Posted on 08/08/2014 12:48:21 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
It’s official, Windows 8 is a write-off . Sales for the operating system have been poor and now it is even starting to lose market share to Windows 7. To Microsoft MSFT -0.12%’s credit it has bravely persisted addressing issue after issue. Most notable was the major Windows 8.1 Update 1 patch released in April which makes the OS a genuinely credible platform. Still it remains far from perfect and now Microsoft is prematurely pulling the plug.
In a blog post by Microsoft Senior Marketing Communications Manager Brandon LeBlanc, he explains that there will be no more major update releases for Windows 8: “despite rumours and speculation, we are not planning to deliver a Windows 8.1 ‘Update 2’.”
LeBlanc reassured Windows 8 users that they “can expect that we’ll use our already existing monthly update process to deliver more frequent improvements along with the security updates”, but in my opinion this doesn’t wash. A roadmap with no major updates on the horizon is the deathknell for any operating system. Android, iOS and Microsoft’s Windows Phone along with previous Windows versions all deliver regular improvements, but they still make a point of issuing major updates to introduce the biggest changes and generate interest.
Instead what is now clear is for Microsoft the next big ‘update’ will be Windows 9 and in taking the decision to sideline an OS that won’t even be two years old until the end of October the company runs a huge risk of undermining the confidence of users who expect Windows versions to last 12 years like Windows XP.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
I really like Windows 8. I really do!
Best thing ever in computering.
Wait a moment, some guys in white coats are coming toward me... Their coming to take me away ha! ha! Their coming to take me away ha! ha!
I’ll be getting a new Desktop replacement soon, so I think I’ll stick with Windows 7 Pro 64 and just get the upgrade ticket to 8.1 ... I’ve just gotten somewhat familiar with the current version, but maybe can parlay that into a Windows 9 license down the road.
Simplicity needs to be achieved once again as well as some easy to do opting out on such things as "CLOUD". Not everyone is on high speed broadband or unlimited usage. A functional multi user mail client would also be nice. Put Admin functions back to something recognizable. Another biggie IMO is on System Configuration in Selective Start up Tab put programs in plain English what they are for. This helps greatly in troubleshooting. Make it easy once again to open a new window. Make it more Window friendly as previous systems were before. Not everyone likes using Tabs.
This one is for "The Old Man" on Pawn Stars. Where's Solitaire? End the Libraries nonsense and put My Documents back where they belong which brings up another issue. W-8 completely destroyed the "Search" feature for the computer.
Bookmark
The jury is out on Windows 9 until I see the OS for myself. If it returns to the simplicity and stability of XP/W7, then yes, it will be welcomed. If not, and it turns out to be another ME/Vista/W8 turkey, then Microsoft ought to type out it’s own obituary cuz no one will buy it either.
Same here. I use a desktop mainly and I want a functional system I can enjoy using rather than being frustrated trying to complete what was once easy functions. I'm going to watch Public Ratings closely before even considering it. That said W8 should own up to their abomination on this one and offer W9 free to current W8 license.
Not a bad idea, but you and I both know that will never happen.......
Whoa nelly! Good one.
When I built a new box I could pay extra for XP (full price) OR get 7 for 20 bucks...
I took the 7 and never looked back.
Now I have 7 and my theory is it works so there is no need to upgrade to 8...
I don't need the newest latest thingy. I'll look at 9 eventually I am sure but right now I have lots of 7 discs unopened so I am good for awhile.
I would never upgrade my OS to a major release. FPs and SRs sure, but like you said, it’s working why mess with it. This machine I’m at is less than a year old, given how long I keep computers I’ll probably be deciding between 10 and 11. Though I’ll definitely wind up dealing with 9 at work, as a test environment if nothing else.
I’m happy with Mac OS-X
People who think that the Windows 8 debacle is the result of Microsoft’s greed and hubris are only partially correct. The elephant in the room is that this is a direct consequence of proprietary software.
If a very unpopular decision is made in the Linux world, not everyone has to go along with it because Linux isn’t proprietary. There are a -lot- of very poor whiz-bang user interfaces in Linux, but instead of being forced to use them, I’m free to use something that’s geared toward people who know what they’re doing.
People who use Windows and OS X will never have that ability. I envy you guys for some of the convenience features that Linux doesn’t have, but I definitely don’t miss being bossed around by ultra-liberal corporations like Microsoft.
Oh, and to those of you who wonder how Millennials will do, read this:
http://www.coding2learn.org/blog/2013/07/29/kids-cant-use-computers/
TL;DR - Younger folk aren’t computer geniuses because they can use Facebook. In fact, they’re generally clueless. I say that as one of them.
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