Windows 8

Connor Treacy 12160407 PD4102

Windows 8 Connor Treacy - 12160407 In this article, I am going to discuss the latest PC operating system from Microsoft, Windows 8. The main reason I chose to discuss Windows 8 is because I feel this operating system is the best to date so far and it frustrates me when I constantly hear negative criticism about it, especially from people who dont even own a Windows 8 operated system. Windows 8 was released to the public on 26th October 2012. (Blogging Windows, LeBlanc, B. 2012) It takes over from its predecessor, Windows 7, which was released in 2009. The new Windows 8 operating system is used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and tablets. I will discuss my views on the changes & improvements compared to previous versions, styles and usability of Windows 8 across different platforms.

(Windows 8 Start Menu - Treacy, C. 2013)

With Windows 8, things change significantly. The desktop from previous windows operating systems is set to become a thing of the past. In Windows 8, the desktop has been demoted to make way for the new User Interface, or in other words, a fancy upgraded start menu. This new user interface has been primarily designed to be used with touchscreens but it remains fully functional with the traditional mouse and keyboard. A lot of people seem to think that they have gotten rid of the start button completely and this seems to be one on the main reasons that people have taken a dislike to Windows 8. This is not true. The start button remains where it always has been (at the bottom right hand side of the desktop) and remains easy to access. Also there is a windows button on the keyboard which allows users to quickly switch
Window 7 Start Menu Morante, D. 2009

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Windows 8 Connor Treacy - 12160407 from the start menu to the desktop menu, without having to move the cursor across the screen. This is very helpful for switching back and forth between applications. The new Interface in Windows 8 is quite pleasing on the eye, in my opinion. Instead of lines of applications one after the other, each application is displayed as a large, simple, clear tiles. The use of strong, vibrant colours makes navigating the new Start menu a much more enjoyable experience compared to previous Windows operating systems. There is also the ability to customize the colours, size & positions of the tiles to whichever way you prefer, which I believe is a major improvement and previous Windows operating systems lacked this feature. Compared to the very first Windows operating system (Windows 1.0), Windows 8 looks absolutely nothing alike, although they are fundamentally similar. On November 20, 1985, two years after the initial announcement, Microsoft ships Windows 1.0. Now, rather than typing MSDOS commands, you just move a mouse to point and click your way through screens, or windows. Bill Gates says, It is unique software designed for the serious PC user [2]. At the time, Windows 1.0 was serious technology and it was a stepping stone for further versions to follow. ("Twenty Years of Windows", Davis, Z, PC Windows 1.0 Screenshot - "A history of Magazine, 2005). Windows", Windows, 2012

After Windows 1.0 was released, it was followed by the release of other major Windows operating systems such as Windows 2 (1987), Windows 3 (1990), Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP (2001), Windows Vista (2006), Windows 7 (2009) and the most recent operating system, Windows 8.
Windows 3.0 - http://www.digisensei.info

It is quite clear how the interfaces and usability have changed in these operating systems as time went on. Each operating system has gotten tidier, easier to use, more customisable, more advanced, higher quality and more appealing as time went on. ("Twenty Years of Windows", Davis, Z, PC Magazine, 2005).

Windows XP - http://www.guidebookgallery.org

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Windows 8 Connor Treacy - 12160407 Windows 8 is also able to be used across other platforms such as mobile phones & Tablets such as the HTC Windows Phone 8X and Nokia Lumia 920 etc. The use of vibrant, colourful tiles in Windows 8 compatible phones make it almost identical to Windows 8 on a PC. I think its really impressive how Microsoft are providing support for Windows 8 across multiple platforms. This will allow developers to build games & applications for Windows 8 PC and Windows 8 mobile at the same time, seeing as they are running off a common core. Sharing the kernel in Windows 8 with Windows Phone 8 means developers can build apps that work on both PCs and tablets with Windows 8 Mobile Interface - www.theverge.com Windows Phones (Windows Phone 8 to share core with Windows 8, Hamblen, M. 2012).

There really has been a massive leap in technology between the time the first Windows operating system released and the present. Some people may feel that this is a disturbing trend in computing, the dumbing down of operating systems and they may feel that their PC is too similar to a phone or a tablet. What people do not realise is that this new style operating system is the future of computing. Personally, I think the new user interface (or Start screen) is the best improvement in Windows 8. It made the whole experience of Windows 8 extremely enjoyable. There is no avoiding the fact that touchscreens and simple, user-friendly design interfaces are going to dominate the next generation of computing. Windows 8 offers fast and fluid ways to switch between apps, move things around, and go smoothly from one place to another. I love the fact that Microsoft have created a fun user interface and I think overall they have done a fantastic job in converting their traditional operating system into a beautiful work of art!

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Windows 8 Connor Treacy - 12160407

Bibliography: [1] (Blogging Windows, LeBlanc, B. 2012) http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/08/01/wi ndows-8-has-reached-the-rtm-milestone.aspx [2] Windows, "A history of Windows", Windows, 2012 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IE/windows/history [3] - "Twenty Years of Windows", Davis, Z, PC Magazine, 2005. <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1868435,00.asp> Retrieved 23/4/13. [4] (Windows Phone 8 to share core with Windows 8, Hamblen, M. 2012) http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9228294/Microsoft_says_Windows _Phone_8_to_share_core_with_Windows_8

Images: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020260/how-to-activate-windows-defenderin-windows-8.html http://www.whysettle.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Windows-8desktop1.jpg Treacy, C. 2013, Screenshot of Start Menu, Viewed 20 April, 2013, < http://www.flickr.com/photos/95106095@N04/8664331211/in/photostream> [3] - Windows 7 First Impressions Windows 7 first impressions - Morante, D. 2009 <http://www.unibia.com/unibianet/systems-networking/windows-7-firstimpressions> [4] Windows 3.0 http://www.digisensei.info/win3/ [5] Windows XP - http://www.guidebookgallery.org/screenshots/winxppro [6] Windows 8 Mobile Interface http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/20/3096667/windows-phone-8screenshots-features-nfc-start-screen-dual-core

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