Windows 8: say goodbye to your start menu!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Just as a matter if curiosity, what was removed from 8 that is in 7? Are these items available at extra cost?

[hym 358]

DVD playback is one thing that was removed. Apparently Microsoft was tired of paying all the royalties.

[lew1984 231]

Crazy that's a bit backward but I guess you'll be able to pay for an app to give that functionality back.

[Jazzmaster 716]

DVD playback is one thing that was removed. Apparently Microsoft was tired of paying all the royalties.

Windows 8 can't play DVD's? I...it..what??

Good Lord, some of us actually like having physical copies of our media, not compressed digital rubbish...

  Edited October 29, 2012 by The Jazzmaster  

[Duke87 1,070]

What about DVD playback is proprietary that Microsoft had to pay royalties? The content itself shouldn't matter since that stays on the discs.

[hym 358]

What about DVD playback is proprietary that Microsoft had to pay royalties? The content itself shouldn't matter since that stays on the discs.

According to Microsoft, not all of the codecs are available for free use. Dolby, for example, charges quite a bit of money for the right to use its sound technologies. Microsoft's argument is that a growing number of personal computing devices can't play DVDs in the first place, so paying to include DVD playback for those machines is throwing millions of dollars away for nothing. Here is a fairly good article talking about the issue.

[Urban Cartographer 601]

W8 not having DVD Playback? That is the one worst thing that I can think of for W8 (much worse than its "spilled Jolly Ranchers" start screen for non-touchscreen computers).

[Easy Bakes 253]

What about DVD playback is proprietary that Microsoft had to pay royalties? The content itself shouldn't matter since that stays on the discs.

According to Microsoft, not all of the codecs are available for free use. Dolby, for example, charges quite a bit of money for the right to use its sound technologies. Microsoft's argument is that a growing number of personal computing devices can't play DVDs in the first place, so paying to include DVD playback for those machines is throwing millions of dollars away for nothing. Here is a fairly good article talking about the issue.

So your saying i cant get Real Player to load on win 8?

[AdoxxBE 289]

Why should you watch DVDs on a computer instead on a DVD player and a TV?

If you play DVDs on a computer 9/10 cases you are watching illegally downloaded stuff..

[Silur 3,308]

Vista, Mellenium, Win 8 and etc. tomorrow - simple an old car named "Windows XP" with some little bows - no any real speed - there are many problems with thousands programs for Windows Vista, Millenium, 8 ... But there are many dollars to Microsoft :D

  Edited October 30, 2012 by Silur  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Unless there is something you need past XP, what are you doing if you upgrade? There is a difference between need and want. XP SP3 is a stable platform, and handles most modern hardware well. Some people feel the need for the very latest box of bugs, eh?

One day, one of these O/S upgrades is going to fall flat as the market quits being sucked in by the wizards of Redmond. And no, Billy, you don't need a new machine to run that game, and if you do get a job and buy it yourself.

[Silur 3,308]

Well, A Nonny Moose, i'm with Windows from Windows1993. I have an excellent PC (cost about 2000 USD) now, but I have many problems with Microsoft Co.Ltd. Really I have Windows SP2 Origin, but my Geforce don't work with Windows XP (only with Win 7). I have Win7 on my NB VAIO (2000 USD) - there are many problems too.

  Edited October 30, 2012 by Silur  

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Why should you watch DVDs on a computer instead on a DVD player and a TV?

If you play DVDs on a computer 9/10 cases you are watching illegally downloaded stuff..

Not sure if anyone would watch DVDs on a desktop if their house has a TV with a DVD player, but a Windows 7 laptop makes a great portable DVD player. I use mine all the time to watch DVDs on the train, and no, I didn't pirate them.

And that's the reason I wouldn't buy a Win8 laptop, simple as that. I know I could just add the functionality by either paying MS or using 3rd party software, but why go through the hassle if my I don't have to. I'm still waiting for fixes and modds to come through before considering using it as a main desktop OS as DVD playability doesn't matter there. The main incentive to use 8 over 7 on the desktop is the performance increase, where it actually matters.

Unless there is something you need past XP, what are you doing if you upgrade? There is a difference between need and want. XP SP3 is a stable platform, and handles most modern hardware well. Some people feel the need for the very latest box of bugs, eh?

One day, one of these O/S upgrades is going to fall flat as the market quits being sucked in by the wizards of Redmond. And no, Billy, you don't need a new machine to run that game, and if you do get a job and buy it yourself.

Sorry Nonny, but I still don't understand why you continue advocate XP. Yes, it's stable, but so the rest of the NT family; right down to the early ones right up to Win8. XP isn't x64, and as you know this means it can't access a lot of the benefits of modern hardware. If you're doing anything even remotely serious with your PC, you need a x64 OS, and if you're going down the Windows path, this means a version > XP.

That last bit already happened with Vista, the overwhelming public opinion was that it sucked. In reality, it wasn't all bad, a lot of the things people loved from 7 were actually from Vista, but regardless of anything it still made a truckload of money for MS.

Right now the choice for new Windows PC buyers should be simple. Win7 x64 or Win8 x64. If you really need XP (not sure where you could legally get it today, by the way) you should just dual boot or something.

[Jazzmaster 716]

Why should you watch DVDs on a computer instead on a DVD player and a TV?

If you play DVDs on a computer 9/10 cases you are watching illegally downloaded stuff..

If you watch physical DVDs you are watching something downloaded digitally...

????

Sorry but I really don't understand this statement at all. And there are actually people who buy their media. Don't assume everyone is in the same boat.

But off the bat I can think of on reason: you're a college kid who has a slick PC and a dvd (possibly with blu-ray read) drive, a nice 27" monitor and a decent hi-fi stereo setup. You're going to use this as your media center instead of buying a TV and more speakers, probably. Especially if you use this more than you ever use your TV (I am living on my own and only pay for internet, I never watch TV).

[LexusInfernus 908]

Why should you watch DVDs on a computer instead on a DVD player and a TV?

If you play DVDs on a computer 9/10 cases you are watching illegally downloaded stuff..

Well for starters, if you dont have a tv and a dvd player. As a student, I watch most of my (legally bought) movies on my laptop because I dont have a tv on my room.

But seriously, I cant watch movies on my laptop if I use Windows 8? No thanks, Ill stick to 7 until they release Windows 8.5 where they got the whole thing ironed out.

[lew1984 231]

The possibiliy exists also that someone could connect the pc to the TV via HDMI/VGA/DVI and use it as the centre of their entertainment system much like someone could use PS3/X-box in the same way. Technology crosses many boundrys these days. Laptops offer portability so someone can watch DVD's on the move... Not everyone downloads films TV legally or illegally.

In fact in the UK it is almost impossible to get digital films unless its 'Rented' via google or netflix love film etc. The only service I'm aware of is itunes that lets you actually 'purchase' a film and keep it unless you buy a blue-ray with digital copy. even then on itunes technically you are still only renting.

DVD's and Blue-ray for me are still the best choice as you actually OWN your purchases... This makes Win 8 an unatractive upgrade option.

Where upgrading your system is concerned I agree with Nonny why upgrade for the sake of it? You should only upgrade if its necessary rather than spending money needlesly. For the most part XP Users will probably benefit from upgrading to Windows 7 if they need to get more support with current hardware/software utilising 64bit. Windows 7 works for me and what I use it for so no upgrade for me.

  Edited October 31, 2012 by lew1984  

[Duke87 1,070]

It has ads.

Time to start looking into what version of Linux I should put on my next computer, it would seem...

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

It has ads.

Time to start looking into what version of Linux I should put on my next computer, it would seem...

For full featured desktops that are free you can try Linux Mint or Ubuntu.

[Urban Cartographer 601]

This is worrisome.

Even the latest version of Ubuntu has built-in ads: http://www.zdnet.com/shuttleworth-defends-ubuntu-linux-integrating-amazon-7000004674/

Mac's OSX Mountain Lion has Twitter and Facebook integration (though the latter will be implemented in a few weeks).

It seems that the latest operating systems all have built-in ads (social integration or the usual ads), unless you tell me which latest operating system does not have them.

[Wiimeiser 452]

Next year: the US outlaws adblock after Romney, Smith and Trump stage a hostile takeover

In all seriousness, I'll just stick with Windows 7

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

If you use that search, you will be asked the first time if you want to install the particular app. I generally say no. I am on Ubuntu 12.10. As usual, stuff like this is very optional.

[anytownUSA 32]

Does XP really expire in less than a month?  This is upsetting since there is nothing wrong with my current laptop which is 5 years old.  I would get another windows computer if I didn't think this same thing would happen again in the future.  I'm seriously looking at a mac since you can just download the latest operating systems for free.

 

Any suggestions as to which computer will have to best longevity?

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

Does XP really expire in less than a month?  This is upsetting since there is nothing wrong with my current laptop which is 5 years old.  I would get another windows computer if I didn't think this same thing would happen again in the future.  I'm seriously looking at a mac since you can just download the latest operating systems for free.

 

Any suggestions as to which computer will have to best longevity?

 

Usually best to start a new topic rather than revive a 2 year old thread, especially with a new question like this.

 

But anyway, yes, Microsoft will discontinue releasing security updates for Windows XP in April.  That means that your computer will be at the mercy of the viruses and hackers of the world.  Even disconnecting it from the internet will not be completely safe; any file you transfer onto it could potentially ruin it.

 

All operating systems eventually become obsolete; you have to upgrade eventually.  Even Apple will probably replace OS X with something new soon.  With the way the market is now, I don't think there is really any software you can buy that is guaranteed to be relevant in 5 years.

 

Your best bet is to buy the newest of the new: Windows 8.1 or OS X Mavericks.  (Remember that if you stay with Windows, you can just upgrade your current laptop)

[anytownUSA 32]

Usually best to start a new topic rather than revive a 2 year old thread, especially with a new question like this.

 

But anyway, yes, Microsoft will discontinue releasing security updates for Windows XP in April.  That means that your computer will be at the mercy of the viruses and hackers of the world.  Even disconnecting it from the internet will not be completely safe; any file you transfer onto it could potentially ruin it.

 

All operating systems eventually become obsolete; you have to upgrade eventually.  Even Apple will probably replace OS X with something new soon.  With the way the market is now, I don't think there is really any software you can buy that is guaranteed to be relevant in 5 years.

 

Your best bet is to buy the newest of the new: Windows 8.1 or OS X Mavericks.  (Remember that if you stay with Windows, you can just upgrade your current laptop)

 

 

Gotcha.  What I'm saying is that Windows will charge you for their upgrade while Apple apparently does not.  

But what you're saying is that there is pretty much no way to do anything long term with computers so we have to just suck it up and buy something new at least every 5 years.  

 

There has to be something more long term.  Linux maybe?  I really don't like spending money while throwing out something that as far as I can tell is working just fine.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

If there is nothing wrong with your hardware, then don't bother with Windows or getting a MAC.  Just download Linux.  I recommend Ubuntu because that's what I am using at this very moment.  Since you are thinking of jumping to MAC, you might just as well avoid any license fees and get Ubuntu  This is the nearest thing you'll get to the XP desktop, but you can get automatic updates and new versions on demand.  Cost: zero. 

 

Just download the version you need and burn it on a CD/DVD, then boot it.  You then have the options:

 

1.  In core test run not disturbing anything.

2.  Completely replace your existing system.

3.  Install in parallel to your existing system.  This is the option I recommend.

 

With the third choice you get a fully usable computer system and about 50,000 free applications you can add.  You can read all your Windows files. 

 

To run a Windows program you will have to add wine using the Software Centre.  If your program uses .net then you can use mono to run it. 

 

The office suite (Libre Office) quite handily reads and writes MS-Office files. 

 

The browser default is a groupware item named empathy.  I suggest that, unless you need groupware, you download and install Firefox, Thunderbird for mail and add the Thunderbird add-on Lightning for Calendaring.

 

When asked, select ext4 as the file system interface.  It is the latest and greatest and I've been using it for years.

 

This will extend the life of your current laptop, and will load on any subsequent X86 machine.

 

There is about a one week learning curve to getting familiar with all this.

 

Current version is Ubuntu 13.10.  Next version due at end of April is Ubuntu 14.04.  Version numbers are formatted yy.mm.  There is a new version every six months but updates can be daily.

  Edited March 17, 2014 by A Nonny Moose  

[Ocram's Razr 964]

I use Windows 7 almost exclusively (except when forced to use Windows 8 at school) for desktops but I have a linux laptop and will most likely get a Surface Pro 2 soon, which runs Windows 8 (not RT).

--Ocram

[anytownUSA 32]

Wow thank you Nonny Moose.  Thats a pretty detailed response.  I'm definitely going to look into Linux since I don't have a whole lot to loose trying to do so.  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Quite right.  One writable CD.

[The Pennsylvania Turnpike 252]

My main desktop PC runs windows 8.1. The Start menu to my dismay only took you to the app screen. So i had to download 3rd party software to get a proper start button and menu.