{patrickrice.net blog}

Windows 8 is starting to look like is going the way of windows vista, the reg (ttp://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/08/microsoft_coke_moment_windows_8/) is reporting that windows 8 is going to have a major redesign, I think Microsoft were too far ahead of the hardware on this one, a laptop needs a touchscreen before it can go to fully to windows 8, problem is that there isn’t too many touch screens out their on laptops.

Well we are in silly season, windows 8 has been launched, so Microsoft will be doing its best to get the product out there. So should we run to Windows 8, or should we shy away. I don’t believe a operating system gets good until at least Service Pack 1 is released, but if you want to jump in with two feet, here is whats coming out.

So what kind of machines are out their

Dell have the following

http://www.dell.com/us/p/d/campaigns/windows-8-consumer

So dell are selling us flip hinges, touch screens

HP are doing more less the same

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/static/page-windows8

And PC world are selling everything Windows 8

http://www.pcworld.ie/aspx/Homepage.aspx

Prices seem to vary a lot, and the minimum requirements are low enough (below), but I expect this is bottom run of the lader, so you may have to spend to get good user experance.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/system-requirements

Windows 8 has been designed for touch, so all devices shoud have a touch screen to get the most out of it, but the question is was will physically work best.

Destops could be an intersting case in point, as holding you hand out and touching a screen while sittng down could get pretty tiring after a bit, anyone that has ever painted a wall will testify that its hard work. So will this compromise the path to least restance or in this case user adoption.

Or will the tablet take over as a  the new input device. What has to change to make this happen ? …. well processors will have to get quicker, as the physical swich is hard to replicate in terms of speed and feedback. In terms of data entry, I’m touch typing here, and this could be the major down fall of a tablet, as in it will be very hard to give the “feeling” of typing (haptic feedback), Blackberry tried this before with the Blackberry Curve, but this didn’t go so well for them.

Windows 7 Service pack is causing problems, people are having issues with service pack 1 where it is pushed out from a WSUS server. Apparently you get a “C00000034 fatal error” which then means a reinstall of the operating system. I feel its always wise not to jump into new OS’s even though the urge is there to be up with the latest and greatest. The reg is reporting this

Microsoft have a KB released about this issue.

To stop updates, Do the following:

1. Open Start menu,
2. right-click on Computer and click Properties.
3. This gives you the System dialog box that will show basic information about your computer.
4. On the left sidebar, under See also heading, you will find Windows Update.
5. Click on the Windows Update.
6. This will bring you to the Windows Update dialog box.
7. On the left sidebar click on Change Settings.
8. Select Never check for updates.

Job done

Remember put a reminder in your phone or OS to make sure that you turn them on again, so that your will get your updates once this problem gets sourted out.