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#1
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry)
can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance |
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#2
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On 5/7/13 8:20 AM, usenetopian wrote:
This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? The truth is, but not often mentioned, there is no "best" alternative. Just what's best for you, and only you can answer that. The two most commonly mentioned ones are Classic Shell (free) and Start8 ($4.99) I have Classic Shell installed on a Win 7 Starter netbook. I like it... there! grin But I'm building an i5 computer, and have no intention of using it there. I tend to be a power user, keyboard shortcuts, anything to make things run faster, take fewer mouseclicks to get "there", etc. And I've saved 15-20 web pages to my hard drive to evaluate later. Based only on screenshots, I think I'd like Power 8. Just no place to test at the moment. I'd suggest you make a list of the recommendations made here. Before you go looking, testing, getting caught up in the eye candy, sit down and give considerable thought to how you use the Win 7 start button and menu, then make a list of what you like and what you don't like. Now go testing, and use the one that fits you the best. Consider trying even the ones that look like overkill to you. You may find features you never thought of, and realize that would be a great feature to have. No one size fits all. Good luck. -- Ken Mac OS X 10.8.3 Firefox 20.0 Thunderbird 17.0.5 LibreOffice 4.0.1.2 |
#3
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On 5/7/2013 12:55 PM, G. Morgan wrote:
usenetopian wrote: This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance There are about 5-6 programs (easily searchable), but I've decided on Stardock's Start 8 ($4.99). I didn't like some of the free ones I tried for one reason or another, and watch out for PUP's* on some installers for the free ones. (watch the installer, don't agree to toolbars etc...) *PUP - Potentially Unwanted Program I went with Start8 and I love it, works like a charm worth the $4.49 (coupon if you click 'like' for their facebook page) |
#4
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
"usenetopian" wrote in message ... On 5/7/2013 12:55 PM, G. Morgan wrote: usenetopian wrote: This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance There are about 5-6 programs (easily searchable), but I've decided on Stardock's Start 8 ($4.99). I didn't like some of the free ones I tried for one reason or another, and watch out for PUP's* on some installers for the free ones. (watch the installer, don't agree to toolbars etc...) *PUP - Potentially Unwanted Program I went with Start8 and I love it, works like a charm worth the $4.49 (coupon if you click 'like' for their facebook page) I started with this one (free): Ex7forW8 http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...-for-Windows-8 then opted for Start is Back ($3.99 for 2 PCs): http://www.startisback.com/ Didn't really have a problem with the freebie, but SIB has more options, and doesn't rely on any Win7 files. -- SC Tom |
#5
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
"SC Tom" wrote in message ... "usenetopian" wrote in message ... On 5/7/2013 12:55 PM, G. Morgan wrote: usenetopian wrote: This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance There are about 5-6 programs (easily searchable), but I've decided on Stardock's Start 8 ($4.99). I didn't like some of the free ones I tried for one reason or another, and watch out for PUP's* on some installers for the free ones. (watch the installer, don't agree to toolbars etc...) *PUP - Potentially Unwanted Program I went with Start8 and I love it, works like a charm worth the $4.49 (coupon if you click 'like' for their facebook page) I started with this one (free): Ex7forW8 http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...-for-Windows-8 then opted for Start is Back ($3.99 for 2 PCs): http://www.startisback.com/ Didn't really have a problem with the freebie, but SIB has more options, and doesn't rely on any Win7 files. That should read "($3 for 2 PCs)" -- SC Tom |
#6
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
"usenetopian" wrote in message ... This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance Hang on a while? http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/li...-29249953.html Windows 8: Microsoft announces 'biggest product U-turn since New Coke'. mac |
#7
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:26 -0400, Paul wrote:
That fact that Reller would not commit to a "Start Button and a boot straight", means that is not their plan. It means they'll be doing something else, a "half-measure" meant to address "customer confusion", rather than address "customers hate our interface". Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. |
#8
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On 5/8/13 7:05 AM, mechanic wrote:
On Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:26 -0400, Paul wrote: That fact that Reller would not commit to a "Start Button and a boot straight", means that is not their plan. It means they'll be doing something else, a "half-measure" meant to address "customer confusion", rather than address "customers hate our interface". Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. I think it's representative of more than just a new idea and coping. 1. To me, it sounds like MS is saying "We don't care what our customers want, especially the existing ones, you're going to do it our way. Period." 2. New ideas are great, but there should be a route that provides easy transitions. Tablet and cell phone users are more used to the touchscreen interface. Desktop users are not. The question I have is, why didn't they set the install routines for desktop systems to boot into a traditional interface, with the ability to easily switch between the interfaces? They seem to be somewhat arrogant in believing everyone will just know how to do it. 3. One thing that might have helped out of the gate is if they had made the tile that gets to the desktop stand out visually. It wouldn't have to be a different size, just an obviously different design/style, so the new user's eye is drawn immediately to that tile, with larger letters saying "Desktop, press here", or similar. 4. Generic observation... I think MS is like most large organizations, they've lost touch with the basic user of their products and services. They simply don't know what people would like to see. Surveys and such, done from behind the screen, tell you little. That only accesses the folks who do the survey. And believe it will have an effect. 5. The question of increased computer security from the "bad guys" is always mentioned as a sound reason for upgrading. Agreed. But what prevented them from simply maintaining an XP looking interface for consistency, making transitions easier? I've read comments about how inefficient the Win 8 interface is, requiring more mouseclicks to get where you want to be. Does anyone know of some accurate reporting of this? If it is less efficient, people like me will be unhappy. We want to use the computer more efficiently, less efficiently. -- Ken Mac OS X 10.8.3 Firefox 20.0 Thunderbird 17.0.5 LibreOffice 4.0.1.2 |
#9
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
mechanic wrote:
On Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:26 -0400, Paul wrote: That fact that Reller would not commit to a "Start Button and a boot straight", means that is not their plan. It means they'll be doing something else, a "half-measure" meant to address "customer confusion", rather than address "customers hate our interface". Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. It is possible, to leave some bread crumbs, to make everyone happy. It wouldn't cost them that much to do it. I mean, this is why software has configuration options - to make it configurable. For example, if I'm a large business, looking at two salaried hours of "learning curve" for the new OS, times 50,000 employees, you can be damn sure I'll want that registry bit to flip in the sysprep. Microsoft are just like Mozilla, with the Awesome Bar. Because it was "progress", well, they couldn't very well leave a preference in about:config, to turn it off. It was "like it or lump it". It took a third party plugin, to keep both camps happy. Canonical did a similar thing to what Microsoft has done, and seemed to use the same approach (we don't care what customers think). Ubuntu and Unity GUI. I guess you could think of it as a "prevailing industry attitude". Something to be proud of. This is partially why there are so many distro flavors, hosted on the Canonical facilities. (As other FOSS contributors, struggle to clean up the mess.) One difference is, the Unity interface was delivered half-finished, which does nothing when it comes to gaining mind share, and getting people on your side. Paul |
#10
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
Hearing it from the horse's mouth might be better than interpreting what someone thought the horse said.
Tami Reller (CFO-Microsoft and Windows) http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/05/06/windows-8-at-6-months-q-amp-a-with-tami-reller.aspx Julie Larsen-Green (Corporate VP, Chief Engineer Windows Client – all software and hardware) http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/05/07/julie-larson-green-at-the-wired-business-conference.aspx Julie’s May 7, 2013 Interview (Video @ Wired Business Conference 2013) http://fora.tv/2013/05/07/Windows_VP_Julie_Larson-Green_Starting_Over_with_Windows Of importance: - at this time any illusion to the return of the Start Button (the Orb) does not mean the Start Menu (***pay close attention around 17:20 in the video*** g) - Julie previously was in charge of Office (aka the person responsible for the ‘Ribbon’ approach) - any ‘fixes’ for a later *8* (as shipped) include all fixes already deployed via Windows Update (program and security) and for apps via the Windows Store. Updates for the apps via the Store include both Program (Fixes, Features, Versions) and Security Updates. Never lose sight that no matter the o/s.....mobility is the primary market focus (i.e. in MSFT case - all devices capable of currently running Windows 8 --while desktop pcs are part of the focus but less significant than in the past) -- ....winston msft mvp consumer apps " mac" wrote in message ... "usenetopian" wrote in message ... This has been asked before but I forget the answers given (sorry) can anyone recommend a great Start button replacement for Windows 8? Thanks in advance Hang on a while? http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/li...-29249953.html Windows 8: Microsoft announces 'biggest product U-turn since New Coke'. mac |
#11
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On 5/8/2013 21:05, mechanic wrote:
On Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:26 -0400, Paul wrote: That fact that Reller would not commit to a "Start Button and a boot straight", means that is not their plan. It means they'll be doing something else, a "half-measure" meant to address "customer confusion", rather than address "customers hate our interface". Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. Because the new idea produces no tangible benefits and only idiots will accept changes for the sake of changes. Every single day in a real business, professionals are consistently learning new things and making changes because it is a "global market" now, so for either defensive or offensive reason, we need to serve customers and compete around the world - nonstop, 24 hours. We need to consistently learn new languages, new cultures, new buying behavior, new technologies, new laws, and so on and so on, just to come up new products and services that we could stay ahead and afford you guys to live on welfare checks. The last thing we need is a moron like you come to tell us how to find the start button for no apparent good reason and why a new OS is important to MS. You can spend your whole pathetic life on playing with a new OS which has no tangible improvements, but please do spare us and do not draw us to your level. MS lost again because professionals reject it. Get over it!!! |
#12
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
On 5/9/2013 15:02, ...winston wrote:
Hearing it from the horse's mouth might be better than interpreting what someone thought the horse said. Tami Reller (CFO-Microsoft and Windows) http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/05/06/windows-8-at-6-months-q-amp-a-with-tami-reller.aspx Julie Larsen-Green (Corporate VP, Chief Engineer Windows Client – all software and hardware) http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/05/07/julie-larson-green-at-the-wired-business-conference.aspx Julie’s May 7, 2013 Interview (Video @ Wired Business Conference 2013) http://fora.tv/2013/05/07/Windows_VP_Julie_Larson-Green_Starting_Over_with_Windows Of importance: - at this time any illusion to the return of the Start Button (the Orb) does not mean the Start Menu (***pay close attention around 17:20 in the video*** g) - Julie previously was in charge of Office (aka the person responsible for the ‘Ribbon’ approach) - any ‘fixes’ for a later *8* (as shipped) include all fixes already deployed via Windows Update (program and security) and for apps via the Windows Store. Updates for the apps via the Store include both Program (Fixes, Features, Versions) and Security Updates. Never lose sight that no matter the o/s.....mobility is the primary market focus (i.e. in MSFT case - all devices capable of currently running Windows 8 --while desktop pcs are part of the focus but less significant than in the past) All your information are exclusively from --- Microsoft? How sad!!! |
#13
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
Ken Springer wrote:
On 5/8/13 7:05 AM, mechanic wrote: Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. I think it's representative of more than just a new idea and coping. 1. To me, it sounds like MS is saying "We don't care what our customers want, especially the existing ones, you're going to do it our way. Period." It has always been pretty much that way with MS. ____________ 2. New ideas are great, but there should be a route that provides easy transitions. Tablet and cell phone users are more used to the touchscreen interface. Desktop users are not. The question I have is, why didn't they set the install routines for desktop systems to boot into a traditional interface, with the ability to easily switch between the interfaces? They seem to be somewhat arrogant in believing everyone will just know how to do it. Indeed. And why dump useful things like the ability to have multiple taskbars? The ability to set varying type sizes and styles for various things? And speaking of switching, why force everyone into a multi-user environment from XP on? The *ability* to use it with multiple users is fine but there are scads of people with computers that are never touched by others...why obfuscate things for them with "administration rights", "default user", etc.? ___________ 3. One thing that might have helped out of the gate is if they had made the tile that gets to the desktop stand out visually. It wouldn't have to be a different size, just an obviously different design/style, so the new user's eye is drawn immediately to that tile, with larger letters saying "Desktop, press here", or similar. My Win8 experience is short, bought a laptop with it three days ago, but I now boot to the desktop, have the start button back, an opaque taskbar, etc. IOW, it now looks/functions much like XP. ______________ 5. The question of increased computer security from the "bad guys" is always mentioned as a sound reason for upgrading. Agreed. But what prevented them from simply maintaining an XP looking interface for consistency, making transitions easier? Exactly!. Or at least, a choice between the two. And speaking of security, MS has been messing with OSs for 30 years. AFAIK they have never gotten a secure one. What they have gotten is *BIG* ones. The win8 folder on my new laptop is 16GB; a pristine WinXP folder on my PC is about 1GB; a well used WinXP folder on the PC is 2GB. How did they manage to add 15GB fromXP to 8 and what is it?? -- dadiOH ____________________________ Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race? Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net |
#14
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
dadiOH wrote:
And speaking of switching, why force everyone into a multi-user environment from XP on? The *ability* to use it with multiple users is fine but there are scads of people with computers that are never touched by others...why obfuscate things for them with "administration rights", "default user", etc.? That's to make it harder for malware to gain a foothold. That malware you run as user "dadiOH", doesn't have administrator rights. It also doesn't have Trusted Installer rights, so it can make changes to executables in the Program Files folders. While that approach can never protect you from everything, it significantly complicates making exploits for the system. In a corporate environment, there might be one user physically on the computer, but the IT staff count as a "second user", a user granted a higher privilege level. And with that privilege, they can adjust policies to support corporate objectives (whatever those are). If they don't want you installing your own apps, they can stop you. Even though, you're the only user on the computer. Paul |
#15
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Best Win 8 Start Button replacement program?
xfile wrote:
On 5/8/2013 21:05, mechanic wrote: On Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:26 -0400, Paul wrote: That fact that Reller would not commit to a "Start Button and a boot straight", means that is not their plan. It means they'll be doing something else, a "half-measure" meant to address "customer confusion", rather than address "customers hate our interface". Fair enough, why abandon a new idea simply because some people have problems coping with it. Change happens - get over it. Because the new idea produces no tangible benefits and only idiots will accept changes for the sake of changes. Every single day in a real business, professionals are consistently learning new things and making changes because it is a "global market" now, so for either defensive or offensive reason, we need to serve customers and compete around the world - nonstop, 24 hours. We need to consistently learn new languages, new cultures, new buying behavior, new technologies, new laws, and so on and so on, just to come up new products and services that we could stay ahead and afford you guys to live on welfare checks. The last thing we need is a moron like you come to tell us how to find the start button for no apparent good reason and why a new OS is important to MS. You can spend your whole pathetic life on playing with a new OS which has no tangible improvements, but please do spare us and do not draw us to your level. MS lost again because professionals reject it. Get over it!!! Another way of stating this, is the computer is an "appliance". We're familiar with "wash" and "rinse" on our appliance, and it serves no purpose to move the furniture and make "super-wash" and "hyper-rinse". We get more washing done, if we already know the controls down pat. If a Microsoft developer wants to put "super-wash" and "hyper-rinse", on their tablet or phone OS product line, I have no problem with that. Because I won't have to look at it every day :-) Greasy fingerprints and tiles, FTW. Paul |
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