Posted on 03/01/2014 9:27:01 AM PST by dayglored
Microsoft is currently experimenting with a free version of Windows 8.1 that could boost the number of people using the operating system. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell The Verge that the company is building "Windows 8.1 with Bing," a version that will bundle key Microsoft apps and services. While early versions of the software have leaked online, we understand that Windows 8.1 with Bing is an experimental project that aims to bring a low-cost version of Windows to consumers...
We’re told that Microsoft is aiming to position Windows 8.1 with Bing as a free or low-cost upgrade for Windows 7 users...
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
The OS is only a learning curve, and I’ve done plenty of swapping about. So 8.1 is just one more. No big deal. I guess I don’t get the MS hate. I don’t love MS, but to use MS flight sims, it’s usually easiest to use MS OSes. I’ve experimented with a variety of flavors of Linux, over the years, being so broke I couldn’t afford any OS licenses....
So switching from Windows 3.1 to 98 to 2000 and Ce, to XP, to 20 different Linuxes, then Vista, then 7, I have no problems moving around on 8.1.
In fact, I just ordered a brand spanking new gaming computer specifically for flight sim use, and intentionally ordered 8.1. My son also purchased a brand new computer, and it came with 8.1, but he doesn’t like the Metro interface, and uses the desktop.
Windows operating systems just work when it comes to gaming. I tried hacking drivers and kernel mode workarounds with Wine on Linux, and it just wasn’t worth it. For day-to-day automation, email, etc. Linux is awesome. For gaming, you just don’t beat MS. It’s the first PC OS game developers code to, and it’s the easiest to use out of the box.
There, fixed it.
I’m used to doing it the Windows Explorer way. Find the file, find the document.
I have enough years of computer operating system experience on several OSes, including ones using complex multi-level logical name patterns for files and other system objects, to know that I’m not doing anything wrong having trouble finding files via the Windows 7 Explorer, and yes, I know of the Search function and use it, though it sometimes fails for mysterious reasons, but that’s not how I want to find files, nor should a user be forced to use search instead of direct access.
People who experience problems using faulty computer operating systems and file systems are not always idiots, as much as you clever hackers like to think.
The problem is NOBODY wants windows 8
MS has no choice but to cut costs.
25% of their installed base or so is still running XP and even under threat of support ending they don’t want windows 8
I can’t blame them it’s a disaster.
Freeware file system explorer that I’ve just found highly recommended by reviewers:
FreeCommander: http://www.freecommander.com/fc_shots_en.htm
And a review of several alternatives to the Windows Explorer:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-file-manager.htm
I’m trying the FreeCommander now, so I can’t recommend it yet.
I don’t understand you. Neither Apple nor Microsoft charged for service packs, only for major releases. Apple stopped charging for major releases with Mavericks, and now Microsoft appears to be leaning that way in some cases.
Apple makes money off the hardware they never should have charged for it.
Win7 and later, including Server operating systems, use indexing to make a table of contents, of sorts. You probably have indexing turned off, which makes searching much longer.
I too have over 20 years of IT experience with every OS from DOS 6.22 to OS/X to iOS, most of the more common flavors of Linux, and server operating systems of every stripe including true UNIX. There’s nothing mysterious about file searches. If you’re complaining about searching in Win7 but you have no problem doing it in XP, you either have indexing turned off or you’re a CLI guy who’s deign to use a GUI.
Primitive search of the entire file system that you promote should be the last resort when looking for a file in a modern operating system, regardless of your impressive vast experience with MS DOS and Linux which I never questioned, and that is my entire point. No one using Windows of whatever release is too stupid to know that this function exists, users simply expect a reasonably understandable and transparent organization of the file system. And the advice that a person is too stupid to use a computer is something I have heard often and see on various help forums from self appointed masturbating computer gurus. Fail!
Primitive search?
Do me a favor, if you’re using Win7, click ‘Start’ and start typing ‘Indexing Options.’ Click on the ‘Indexing Options’ option and look to see what’s being indexed.
You’re being a bit more offensive than I think is necessary. Win7 doesn’t index the whole file system, it indexes popular file storage locations.
I WAS trying to be helpful, but you apparently see me as a “masturbating computer guru” more than someone trying to shed some light on file system functionality vs. an antiquated operating system.
I understand how it works. Who’s the failing one here?
Sorry, I apologize, I overreacted. It’s just your first post suggested that a user doesn’t know what he’s doing and that set me off.
Anyway, my point has been that a file should be easily found via the Windows Explorer, that’s all, and it often isn’t.
Huh? Apple's a hardware company. They make hardware, they sell it, they make a profit.
What's wrong with charging whatever they care to? Are you seriously suggesting that Apple should not be permitted to charge whatever the heck they want for their hardware? That's how they make their money, and if they price their gear too high, enough people will tell them to stuff it, and the price will come down. They are successful capitalists. Surely you don't have a problem with that.
Apple's never been the low-priced option -- they don't sell to the low end. They occupy their mid-to-high end market segments on the basis of high quality, a cachet of being "cool", a reputation of good value retention, etc. Nobody holds a gun to a customer's head and demands they buy Apple gear.
You sound like you're just trolling. :) C'mon, I know you know better than what you wrote.
You clearly have a reading comprehension problem.
No I don’t, but I’ll ask you to rephrase your comment from #50 anyway, just to see if maybe you have a writing problem. :)
It shows that Microsoft got it wrong just like the missing Start button when other companies create replacements and they make them better.
W7 is the upgraded XP.
“Anyway, my point has been that a file should be easily found via the Windows Explorer, that’s all, and it often isn’t.”
Whoa! There’s your problem. W7 isn’t DOS 4. Most people nowadays have close to a million files on their computer. You really expect that should be searchable via Windows Explorer? Serious disconnect there FRiend.
W7 puts User stuff in their Libraries. Other stuff is nested in semi-traditional Windows file systems.
If you have jacked-up searches turn on Indexing (start, [run] services.msc, goto Indexing; set to Automatic and Start.
It sounds like W7 Folder searching is not default on your box. To reset: Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, and ‘restore defaults’ on the General and Search tabs.
Best of luck.
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