Well, change
has always been a force to reckon with when it comes to software, and it's also
important that we recognize that change is a constant that can either make or
break; the break part being something that Windows Vista would say... lol! It
is rather a huge leap that Microsoft has taken with Windows 8, but somehow I
think it should have been expected after so many years of mediocre incremental
updates in its core products. I think Microsoft has finally come to play with
these bold changes to Windows. It's about time and it had to be done in order
to stay relevant.
Windows 8
stands to Change the user experience almost in its entirety. It promises to be
a first truly cross-device operating system that could arguably share the
"bragging rights" with the highly customized Linux OS; with the
expectation that it will run across many devices from a desktop computer, laptops,
tablets and smartphones, giving users a rather consistent look and feel across
devices. This review is based on the use of Windows 8 Customer Preview on the
Laptop/desktop computer.
Introducing
the Windows 8 Metro UI
First things first, I think Metro is very cool. Microsoft really pulled it
here. The graphics are bold, nice and clean with smooth animations, making a
visually compelling attribute. Below, I've
tried to compile some features found on the Metro UI:
The Lock Screen
When you
start-up your Windows 8 computer, the first screen that comes up is the lock
screen which is basically a simple screen that shows updates (email and message
notifications) of what has happened since you were logged out, time, date,
Wi-Fi connectivity, battery power (where applicable e.g. when using a laptop
computer). You can even customize the lock screen to choose more applications
to run in the background while your screen is locked e.g. messaging app,
weather app. etc. If you tap on any key on the keyboard the lock screen will
reveal the login screen where you can just key-in your password and login. You can
either use your local account (regular Windows password) or your Microsoft account
password (Windows Live ID) or PIN (a 4-digit code for faster login to your machine- something like what you use for your phone). The latter allows for synching of your settings
between the computers that you use. I personally would encourage using the
latter for obvious reasons.
The Start
Menu (Home Screen)
After login
you'll be presented to the Start menu (home screen), which is complete with
tiles that represent installed apps. Whenever you install a new app, whether it
is a Metro app or a desktop app, it will automatically show up at the end of
this Start menu and you can personalise the arrangement of the tiles as you
like by just tapping, holding, and dragging them anywhere on the screen. You
can also right-click on an app's tile to resize it, uninstall it, or unpin it
from the Start menu. To run an app, just tap/click on it. In the upper right
corner of your start menu lays your user tile which will allow you to change
your account picture, lock or sign out of your machine.
The Metro UI
also presents the Control Panel (Settings), which allows you to all sorts of
settings related to the Metro UI. Most options presented in the Control Panel
are self explanatory, and easy to understand.
Personalize:
Allows you to change your lock screen, start screen or your account picture.
Users: Allows
you to add a new account, change your password or create a picture password, or
create a PIN. It also allows you to switch to a local account.
Notifications:
Allows you to turn notifications on or off for certain apps or all apps, and
mute or play notification sounds.
Search: Allows
you to delete your search history and turn on or off the apps you can use to
search.
Share:
Allows you to either show or not show apps that you use frequently, show/hide a
list of how often you share; and also allows you to clear your shares list.
General: Allows
you to change your time zone or your language preferences, refresh or reset
your PC; which allows you to either perform a clean install of Windows (without
losing your files) or wiping your PC completely and return it to factory
settings. It also gives you an option to start-up from a device or disc (e.g. a
USB drive or DVD).
Privacy: Allows
you to choose whether you want Windows to allow apps to access and use your location,
name and account picture. You can also choose to help improve Windows Store by
sending URLs for web content that apps use (a link for the privacy statement is
presented).
Devices:
allows you to manage devices e.g. printers, webcams, and other hardware.
Ease of
Access: Allows you to adjust/tweak some of your machine settings to accommodate
some forms of impairments. E.g. you can
change contrast setting, cursor thickness, and the size screen displays.
Sync your Settings:
Allows you to sync your settings to other Windows 8 devices through a Windows
Live ID. Here, you can choose what to sync, e.g. Personalize settings (colours,
background, lock screen, account picture), Desktop personalization (themes, taskbar,
high contrast etc.), Passwords, Ease of access, App settings, browser bookmarks
and history, and many more.
HomeGroup:
Only available on home network, and it is turned off when you are not on your
home network. It allows for the sharing of files. You can change your sharing
settings here.
Windows Update:
Allows you to check for and update your Windows. Pending Windows updates are
visible from here.
Two Misconceptions about the Windows 8 Desktop
1. The traditional Start Menu is
completely removed. WRONG! To find out why, move your cursor to the bottom left corner of your screen
while you are on the desktop or Metro UI; you will get the option to visit
Start screen (Home screen). Right-click here and you will get a Menu option
with quick links to the e.g. Explorer, Control Panel, Task Manager, etc.
2. The peek feature found in Windows 7
has been removed. WRONG! While you are on the desktop (will not work while on
the Metro UI), move the cursor to the bottom-right corner and Right-click; a menu with two options
(Show desktop and Peek at desktop) will appear.
Ensure that the Peek at desktop option is checked/ ticked. That will
enable the Desktop Peek functionality. The Charms Bar will show-up while still
hovering around the same area.
Quick Notes
and Conclusion
- I think if
Windows 8 doesn't live up to expectations, many Windows users will just stick
to Windows 7 instead of switching to some other OS platforms, just like it
happened between Windows XP and Windows Vista transition. I think Microsoft has
"nothing" to lose really. This is a great time to experiment while
still basking in the moment of Windows 7’ success.
- Proponents
of Apple may have to continue holding their horses because no one is really
going to switch over from windows to Apple products, just because of somewhat. Windows
8 failure basically because apple products are really expensive and as far as
my pockets are concerned apple products are geared towards the wealthy. Even if
MS backtracks on this, as a declaration of intent it makes me very edgy about
the future Windows platforms. Besides, I think it is still not clear to whether
Windows users do really have much option beside windows especially looking at
the learning gaps that could result from switching over, and even the costs.
- Windows 8
begins a new era of UI. Less text and more visual is always pleasant to the
eyes.
- The idea
behind Windows 8, have both options for grandma who wants to just surf the web
and never need to get out of Metro and then have an advanced user such as
yourself (and I) who can rely on the typical Windows Taskbar/multi-task
capability from previous Windows OS.
- Again the
impression I got from many Windows 8 articles that I came across is that in the
Windows 8 final release, users might just have the option of swapping between both
Metro UI and the classic windows desktop interface; which can be very helpful
in allowing for a better acceptance of the Metro UI since it would be optional.
Most users are already concerned about if they can make their machines to go
straight to the desktop when they turn them on without going through the Metro
UI. The answer: YES you can. A workaround found here explains
such.
A
video here (Youtube) will introduce you to some basics.
