Windows 8 Rumor Mill Picking Up Steam

[menlotechnical]

People who are not geeks - live their lives and will want 'ease of use' and they will want more and more to view the computer as an appliance. Like a toaster or toilet. They will not replace or adjust it until it breaks.
That being said, as the exploits to Windows grows, and less decisions are being made in MS by the old boy team of Gates and his peers... I think there continues to be an invisible hand that drives people away from Windows machines.
Business and most people just want a functioning machine and easy to use UI. They could care less about file systems and USB 3, they just want it to work.
When you have a HUGE mass of people wanting to overtake your Windows computer, with 100's of daily new infections, why would ANYONE want to learn how to surf the web defensively? They just want to surf the web. With Windows, you have to surf defensively. You need antivirus, you need anti malware, you need to dump temp files regularly, protect and delete cookies and do a ton of stuff that is just unrealistic to most of the market.
I question the ideas that Lion Server is going away, that Samba is going to be pushed out, and that NFS will not work. I can't understand why they would put so much effort into a mac mini server and just drop it like Microsoft does: see their book scan project, Sharepoint, MSN Music, Zune players, etc. They chase markets - see Windows seven mobile features - and then they cancel them, leaving people in the cold.
There is a lot in the favor of apple today and going forward. I hope that Jobs has a legacy plan in place whenever he has to leave this Earth. Because there is HUGE opportunity in the next ten years.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

People who are not geeks - live their lives and will want 'ease of use' and they will want more and more to view the computer as an appliance. Like a toaster or toilet. They will not replace or adjust it until it breaks.
That being said, as the exploits to Windows grows, and less decisions are being made in MS by the old boy team of Gates and his peers... I think there continues to be an invisible hand that drives people away from Windows machines.
Business and most people just want a functioning machine and easy to use UI. They could care less about file systems and USB 3, they just want it to work.
When you have a HUGE mass of people wanting to overtake your Windows computer, with 100's of daily new infections, why would ANYONE want to learn how to surf the web defensively? They just want to surf the web. With Windows, you have to surf defensively. You need antivirus, you need anti malware, you need to dump temp files regularly, protect and delete cookies and do a ton of stuff that is just unrealistic to most of the market.
I question the ideas that Lion Server is going away, that Samba is going to be pushed out, and that NFS will not work. I can't understand why they would put so much effort into a mac mini server and just drop it like Microsoft does: see their book scan project, Sharepoint, MSN Music, Zune players, etc. They chase markets - see Windows seven mobile features - and then they cancel them, leaving people in the cold.
There is a lot in the favor of apple today and going forward. I hope that Jobs has a legacy plan in place whenever he has to leave this Earth. Because there is HUGE opportunity in the next ten years.

You do make a very valid point about computer users in general, which I fully agree with. However... I think you must be unaware of the licensing change for the SAMBA project that is forcing Apple to drop it. Windows networking support isn't going away - it will just be in a different form with Lion. Also, Mac OS X Server isn't going away entirely - it's just going away as a standalone product. So, less profit for Apple, but easier for users and administrators.

 

[TheSideshow]

Its gunna be awesome. Im hoping for a Metro UI to surface.

 

[KingCrimson]

Hopefully it's totally new from the ground up, ditch all the Win32/legacy crap that's hindered MSFT for years.

 

[TheSideshow]

Hopefully it's totally new from the ground up, ditch all the Win32/legacy crap that's hindered MSFT for years.

That would be idiotic by Microsoft.

 

[Sounds Good]

When is Windows 8 due out?

 

[KingCrimson]

That would be idiotic by Microsoft.

Why? A totally new *nix-based with Metro UI. Are you digging it?

 

[jaw04005]

The biggest problem with Windows is Microsoft doesn't design Windows for consumers. The biggest chunk of their cash-cow comes from the enterprise. And the Windows desktop platform reflects that.

That didn't change with Windows 7. What's sad is they have a lot of innovative consumer-focused product teams (Media Center, Zune, XBOX, Live, Bing, Auto Collage, Windows Home Server, etc) that don't work together and don't have enough clout to make their projects prominent. They should let those guys develop the next consumer version of Windows instead of just throwing their different projects into Windows sporadically or in most cases optionally.

Take the Windows Live components:

Windows Live Family Safety - Should be integrated into 7's Parental Controls
Windows Live Mail, Mesh (Backup), Messenger, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery - Should be included on the default "home" version of 7
Windows Live Writer - Should be included as an optional install

http://explore.live.com/

Then you have the optional Zune jukebox, which should be the default media player in 7 instead of Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player in 7 has a really neat "remote media" feature (think Back to My Mac meets your iTunes library), but no one knows about it or how to use it. And it's not present in the optional Zune jukebox software and isn't compatible with Windows Phones or Zune devices (obvious oversight there).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...-over-the-Internet-using-Windows-Media-Player

http://www.zune.com

Then there's Media Center, which really should be updated to use the newer Metro UI and adopted to be the front-end media experience on both the XBOX 360 (and I'm not talking RDP-like Media Center Extender functionality), PC (for DVD/Blu-ray playback, etc) and possibly tablet UI.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/get-started/default.aspx

There's Microsoft Research's Auto Collage, which should be included as a plug-in for Windows Live Gallery instead of a $20 separate program that no one knows about.

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/autocollage/

The "Drive Extender" technology that Microsoft recently pulled from Windows Home Server should have been how future versions of Windows handle hard drives (no more drive letters).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Home_Server#Drive_Extender

Why Bing photos/themes aren't prominent in Windows 7 or the default wallpaper in 7 I'll never know.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/themes

Don't get me started on the lack of Security Essentials being pre-installed as part of the default "home" version of Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

The list is endless. It's like someone is asleep at the top. And the rest of Microsoft takes the attitude of "We make that? OK. Well, let's just throw it up on the Web site."

 

[*LTD*]

The biggest problem with Windows is Microsoft doesn't design Windows for consumers. The biggest chunk of their cash-cow comes from the enterprise. And the Windows desktop platform reflects that.

That didn't change with Windows 7. What's sad is they have a lot of innovative consumer-focused product teams (Media Center, Zune, XBOX, Live, Bing, Auto Collage, Windows Home Server, etc) that don't work together and don't have enough clout to make their projects prominent. They should let those guys develop the next consumer version of Windows instead of just throwing their different projects into Windows sporadically or in most cases optionally.

Take the Windows Live components:

Windows Live Family Safety - Should be integrated into 7's Parental Controls
Windows Live Mail, Mesh (Backup), Messenger, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery - Should be included on the default "home" version of 7
Windows Live Writer - Should be included as an optional install

http://explore.live.com/

Then you have the optional Zune jukebox, which should be the default media player in 7 instead of Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player in 7 has a really neat "remote media" feature (think Back to My Mac meets your iTunes library), but no one knows about it or how to use it. And it's not present in the optional Zune jukebox software and isn't compatible with Windows Phones or Zune devices (obvious oversight there).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...-over-the-Internet-using-Windows-Media-Player

http://www.zune.com

Then there's Media Center, which really should be updated to use the newer Metro UI and adopted to be the front-end media experience on both the XBOX 360 (and I'm not talking RDP-like Media Center Extender functionality), PC (for DVD/Blu-ray playback, etc) and possibly tablet UI.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/get-started/default.aspx

There's Microsoft Research's Auto Collage, which should be included as a plug-in for Windows Live Gallery instead of a $20 separate program that no one knows about.

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/autocollage/

The "Drive Extender" technology that Microsoft recently pulled from Windows Home Server should have been how future versions of Windows handle hard drives (no more drive letters).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Home_Server#Drive_Extender

Why Bing photos/themes aren't prominent in Windows 7 or the default wallpaper in 7 I'll never know.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/themes

Don't get me started on the lack of Security Essentials being pre-installed as part of the default "home" version of Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

The list is endless. It's like someone is asleep at the top. And the rest of Microsoft takes the attitude of "We make that? OK. Well, let's just throw it up on the Web site."

Yes indeed. We all know it's an unfocused mess. Preaching to the choir.

However, it's good to remind everyone of that now and then. I hate it when MS fans get their hopes up for nothing. Like with the Zune, etc. And pretty much everything else they've half-assed outside of videogames and boxes to play them on.

 

[maflynn]

I hate it when MS fans get their hopes up for nothing.

Seriously you hate it when MS fans get their hopes up Given your blind fanboyism, I doubt very much you have much empathy for anything related to MS.

 

[ChazUK]

The biggest problem with Windows is Microsoft doesn't design Windows for consumers. The biggest chunk of their cash-cow comes from the enterprise. And the Windows desktop platform reflects that.

An excellent post but you may be overlooking the fact that the more Microsoft bundle in with the OS, the more competitors will complain in a similar vein to the netscape/IE days.

I bet that Microsoft would love to include more with the OS but the easiest way they can do so is to add it as a completely optional download but still giving the competition a look in and aleviating any cries of monopoly tactics.

It is astounding the amount of my Windows using friends that don't know what Microsoft have on offer as extras. I think they offer some great additional software for their customers. Still, its refreshing to see someone with valid points and good knowledge of what MS have to offer!

 

[*LTD*]

Seriously you hate it when MS fans get their hopes up Given your blind fanboyism, I doubt very much you have much empathy for anything related to MS.

Comparing Apple's achievements favourably to the late and flat-footed competition doesn't make me biased. It makes me accurate. Being enthusiastic about it, however, does make me biased. But that's like being biased toward chocolate. A good thing is a good thing, any way you slice it.

If you don't like reading pro-Apple posts, then you can put me on ignore or hang out on Neowin. Now if you're looking for "blind", you'll most certainly find plenty of that there, plus copious doses of delusion. If you're lucky, they might even give out "there's always next year" and "rounding error" t-shirts and mousepads.

 

[SevenInchScrew]

If you don't like reading pro-Apple posts, then you can put me on ignore or hang out on Neowin.

The thing is, we all know you are pro-Apple. That is fine. Everyone can like whatever they want. It is your incessant need to come into any and EVERY thread about their competition just to bash and mud-sling that gets old and makes people hate you. I like Android, but you don't see me going into every single thread on MR about the iPhone bashing it and spreading FUD because of that.

You don't like Windows, MS, Android, Google, RIM, etc, and think Apple is way better. We get it. How about you make a new thread. It could be ["Things I hate" by *LTD*], where you talk ALL about the things that bug you with the competition, and why Apple's version of everything is so much better. That way you, hopefully, won't come in and derail these other threads, where you clearly have nothing of substance to add.

 

[AppleScruff1]

How do you feel about being tracked and information stored without your knowledge? Oh wait, it's ok, Uncle Stevie knows what's best.

 

[maflynn]

How do you feel about being tracked and information stored without your knowledge? Oh wait, it's ok, Uncle Stevie knows what's best.

From what I've read, the police have known about this little feature for sometime and use it. So in a worst case scenario, Big Brother was watching.

 

[*LTD*]

How do you feel about being tracked and information stored without your knowledge? Oh wait, it's ok, Uncle Stevie knows what's best.

Why would I really care, either way? What am I doing (or what's anyone doing) that is really *that* interesting to "big brother"? As long as no one messes with my credit (note: *all* of your creditors can access your credit record at any time, as well as bill collectors) it makes no difference.

Of course, if you just murdered someone or knocked off a bank, you might have cause for concern.

My iPhone is tracking me all the time and *possibly* sending that data back to Apple (except it isn't, see below.) Ok. SO WHAT?? Hey Apple, have fun tracking me doing the groceries and visiting grandma. Look, I'm heading to the dry cleaners! OMG! Really folks, as long as no one is recording you while you're taking a dump, your life won't change in any meaningful way.

Here's the reality of this non-issue:

Apple is not actually collecting this data, and this hidden file is neither new nor secret.

Sorry.

 

[roadbloc]

Here's the reality of this non-issue...

You'd be up in arms if Google were doing it. Or anyone else to that matter.

I like how you have, yet again, managed to turn a non-Apple related discussion, to a discussion about Apple. Grats.

 

[maflynn]

Here's the reality of this non-issue:
Apple is not actually collecting this data, and this hidden file is neither new nor secret.

Sorry.

Sorry to break it to you but a device that records my location and saves that for reporting back, or for someone else to read is a serious breach of my privacy. As I stated, the police were fully aware of this, making this privacy breach more big brother like then anything else.

If anyone else were doing this, you'd be crying foul so fast but because its your beloved apple, they get a pass for recording your locations

 

[TheSideshow]

Sorry to break it to you but a device that records my location and saves that for reporting back, or for someone else to read is a serious breach of my privacy. As I stated, the police were fully aware of this, making this privacy breach more big brother like then anything else.

If anyone else were doing this, you'd be crying foul so fast but because its your beloved apple, they get a pass for recording your locations

Cue LTD bringing up other companies' products that didn't match Apple's in one way or another.

 

[*LTD*]

Sorry to break it to you but a device that records my location and saves that for reporting back, or for someone else to read is a serious breach of my privacy. As I stated, the police were fully aware of this, making this privacy breach more big brother like then anything else.

If anyone else were doing this, you'd be crying foul so fast but because its your beloved apple, they get a pass for recording your locations

No.

My locations aren't a secret. I can be photographed, recorded on video, and SEEN by everyday people.

You want privacy? Stay the **** home. There's your privacy. You have a lease, you own property, you have an address, you're on the grid. You can be found very, very easily. Especially by your creditors. Do you know that your credit report contains virtually everything about you? Employers, current and former, addresses, current and former, active credit products, dormant credit products, your bill paying history, Social Security Number, date of birth, emergency contacts/next of kin, any legal items against you, any inquiries ever made by creditors or their partners (collections agencies), etc. Any creditor or prospective creditor can have a look at it - and that includes ALL of their partners.

Tracking where you go is NOTHING.

You walk out the door, you're fair game. I have nothing to hide. I don't have the nuclear launch codes, and the big bad government and guys in the black helicopters probably know that I don't have them. Do you? LOL

Much ado about nothing. This stuff is benign for the average person.

I don't care if Apple does it, or Google, or Microsloth. What exactly are they going to do with my location information? Send a black car to tail me?

It's the *principle* of all this that's got you worried. But in *practice* there's really no affect to you. You think it's more control over your life by someone else, but it really isn't.

Live with it.

 

[steadysignal]

Ballmer has outdone himself this time.

is that even possible?

 

[roadbloc]

No.

My locations aren't a secret. I can be photographed, recorded on video, and SEEN by everyday people.

You want privacy? Stay the **** home. There's your privacy. You have a lease, you own property, you have an address, you're on the grid.

You walk out the door, you're fair game. I have nothing to hide. I don't have the nuclear launch codes, and the big bad government and guys in the black helicopters probably know that I don' have them. Do you? LOL

Much ado about nothing. This stuff is benign for the average person.

I don't care if Apple does it, or Google, or Microsloth. What exactly are they going to do with my location information? Send a black car to tail me?

Whereas I agree with your post entirely, I get the feeling that you wouldn't be saying this if Apple were the only ones not to collect such data. You have bashed Google many times for the amount of data it collects, but as soon as Apple is to be seen to be doing it, it's all cool. A "non-issue."

 

[*LTD*]

Whereas I agree with your post entirely, I get the feeling that you wouldn't be saying this if Apple were the only ones not to collect such data. You have bashed Google many times for the amount of data it collects, but as soon as Apple is to be seen to be doing it, it's all cool. A "non-issue."

Don't worry, I usually slag on the competition for entirely different reasons.

And quite frankly, if I ever bashed Google for the data they collect, I shouldn't have. Because in practice, it's completely harmless.

I *did* bash them for Google Buzz. Mostly because it was just annoying and there was no way to turn it off (not easily, at least.)

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Whereas I agree with your post entirely, I get the feeling that you wouldn't be saying this if Apple were the only ones not to collect such data. You have bashed Google many times for the amount of data it collects, but as soon as Apple is to be seen to be doing it, it's all cool. A "non-issue."

some how I think the only reason he is saying that is because Apple is the one doing it.
If it was anyone else LTD would be bashing it like no tomorrow.
My issue with it is the fact that it does not let you opt out. It would be one thing to freely give away that infomation. It is another not to be even given the option to opt out. On top of that the way Apple is doing it is even worse.
Google and Apple are in the wrong I feel. I just feel Apple is even more wrong than Google. Google at least only stores the last 50 cell towers and 200 wifi compared to Apple which keeps all of it locally.

 

[*LTD*]

Google at least only stores the last 50 cell towers and 200 wifi compared to Apple which keeps all of it locally.

What exactly (specifically) is your worry?