Why Windows 8 is Almost
Awesome
On October 12,
2012, Microsoft released Windows 8. Without a doubt, the backend
of Windows 8 is a vast improvement over Windows 7. Its ability to
efficiently manage system resources allows a user to turn on their computer and
go to a webpage in as little as 30 seconds. It is what I refer to
as “The Squeaky-Wheel Operating System”. It simply prioritizes
what a user wants over any other process. If that was the only
change, it would have been enough and well worth its release. However, on about
every other major operating system release since Windows 98, Microsoft has
seemed to intentionally shoot themselves in the foot. For example,
Windows 98 (awesome & stable), Windows ME (so bad that Microsoft still sold
98 until XP came out), XP (solid), Vista (slow performance and little to no
thought towards efficiency), and Windows 7 (sweet). But with
Windows 8 being so fast and efficient, how could they get it wrong?
Why are so many people complaining about their Windows 8 PCs?
Enter the Windows 8 Start Screen, a.k.a. Metro.
In their
desire to maintain relevance and an innovator among companies like Apple and
Google, Microsoft decided to make a leap towards a touchscreen-style
interface. I must admit, on an actual touchscreen, Metro is pretty
cool.
When I first
loaded it on my laptop, even without a touchscreen, I found myself actually
“playing” with my computer. Something I normally wouldn’t
do. Nevertheless, since those first few days, I rarely find myself
using Metro. This is more of a personal choice. For the most
part, I don’t use my PC for entertainment. I use it to work, shop,
and as a reference tool. Most of the time, I use the traditional
desktop.
From the above
picture of the Windows 8 desktop, you may notice something conspicuously
missing…the Start button. Somehow, Microsoft decided that hiding
the Start button was a good idea. I really don’t have any
idea why, but to get to the button is easy when you know how.
Basically, you drag your mouse cursor to the very bottom-left corner of
the desktop, and this is what you’d see.
When you click
here, you would go straight back to Metro. But what about any
programs you installed that doesn’t create a charm on Metro or an icon on your
desktop? What about those handy built-in Windows programs like notepad?
Where’s the Control Panel? Here’s where Microsoft really
mucked it up.
When on the
Metro screen of Windows 8, if one were to right-click on a blank area, a bar
would appear at the bottom. If one were to click on the words “All Apps” (or on
the downward-pointing arrow on Windows 8.1 Metro screen), one would find
this.
From here, all
programs installed on the PC are accessible, and I use that term loosely.
Nevertheless, one can right click on a program to then pin a charm to
Metro or a shortcut to the taskbar on their desktop. Every time I
look at this screen, I can’t stand it. It is because of this
awkward interface that Windows 8 has received the most criticism.
Enter Windows
8.1
If you were at
a buffet-style family dinner and someone insisted you stay seated while they
“get you a plate”, would you be confused to be handed an empty plate while
everyone else was sitting down with their plates full? This is largely how most
of us that have done the upgrade from 8 to 8.1 feel. Microsoft kept hearing
about Windows 8 not having a Start button readily visible on the desktop.
They heard it a lot. So, they put it there. Finally, I
thought. Microsoft has come to their senses, but it turned out to
be an empty plate.
I clicked on
the Start button, and it took me straight back to Metro! Really!?!?
The $5 solution,
Start8
Enter Start8,
a $5 program sold online by Stardock. Among other products,
Stardock has been selling alternative interfaces or “shells” to mimic
other operating systems for years. For example, if you want your
PC to look like a Mac, they have a shell for it. Until now,
Stardock’s shells have been more “windows dressing” than substance.
But with Start8, they’ve moved from mostly aesthetics toward essential
function.
Once Start8 is
installed (a relatively quick and painless process), you will now have this.
Ahhhhhh!
That’s so much better! There’s the traditional Start Menu complete with easy
access to pictures, the Control Panel, printers, the shut-down button, and most
importantly, the All Programs menu. And yes, you haven’t given up
Metro and its charms. There’s a shortcut at the top of the Start8
Menu that can take you right back to the more entertaining side of Windows 8 in
Metro. The big difference is that now you can actually use your PC
and get some work done as well as play.
Bottom Line
Windows 8
is an awesome operating system, and with Start8, it’s everything it
should be. It’s fast, fun, and a workhorse. If you
have any family or friends that have had difficulty adapting to Windows 8,
please feel free to forward this email to them along with my contact information
should they need assistance.
For $5, you
can buy a foot-long at Subway, access to the CiCi’s Pizza buffet, or maybe a
modest latte at Starbucks. All those things can be very satisfying
and completely worth the five bucks. Nevertheless, I can be
reasonably sure that the best $5 you’ll ever spend will be spent with
Start8.
Link to
Start8: https://store.stardock.com/cart/add/ESD-SDS-W1211
Dan Kimura, Owner/Guru
Home Computer Helpers of Dayton
