 plencnerbPremium join:2000-09-25 Elgin, IL kudos:2 | reply to sivran
Re: Windows 8.1 Ad with Start Button That is correct. You don't get the hierarchical directory listing of folders and sub-folders on the Start Screen. It is all one big view.
Personally for me, that was never an issue. When I ran Windows 7, I had nothing on that first part, and everything under "All Programs". My most used items would be out of folders and just listed on the 2nd screen. Everything else was in folders under that. I also did not have sub-folders (never liked them on the start menu, even back with XP).
With XP and Windows 7, I hated to see a big start menu, so I have always tried to limit the number of icons that were put there, the exception being Accessories or System Tools that came with Windows. For example, if an application installed multiple shortcuts (Quicken is a good example), I would delete all but just the one that I need to launch the application. In the case of Quicken, I delete the shortcut for the Bill reminder app, shortcuts for things on the web, the uninstall, the readme, and so on. You can see this with how I have Windows 8 configured as well. On my "All Apps" screen, that is what it is: Applications. The "default" ones that come with Windows are under the headings of "Windows Accessories", "Windows Ease of Access", and "Windows System Tools". You can see all the applications that I have installed (Adobe Reader, DosBox, Winzip, Winamp, etc). But as you can see, none of the other extra icons or shortcuts that come with those programs are even shown, as I took extra steps to clean up and modify the directory structure, and remove the shortcuts that I did not need. If I ever did need something, I could just go find the EXE or the file itself, as its probably stored somewhere in the Program Files folders.
--Brian -- ============================ --Brian Plencner
E-Mail: CoasterBrian72Cancer@gmail.com Note: Kill Cancer to Reply via e-mail |
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 Mele20Premium join:2001-06-05 Hilo, HI kudos:4 | I don't understand how you can stand the ugliness of Metro start screen. It is not possible to make it nice looking or transparent. Metro, all of it, is so extremely ugly that it doesn't matter what you can do like you have done.
I finally am reasonably ok with Windows 8 but ONLY because I have Start8 and, even more importantly, Windows Blinds. I am developing my own skin with MY COLORS, MY FONTS, etc AND FULL TRANSPARENCY OF WINDOWS. So, I finally get what Microsoft (and Nivida for the transparency) gave me in ALL previous versions of Windows but decided I didn't deserve in Windows 8.
I really can't understand how anyone can actually like the hideous backgrounds, fonts and forced colors that are Windows 8 Metro and to a large extent also Windows 8 desktop. Microsoft gave us the basic right to choose what we liked in all versions of Windows prior to Windows 8 and the sad fact that they decided to take all that away and ram their colors, their backgrounds, their choice of no transparency, their awful Segoe font or be damned as no other Windows font is available, etc makes them deserve only disdain. Windows has always been about making it YOURS...until Windows 8. You have made menus and Metro Start "yours" but what you have been able to do is very crippled. I will not allow Microsoft to treat me in such a shabby manner. Windows Blinds is a godsend especially if you teach yourself how to make your own skin. -- When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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 darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium join:2001-01-02 Forest Grove, OR kudos:2 Reviews:
·Frontier FiOS
| said by Mele20: Metro, all of it, is so extremely ugly that it doesn't matter what you can do like you have done.
It is ugly to YOU. It doesn't matter to YOU. -- ♬ Dragon of good fortune struggles with the trickster Fox ♬ |
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1 recommendation | reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:I don't understand how you can stand the ugliness of Metro start screen. It is not possible to make it nice looking or transparent. Metro, all of it, is so extremely ugly that it doesn't matter what you can do like you have done. MS made the choice to force a consistent look/feel onto all platforms: PC, tablet, and phone. And since those last two don't have the battery life or horsepower to do Aero, they ripped it out of Win8 entirely.
Look, this comes down to one thing: MS likes to believe that it has the ability to see what its users will want even when the users think they won't. Steve Jobs had this very rare ability. MS decidedly does not. |
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 OctaveanPremium,MVM join:2001-03-31 New York, NY kudos:1 | reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:I don't understand how you can stand the ugliness of Metro start screen. It is not possible to make it nice looking or transparent. Metro, all of it, is so extremely ugly that it doesn't matter what you can do like you have done.
You do realizes how subjective what you just said is don't you? Esthetics (beauty) is in the eye of the beholder and as such you have likely answered your own question. |
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 GlennAllenSunny with highs in the 80sPremium join:2002-11-17 Richmond, VA | reply to Mele20
Have you come across this: »punchcut.com/perspectives/posts/···anifesto (all about the Win8 design etc. -- some interesting stuff)? |
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 | reply to darcilicious
The problem with metro is it's responsiveness. It's slow and definitely not customizable. We are seeing a lot of apps which is the silver lining for Microsoft. |
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 darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium join:2001-01-02 Forest Grove, OR kudos:2 Reviews:
·Frontier FiOS
| said by BrettZ:The problem with metro is it's responsiveness. It's slow
That's a pretty vague statement (and doesn't reflect my experience) and probably depends on a number of factors, not the least of which would be the hardware and possibly specific apps.
said by BrettZ: We are seeing a lot of apps
I still don't see some of my favorite iOS apps on this platform and of those that are, many don't work well. -- ♬ Dragon of good fortune struggles with the trickster Fox ♬ |
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 BlitzenZeusBurnt Out CynicPremium join:2000-01-13 kudos:3
1 recommendation | reply to Mele20
Why are you such a blowhard over it? It's so hideous, it's awful.... Get over yourself.
How about you do us all a favor, and stop using Windows then? Spend a month using linux, lets see how quickly you start realizing that windows is stable, and works so you can bitch about the gui like it's the end of the world. So please, go use linux for a month, we could use the peace, and quiet. -- I distrust those people who know so well what god wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires- Susan B. Anthony Yesterday we obeyed kings, and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to the truth- Kahlil G. |
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 Steve MehsGun Control Is Using A Steady HandPremium join:2005-07-16
1 recommendation | reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:I don't understand how you can stand the ugliness of Metro start screen. It is not possible to make it nice looking or transparent. Metro, all of it, is so extremely ugly that it doesn't matter what you can do like you have done. Come again? |
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 Steve MehsGun Control Is Using A Steady HandPremium join:2005-07-16 | reply to signmeuptoo
said by signmeuptoo:Are any of the programs that will give us the real start menu back working in 8.1 yet? This is bull what they are doing. It's like how the mob keeps promises, never what you think the promise means.
I've been running the RTM releases of Windows 8. 1and Windows Server 2012 R2 for two weeks now with the latest Classic Shell Release Candidate on both and it works fine. I will never understand why people, especially those on this site, complain abut the lack of a Start Button. Who cares if it was gone, who cares that it's back and who cares what functionality it has or does not have in 8.1. Classic Shell can be installed and configured in 30 seconds, and gives the end user everything they could want and more. Windows 8 is a great operating system, but the Metro interface is beyond retarded, Classic Shell solves that. Classic Shell included Boot To Desktop well before 8.1 was a thought. It's idiotic to have to deal with two different user interface structures. There are no compelling Windows 8 apps that I could find. I fail to see what makes the ESPN so great when I could just go to ESPN.com. The TWiT and fake YouTube apps are nice though since I can go split screen and stream video in the metro interface and do real work on the Classic Desktop. -- 4/17/13 - A Beautiful Day For Freedom, Thank You United States Senate! Message to Anti-Gun Liberals: HA HA! Hussein Obama 0, American Public 1 Repeal Obamacare Now!
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 signmeuptooThank you YankeesPremium join:2001-11-22 NanoParticle kudos:5 Reviews:
·Comcast
·Optimum Online
| Don't forget the other problem with Windows 8: Starting in safe mode without it first running in non safe mode to set it to do so. It proved impossilbe for me after changing video cards and I ended up hosing win8 after so many powerdown boot attempts, and went back to win7. The method to get 8 to boot into safe mode is impossible to do, it doesn't work. -- Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Rest in Peace, Leonard David Smith, my best friend, you are missed badly! Rest in peace, Pop, glad our last years were good. Please pray for Colin, he has ependymoma, a brain cancer, donate to a children's Hospital. |
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 MsradellP.E.Premium join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
1 edit | reply to Jehu
said by Jehu:Windows 8.1 is the best modern OS, complemented by it's lovely and useful Metro start menu. I hate using my windows 7 computer at work as I miss the 8 features.
I am a well-adjusted, open-minded, close to middle-aged adult who welcomes and adapts to smart changes.
I also prefer Bing to Google! it is well integrated with win 8. I must be crazy!!
You've definitely been drinking too much Microsoft Kool-Aid! |
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 darciliciousCyber LibrarianPremium join:2001-01-02 Forest Grove, OR kudos:2 Reviews:
·Frontier FiOS
| said by Msradell:said by Jehu:Windows 8.1 is the best modern OS, complemented by it's lovely and useful Metro start menu. I hate using my windows 7 computer at work as I miss the 8 features.
I am a well-adjusted, open-minded, close to middle-aged adult who welcomes and adapts to smart changes.
I also prefer Bing to Google! it is well integrated with win 8. I must be crazy!!
You've deftly been drinking too much Microsoft Kool-Aid! Yes, it does seem he's deftly using Windows 8.1!  -- ♬ Dragon of good fortune struggles with the trickster Fox ♬ |
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 Mele20Premium join:2001-06-05 Hilo, HI kudos:4 | reply to GlennAllen
I hadn't seen that. Thank you! It explains why Microsoft has become irrelevant and will probably disappear in the next ten years. Those design principles are a lot of gobbledegook that makes little sense. Number 4 is particularly incoherent and senseless. GUI is EVERYTHING because from the user's experience all flows from GUI. If the user doesn't like the GUI and is not allowed to fix it to their liking (without having to resort to third party programs they may have to purchase and that may or not work correctly all of the time) then the game is over before it began.
I don't know if it was intentional, but that website displayed in about 250% magnification when I went to it although Zoom said it was at 100%. I had to reduce zoom to 33% and it still was too big text.
If GUI is unacceptable and I can't fix it then why would I want a computer? I could get a device that just lets me LISTEN to web pages. -- When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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 Mele20Premium join:2001-06-05 Hilo, HI kudos:4 | reply to BlitzenZeus
You are not making sense. If my posts bother you so much then put my posts on "ignore". Simple fix.  |
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 BlitzenZeusBurnt Out CynicPremium join:2000-01-13 kudos:3 | reply to signmeuptoo
While it won't help after the fact, you can make an entry for it before something goes bad. »www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27···8-a.html
I agree, they screwed up with not being able to access safe mode. |
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 Steve MehsGun Control Is Using A Steady HandPremium join:2005-07-16 | reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:You are not making sense. If my posts bother you so much then put my posts on "ignore". Simple fix. 
Marilyn, what exactly did BlitzenZeus post that doesnt make sense? Seems pretty spot on to me
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·Cogeco Cable
| reply to GlennAllen
I can't help but be agitated with "do more with less" when it feels like I'm doing less with less. Either they got it wrong or these simple design philosophies are a waste of breath when the majority of users require more granular attention to their computing ecosystem. |
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 GlennAllenSunny with highs in the 80sPremium join:2002-11-17 Richmond, VA | Instead of "either/or", I think it's more of a "both/and" situation. |
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said by urbanriot:I can't help but be agitated with "do more with less" when it feels like I'm doing less with less. Either they got it wrong or these simple design philosophies are a waste of breath when the majority of users require more granular attention to their computing ecosystem. That's (the link, not what you wrote) a typical pile of multisyllabic MS BS. The "invisible interface"?? Did they stop to ask if users are comfortable or want such a thing, or how they'd figure out how to use it?
And besides the obvious mumbo-jumbo, none of it means much anyway because once the marketing department gets their hands on MS products, they immediately start "monetizing" it. Which leads to...
"Create a clean and purposeful experience by leaving only the most relevant elements on screen so people can be immersed in the content."
Have they looked at the out-of-the-box Win8 screen? And presuming they have, how can anyone who is not legally blind say with a straight face that Win8 has left "only the most relevant elements on screen"? |
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 GlennAllenSunny with highs in the 80sPremium join:2002-11-17 Richmond, VA | The "most relevant elements"... yep, what we used to call "plain text".
Microsoft: bringing you the best, darned DOS they can.  |
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 AsherNPremium join:2010-08-23 Thornhill, ON | reply to Steve Mehs
Because in a corporate environment, there is testing to be done, licensing to be considered and deployment to be scheduled. |
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·Comcast
| reply to Freddy
said by Freddy:According to the video, the new Start button just takes one to the Start screen, and not to the traditional Start, not? ^THIS^
Watching MS fumble around is like watching the elderly eat.
Oooh, we brought back the start button but the way WE want you to have it.
Facepalm.
Blob -- I may have been born yesterday. But it wasn't at night. |
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 Reviews:
·Cogeco Cable
| said by workablob:Oooh, we brought back the start button but the way WE want you to have it.
Facepalm. I'm surprised there hasn't been any Microsoft commentary concerning this type of discussion. When it was in beta, Start8 used to advertise how many downloads they had and people everywhere were insisting "this will be fixed by release", then it was released and practically everyone freaked out.
Our local technology stores (Best Buy and Future Shop) reported more computer returns than ever and employee friends reported many women were purchasing Apple computers solely because there were no Windows 7 laptops available or they just heard Windows 8 was awful.
So then Microsoft says "Here's a button!" and everyone groans. Mainstream news channels report how Microsoft didn't exactly give consumers what they wanted, some even suggesting that Microsoft's trying to snow job their clients, and off the beat news channels or comics like Penny Arcade are also face palming...
So you have all this negative attention directed at the interface and the only response that the millions of users receive is "here's a button", the sacking of Steven Sinofsky, the leaving of Steve Ballmer... but no comments concerning the Start Menu?
In my eyes the whole thing is weird. With so much negative attention and with so many people criticizing the Windows 8 experience, you'd think they'd at least try to placate those critical with something like "those who like it, great! Those who don't, wait for Windows 9!" or something to that effect. |
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 Mele20Premium join:2001-06-05 Hilo, HI kudos:4 | But you don't really think Microsoft will make any changes the public wants in Windows 9 do you?
Why do you think the shareholders are now calling for Bill Gates to get out NOW not the gradual exit to reduce his shares until 2018 to zero...but they want him gone NOW. Not that it will make any difference. -- When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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 GlennAllenSunny with highs in the 80sPremium join:2002-11-17 Richmond, VA Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to urbanriot
said by urbanriot:...those who like it, great! Those who don't, wait for Windows 9! No need to wait for Win9. I think Win7 will be hanging on longer than XP. 
"WinHate got you down? WinHeaven to the rescue!" |
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·AT&T Midwest
| reply to Mele20
I Myself don't have a Problem with Windows 8 Metro Side, I'm on the Metro Side 50 percent of the time, and other time 50 percent on Desktop, Snapping apps sometimes to the sides of monitor as well, Been Running Windows 8 Since October 26th 2012, Gonna upgrade to 8.1 first day of release. I adjusted to Metro Start screen quickly on Desktop with Keyboard and Mouse, Perhaps reason why I adjusted to it was cause I was using Windows Phone with Metro elements even before Windows 8 came out. All In All different people adjust differently to things, But also have to face the fact really that Metro side isn't going away, more so it's the future for Windows products...
New Start button in 8.1 may come in handy though, despite had no trouble using the hidden one currently from Desktop mode anyways, Charms bars not a problem either |
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 Reviews:
·Cogeco Cable
| reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:But you don't really think Microsoft will make any changes the public wants in Windows 9 do you? Good point. If they didn't make a real effort to placate the majority of users with 8.1, what makes me think they're going to care about users with Windows 9? Bitter hope... |
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 OctaveanPremium,MVM join:2001-03-31 New York, NY kudos:1 | reply to urbanriot
said by urbanriot:In my eyes the whole thing is weird. With so much negative attention and with so many people criticizing the Windows 8 experience, you'd think they'd at least try to placate those critical with something like "those who like it, great! Those who don't, wait for Windows 9!" or something to that effect.
One would think that Microsoft would do whatever they can to increase sales of their current offering. Publicly asking their customers to wait for their next product (even if they truly move to an annual release schedule from a roughly three year cycle) would only give additional reason for sales to stagnate.
Its a tooth and nail type of thing IMO and I could see Microsoft give incentives / discounts for the next version of Windows specifically to Windows 8 / 8.1 users. Anything to bolster those numbers even at the bitter end,....before truly moving on to the next version.
It would seem obvious at this point but I'll say it anyway,...
It was my understanding that the inclusion of the Start button in Windows 8.1 was to assist the truly clueless not to appease the disgruntled. You know, the type that have absolutely no idea of how to proceed without one. |
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