Windows 8 - Subjective First Impression Rant

Metro UI anybody?

My old Macbook has just retired due to old age.  I must say goodbye to it.

Now, I'm back to Windows environment with Windows 8 Pro on Lenovo's laptop.  For daily activities, I think it is more than suitable.  But that is not what I want to talk about.  I want to talk about Windows 8 Pro that I am using.

The experience I have with Windows 8 can be described as "confusing" at first.  It is the old style Windows that we all know and familiar with, but it is also different.  The replacement of START button by Metro UI reminds me of Android Home Screen. It is the customizable quick access for Windows applications and folders.  In one hand, it is very useful, but at the same time those who are not kin on customizing your screen will definitely have a headache over it. In the long run, of course, people will get use to it and will adjust to it, in a way.  However, I have friends who are gadget and technology savvy, but they hardly customized their gadgets.

I have 1 friend who is gadget crazy like me, he pretty much bough almost every new gadget in the market since he has money to burn.  Currently, he is using SGNote 2, SGNote 10.1, New iPad, and iPhone 5.  Regardless there is a method in making his screen tidy and neat, he has never use those features (folders and widgets).  His reason, he doesn't have the time.

Another friends works in IT as graphic and web designer.  Considering he works with graphic arts usually signifies planned designs, he should have the neatest Macbook Pro screen.  On the contrary, his Macbook Pro screen can be nominated as the most cluttered desktop screen.  It is so cluttered that he needs to do search to find a file on his desktop.

So, the customization will mean nothing if the developer of the OS failed to activate auto customization initially, meaning they need to just dump it and let the users remove the icons they don't use.

Another matter that I think needs to be pointed out is the corner access in Windows 8.  Brilliant, I think this is one of the most useful features in Windows I have seen in Windows 8.  I can access Control Panel whenever, without digging into the layers of start prompt menu.

The shortcut "Windows" key to me is also very useful. Heck, I can hide my screen immediately if I sensed someone peeping from my shoulder just by pressing "Windows" key and my screen change to the Metro screen.  But do not do this during presentation.

Windows 8 is designed for touch screen, but since it is still a Windows OS, finger will not be able to operate the Windows environment well since, especially for me, I have big fingers.  We need to use both mouse and fingers. I think Microsoft will surprise us later with the upgrades and making the current Windows 8 environment a less confusing in user interaction.

Either way, Windows 8 truly a jump for Microsoft, I think.  It's Microsoft opening to a new and more complete computer experience.  Samsung ATIV Smart PC includes SNote app installed.  Can you imagine how much freedom that will entitled the users?  True multitasking with SPen editing and creativity enabled.

To close this article, I must say I cannot wait for the next improvement of Windows 8 since the computer experience has totally change to a new level of user interaction.  One thing for certain though, Microsoft needs to decide how they want to approach tablet vs PC, since Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro looks similar in the beginning and most less IT minded people might get confused.

Intro

Okay, my other blog is samsunggalaxynotejournal.blogspot.com.  However, it only covers my usage of Samsung Galaxy Note.  Since The second generation of SGNote has been released and it becomes one of the most successful Android smartphones in the market, I think a lot more people has already learn the tricks and treats of the SGNote system.

Here, in this blog, I want to talk more than just SGNote.  I hope you can enjoy it.