Microsoft Windows 10 Technical Preview

[Aragorn]

Windows 8 was too big a leap for the average consumer. Some simple tasks were made too hard (turning off the computer with these 6 easy clicks and hidden menus.) 8.1 solved some problems but is still too hard for the average "windows" user to get comfortable using. Windows 7 was very similar to both XP and Vista but still had its problems.

Hope Windows 10 solves some of the compatibility issues and has an easier to use interface. Really didn't like that some XP games and programs were incompatible with both 7 and 8.

Different versions of Linux have been my go to OS for the last few years. Easy to use and very much like XP in both design and interface.

[flipper35]

If you do any gaming on the PC Windows 8.x is pretty bad. They removed hardware acceleration in DirectX and added it back in for Windows 10.

We have Windows 7 and XP at home. At work we have 8.1 and no one really likes it even on the touch screens. Then again, none of our applications are really made for touch screens either.

We do some local multiplayer at home and it is difficult to find games that are easy enough for a 5 year old that will keep dad and a 13 year old interested. Battlefield 1942 with EoD and DCX mods are one, this is another. He may not be able to go around a track very fast, but in a derby he is pretty good.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by flipper35

Then again, none of our applications are really made for touch screens either.

This is something that infuriates me about software/touchscreens today.

Nobody can figure out how to make a useful web browser that works in a touchscreen environment.

Android browsers are abysmally painful to use - interfaces change with each release, browser plug-ins/extensions are unavailable, etc.

Windows browsers have all the benefits of full functionality but are completely unsuitable for using a meat pointer.

Desktop Linux is so far behind on touchscreens it's laughable.

I don't use iOS so I won't comment there, but I have no reason to believe AdBlock can be installed in whatever the iOS browser is.

[flipper35]

Our daughter uses Chrome on her android tablet. Stays pretty consistent. We looked at a couple apps that are made specifically for touch enabled Windows kiosks. They have nice big buttons to touch and pre-filled forms.

[onewhippedpuppy]

As someone that has multiple i-devices I ponder why a PC has to be touchscreen? I mean we all know Windows is just following the fad, but it makes many simple tasks so much more complicated. I tried out my Win 8 laptop in touchscreen mode and eventually disabled the feature, as I felt that it made simple tasks more difficult and caused some compatibility issues. Just for comparison, doing a simple highlight/copy/paste with a touchscreen vs a mouse. When a feature makes simple tasks take longer with more effort, it is not an upgrade.

I also wonder why Microsoft seems to believe that every new iteration of their software or OS needs to be a revolution? Typically they keep the same baseline functionality but change every element of the UI so you have to totally relearn how to do the exact same thing. If they added capability but kept the same basic functionality I suspect they would have far more demand for upgrades.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

As someone that has multiple i-devices I ponder why a PC has to be touchscreen? I mean we all know Windows is just following the fad, but it makes many simple tasks so much more complicated.

I like a touchscreen for consumption, and a keyboard for production.

We have a Lenovo Yoga 13 Ideapad that's a poor tablet and a decent laptop.

We have a Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 that's a decent tablet and a poor laptop. The reason it's a decent tablet is because it's not locked into the crappy "tablet app" ecosystem. It'll run actual, real programs (e.g., a browser that can run AdBlock, GuitarPro 6, and some real games).

We have multiple Android tablets that are mediocre at best. I don't see any difference between them and the iPads I have played with.

[red-beard]

A general ***** about touchscreens:

My Ford F350 truck has a touch screen. To do several things, switch radio from one type (AM, FM, Sat, etc), you have to use the touch screen. As you're trying to touch something, any ****ing bump in the road automatically means you hit the wrong button, or touch outside the button, switching screens! Infuriating.

My wife's BMW has a "dial" on the console to allow you to spin through the menus and things. While not as quick, it is more "sure".

Fortunately, the voice control on my Truck works EXCELLENT. It is fairly quick, accurate and responsive. This eliminates most of the issues with the touch screen.

Back to the topic: I agree with BSJ - "touchscreen for consumption, and a keyboard for production". I use a mouse and keyboard with my Android tablet if I need to do any serious work with it.

[jyl]

Another who doesn't "get" touchscreen for PCs. Aside from the poor UI implementation, there is the effort of holding your arm up for hours of a day, and fingerprints all over the screen.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by red-beard

A general ***** about touchscreens:

My Ford F350 truck has a touch screen. To do several things, switch radio from one type (AM, FM, Sat, etc), you have to use the touch screen. As you're trying to touch something, any ****ing bump in the road automatically means you hit the wrong button, or touch outside the button, switching screens! Infuriating.

My wife's BMW has a "dial" on the console to allow you to spin through the menus and things. While not as quick, it is more "sure".

Fortunately, the voice control on my Truck works EXCELLENT. It is fairly quick, accurate and responsive. This eliminates most of the issues with the touch screen.

Back to the topic: I agree with BSJ - "touchscreen for consumption, and a keyboard for production". I use a mouse and keyboard with my Android tablet if I need to do any serious work with it.

Dials are tactile and if they have audible or haptic feedback allow one to use them without looking at them.

Way less distracting.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

......Nobody can figure out how to make a useful web browser that works in a touchscreen environment.....

No mouse hover.

Means you lose the ability to create visual feedback for actionable elements.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

There's that. There's also the fact that there are 6 "actionable elements" at the bottom of every post on this screen and my meat pointer just doesn't have sufficient precision to guarantee a high rate of correct "actions".

Tab management, bookmark management, data entry, and page interaction (clicking on links) are all difficult tasks with a fingertip.