It’s been almost a month since I made the switch to Windows 8, and my feelings are mixed. Here are some of the things that, so far, I like and others that I’d like to ditch.
Windows 8’s integration with touch screen devices is undeniably cool. Being able to touch to launch an app, slide a program left or right with your finger, pinch to minimize or spread your fingers to zoom, or drag a program down to close it takes some of the frustration out of getting used to the new look and functionality of the OS.
I love the faster boot up time - I’m up and running within seconds of pressing the power button. While it’s no fault of the OS, beware of the load that certain programs can put on your system. I installed Spotify, a music streaming service, and it began starting up automatically every time I booted up my PC. This added at least two minutes of sluggish or unresponsive lag time to my start up time while Spotify loaded and started to run. Luckily, Windows 8’s Task Manager has a “Startup” tab that shows you a list of all programs that auto launch when you boot up your system and their “startup impact” (none, low, medium, or high). I was able to select Spotify in the list, right click and choose “disable” to stop it from starting up automatically and restore my system’s speedy startup time.
I like the look of Metro’s scrolling apps and images - it’s far more exciting than the static desktop page. Unfortunately, I spend most of my time on the Desktop page. This is most likely a function of familiarity, but I’m more annoyed than smitten with the process of jumping between the Metro start screen and the Desktop where I do my work. I still haven’t gotten used to moving between programs in Metro. I find it easier to switch between active applications by clicking the icon in the bottom taskbar (in Desktop) than having to remember just the right way to click and in which corner to access running programs in Metro.
It’s pretty convenient that whenever you are on the Metro Start screen you can just start typing to automatically pull up the search menu in the right side of your screen. This lets you quickly find programs, apps or functions that you may otherwise waste time clicking around to find. For example, typing “task” while on your Start screen will cause the search bar to appear and resultant “Task Manager” icon to pop up on your screen, like magic.
The Windows logo button is linked to a bevy of new functionality. Click it at any time to be returned to the Start Screen; click again to toggle back to the last program you were using. This is surprisingly handy when you’ve navigated into an app that doesn’t have a “_” to minimize or “x” to close in sight. Windows logo key + D lets you toggle back and forth to your Desktop. For a more hot key options, check out Window’s list of new keyboard shortcuts here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/new-keyboard-shortcuts
I’m not enamored with the inability to easily work within two programs side-by-side in Metro. You can left click an app or program and choose to “Snap left” or “Snap right,” but the program you aren’t actively working in is relegated to a small fraction of your screen that I find relatively unusable.
Next week I’ll explore whether the upcoming Windows 8.1 update will convert me from a Desktop-diehard to the new OS once and for all.
Showing posts with label Control Panel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Control Panel. Show all posts
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The Switch to Windows 8 - Part 2
Last week my foray into Windows 8 began in earnest. I discovered that I like the look of Metro with its apps displayed as “tiles,” though I’m withholding judgment on its user-friendliness. I also learned that I will need to get used to clicking on the corners of the screen to navigate between applications and access the new “Charms” menu. I lamented to loss of the Start key, but just briefly, before I found most of its functions hidden in a lower left corner right-click launched menu. This week I will explore apps, the cornerstone of the new Metro layout.
Upon launching Windows 8, your first tentative minutes exploring the new Metro interface will quickly clue you in to the reliance on apps, programs that appear as tiles on the screen instead of the smaller icons you grew accustomed to in earlier versions of Windows. Some apps scroll constantly updating information like news, weather, or your social media updates, others are just large icons.
You can easily customize the look of your home screen. Drag tiles to different locations on the screen, or right click the tile to launch a menu with options to unpin the application from your start screen, uninstall it entirely, or make the icon larger or smaller.
After a little more than a week using Windows 8, I am underwhelmed with the pre-installed apps. They are, not surprisingly, Microsoft centered and I am a Google-girl. If you use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps like I do, be prepared for the quick realization that there won’t be “an app for that” in Windows 8. Accessing your Google data will have to be done online through your browser, though you can install a Chrome app if you prefer Google’s browser over the default Internet Explorer and there’s a Google Search app. Otherwise, you can pin shortcuts to the applicable Google weblinks to your Metro homepage.
“Travel” looms front and center on my screen – it’s simply a link to Microsoft-owned Bing Travel. Maps takes you to Bing’s mapping program. Default Music and Video apps link you to Microsoft-owned Xbox Music and Video stores to purchase content through the XBox streaming service. Playing video content you already own will likely require you purchase the Windows Media Center application for $9.99 as the integrated Windows Media Player no longer includes MPEG-2 support, a common video format.
The calendar is lacking in features. You can pull data from additional sources like Google Calendar or iCal, but you can’t push data entered via your Windows 8 calendar to these applications. If you use an online calendar, you’ll likely be able to view your schedule in your Windows 8 calendar but not make updates as they won’t sync to your other devices.
The People app lets you view notifications and updates from Facebook and/or Twitter, but clicking to view a profile or your newsfeed will lead to a browser window opening and launching the full application online. I chose to install Facebook+ Lite (http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f9dbb3ff-a7fe-4251-8e61-39f5ea061836, free) to get a more functional Facebook app, though you could just access it online as you’re probably used to doing.
The included Photos app is for viewing only, similar to opening your “My Photos” folder in previous versions of Windows. If you’re looking to make changes to your photos, CameraStudio+ ($2.99) gives you some of the photo editing features lacking from the default photo management application, such as cropping, resizing, red-eye correction, effects and borders.
Next week I will explore navigation shortcuts and discover once and for all if it’s possible to split-screen multi-task as I once could in my beloved Windows 7.
Upon launching Windows 8, your first tentative minutes exploring the new Metro interface will quickly clue you in to the reliance on apps, programs that appear as tiles on the screen instead of the smaller icons you grew accustomed to in earlier versions of Windows. Some apps scroll constantly updating information like news, weather, or your social media updates, others are just large icons.
You can easily customize the look of your home screen. Drag tiles to different locations on the screen, or right click the tile to launch a menu with options to unpin the application from your start screen, uninstall it entirely, or make the icon larger or smaller.
After a little more than a week using Windows 8, I am underwhelmed with the pre-installed apps. They are, not surprisingly, Microsoft centered and I am a Google-girl. If you use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps like I do, be prepared for the quick realization that there won’t be “an app for that” in Windows 8. Accessing your Google data will have to be done online through your browser, though you can install a Chrome app if you prefer Google’s browser over the default Internet Explorer and there’s a Google Search app. Otherwise, you can pin shortcuts to the applicable Google weblinks to your Metro homepage.
“Travel” looms front and center on my screen – it’s simply a link to Microsoft-owned Bing Travel. Maps takes you to Bing’s mapping program. Default Music and Video apps link you to Microsoft-owned Xbox Music and Video stores to purchase content through the XBox streaming service. Playing video content you already own will likely require you purchase the Windows Media Center application for $9.99 as the integrated Windows Media Player no longer includes MPEG-2 support, a common video format.
The calendar is lacking in features. You can pull data from additional sources like Google Calendar or iCal, but you can’t push data entered via your Windows 8 calendar to these applications. If you use an online calendar, you’ll likely be able to view your schedule in your Windows 8 calendar but not make updates as they won’t sync to your other devices.
The People app lets you view notifications and updates from Facebook and/or Twitter, but clicking to view a profile or your newsfeed will lead to a browser window opening and launching the full application online. I chose to install Facebook+ Lite (http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f9dbb3ff-a7fe-4251-8e61-39f5ea061836, free) to get a more functional Facebook app, though you could just access it online as you’re probably used to doing.
The included Photos app is for viewing only, similar to opening your “My Photos” folder in previous versions of Windows. If you’re looking to make changes to your photos, CameraStudio+ ($2.99) gives you some of the photo editing features lacking from the default photo management application, such as cropping, resizing, red-eye correction, effects and borders.
Next week I will explore navigation shortcuts and discover once and for all if it’s possible to split-screen multi-task as I once could in my beloved Windows 7.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Switch to Windows 8 - Part 1
Despite my tech-writer status, I’ve held out against moving to Windows 8. I am strongly in favor of productivity and I find that learning an entirely new layout and way of getting around in my PC tends to hinder my ability to get things done. And yet, my trusty Windows 7 laptop has seen better days.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Switch to Windows 8 - Part 1
Despite my tech-writer status, I’ve held out against moving to Windows 8. I am strongly in favor of productivity and I find that learning an entirely new layout and way of getting around in my PC tends to hinder my ability to get things done. And yet, my trusty Windows 7 laptop has seen better days.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
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