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0rganism

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84. requires modifications: Classic shell + thematic upgrades + other tweaks, but ok otherwise

Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:40 PM

Apr 2013

The default Windows 8 interface & graphical style scream "mobile device", ugly as fuck on a large screen and kind of a pain to use at first.
Fortunately, the kind folks over at deviantart have you covered: http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=Windows+8
including programs to restore transparency and give control over various utility screen background images.

With a bit of effort, you can make Windows8 look and act like a slightly quirky version of 7, and avoid the (hideous, IMHO) "metro" interface entirely.

Functionally, it's behaving about as well as Win7 did. It appears to load up and run programs at least as fast as Win7, and so far has been backwards-compatible to the programs I've wanted to run.

I know the impulse is to pass this one by, but if you buy new PC hardware in the next year or two chances are you'll have to deal with it one way or another. If you modify it to suit your tastes or learn to deal with it on its own terms, it's an okay platform.

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My first impression of Windows 8 [View all] Omaha Steve Apr 2013 OP

If you like a desktop screen full of icons... liberal N proud Apr 2013 #1

I have a touch screen Warpy Apr 2013 #2

Agree about missing this one liberal N proud Apr 2013 #37

Totally agree about Vista davidpdx Apr 2013 #53

I had an old laptop with XP. It had minimal RAM Warpy Apr 2013 #81

I hope that doesn't happen for either of us davidpdx Apr 2013 #87

Got a touch screen Omaha Steve Apr 2013 #11

I had the hardest time finding the shut down. dkf Apr 2013 #3

This old desktop is still running XP Pro... Johnny Noshoes Apr 2013 #4

I'm sticking to Windows 7 as long as I can, I don't find the touch screen orientation of 8 appealing Nika Apr 2013 #7

There is a cure for that SteveG Apr 2013 #47

Same here. Captain Stern Apr 2013 #55

You are going to love Ubuntu.... dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #25

K&R !!! K&R !!! K&R !!! K&R !!! K&R !!! I have that on the 2 main systems, but I do also have RKP5637 Apr 2013 #32

Oh I've used Ubuntu before. Johnny Noshoes Apr 2013 #49

Same here, since around 2003 or so. I've heard great things about Ubuntu but I've never seen it arcane1 Apr 2013 #28

If you download it Johnny Noshoes Apr 2013 #50

Cool, thanks! arcane1 Apr 2013 #65

I have an old one too, dual boot with Ubuntu & XP Pro HarveyDarkey Apr 2013 #77

I ran into a Windows engineer the other day who asked me the same thing ... REP Apr 2013 #5

I found a lot of the "features" annoying as hell Still Sensible Apr 2013 #6

Microsoft has already indicated they will start in desktop mode for those that still_one Apr 2013 #8

I've had it a few months and gotten a bit used to it. I still find it clunky and slow. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2013 #9

Unlike Linux...... dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #26

I never understood why Linux is more widely used bowens43 Apr 2013 #57

"not" more widely used, I think you meant. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #60

Can you use Windows programs on Ubuntu? SwissTony Apr 2013 #86

I'm sticking with Kubuntu Linux. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #10

That's not an 'angry fruit salad'. That's a technology advance! randome Apr 2013 #12

And what is the point of that, exactly? LisaL Apr 2013 #16

To make it look 'new'. Nothing more than that. randome Apr 2013 #17

The damned "show desktop" icon kills me. Last week at work we were all upgraded from XP to 7... arcane1 Apr 2013 #33

It's very annoying that it's on the right hand side. What the fuck were they thinking? CrispyQ Apr 2013 #56

I found a way to get Quick Launch back, which can be moved to the left side arcane1 Apr 2013 #89

Thanks. I will check these out. --nt CrispyQ May 2013 #90

That's the same reason why car manufacturers put fins on cars in the 50's. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #36

An excellent pick, Kubuntu Linux. Only windows sw I've bought was Win 95, that was enough. RKP5637 Apr 2013 #30

It seems so familiar... leftstreet Apr 2013 #13

D�j� vu! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #34

That really looks scary! jonthebru Apr 2013 #79

AOL wasn't even the first one to look like that. 2ndAmForComputers Apr 2013 #83

"A sorryass sad state of affairs indeed." - ML Berlum Apr 2013 #14

don't know anything about Win 8, but... burnodo Apr 2013 #15

problematcal at best oldhippydude Apr 2013 #18

Our people who don't listen to their SYSADMIN bought a few WIN 8 home systems for use in the shops DainBramaged Apr 2013 #19

Some adjustment needed...after about 5 minutes I sat down and read "Basics" HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #20

Are you aware of "Classic Shell"? tblue37 Apr 2013 #21

+100 n/t lumberjack_jeff Apr 2013 #64

I'm using it, no problem johnnypneumatic Apr 2013 #22

I like Windows 7 for my computer, but my Windows 8 phone is fantastic OKNancy Apr 2013 #23

The second I'm eligible for an upgrade I'm buying a Lumia without question. Initech Apr 2013 #45

That's what I have Canuckistanian Apr 2013 #54

Not conceptually sound. When Windows developers are developing software, the company bluestate10 Apr 2013 #24

the worst buying decission of my life olddots Apr 2013 #27

"How is anyone else doing?" Ubuntu, Chrome and Firefox are working just fine! LOL RKP5637 Apr 2013 #29

It continues the worst trends that have annoyed me for years bhikkhu Apr 2013 #31

My feelings exactly. LisaL Apr 2013 #38

To make it user friendly, they'd have to pay people to come in off the street to beta check it and RC Apr 2013 #68

If you have Win7 or Win8 try this Occulus Apr 2013 #66

But if you aren't careful jonthebru Apr 2013 #80

Flushed the hard drive and put in Windows 7. That is how much I liked it. yourout Apr 2013 #35

Sticking with WindowsXP until my last computer takes it last gasp. forestpath Apr 2013 #39

MS can go to hell where all screens are blue. Don't use Ubuntu ...it's for smart people... L0oniX Apr 2013 #40

Linux Mint might fill the bill for you. RC Apr 2013 #69

I've been using Ubuntu for a few years. I'm satified with it. L0oniX Apr 2013 #70

Having had windows 8 for 6 months now newfie11 Apr 2013 #41

I want XP back BainsBane Apr 2013 #42

www.stardock.com - Start8 - $5 Rosco T. Apr 2013 #43

Use the Windows Key alot CatholicEdHead Apr 2013 #44

My next format and install will be a Linux Mint and Win8 dual boot system. Consensus on 8 is... Locut0s Apr 2013 #46

MY PC is XP 2002 service pack 3 Omaha Steve Apr 2013 #48

Just becuase support stops doesn't mean XP will magically stop working. hobbit709 Apr 2013 #51

it caters to idiots and their handhelds Skittles Apr 2013 #52

Very Xbox 360ish as well. Hanging on to Windows 7 here. emulatorloo Apr 2013 #58

Got two new PCs recently. Lizzie Poppet Apr 2013 #59

My wife's new computer came with it, so I'll have to MineralMan Apr 2013 #61

It's okay once you install classic shell. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2013 #62

Takes alot of getting used to Marrah_G Apr 2013 #63

I've decided to skip it. Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #67

I finally ditched it after the fourth time HillWilliam Apr 2013 #71

Whre's the damn START button???? Bake Apr 2013 #72

Is there a point to an upgrade from Win 7 if you're not on a touchscreen? IDemo Apr 2013 #73

It IS pretty darned fast. GoCubsGo Apr 2013 #75

Absolutely zero point in upgrading from Win 7 War Horse Apr 2013 #85

Once you install Classic Shell, it's fine. GoCubsGo Apr 2013 #74

dont like it MFM008 Apr 2013 #76

I bought the start8 app that allows you to use the start button on the bottom left jonthebru Apr 2013 #78

Classic Shell, as said above War Horse Apr 2013 #82

requires modifications: Classic shell + thematic upgrades + other tweaks, but ok otherwise 0rganism Apr 2013 #84

i did my 4th *downgrade* on a brand new machine today. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #88