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Windows
8 Demo
The Consumers Preview of Windows 8 is available
from Microsoft. I wanted to take a look but didn’t want
to install it on any machine. I had read about “Windows
To Go”, and decided to give it a shot. Windows-To-Go allows
you to load your entire operating system on a USB drive, so all
you software and data can be loaded on a USB drive
Following the instructions I found on Arstenica.com,
I created a bootable USB flash drive that I can use on any computer
to preview Windows 8, up until the expiration date of January
15, 2013. I then added Open Office and Adobe Flash so we could
have a full experience.
http://arstechnica.com/business/guides/2012/03/ordering-windows-to-go-how-to-create-a-bootable-windows-8-usb-thumb-drive.ars
When following the directions, I didn't use a USB
3.0 drive, I cheaped out and bought a USB 2.0 drive for half the
price. I didn’t realize the speed difference.
In the Arstechnica screen prints the imaging of the drive took
8.minutes. With the USB 2.0 drive it took 46 minutes.
I also found two of the instructions didn't work as promised.
The LIST command needed LIST DISK
to work, and the bcdboot command didn't like the "/f
ALL" portion of the command.
Windows 8 uses Windows 7 drivers, so if you can
locate windows 7 drivers for your hardware you should be good
to go. Our touchscreen didn't have the Windows7 drivers
in a folder, so I needed to create some entries in the setup.ini
file to unpack the Windows 7 drivers when on the Windows 8 machine.
Now its time to play
I must say that starting with this just 2 weeks
after getting my first iPhone, pointed out that the Metro part
was not nearly as intuitive as an apple interface.
I personally found the interface to be confusing
and many times touching wouldn't work and I needed to revert to
the mouse to get things done. Also I don't care about the
"apps", I want the desktop and that experience was less
than enjoyable. It is the fusing of the two interfaces that
I find so objectionable.
Other people find the Windows 8 experience to be
great. I've put together a list of websites to visit
to get a positive spin on the Windows 8 experience.so that I won't
poison your attitude towards the interface.
This video shows a side by side comparison of Windows
8 vs the iPad by theverge.com and shows that some people feel
different than I do.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7PqdCUGPCY
On our preview in the lab I have bookmarked some
favorable reviews, so that you will a have a chance to make up
your own mind.
Video and review by CNET's Seth Rosenblatt
Video: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13970_7-57386760-78/windows-8-beta-hands-on-with-microsofts-tablet-friendly-os/
Another positive review on the Lifehacker site shows
what Windows 8 actually looks and feels like.
Video: http://lifehacker.com/5889345/this-is-what-using-windows-8-actually-looks-and-feels-like
Good Reading
Also I would recommend reading the Techradar's 50
Windows 89 tips tricks and secrets while you have your hands on
the beta.
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/50-windows-8-tips-tricks-and-secrets-1028220
MaximumPC.com features 20 tips and tricks.
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/big_guide_20_tips_and_tricks_get_most_out_windows_8431
10 Windows 8 tips and tricks to familiarize you
with the new OS
http://www.itproportal.com/2011/12/05/10-windows-8-tips-and-tricks-familiarise-you-new-os/
Just for fun
This video featuring Chris Pirillo's Dad pretty
much could be any one of us when we sit in front of our first
Windows 8 computer.
Chris Pirillo's Dad
How real people use Windows 8
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4boTbv9_nU
And here is a wicked parady of the Window's 8 Preview
by comedian Louie Barra
Windoze 8|
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ1oPDtdhFo
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