So, how is W8 on a non-touch screen computer?

Fyi...if you've already accessed the Desktop (or left any other program open) to avoid having to switch to the Start Screen (fka
Metro) just push the cursor the far upper right and all existing open windows including the desktop will be accessible and appear
in a thumbnail.
-i.e. its not that difficult to switch back and forth.

In the long run....even with the Desktop UI capable of Quick Launch, Taskbar, third party Classic UI...once one learns how to add
items to the Start Screen, remove unnecessary items, group common items or user preferred items in a group...the need to use the
Desktop, QL, Taskbar or 3rd party Classic UI will diminish


--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"SC Tom" wrote in message ...



"Ken Blake" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:27:58 -0700, Ant wrote:

Is anyone using it on non-tablet/touch screen machines?


I am and my wife is. It's fine.

Please realize that Windows 8 has two interfaces--Metro and one much
like Windows 7's. You can use either or both. When you're not using
the Metro interface, a touch screen would do little or nothing for
you. And if you are using Metro (which I sometimes do), a touch screen
would be nice, but it's far from necessary; even Metro works fine
without a touch screen.

How does one access the interface that is "much like Windows7's"? Do you
mean the Desktop tile?
--
SC Tom

On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:22:57 -0700, "Ken Blake"
wrote in article ...

On 28 Oct 2012 19:16:01 GMT, Nil
wrote:

On 28 Oct 2012, Ed Cryer wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-8:

Touch-screens are everywhere.
Market check-outs.
Doctor's surgery for appointment.
Govt. offices for info etc.
Tablet computers, phones, e-readers etc.

It's something that I didn't grow up with; but it's something that
many young people are growing up with, and to them a mouse &
keyboard must seem antiquated.

If I don't have to type in much input, a touch screen might be
adequate. However a nice, large monitor works best at just below eye
level, and be a few feet back, which is not a good position for
touching. Also, to have to reach out to touch the screen and then go
back to the keyboard is inconveniently far. Keyboard to mouse is closer
and more convenient. To have to use all three is just silly.

Touch screens are fine for consuming content, for selecting stuff to
buy from a list, maybe for text messaging and tweeting, but I'd hate to
write a novel, program computer code, edit sound, or do anything
constructive on a touch computer.


I wouldn't particularly want a touch screen on my desktop here,
because as you say, its location wouldn't be convenient. If I had one
I'd probably play with it for a while, then soon stop using it.


But I'd like one on a tablet that I could take with me when I
traveled, instead of having a larger heavier laptop to carry.

Ken, I think you would like the Microsoft Surface tablet then - it is
just slightly heavier than an iPad 4, runs Windows 8 RT and comes with
Office. Windows 8 RT is essentially the same as the full Windows 8
except you can't install and run 3rd party programs in the Desktop (at
least, not programs written for the standard Windows APIs - but I
wouldn't be surprised of some enterprising souls come up with ways
around that).

I've got the 32GB version with Touch Cover (a very thin cover that
attaches magnetically - solidly enough to pick up the device and not
have it separate - and works as a touch keyboard). I've been using it
since Friday afternoon and so far I'm really liking it. I've used
iPads and Android tablets and this is the only one that I've really
considered using for my day to day work away from my desk.

In addition to including Office, the other big features that appeal to
me are the full-size USB plug and access to the file system (Windows
Explorer is present and fully functional in the Desktop).

If you have a retail outlet near you that carries them, you should
check it out.

--
Zaphod

"The best Bang since the Big One" - Eccentrica Gallumbits

On Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:55:17 -0400, Zaphod Beeblebrox
wrote:


Ken, I think you would like the Microsoft Surface tablet then - it is
just slightly heavier than an iPad 4, runs Windows 8 RT and comes with
Office. Windows 8 RT is essentially the same as the full Windows 8
except you can't install and run 3rd party programs in the Desktop (at
least, not programs written for the standard Windows APIs - but I
wouldn't be surprised of some enterprising souls come up with ways
around that).

I've got the 32GB version with Touch Cover (a very thin cover that
attaches magnetically - solidly enough to pick up the device and not
have it separate - and works as a touch keyboard). I've been using it
since Friday afternoon and so far I'm really liking it. I've used
iPads and Android tablets and this is the only one that I've really
considered using for my day to day work away from my desk.

In addition to including Office, the other big features that appeal to
me are the full-size USB plug and access to the file system (Windows
Explorer is present and fully functional in the Desktop).

If you have a retail outlet near you that carries them, you should
check it out.


Thanks. Yes, I'm familiar with what Windows 8 RT is. I don't know when
I'll get a tablet, but it probably won't be before my laptop dies. If
I get it sooner, I'll probably have a fight with my wife. g

When that day arrives, I'll look more closely at the alternatives:
Surface (preferably Windows 8 Pro rather than RT, but I'd consider
RT), IPad, Android, Kindle Fire. By the time, all or some of these may
have new models, so as far as I'm concerned, it's premature to make a
choice now.


--
Ken Blake

Surface RT runs apps included from the MSFT store and those contractually allowed to be preinstalled prior to shipping to the end
use customer. RT comes with Office 2013 Preview and the ability to upgrade to non-preview RT version later.

Surface Pro (yet to be available but will be in 2013) is capable of desktop installed 3rd party apps, MSFT store apps, etc.



--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"Ken Blake" wrote in message ...

On Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:55:17 -0400, Zaphod Beeblebrox
wrote:


Ken, I think you would like the Microsoft Surface tablet then - it is
just slightly heavier than an iPad 4, runs Windows 8 RT and comes with
Office. Windows 8 RT is essentially the same as the full Windows 8
except you can't install and run 3rd party programs in the Desktop (at
least, not programs written for the standard Windows APIs - but I
wouldn't be surprised of some enterprising souls come up with ways
around that).

I've got the 32GB version with Touch Cover (a very thin cover that
attaches magnetically - solidly enough to pick up the device and not
have it separate - and works as a touch keyboard). I've been using it
since Friday afternoon and so far I'm really liking it. I've used
iPads and Android tablets and this is the only one that I've really
considered using for my day to day work away from my desk.

In addition to including Office, the other big features that appeal to
me are the full-size USB plug and access to the file system (Windows
Explorer is present and fully functional in the Desktop).

If you have a retail outlet near you that carries them, you should
check it out.


Thanks. Yes, I'm familiar with what Windows 8 RT is. I don't know when
I'll get a tablet, but it probably won't be before my laptop dies. If
I get it sooner, I'll probably have a fight with my wife. g

When that day arrives, I'll look more closely at the alternatives:
Surface (preferably Windows 8 Pro rather than RT, but I'd consider
RT), IPad, Android, Kindle Fire. By the time, all or some of these may
have new models, so as far as I'm concerned, it's premature to make a
choice now.


--
Ken Blake

On 28/10/2012 10:27 AM, Ant wrote:
Is anyone using it on non-tablet/touch screen machines?

I did for a day or two.

Put the menu in a blender, scramble it up all over like XP-Vista-Win7
did.....

Add a useless layer of shell to the front end...more bloat....Win8 is
Win7 inside but menus obfuscated.

I can see businesses bypass Win 8 even with more determination than they
did with Vista.

Just Micro$oft repackaging for profit.

Don't ruin a Win 7 with Win 8 upgrade.
--
Liberal-socialism is a great idea so long as the credit is good and
other people pay for it. When the credit runs out and those that pay
for it leave, they can all share having nothing but debt and discontentment.

On 10/31/2012 11:38 AM, Canuck57 wrote:
On 28/10/2012 10:27 AM, Ant wrote:
Is anyone using it on non-tablet/touch screen machines?

I did for a day or two.

Put the menu in a blender, scramble it up all over like XP-Vista-Win7
did.....

Add a useless layer of shell to the front end...more bloat....Win8 is
Win7 inside but menus obfuscated.

I can see businesses bypass Win 8 even with more determination than they
did with Vista.

Just Micro$oft repackaging for profit.

Don't ruin a Win 7 with Win 8 upgrade.
I have to agree with Canuck. Having just upgraded I can see Zero
advantage to Win 8. All I got was hassle making it work reasonably well
and still not having some of the things I liked with Win 7. I'll give
it another month, but Win 7 will probably get reinstalled.

Win 8 has no advantage to be on a Desktop. It only provides Pain.

On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:19:22 -0700, Mellowed wrote:

Win 8 has no advantage to be on a Desktop. It only provides Pain.

Of course, that *is* an advantage for your typical masochist.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)