The aero option is still available in this just-released build. But the 'intel' is it won't be in any further beta (if there is one) and not in the
RTM and retail versions. That means, as far as I'm concerned, WinBlinds is back in the loop (I lived without it on WN7.) I like aero - turn it
off and you'll see what I mean. Bland. There will be many, especially those using Metro on phones and pads, who won't want it. I can see
the reason for that. A flat look on those devices could be preferable. But a little eye candy on a PC and notebook is pleasant. So I'm all
for a new Win 8 version of WindowBlinds (the current/latest version is 'not compatible'. I know, I tried it.)
Stardock, I hope you're on the ball..
on the other hand: there is good chance that MS will fail completely on the phone and tablet market.
LOL ive found a bunch,, usually delete them tho..
⬆ 2nd that some rubbish apps about
you sure noticed how easy the uninstall was. some Windows desktop apps on the other hand are very hard to get rid off. some desktop app installers even install additional software such as toolbars or even spyware and troyans.
such things aren't as likely to happen in a (well maintained) app store.
but at least in Windows 8 you can still install software from any source you like.
For as long as win32 exists. They are trying to move everyone away from the desktop paradigm and win32 and on to windows runtime via the marketplace (I hate the word app btw.. because of what it has come to mean in this day and age. I have even stopped using the word application and only refer to "apps" as things that have not alot of capability or are managed by some form of drm or store tied to an account. I exclusively refer to tradition Applications as programs for distinction,)
Anyway what will happen in the future if we stay silent is more deprecation of the windows desktop platform and win32 and more restrictive nature of everything. As Windows 8 will be forced onto every OEM computer and ridiculously low upgrade prices will see high adoption by the general public. Microsoft is indeed trying to kill off win32 and the desktop and will in the future remove it completely.
That is what the refactoring project and minwin project became aimed twords a complete computerization and rediscovery of how Dave Cutler's NT works in order to start swapping out and replacing large chunks of the foundation. Originally this was done because Windows had grown so complex no one really completely understood the platform and the experience with longhorn proved that windows was starting to collapse under it's own weight and alot of optimization and retooling was necessary to get us to what we eventually got in Windows 7 with the sacrifice of most of everything Longhorn promised and actually would have been fulfilled originally with Cario.
However this process and the goals have been perverted by this mobile centric paradigm and we are seeing the start of it in Windows 8. Yes some of the NT stuff has been optimized even farther than it was in Windows 7 and from a traditional stand point the system is better for it but on the darker side we are loosing our ability to control our systems.
Where exactly is the settings for the lock screen stored? What about those "apps" you will download from the store? Why does everything have one look that you can't really change and who's idea was this?
These are all questions that should be asked by the masses not just the power users. A "Just Works" attitude though convenient can be very detrimental to a number of segments in technology. One of which is the IT industry or simple computer support and repair. It also affects the user in ways they don't even know because why learn about something if it "Just Works"?
How does this relate to the current discussion and the original intent of this thread?
As I previously stated Stardock was founded on the principle that your computer should look, work, and be how YOU the user wish it to be.. not what the vender (Microsoft) says it should be. You pay the money for the hardware and you pay for the license to use the software. Shouldn't your system be set up to YOUR specifications?
The "Just Works" mindset is in direct conflict with personal choice and desire. Stardock works to mitigate that as much as possible and with the sad state of the UX in Windows 8 I am sure Stardock is working extremely hard to bring that power that was taken from you and place it back in your hands.
If the current trend keeps going the way it is currently then not even Stardock will be able to save us.
So I say, spread the word and make your voice heard and although this sounds extremely marketingy (that's a word?).. Support Stardock by using their products because they are helping us in their own way to take back control of our technology in extremely innovative and elegant ways in-spite of efforts from many sides to take it away.
I am Matt A. Tobin of Binary Outcast and I approve this message. (let's go with that as a closing)
Yes, but not one you'll find in an English dictionary ....
thanks Matt, great article ..
That's a very 'stardocky' point of view ..
I have a MSDN sbscription so I just started using Windows 8 Pro and honestly you should probably pass on upgrading to it or at least do a dual boot with Windows 7. The Metro interface, even with Start8, still causes problems on my dual monitor system. I hope microsoft allows you to turn the metro crap off. Also Windows 8 lacks native DVD support, which is no big deal since there are better free and commericial software DVD players around but it is still annoying.
If you use your PC for surfing the Internet and email and playing music, Metro is fine. All those Aero glass effects are gone now on Windows 8 so unless a Windows 8 version of Windowblinds can bring them back, I see no reason to upgrade to Windows 8 and I have reimaged my system back to 7. I don't see any must have Windows 8 applications. If a Windows 8 version of WindowBlinds comes out, I may load it back on my system in dual boot mode but for those here thinking about upgrading to it, I would pass.
there are several features that I'd miss if I go back to windows 7. Windows 8 boots faster, better ui for file copying - explorer, better integration of default apps for known file formats - pdf,avi,etc, better multimonitor support and overall an upgraded experience. I have a valid copy of windowblinds 7 but I prepared to stay without it for windows 8. Waiting for stardock to relase windowblinds 8 to have my desktop once again decorated with skins.
^^^^ and for me it supports older games better then windows 7 did.
if you had a program that didnt support aero in windows 7 and caused it to disable it and go to basic, this problem doesnt exit in windows 8.
Yes....but not because it has better support...but because Aero is absent whether you are in a game....
....or not....
Aero != DWM.
In Windows 8 DWM is the primary system used to process and render all UI elements on Windows 8. Everything that has come out of microsoft has been written either in WPF or DirectUI which is then tied into DWM for acceleration and composition. This is a change because previously DirectUI could stand on it's own without DWM. As for the older GDI calls they are crippled and once again not hardware accelerated (a problem in windows vista but fixed in 7 but broken in 8).
Since DWM is required for processing and composition it must always run because modern UI drawing instructions are tied in to it. Thus why it cannot even programmaticly be disabled.
You will notice that programs that havn't been touched since windows xp or are not changed from windows 7 do tend to paint them selves significantly slower. GDI is crippled, not hardware accelerated, and must be redirected into DWM for composition to the desktop.
Side question going back to more of the original topic of this thread.. What is the target timeline for WindowBlinds 8?
For me I noticed that in windows 8 the programs dont slow down like they did for windows 7. which is a plus for me
also I would like to know the target timeline for windowblinds 8.....
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/gentlemen-start-your-benches-measuring-windows-8s-performance/2/
I am not a gamer and I hate benchmarks but based on the results, I would not drop windows 7 for 8.
OT. If you are on the fence about upgading to Windows 8 and infact before you install any new software or trial program, I would recommend a good disk image software. I have tried several and the best one by far is http://www.paragon-software.com/business/hdm-professional/
You cannot look at one websites benchmarks. You need benchmarks from a few to get a more rounded and accurate view. I've seen some that have given win 8 high marks some that did not. I did my own benchmarks and they were great. I.ve been using the RTM since it came out 8/15/2012 I have a TechNet account.
As far as gaming go's video drivers are maturing and as they do frame rates will go up. "Microsoft has nothing to do with drivers device manufacturers writes the drivers"
I'm getting good FPS now so it's no issue for me.
I'm happy with windows 8. For me it works' for some it won't
I use it for
1. Software development' Scripting
2. Video' editing.
3. Gaming.
4. 3D graphic rendering
Oh ya all the software stardock has released to work with windows 8 works well. I'm still waiting for windows blinds
The OS itself, the new UI elements - I am getting used to an even beginning to enjoy.
But I had a terrible experience - I renamed my hotmail live account login on the Microsoft account to use my gmail address instead - did this on launch day.
Since then my inbox has been inaccessible, my hotmail account login 'no longer exists'.
I am also waiting for Windowblinds! I don't hate the new style (or lack of) so much as I used to, but I still want the choice to see the aero type theme - I'm wondering if they are going to release it as a 'Plus pack' or something down the track.
I've also started using my casual browsing of the 'Modern' UI using voice control - works quite well, didn't even train it.
I can't personally see how anyone can regard the "Modern" UI as anything but a huge backwards step for a desktop PC or even a laptop, fortunately thanks to Start8 you don't see it at all, and you can enjoy the other benefits of Windows 8 without the silly tiles. Once we have Windowblinds and one or two other programs fixed Windows 8 will be the best version, it's still not that big a leap over 7 but there's nothing to 'fear' thanks to Start8
I agree the modern UI sucks. I'm on a 30 inch monitor. I don't want to open a browser in fullscreen. I don't want to be able to see only 1 program at once, or two with a silly little sidebar. That's for tablets and phones, not a desktop.
That's not to say there aren't some good ideas in there. Having the tiles and apps run on the desktop like gadgets would be cool. Maybe Stardock can invent a program like that.
Oh yes not to bash the tiles too much, they are great on tablet, plus, if you buy a game for your Windows tablet or Windows RT tablet, you automatically get to play it on your PC too, I can see the advantages in that as I only game on a touch only device if there's no alternative!
Not to belabor it, but Lantec said a wise thing... basically: Tablets should have a tablet-centric OS, while desktops should have a desktop-centric OS.
I actually don't believe that, I think that as time goes on tablets will get closer and closer in power to laptops, and having an OS that can do both jobs, along with things like detachable keyboards etc will make more and more sense. I think Microsoft have taken some miss-steps in how they have tried to marry both types of UI but with a few tweaks Windows 8 becomes a very usable and very versatile OS for either kind of PC.
martyWillUseWindows7 = true;
if ( (allowAero) && (allowRealStartMenu))
martyWillUseWindows7 = false;
I just upgraded to 7 and it isn't compatible with Windows 8. It should have had a warning about it before
the upgrade. Stardock, you better get with it.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
Sign in or Create Account
