Windows 8.1 Update 2 Coming - Comments (Page 2)

Denial

2014-06-23 21:36

Don't start with the trolling of "Users who are unable to adapt" adapting is this: Nursery / Kindergarten = Big colourful pictures and blocks to Becoming an adult and learning to become accurate and specific 10 pinned items on the start menu? You missed the option to increase that then? I didn't insult you with my comments on the start menu, if you get butt hurt when someone prefers the menu, your issue, not theirs It has absolutely nothing to do with adapting, the start screen IMO is a step backwards, it makes things more awkward not easier or faster And you get NO info on pinned tiles for anything other than Metro Apps, normal 3rd party pinned programs have an icon, same as the start menu, only bigger, and my eyes are working well enough to see them as they are, I don't need massive pictures to help me use Windows after I grew up with DOS >>> and upwards

What? Big blocks? You mean to increase hit accuracy when using a mouse and touch screen? Colors? To more quickly identify objects? This is UI design 101. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts's_law And you can increase the number of icons on Start Screen as well. Except they are always going to remain more evenly spaced, easier to hit, and more visibly identifiable. Can't I say the same butt-hurt comments about people who want Microsoft to bring it back? Isn't that your problem? One that's already solved via 3rd party software? If you don't need a massive window, don't use a massive window. But you can't write off having updatable information provided via the interface as not an improvement. I log onto my Surface and I get weather, stock, recent emails and traffic information at a glance. I don't need to open a browser, application, nothing. I start it and it's right there. That is valuable for me and it's something that cannot be provided on 7. Whatever, I guess we agree to disagree. For me the start screen in 8 is superior in nearly every way compared to 7.

#4853822

eclap

2014-06-23 21:39

In theory you shouldn't have needed a reinstall for any of them, people have successfully managed to upgrade from iirc either dos or 3.1 right up to 7 purely as upgrades each time, 7 > 8 and 8 to 8.1 work fine for most too Not sure what is causing the problem that stops you upgrading, but possibly if you've been unlucky this far, there is a driver or hardware combo causing the problem that MS haven't sorted yet / know about

I upgraded from 8 to 8.1, but then there was some issue (can't remember now) so I did a clean install for sanity's sake. Update 1 just wouldn't install, it was a very common issue for many out there, if you google it. I don't really mind re-installing Windows from scratch, tbh, nothing beats a clean install and it only takes some 20 minutes to install, then a couple of hours to get the most used apps/games back.

#4853835

Extraordinary

2014-06-23 21:48

What? Big blocks? You mean to increase hit accuracy when using a mouse and touch screen? Colors? To more quickly identify objects? This is UI design 101. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts's_law

Hit accuracy? Can't remember the last time I missed what I moved my mouse over and clicked on, especially to the point where I needed something 50x bigger than the cursor in order to ensure I hit it... I tend to wait until my mouse is actually over the top of the icon I want to click before I actually click, weirdly that gives me a 100% hit accuracy

And you can increase the number of icons on Start Screen as well. Except they are always going to remain more evenly spaced, easier to hit, and more visibly identifiable. Can't I say the same butt-hurt comments about people who want Microsoft to bring it back? Isn't that your problem? One that's already solved via 3rd party software?

Not my problem, Ive been using a 3rd party start menu since MS removed it.... not sure where you get your info from, but it's not from me

If you don't need a massive window, don't use a massive window. But you can't write off having updatable information provided via the interface as not an improvement. I log onto my Surface and I get weather, stock, recent emails and traffic information at a glance. I don't need to open a browser, application, nothing. I start it and it's right there. That is valuable for me and it's something that cannot be provided on 7. Whatever, I guess we agree to disagree. For me the start screen in 8 is superior in nearly every way compared to 7.

Im not talking about a Surface, Im talking about a PC with a keyboard and mouse, obviously using your finger instead of a mouse requires a bigger target and Metro is perfect for that, no disagreeing there, but in no way is it better than a start menu for a normal PC and a capable user -- EDIT - The type of 'Adapting' you are describing is like losing an arm, yes you can manage, but its a PITA compared to having all limbs

#4853842

-Tj-

2014-06-23 21:51

I don't mind missing classic start menu, imo win8.1 gui is great as it is now.

#4853931

Denial

2014-06-23 23:14

Hit accuracy? Can't remember the last time I missed what I moved my mouse over and clicked on, especially to the point where I needed something 50x bigger than the cursor in order to ensure I hit it... I tend to wait until my mouse is actually over the top of the icon I want to click before I actually click, weirdly that gives me a 100% hit accuracy Not my problem, Ive been using a 3rd party start menu since MS removed it.... not sure where you get your info from, but it's not from me Im not talking about a Surface, Im talking about a PC with a keyboard and mouse, obviously using your finger instead of a mouse requires a bigger target and Metro is perfect for that, no disagreeing there, but in no way is it better than a start menu for a normal PC and a capable user -- EDIT - The type of 'Adapting' you are describing is like losing an arm, yes you can manage, but its a PITA compared to having all limbs

Except in Microsoft's testing and in my experience people definitely have problems quickly selecting items. Especially older people who have trouble seeing. Fitt's law was created with that in mind and using it only betters the interface to the vast majority of people. All while adding the ability to do things like live tiles and 72 icons with adequate spacing. On top of that it's incredibly better suited for touch experiences, which is part of Windows now -- whether you use it or not. And aside from extremely vague complaints like "makes things more awkward" and "is like losing an arm, yes you can manage, but its a PITA compared to having all limbs" you haven't listed one specific example as to why the new start is bad.

#4853938

Extraordinary

2014-06-23 23:20

Except in Microsoft's testing and in my experience people definitely have problems quickly selecting items. Especially older people who have trouble seeing. Fitt's law was created with that in mind and using it only betters the interface to the vast majority of people. All while adding the ability to do things like live tiles and 72 icons with adequate spacing. On top of that it's incredibly better suited for touch experiences, which is part of Windows now -- whether you use it or not. And aside from extremely vague complaints like "makes things more awkward" and "is like losing an arm, yes you can manage, but its a PITA compared to having all limbs" you haven't listed one specific example as to why the new start is bad.

Bored of this now, took you far too long to come up with a pathetic argument The MINORITY can not click an icon, the MAJORITY can, deal with it

#4853956

evasiondutch

2014-06-23 23:40

I'll wait for win9 im not gonne support MS for while my win7 works perfectly no need to change. Got fast boot good FPS in games why should change and give MS again $$ for product that was made in the first place for phones and tablets? Sick tired of these companies but lucky i have some character and if companys are $$ crazy they don't get my money very easy or not at all. Whole industry is focusing more and more on tablets phones or consoles and less on desktops well fuke them i spent less and less as result while i can easly buy np. I refuse half ass products or switch to consoles thats why i also almost don't buy games anymore with these damn ports. This is my own view not what others do if your happy with your discision to keep buying these products good for you.

#4853966

Denial

2014-06-23 23:52

Bored of this now, took you far too long to come up with a pathetic argument The MINORITY can not click an icon, the MAJORITY can, deal with it

I literally said from the start that it gives me 72 tiles, optimized hit, live update information and better touch experience. You've given no argument as to why it's bad but mine is pathetic. Makes sense. Now you're on ignore. Anyway I look forward to the improvements they make with this update. Their interface paradigm has been moving the right way. Nearly everyone in the industry is copying the flat look they pioneered with Zune. I think Surface is the best device I've purchased for productivity in a long time. Xbox updates have been great. The new CEO has had a pretty large impact on the way they are doing things and so far I like it.

#4853984

vajoiner

2014-06-24 00:11

the start screen just needs some extra features and stability. folders? duh, ms? i could reproduce a pretty functional start screen with some live type tiles in htmlcss in half a day and they cant strengthen what they have in 2 years? what is that? and the latest update 1-2 weeks ago broke my start screen. i cant do anything but move tiles around. i really wonder what they actually do at camp 'ms interface' because theyre not working on the interface. they cant be.

#4853987

Extraordinary

2014-06-24 00:16

Now you're on ignore.

Likewise

#4854026

tensai28

2014-06-24 00:59

Although I like the start screen and find it an improvement over the start menu, I am puzzled as to why Microsoft won't add the option for those who want to use the classic start menu.

#4854055

Dch48

2014-06-24 01:18

does this mean I'll have to reinstall windows again? 8 > 8.1 required a reinstall, 8.1 > 8.1 Update 1 needed a reinstall here.

I didn't have to reinstall either time. 8 to 8.1 went without a hitch from the store and update 1 went perfectly through Windows Update. I expect the same thing this time. I find the "Metro" screen usable if you pin and arrange tiles for your most used things. But, since in my case, they're all desktop apps and the system goes into desktop mode and stays there when I open anything, why not just stay on the desktop to begin with? That's what I do with the addition of Classic Shell and old fashioned desktop icons. I do not like things pinned to the taskbar or even to the Start Menu in most cases. Only things like Windows Update or other fairly frequently used utilities get pinned to the Start Menu. Everything else I use regularly gets a desktop icon. I have no need for live tiles. I like the Start menu for another reason. It provides easy access to my browsing favorites without having to first open up the browser. Of course it only works with favorites added by IE but that is my default browser of choice anyway.

#4854256

Kevin cobley

2014-06-24 04:58

Start Menu a Seinfeld debate! It's a debate about nothing, can't believe all these tech heads that can't find and configure the provided start menu (it hasn't been take away just formatted to full screen and for those that couldn't find the start button, well that defies belief). Are techies actually sub morons.

#4854301

lucidus

2014-06-24 06:59

Metro doesn't do anything better on the laptop or desktop. I'm glad sanity prevailed in Redmond, arguing over the start menu or the screen and insulting others won't achieve anything. MS learned the hard way that being "modern" is not the same as being useful.

#4854442

bryonhowley

2014-06-24 09:53

I really hope Microsoft does not ever add a start menu to Window 8. It would be a very bad move and is not needed at all. What they should do is remove all traces of the start menu and prevent any 3rd party start menu app's from installing period. Microsoft got right the first time with Windows 8 and adding a start menu at this time would be a big step back words.

#4854443

PhazeDelta1

2014-06-24 09:54

It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I boot directly to desktop and haven't even seen the start menu since I installed 8.1

#4854521

riardon

2014-06-24 12:07

I'm a Windows 8.1 user and while and I don't have major problems with the modern screen I find it inconvenient at least. You can't roll the mouse and go to the all apps section from the tiles screen. You have to click that small down arrow on the bottom which is placed really bad near the taskbar. You can make it go straight to the All apps screen but I don't like that option. That screen showing all the kind of crap you can imagine (from readmes to .txts files) and not only the program shortcuts. I find it really inconvenient and pretty unorganized. Yes I know about classic shells, start8 but I want native solution and not 3rd party ones. They promised to deliver that Start Menu. If they will not bring in W8 with this upcoming update then it will be too late. I never understood why they failed so hard to bring those changes 8.1 and 8.1.1 had earlier. I hope this update will fix a lot of issues on the desktop side. And like one guy said above. Being modern doesn't mean being useful too.

#4854579

WhiteLightning

Moderator

2014-06-24 13:10

I find it inconvenient at least.

Isnt it the same as if you would click 'All Programs' in previous windows versions ?

#4854615

Denial

2014-06-24 13:46

Isnt it the same as if you would click 'All Programs' in previous windows versions ?

I feel like I haven't clicked that on any computer Vista+. I just type the app I want in search and hit enter.

#4854820

ManofGod

2014-06-24 17:48

I don't mind missing classic start menu, imo win8.1 gui is great as it is now.

Totally agree. :thumbup::infinity: The one thing I want them to add though is the ability to remember how I had my full screen apps open. That way, when I go back, it would be just as I had them before.