The Good, Bad, and the Ugly of Windows 8
Windows 8 has been released and the world did not come to an end, as many think should happen when Microsoft releases a new OS. Of course, we have to remember that these Microsoft managers are the same folks who unleashed Millennium and Vista on the world, which I think are viruses disguised as operating systems (look at the Amazon reviews for confirmation).
Why is this release so important to me and you? Well, for one thing, applications and peripheral items like printers may not be compatible. Additionally, despite the loyal following of Linux users, Windows is still the king of desktops as of 2010, controlling more than 90 percent of the market. Let’s take a look at the reviews of the new OS—the good, bad, and, yes, even the ugly.
I’ll start with a review from techradar.com, which covers everything you need to know about upgrading or installing Windows 8—and by everything I do mean everything. PCWorld provides a roundup of different reviewers’ opinions on the new OS. Some praise the new OS; others say it is basically a newer version of Windows 7 without the start button.
No argument is complete without detractors, and a reviewer on technologyreview.com doesn’t disappoint. The reviewer does throw Microsoft a bone by saying that no user interface for any PC is particularly good, even Apple’s OS X. Brian Madden of brianmadden.com takes this criticism one step further by stating that Steven Sinofsky, the man responsible for Windows 8, was fired because of the UI.
One recurring argument and theme I saw in many reviews was that maybe Windows 8 was written with tablet users in mind. A reviewer on CNET looks at that topic specifically and gives us a comprehensive view of what he calls Microsoft’s attempt to unify the tablet and desktop. We will have to wait and see on that front. Steve Ballmer did provide some insight in that arena admitting they missed the boat for the tablet market and should have entered it earlier.
For people wondering if their applications are going to run on Windows 8, Infoworld offers its opinion and a link to a document on Microsoft that they refer to as being a compatibility cookbook on what will and will not work on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 .
I leave you with this: Even though Windows 8 was released only a few weeks ago, they are already working on its successor. I am sure it will have its detractors and champions; we will have to wait and see.
How about all of you? What are your thoughts on Windows 8? Is this a worthy upgrade or is it Vista revisited?
