Windows 8 - Did Microsoft get it right??

                        With every edition of windows operating system, Windows has got some problems that need to be fixed by throwing out some constant updates. But this time they didn't want to screw users with bugs. So, they have decided to put up a developer preview to fix bugs before release. The best part is that its free and available in Microsoft's website to download so that you can get hands on experience well before the final release so that users can decide whether the new edition is worth an upgradation or not.

                        And so I am here to write up my thoughts on Windows 8 developer preview. Coming to installation, previous editions of windows were not that easy to perform. You should have a bootable DVD that contains the Operating System that meets your system requirements, and a lot of patience and still its a ton of headaches. But that ends here. Installation itself was just awesome. It went on just like an installation of a software( ignoring some reboots though). It was just flawless and worked with no problems. Unpacking the iso image that I got from Microsoft's Website, installing it and the pop up of the welcome screen hardly took 20 minutes. It asks for your hotmail account on the start-up (which you can skip though) and yes you are right in.

                        After Windows 8 booted up for the final time, I was amazed at how my desktop looked. This is the major revamp of the look by far. No previous edition has differed this much with its predecessor. Windows 8 is rich with evenly sized tiles which acts as widgets that update time to time, and the look and user interface were just ground-breaking. The colour scheme of the widgets looked great. This time, Windows started to compete with mac aggressively in looks. No word on performance though as there is long time to go to Windows 8 to be released.

                           But unfortunately Windows 8 still has registry as its code. Called it as unfortunate because major hacks and tweaks done today are due to accessible registry. But when asked about this registry issue to Windows boss Steve Ballmer, he answered that all the softwares are written in registry and so pulling out that registry means Windows starting a fresh life. Its like pressing the reset button which they cant do.

                        Coming back to performance, with full screen apps, Windows app store and widgets, you can clearly make out that windows had a tablet plan to meet Apple's iconic iPad which is dominating the tablet industry. I don't want to call it a catch up game because they didn't just want to fragment the market. They are trying hard to compete with iPad. With Windows 8 its clearly evident that they are really competing with iOS. Windows to wipe their image as copycats, sweated so much not to copy Apple this time.

                         And if we look back at CES 2011, Windows 8 looked well in Tablets too. So now Windows don't need the precision of a cursor but a cruder finger will suffice. Stylus, bye bye. 

                             Key features of Windows 8 are Picture Password (Where you need to tap three points on a picture in order to unlock), a very small booting time. It copied Mac here I have to say. The technology where the kernel session loads the data in the RAM of the previous session was first used by Mac in Tiger itself. Very happy that Windows too adopted it because it greatly reduces the booting time. Full screen Apps in Windows 8 are great. Internet explorer, Paint brush and all other Apps that come preloaded in Windows will run in full screen from now on. The browser was a bit slow when compared to Google's chrome which has set a benchmark in loading java scripts and flash animations in a jiffy but the Internet explorer looked great in full screen.

                               Windows 8 was been to developers to fix bugs and constant updates are being pushed to the users. But on the downside, many viruses are being discovered well before the final release of Windows 8. Developer previews works well with Mac as its a closed Eco-system. But an open platform like this is too vulnerable.

                                 To sum up Windows 8 was great, many features are yet to be added and it looks cool as its the only Operating System that supports two form factors- the PCs and the Tablets. The release of Windows 8 consumer preview is scheduled on 29th February and I am looking forward for the release.

                   

For those who are eager to get hands-on experience with Windows and want to dual boot it with previous versions, here are my tips:

System Requirements:

CPU: 1GHz minimum
Hard Disc: 16GB Minimum (32-bit) or 20 GB Minimum (64-bit)
Ram: 1 GB Min with 32-bit or 2GB min with 64-bit
Graphics: DirectX 9 Graphics with WDDM 1.0 or higher

And if you want to dual boot it with your previous versions, you need an empty disc with minimum memory of 20 GB other than the disc with your present operating system.

Steps:

• Keep the windows 8 installer file on a disc other than the disc you have chosen to install OS on. For example if you have chosen D: as the sector for installation of windows 8, place the installer file on C: or D: or if any.
• Do not boot from a pendrive or through any flash memories (No stable method was found yet)
• Then start the installation. Ignore the multiple Shut-downs and reboots of the system.
• In the installation process you have to specify the drive for installation of windows 8. Do that step carefully. Otherwise you may loose the previous edition of Windows.
• After you have successfully installed Windows 8 on your PC, open the explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the task bar.
• Right click on "Computer" and select Properties.
• Find "Advanced System Settings" on left of the window and click it open.
• Then under "Default Operating System" , select "Earlier version of Windows."
• That's it. You are right in business. When you reboot your system, you can watch a screen asking you which Operating System to open.

And the download links are:

Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64)

Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86)


Update: Consumer preview is released as expected at a few new features are present in the new release like Windows store and other interface changes. And the link is:


Windows 8 Consumer preview