Curious about Win Blue (8.1?) and Win 8

[11290slk]

Just curious what the prevailing wisdom is on, when Win Blue or 8.1 whatever, comes out, do you think it will be like a service pack upgrade for Win 8 (no cost) or a complete new "for a cost" upgrade pack/new OS.

I know we have no idea at this time but was reading about it earlier today and was just sitting here wondering. Getting ready to build a new system and planning on putting Win 8 with Classic Shell on it (got Win 8 free last week - real MS disc with product key - not a bootleg copy).

[glc]

I highly doubt it will be free. M$ doesn't care about existing Win 8 users, they are trying to get the XP, Vista, and 7 users to "upgrade".

[EzyStvy]

A First Look at Windows 8 "Blue"

"Microsoft has not released any information if this will be a low-priced upgrade for existing Windows users, or if 'Blue' will be a free upgrade (in the way Microsoft used to release free Service Pack upgrades)."

[Force Flow]

Users who were hoping for the return of the 'Classic' Start menu will be disappointed: No change there. In fact, it looks like Microsoft may have removed some of the legacy code that is used in the current version of Windows 8 by the 3rd party programs to re-instate a (Windows 7 style) Start menu. Most of the Start menu replacement programs I tested no longer work with this build of Windows 8, so it looks like they have to do some extra work to catch up again.

That doesn't look promising

[David M]

Sounds like good news for Linux and Apple. Microsoft sounds really arrogant, as if they are going to force their crappy OS on us and we have no alternatives but to bend over and take it. Achtung!...Ze fuhrer says you vill learn to love Vindows 8! I think M$ is going to learn a tough lesson here. M$ does not have the kind of loyalty and love of the product that Apple and Linux users have for their systems.

If M$ ever gets a clue, Windows 9 will much more resemble Windows 7 than Windows 8.

[glc]

If I can't make it look like XP in the classic mode, I don't want it.

[MikeMoss]

I second that!

I've used Classic Shell since Windows 7 came out.

[MaxRat]

who knows exactly what is true until release.... Rumors always run rampant until.. Blue has been leaked so who knows but i id find this on Yahoo...

The Rumor Is That Microsoft Will Bail On Its New Age User-Interface And Go Back To The Old Style - Yahoo! Finance

Just as i think glc said before the switch from the XP style to vista/7 is too much a learning curve for some I feel the same way about win8... I think the idea is practical for mobile devices but still not mainstream PCs and I still have yet to touch it....

[Bob338]

After Bumpy Start, Microsoft Rethinks Windows 8 - Yahoo! Finance

[Strider]

I installed Windows 8 on my main computer and I had to install Classic Shell in order to get to the desktop with a start button. Micro$illy sure missed the boat on Windoze 8, the only thing not making me go back to Windows 7 is that it's stable as a rock. However, the new interface stinks and if the next major update takes the way for 3rd party software to have where it can have a start button, I will definitely be switching back to 7 or not upgrading (however a lot of times Microsoft includes security updates as well). Only time will tell what they plan on doing.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by glc If I can't make it look like XP in the classic mode, I don't want it.

Let's be honest now...don't you really just mean 2000?

[Dominic753s]

According to netmarketshare.com:

April, 2013 - Windows 8 share - 3,82%
Calendar Q2, 2010 - Windows 7 share - 12,97%

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by rwest Let's be honest now...don't you really just mean 2000?

Shh...he just got accustomed to XP...don't discourage him

[ltpdttcdft]

Windows 98 SE

[glc]

Never put 98SE on my primary computer - went from 95 OSR2 to NT 4.0, then to 2K. Still have that box and it still works, built a new one a few years ago with XP.

[jdeb]

It's all about mobile now with MS, hence all the annoying commercials (or so I am told). They are trying to do what Linux can do with the Ubuntu phone.

For Desktop's just put Vista 64 or W7 64 on it and call it a day. For Linux user's who want a fully integrated mobile / pc experience, Ubuntu is the way to go. Ubuntu for phones - Industry proposition - YouTube

Ubuntu for Android | Ubuntu for phones | Ubuntu

[ltpdttcdft]

From the car analogy from a long time ago:

11. Every time GM introduced a new car, car buyers would have to learn to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

The first thing I did on Vista and 7 was turn off all the effects.

Edit: Recently tried the latest version of Ubuntu. It looks and acts like a Mac whyyyyyyyyyy

[MaxRat]

Originally Posted by jdeb It's all about mobile now with MS, hence all the annoying commercials (or so I am told). They are trying to do what Linux can do with the Ubuntu phone. For Desktop's just put Vista 64 or W7 64 on it and call it a day. For Linux user's who want a fully integrated mobile / pc experience, Ubuntu is the way to go. Ubuntu for phones - Industry proposition - YouTube Ubuntu for Android | Ubuntu for phones | Ubuntu

Here's to hoping that the Ubuntu phones actually come to fruition... although with Android having such a huge market share it's going to be hard to do it...

[glc]

I would imagine that an Ubuntu phone would work very well, but it sure would take time getting an app store going.

[glc]

Microsoft confirms Blue to be free for existing Windows 8 users | ZDNet

Announced today - Windows 8.1 (Blue) will be a free upgrade for existing Windows 8 users.

[Force Flow]

And another article: Windows Blue Officially Dubbed Windows 8.1, Coming as Free Update | News & Opinion | PCMag.com