Windows RT and Windows 8 are two completely *seperate* operating systems.

Yikes. Good point on the differences. After reading, it could well be that Matthew spoke about 'RT' while actually writing Win8.

 

If that's the case, the complains about the more closed structure make sense.

What kind of time limit does Win 7 have when you have to replace (whether through failures or just wanting to upgrade) hardware such as motherboard, cpu etc..? Rather how long can you keep using it that way? I think there's usually around 10 years of support (i.e. patches), then if you get premium support it's an extra couple years (but no patches if I recall). There may be a time limit how long we can run FSX with Win 7.

January 14, 2020 for Win7 SP1 support. http://windows.micro...ducts/lifecycle

Looking at my watch, I may have a few hardware updates until then. Oh, Vista support ends 2017. That will be hard for.. anyone? ^_^

There's been a question on my mind regarding Windows 8. I've heard it has a Traditional User Interface option - where you can have it set up, function and look like this (Windows 7ish) on your desktop:

 

 

Rather than that tablet look, we're seeing all over the place:

 

Is that true? If it is, it would make me a little happier about it.

 

Has anyone tested FS9, FSX and add-ons on it?

There's been a question on my mind regarding Windows 8. I've heard it has a Traditional User Interface option - where you can have it set up, function and look like this (Windows 7ish) on your desktop:

 

 

Rather than that tablet look, we're seeing all over the place:

 

Is that true? If it is, it would make me a little happier about it.

 

Has anyone tested FS9, FSX and add-ons on it?

 

I keep mine on the desktop interface all the time. As far as the first Start button, there are addons that can give you that but I don't need it anymore. I'm currently running FSX with no problems at all.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

How is then that people are running FS under Win8 if it's "locked down"?

 

I said already that Windows 8 will still run legacy software so no problem running FSX in Windows 8....

 

 

It is the new software coming out for Windows 8 and DirectX 11.1 that I don't like where it is heading. New Software will be locked down, controlled by MS and already we are seeing squables between developers and MS (kind of like we did with Flight)

 

Minecraft, Activision/Blizzard are looking at boycotting Windows 8 so far as they would prefer to keep things in an open environment Steam is another one not happy. Kind of sounds familiar? Not good when Developers I like aren't happy as that is further death of the PC by monopolising things into an MS Store.

 

My POV is I don't like it when a corporation starts to take that much control over things, at the end of the day it is just an Operating System to get my computer running, What I decide to do with my computer from there is up to me and I don't want MS taking over.

 

Keep it an open environment like it has always been is all.

 

"The biggest problem with Windows 8 is that it wasn't born out of a need or demand. Its design failures, particularly with ‘Metro UI’ will likely be its downfall." Adrian Kingsley-Hughes - ZDNET

Heard there's also a 'power user bar', that gives us all those abilities we were horrified to find missing or hopelessly hidden.

 

 

As long as it doesn't force the tablet Interface on us and we can go back to a more useful Desktop environment, Widndows 8 is starting to sound better to me than the Touch Screen Tablet UI horror show I thought it would be.

Heard that apparently its also a little lighter on hardware resources than Win7.

 

MS should really have focused on talking about these things more during their marketing of Win8, rather than focusing everything on the Tablet UI aspect (METRO I think they call it). It would have won more people over in my opinion. I didn't have a clue about any of this until I read some recent user reviews about it.

What is the adoption rate of Windows 8?

Heard there's also a 'power user bar', that gives us all those abilities we were horrified to find missing or hopelessly hidden.

 

 

Yep, just right click when you have the cursor at the very bottom left and it appears.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

I said already that Windows 8 will still run legacy software so no problem running FSX in Windows 8....

 

 

It is the new software coming out for Windows 8 and DirectX 11.1 that I don't like where it is heading. New Software will be locked down, controlled by MS and already we are seeing squables between developers and MS (kind of like we did with Flight)

 

Minecraft, Activision/Blizzard are looking at boycotting Windows 8 so far as they would prefer to keep things in an open environment Steam is another one not happy. Kind of sounds familiar? Not good when Developers I like aren't happy as that is further death of the PC by monopolising things into an MS Store.

 

My POV is I don't like it when a corporation starts to take that much control over things, at the end of the day it is just an Operating System to get my computer running, What I decide to do with my computer from there is up to me and I don't want MS taking over.

I am happy to find we won't be stuck with the Touch Screen Interface for Win8, but I still share some of your concern. Hopefully there won't be any lock down on software from MS. I don't see that benefiting them (or anyone else) in the long term.

But if it does go down that path I can always install a dual boot and Run Linux Mint along with Windows 8 (or any other Linux distro, can even go with FreeBSD). With a big enough HDD we can install as many Operating systems as we want, just takes some partitioning - once you have the hang of that its easy enough. If there is a lock down from MS all those developers will likely turn to Linux - its good, free, popular, open and available for everyone.

What is the adoption rate of Windows 8?

 

Here is a source from ZDNET:

http://www.zdnet.com/initial-windows-8-pc-sales-estimates-mixed-say-analysts-7000007303/

 

If there is a lock down all those developers will likely turn to Linux - its good, free, popular, open and available for everyone.

 

Yep - I agree. I scratch build my PC's and what OS I use is of little concern as it is the end applications that run best with an OS is what I will decide is best. For now FSX and Windows 7 is the best combination. As new Software comes out maybe my OS will change to something like Linux. We will see where the developers go over the next few years

 

Cheers

New Software will be locked down, controlled by MS ....

 

So it's not possible to to use Visual C++, Visual Basic etc to develop and deploy new applications under Win8 without Microsoft's approval?

So it's not possible to to use Visual C++, Visual Basic etc to develop and deploy new applications under Win8 without Microsoft's approval?

 

I think there was a rumor that MS wouldn't support development tools for desktop/Win32 or .Net api but I guess that's wrong. But it seems MS wants to push development towards the new api Windows runtime and javascript aka windows store apps. I think the requirement for windows store vetting is what people don't like. Not sure how this differs from apple/google store.

 

AFA win 8, I kind of miss Aero on the desktop but it isn't a showstoper. You get equivalent of Win 7 ulitmate at the price of Win 7 home premium so that's nice (you need to d/l the media center pack (free until next Feb) or use your own media player for all content).

 

The other thing is compared to the CP and RP (betas) I tried, it seemed like I was forced to set up a microsoft account to install. After installing I converted it to a local account. I'm not sure if there is a reason to use a microsoft account (I read something about able to d/l apps on any computer with the same account, but don't really have a requirement for that here).

 

Maybe someone has some input on the account issues? I currently just use the single local account with no password and when I boot from cold it automatically goes into my account. I could create another account I guess but I don't want to have to logon just to use a desktop.

 

I also note that boot is really "hybrid boot" and you have to do a restart to actually full boot.

 

I installed FSX/sp1/sp2 into a second partition and found the files were set read only. I reset that and set the access control on the fsx directory and all content to "full control" for "Everyone". Then set it to share with "Everyone" so I can administer it from my main Win 7 machine. I think Win 8 pro lets you play around with group policy (don't have that in Win 7 HP, just registry hacks) so might have a go at that.

 

scott s.

.

So it's not possible to to use Visual C++, Visual Basic etc to develop and deploy new applications under Win8 without Microsoft's approval?

 

I was referring to Gaming, DirectX 11.1 licensing etc etc etc.

 

As I said above, legacy software still works in Windows 8, this isn't about the past, it is about the future.

 

If you wanted to write Apps for Windows RT/8 then from now on you are facing a new set of rules.

 

At the end of the day it is the Windows Store that we are complaining about, in the past we were free to do the things we did.

The other thing is compared to the CP and RP (betas) I tried, it seemed like I was forced to set up a microsoft account to install. After installing I converted it to a local account. I'm not sure if there is a reason to use a microsoft account (I read something about able to d/l apps on any computer with the same account, but don't really have a requirement for that here).

 

Maybe someone has some input on the account issues? I currently just use the single local account with no password and when I boot from cold it automatically goes into my account. I could create another account I guess but I don't want to have to logon just to use a desktop.

 

Microsoft is merging all of their various accounts (Hotmail, Xbox Live, Skype, SkyDrive, Outlook.com, Windows Live etc.) into one Microsoft account as part of their online strategy. The idea is similar to what Apple and Google have where you have one account used across multiple devices and services.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows-live/sign-in-what-is-microsoft-account

 

With the Windows Store, the apps you buy would be tied to your Microsoft Account. This then allows you to install the apps on up to 5 PCs. If you need to reinstall your system, you just install Windows and head over to the Windows Store. No need to find a stack of discs or a download link lost in some email buried in your inbox.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows-8/install-apps-windows-store#1TC=t1

 

Other benefits of the Microsoft account are saving settings across machines, and if you use any of Microsoft's services listed above, better integration of them into the OS.

 

As others have noted, the concern with Windows 8 is that it appears Microsoft is moving towards tightening their control over the Windows ecosystem. Many of their consumer level initiatives over the past few years, or longer in the case of the Xbox and associated Xbox Live system, have shown more signs of following Apple than maintaining the open environment of the 90's. Flight is another example of what they are trying to do. In the case of Steam, the Windows Store is a direct threat as it is required for Windows RT devices combined with there being little point in game developers supporting multiple online distribution systems (or at least this is what Valve is worried about). Of course the advantage of going through Steam is that it supports both Windows and Mac systems right now, and will support Linux in the future too.

 

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/07/steams-newell-windows-8-catastrophe-driving-valve-to-embrace-linux/

 

It's starting to look like if you want an open system, in the long run you will be looking at a Linux distro or some other open source OS.

 

For those that want (lots) more info, Ars Technica has several articles covering Windows 8.

 

http://arstechnica.com/staff/2012/10/windows-8-deep-dive/

 

Including a thorough review.

 

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/windows-reimagined-a-review-of-windows-8/

 

And a visual tour.

 

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/the-windows-8-visual-tour-this-ones-a-looker/