But what is this new beast? I'll try to figure out what can be done smarter than windows 7.
Start
The first thing you'll find out is the start screen.. This is smarter on a touchscreen where you can use gestures. On a normal screen its just indifferent, and sometimes a little annoying.When you go to the desktop you'll see that the startbutton is gone. But then again, why use it, when you have the windows-button. But what happens when you press the windows-buton.. You'll go to the start-page and without a touchscreen, its just a screen with buttons.
Apps vs. Applications
In windows 8 Microsoft has followed the wave of apps as you see them on mobiles and tablets, but what is the smart thing about apps on windows??
In my opinion: On a normal laptop or desktop computer.. absolutely nothing or at least so close to nothing as it can be.
We are now split up in to environments
- The App/Modern UI style/Windows Store App environment
- The desktop environment.
Security
In the app model you need to allow the app to use your system. That sounds appealing.. But on the other hand.. How often does a user read a dialog.. and if they want to play a game, do they really wonder if it requires access to the local network or webcamera?
Of course it's easier to send the responsibility to Microsoft as they have to approve the app, and then the IT-pro can use the UAC again, and disallow the users to install desktop applications.
The desktop application has the same security level as usual, and you cannot actually trust them as a ground rule. Of course that will be a paranoid world and who wouldn't take a chance.
App/Modern UI environment
Or Windows Store App/Desktop app. What's the user experience on these? Well, the easiest way is taking a look at the Internet Explorer. It's in a app and a application version out of the box. If you take a normal website as http://msn.com it's ok. Its in full screen but otherwise it's working as expected. But then try to go to a web chat or something that requires some kind of update.. It actually uses the F5 update, which causes it to crash..
So you cannot use it on all sites.
But in apps you can use the contracts. That means, that you can use the different buttons when you open the right side bar..
Share
The sharebutton is, well for sharing.. So if you have a page in the internet explorer - you can share the link to what ever can receive it.. Fx. Facebook - through "Persons".
Search
With the search button you search the current app as the search contract is implementet. In internet explorer it's through Bing but it can be anything.
Multitasking
Windows 8 can multitask, BUT the app environment takes the human part of it away.. You cannot run 2 apps beside each other if you work with one screen. Furthermore, the mediaplayer app stops playing when you cannot see it.. so you'll still need a desktop version. Which is the case for many apps.
A Little edit: the Windows+. actually makes it possible to have 2 app Windows available at the same time
A Little edit: the Windows+. actually makes it possible to have 2 app Windows available at the same time
Shortcuts
I like to use the keyboard.. A lot of these shortcuts also work in previous versions of windows
- Alt+Tab: Switch between apps.. Both windows store and desktop
- Ctrl+Tab: Switch between tabs/dialogs in an application. Application dependend.
- Ctrl+Shift+Esc: Opens the taskbar
- Windows+Tab: Switch between windows store apps.
- Windows +
: Switch to desktop app no. if there are more than one window in that app, switch between those - Windows+q: search installed apps or the search for the current app. This is smart when you have to open an app fast.. Try to press windows+q and then write "note".. but, it can also be a bit confusing
- Windows+w: starts settings.. again start typing and you'll find the right setting
- Windows+e: starts the windows desktop explorer
- Windows+r: starts the "Run" dialog
- Windows+t: opens the preview of applications in the task line
- Windows+u: starts the "Ease of access"
- Windows+i: opens the settings sidebar..
- Windows+p: opens the "Project to a connected screen" sidebar
- Windows+s: Sends screenshot to OneNote (if installed)
- Windows+d: Shows the desktop environment - if in app environment - and the desktop otherwise..
- Windows+f: Starts the filesearch bar
- Windows+h: Starts the Share contract - only for windows store apps
- Windows+k: Sends to devices
- Windows+l: Locks the workstation
- Windows+x: Opens a quickstart for controlpanel
- Windows+c: Opens the start sidebar.. The same as if you take the mouse to the right corner
- Windows+n: Starts new onenotenote
- Windows+m: Minimizes all windows
- Windows+,: Quickshows the desktop, as long as you hold down windows key
- Windows+.: I don't get this
Conclusion
It's faster than Windows 7 I think.. But the user experience on a normal laptop requires a lot of shortcuts to be really good, and the apps.. Well they are fun for the enduser, but not applicable for heavy use.
