Windows 8 to get rid of Aero UI

[Yousuf Khan]

Microsoft: Windows 8 Won't Use 'Aero' Interface / Infopackets.com
http://www.infopackets.com/news/bus...crosoft_windows_8_wont_use_aero_interface.htm

One has to wonder why after all of the pain and suffering from having to
upgrade XP computers to handle 3D graphics when they upgraded to Vista,
and into Windows 7, why Microsoft is just now getting rid of it? Now
almost all computers, even those with integrated graphics can handle
Aero, now is the time to go back to 2D?

The answer is probably pretty easy, most ARM-based computers aren't
powerful enough to handle anything more than 2D. But most modern x86's
are now capable of 3D, so why not retain it for x86-based Windows? The
chipmakers, Intel and AMD, both have 3D-capable CPU's with built-in
GPU's, so that means everyone with an x86 processor has 3D hardware.
Playing to the lowest common denominator.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Tecknomage]

Microsoft mistakenly -- and late to the game -- thinks that smartphones
and tablets are the future. That's what they said about netbooks and you
saw how successful that was. Methinks Windows 7 may last longer than XP
unless Microsoft wakes up.

First, smartphones will not replace desktop systems. They will always
be needed for those who do big work not on-the-go, squinting at a
small screen. There was a time when PCs first came out that the buzz
was mainframe computers would go out, well they are still here and in
a big way.

Also, world wide there are more WinXP systems than Vista/Win7 systems.
Not everyone in the world can afford to upgrade their systems to meet
Win7 requirements. Then there are those who don't like Win7 and have
WinXP systems that work perfectly, no incentive to upgrade.




--
=========== Tecknomage ===========
Computer Systems Specialist
ComputerHelpForum.org Staff Member
IT Technician
San Diego, CA

 

[Wolf K]

On 24/05/2012 9:40 AM, Tecknomage wrote:
[...]

First, smartphones will not replace desktop systems. They will always
be needed for those who do big work not on-the-go, squinting at a
small screen. There was a time when PCs first came out that the buzz
was mainframe computers would go out, well they are still here and in
a big way.

Also, world wide there are more WinXP systems than Vista/Win7 systems.
Not everyone in the world can afford to upgrade their systems to meet
Win7 requirements. Then there are those who don't like Win7 and have
WinXP systems that work perfectly, no incentive to upgrade.

All of which are signs that computers are a "maturing technology", I
think. The functions of OSs are pretty well settled. The differences
between computers appear to be mostly in how applications are bundled
and/or integrated with the OS and hardware. We seem to be at the same
stage as powered vehicles about 100 years ago, when the technology began
to split into cars/busses, tractors, and trucks, along with specialised
gear such as bulldozers.

IMO, there is one development still to come: the truly portable
multi-function thingamajig. It will probably not be a single gadget, but
several devices distributed over the body of the user: phone, computer,
GPS, personal communicator, camera, etc. Maybe we will buy vests,
hoodies, etc, with these devices built in. Or slip on a few bracelets
and a head set. Or carry something like a walking stick.

All my experience with tablets is secondhand. The people who seem most
comfortable with them seem to focus on a couple or three uses, eg,
social networking, e-mail, surfing. One loves his iPad because he can
use to compose music collaboratively in real time. It seems to me,
though, that a tablet is little more than a smart-phone without the phone.

Best,
Wolf K.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Microsoft: Windows 8 Won't Use 'Aero' Interface / Infopackets.com
http://www.infopackets.com/news/bus...crosoft_windows_8_wont_use_aero_interface.htm

One has to wonder why after all of the pain and suffering from having to
upgrade XP computers to handle 3D graphics when they upgraded to Vista,
and into Windows 7, why Microsoft is just now getting rid of it? Now
almost all computers, even those with integrated graphics can handle
Aero, now is the time to go back to 2D?

The answer is probably pretty easy, most ARM-based computers aren't
powerful enough to handle anything more than 2D. But most modern x86's
are now capable of 3D, so why not retain it for x86-based Windows? The
chipmakers, Intel and AMD, both have 3D-capable CPU's with built-in
GPU's, so that means everyone with an x86 processor has 3D hardware.
Playing to the lowest common denominator.

Yousuf Khan

In Windows 7 the Aero interface can be turned off, so there's no need to
update hardware. So that doesn't seem (to me) to be a good reason to
drop it altogether from W8.

But I can't always figure out how Microsoft makes its design choices.

I do think people who design interfaces should be required to use them
before imposing them on others. Or if that requirement already exists,
it needs to be enforced

 

[Jeff Layman]

But I can't always figure out how Microsoft makes its design choices.

Then there's still hope for you!

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

In Windows 7 the Aero interface can be turned off, so there's no need
to update hardware. So that doesn't seem (to me) to be a good reason
to drop it altogether from W8.

Which I did, first thing, along with installing Classic Shell. Dropping
Aero is the first good thing I've heard about Win 8. Now if they'd just
drop touch screens...

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

And risking dividing by zero.

In Windows 7 the Aero interface can be turned off, so there's no need to
update hardware. So that doesn't seem (to me) to be a good reason to
drop it altogether from W8.

But I can't always figure out how Microsoft makes its design choices.

Possible answers:

1) Easy-peasy. Darts or equivalent.

2) "Computers have made a great change in people's lives. We need
to continue making changes."

3) __________ (Go ahead. Come up with your own.)

I do think people who design interfaces should be required to use them
before imposing them on others. Or if that requirement already exists,
it needs to be enforced

You also need to make sure that they are not masochists. Or
sadists. <understatement>Testing for this appears to be lacking.</>

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Paul]

In Windows 7 the Aero interface can be turned off, so there's no need to
update hardware. So that doesn't seem (to me) to be a good reason to
drop it altogether from W8.

But I can't always figure out how Microsoft makes its design choices.

I do think people who design interfaces should be required to use them
before imposing them on others. Or if that requirement already exists,
it needs to be enforced

Turning off Aero saves power on mobile devices.

Paul

 

[GreyCloud]

Which I did, first thing, along with installing Classic Shell. Dropping
Aero is the first good thing I've heard about Win 8. Now if they'd just
drop touch screens...

There are a few nursing homes that use the touch screen APIs on wall
mounted stations for them to do their paper work. No keyboards are
needed for what they do. Most just use the pencil eraser to rapidly go
from one choice to another. I believe you'll find touch screens used in
a lot of medical facilities.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Then there's still hope for you!

My LOTD award goes to you.

In case it's not in the Acronym Dictionary (since I think I just made it
up, although it's an obvious choice), that's Laugh Of The Day.

I just looked. It's in the Acronym Dictionary

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Turning off Aero saves power on mobile devices.

Paul

No problem for me. I just keep turning the crank.

 

[KCB]

There are a few nursing homes that use the touch screen APIs on wall
mounted stations for them to do their paper work. No keyboards are needed
for what they do. Most just use the pencil eraser to rapidly go from one
choice to another. I believe you'll find touch screens used in a lot of
medical facilities.

There is no need to delete the touch screen controls, but I think the better
idea would be to give the user the choice of Metro or Start Menu. As it
stands now, MS is pretty much forcing the issue, as the majority of comments
on Win8 have been complaints about the lack of a Start Menu.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

My LOTD award goes to you.

In case it's not in the Acronym Dictionary (since I think I just made
it up, although it's an obvious choice), that's Laugh Of The Day.

I just looked. It's in the Acronym Dictionary

Which Acronym Dictionary do you use? There are several, and I'd like to
add one to my search menu.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

All my experience with tablets is secondhand. The people who seem most
comfortable with them seem to focus on a couple or three uses, eg,
social networking, e-mail, surfing. One loves his iPad because he can
use to compose music collaboratively in real time. It seems to me,
though, that a tablet is little more than a smart-phone without the phone.

Yeah, I was a big doubter about the utility of a tablet, but then I
bought a Blackberry Playbook, and I gotta say I find myself using that
way more than I ever thought. It's absolutely perfect for surfing, and
it's passable for email. That's all I really use it for, but then again,
that's what I used my computer for 90% of the time too.

Regarding surfing, the Playbook has Adobe Flash built-in so it's much
more useful than an Apple iPad for surfing. If an iPad is only 75% as
useful as a full PC for surfing, then the Playbook is 95% as useful.
Very few websites that it can't handle properly.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I do think people who design interfaces should be required to use them
before imposing them on others. Or if that requirement already exists,
it needs to be enforced

I think that may actually be the problem here. The people who design
UI's are designing it for themselves. Being as they are, programmers,
and other technical types, they find a lot of stuff useful that other
people may not find useful. So your wish may actually be happening, so
be careful what you wish for.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Wolf K]

I think that may actually be the problem here. The people who design
UI's are designing it for themselves. Being as they are, programmers,
and other technical types, they find a lot of stuff useful that other
people may not find useful. So your wish may actually be happening, so
be careful what you wish for.

Yousuf Khan

I think this is the problem with many of Firefox's "improvements." Some
dev wants a feature, at the planning conference (s)he persuades the
others it's cool, and it's done (or undone if an existing feature is
judged uncool). The complaints from ordinary users are ignored, or
explained away, or (worse) "fixed" by offering workarounds. I suspect
that the proposed W8 GUI is the result of some dev's desire for a
"clean" interface.

Not that it matters much. MS has been playing catch-up instead of
innovation ever since NT3.5.

Sigh.
Wolf K.

 

[Jeff Layman]

Which Acronym Dictionary do you use? There are several, and I'd like to
add one to my search menu.

I'll bet it's the AD... )

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

I'll bet it's the AD... )

A little Googling brings up several. I settled for this one, which also
has a pretty good general purpose dictionary.

http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/LOTD

 

[Wolf K]

Yeah, I was a big doubter about the utility of a tablet, but then I
bought a Blackberry Playbook, and I gotta say I find myself using that
way more than I ever thought. It's absolutely perfect for surfing, and
it's passable for email. That's all I really use it for, but then again,
that's what I used my computer for 90% of the time too.

Regarding surfing, the Playbook has Adobe Flash built-in so it's much
more useful than an Apple iPad for surfing. If an iPad is only 75% as
useful as a full PC for surfing, then the Playbook is 95% as useful.
Very few websites that it can't handle properly.

Yousuf Khan

I read up on it, but one question not answered: Does it support Skype? I
assume that one could use it for web-mail.

Wolf K.

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

On Fri, 25 May 2012 13:37:09 -0400, "Dave \"Crash\" Dummy"

[snip]

A little Googling brings up several. I settled for this one, which also
has a pretty good general purpose dictionary.

http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/LOTD

I tend to Google for the word "abbrev" followed by the
abbreviation I want expanded.

Sincerely,

Gene "abbrev TTFN" Wirchenko