retailers for another two years at least (if Windows 8 gets a lot of flack, etc. from the OEM’s, this two year period could be extended).
So if you’re running XP you still have some time before you need to upgrade, and if you’re running 7 you can relax since you’ve got another 7 years before you’ll need to upgrade.
As for me I have two desktop PC’s at home that are running XP. One we’re replacing this fall with a machine that will have Windows 7 and the other one we’re going to just do an upgrade to Windows 7 since this PC is fine otherwise and not up for replacement.
I think by the time the Microsoft end of support date for Windows 7 comes around in January 2020, Windows 9 and probably 10 as well will have been released, and development for Windows 11 will likely be well underway.
So I’m skipping Windows 8.
Brian
Brian Thomas(Quote) (Reply)
Upgraders always have a choice (the number of people who didn’t upgrade to Vista made that clear), but the majority of new machines will ship with Windows 8, and you have to wonder how many defectors the (now infamously named) Metro interface will create.
I’m thinking of running Windows in a virtual environment for access to a pair of programs not available on Linux, and you can be sure it’ll be Windows 7….
Still, it’s hard to believe that Microsoft has learned so little from Vista; I understand the desire for a unified interface across all devices (it offers MS its only real route into mobile devices), but putting the sword to desktop users doesn’t exactly seem like the best way to achieve it.
In any case, I’ll continue along in my own smug fashion…
TC(Quote) (Reply)