Windows 8.1 - first (and second) impressions anyone?
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Ok, since you want to get into semantics, VS 2013 will not run on Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. When installing it says something to the effect that "This operating system is not supported by this version of Visual Studio".
I am running vs 2013 on windows 8.1
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True, but you really can't escape some services. Because just for the OS, you have no choice but to go Microsoft, if you want to use the business standard applications. What you can, and some companies do, is take control of some of those services for themselves (using their own email servers and such), or use another similar service from another company. And even if the UK and US assorted agencies really want to spy on communications, like phone lines or even cellphone communications, you really don't have a choice or workaround, no matter how much you don't trust them.
Yes, I can understand that to use and produce applications for big business often necessitates the use of MS technologies. I think, first of all, that it is better to give the NSA as little information as possible and to make it as hard for them as possible, and second that as the movement away from US IT gathers momentum, which I am sure it will, more suitable non-MS apps will become available. However, many companies are tied to MS Server and .NET and although I hear of people coding .NET on other platforms I am not convinced that it is all that easy to do so. Cross-platform compatibility was originally a big sale's pitch for .NET (I was one of the first cohorts to study for the MCP 70-316 C# exam, though I never bothered to take the exam in the end) but I don't know how well it has met that objective. I am fortunate in being able to pick and choose, as I work largely for myself, though I scarcely have the time to begin coding in .NET on Linux. I hear it has been done, but such a transition seems like a significant obstacle to me. I did trial some VS alternatives as well, but I simply have not had the time to follow this up, though one was promising. I have used exclusively JS/HTML 5 and PHP for the past few months, which are good but not entirely satisfactory and I am still looking for my ideal development language and framework. I have yet to find it and similarly I have yet to find a satisfactory OS (now that Windows XP, my fav, is phasing out). I feel dissatisfied with the software industry.
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I'm not sure if you understand how Microsoft releases software. First, once a version hits RC (release candidate) its a feature freeze. RC (or what they call "Preview" now) is given out to the public so that they can get bug and security reports, those are fixed before public release, but no new features are added. Next, once a version is ready for public release, it is given to MSDN subscribers first, usually about 30 days prior to general public release. I have an MSDN subscription and have been running 8.1 preview since it came out, and 8.1 release since it was available. So yes, 8.1 is full release and I didn't say anything about the system being buggy. I'm simply complaining that the UI choices MS made on Windows 8 do not fit with what I consider to be good choices for a full sized desktop system or even laptops bigger than netbooks. Not sure why you want to tell everybody they are wrong, you won't find me going into the posts where people said it was the best thing ever and telling them they are wrong... Arguing for arguments sake maybe?
From the Microsoft website: Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview are pre-release versions of Windows 8.1. It is not the full release period.
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Who's on Win8.1 and what do you think about it?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I test it on a virtual machine, but so far it's just an improvement over Windows 8, so my opinion of it, it's that's good.
CEO at: - Rafaga Systems - Para Facturas - Modern Components for the moment...
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From the Microsoft website: Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview are pre-release versions of Windows 8.1. It is not the full release period.
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Right... Here is your proof its available[^] Notice how it doesn't say 8.1 preview? Thats from my MSDN subscriber page, its the full release.
I haven't installed that to help you with your issues.
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The annoying way Windows thinks I want to dock my windows when I get them near an edge... The BlueTooth stack not operating correctly (BTStack Not Initialized) everytime I start up. Having to purchase a start menu (I tried the free one, wasn't as good as StartX) Having to use a Live log-in on the computer. Not logging into the desktop by default (although this is fixed in 8.1). The difficulty in finding anything in the start menu (yes, I could type, but I should also be able to get to it by mouse, it just adds time). I wouldn't find 8 so annoying if they gave me an option to make it like a desktop or a tablet, but they are forcing me into using my computer like a giant hand-held device and I'm not enjoying it. Like Chris, I have 2 giant monitors and the docking thing drives me insane on my laptop, much less if I put it on my desktop.
Ron Beyer wrote:
The annoying way Windows thinks I want to dock my windows when I get them near an edge...
This is actually a feature of Windows 7 as well, and is very easy to turn off if you don't want it. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg442260.aspx
Ron Beyer wrote:
Having to use a Live log-in on the computer.
I don't use one. My live login is only used in the app store (where it is, of course, necessary to have a login - because it's a store), but I log into the computer using a local username and password. This has always been an option, and is still there in 8.1 as far as I can tell.
Ron Beyer wrote:
Like Chris, I have 2 giant monitors and the docking thing drives me insane on my laptop, much less if I put it on my desktop.
I have two big monitors on my desktop, and I usually have my laptop plugged in to a second 20 inch monitor. I don't have any trouble with managing windows in this setup at all. In fact, multi-monitor support in Windows 8 is better than any previous version of Windows (e.g. option to have a separate taskbar for each monitor, Winkey+arrows to move programs between monitors, etc.)
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I'm on 8.1 and have some issues. First is that my browser seems to lock up, a lot. I can't restart the normal way so I have to do a hard reset. Second is every time my computer starts, I get a "Could not initialize BTStack" or something to that effect. Apparently this is an issue with the blue tooth stack. Third, start button, yeah its there, but it's like a tease. I want my start menu back. Fourth, I use my computer for things other than stuff that should be full screen, I hate working full screen. I have to jump through hoops to use my computer like a normal computer. The control panel is hard to get to. It forced me to use my MSN account for logging on otherwise it wouldn't let me download from the store (it changed to this in 8.1). I really can't stand it, and just don't have the time to downgrade to 7, luckily 8 is only on my portable dev machine that I only use in the field. 7 is on my main dev machine and I enjoy it 100 times better than 8. I can't stand the Metro UI, live tiles, etc on my computer. Tablet sure, computer no.
I honestly dont see why people dont like the start screen. Are people that stubborn? It has 100% the functionality of the start menu. Do you not realize you can still click start type a few characters of what you want then click on the app you want from the filtered list? Or do these people suffer from 2yr old problems that when things disappear on screen you think they are gone forever? Or do you have to keep your eyes on your twitter stream why you are opening a new program? My biggest complaint about the start menu in Win7 is it was too small to find something when you didnt know the name. I much prefer the start screen to the old start menu. Most people I know only click on programs on the desktop. If it's not on the desktop I will get support calls asking where an app is. The start screen gives most people what they have always wanted big icons informative on the "Metro Desktop" to click on to start programs. Perhaps all that is needed to appease the start screen hatred is a more customized way to change icons colors or add rounded corners. But now that IOS7 is much more vibrant perhaps more acceptance of the start screen will be seen. The only thing I hate about Win8 - 8.1 is the Metro File Pickers/Browsers. I felt that Win7+ finally got a good open save dialog on the desktop(it looks just like explorer with your favorites etc..) Now in Metro we are back to Win3.1 file picker. They could easily create the new one in Metro and should (I hope). My hope for Window 9 is they will have Metro floating windows/dialogs.
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Who's on Win8.1 and what do you think about it?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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I, personally, have started wearing a tin-foil hat.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
The tin-foil hat myth was started by the NSA... helps amplify the signal so they can pay more attention to exactly the types of people who don't want the NSA listening to them.
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The tin-foil hat myth was started by the NSA... helps amplify the signal so they can pay more attention to exactly the types of people who don't want the NSA listening to them.
NSA actually started the myth that wearing tin foil hats amplifies the signal in order to get people to take their tin foil hats off. Sneaky buggers, they are.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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Oh, one other big one... Visual Studio 2013 RC is not compatible with Windows 8. How do you like that? Brand new development environment can't even run on the newest OS. Also see my comment further down about Windows 8 removing support for DVD playback.
Not completly true. "Windows Store app development requires Windows 8.1 RTM, which is available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Visual Studio 2013 RC does not support Windows 8.1 Preview or Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview. To develop on Windows 8.1 Preview or Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview, download Visual Studio 2013 Preview."
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Who's on Win8.1 and what do you think about it?
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project | Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Sounds like Who got promoted from first. But, What is still on second base.
