Aero7x64

Personally Linux is not option to me. Linux is not cancer as Ballmer said, but it is annoying. Sure it include lot of options which is good, but I like to configure everything via GUI. Linux is too much command line based, also many programs settings need to be configured via text editor instead of its own settings GUI like in Windows. Linux doesn't have system restore point like feature, doesn't have possibility to create new process via GUI. Also upgrading Linux is pain. I remember last time in Ubuntu:not xinit found, when trying to manually start X when it didn't start during upgrading. Linux doesn't have troubleshooting wizards. I will continue with Windows 7 until Windows 9 and then decide what to do. My dream OS would be one that is configurable but via GUI instead of command line. Also troubleshooting wizards could be improved to be more smart and recognise more problems. ipconfig/ all command could have it own GUI. Command line could be option to those who really want to use it, but should not be required those who don't want to use it, everything should be possible to configure and troubleshoot via GUI. Also as Mac is locked down to Apple hardware and still has its flaws so it is not option. As Prism it is bad use of technology. Technology could be used so many good things and yet it is used to things like this. Shame on US government and shame on companies involved.

I haven't yet commented about the cloud that has been discussed earlier in this topic. I don't think that the cloud is so good idea. In the cloud you lose control of data. I rather have control of my data.

Bill finally might have realised this clown is destroying his company. Of course Ballmer and Gates were long time friends but lettings Ballmer to destroy everything he build for and ignore customers feedback is not right way. Good that Ballmer will "retire" (might have been forced out because of Windows 8). now I wait for Windows 9.

It is strange that Windows 8 UI is called Modern UI by Microsoft while it is against everything modern design is supposed to be. It feels more like Windows 2.0 UI just with bit more colors and of course it is not 16 bit. Good question is that why would somebody with modern desktop PC want UI like that. Of course it could be option for those that like minimalistic design but it should not be default and only option. It is not 1987 anymore and even then flat was only used because hardware was too weak to better interface. Definitely Aero is modern and Modern UI look oldish

I have tried to customize Windows 8 inside virtual machine indeed and that has been successful. I have installed certain skin pack, start menu replacement and Aero Glass for Win8 RC3. But none of those third party replacements are as good as native ones. And Windows 8.1 preview has caused skin pack + Aero Glass for Win8 RC3 to stop working. Especially skin pack has been problematic inside Windows 8 virtual machine already many times. I want both features and visuals that were there in Windows 7 back natively. I don't want use Windows 8 other way than inside virtual machine before both features and visuals of Windows 7 are back . Third party skin packs etc. other customization tools to Windows 8 can be problematic and broken any time by some update. This is why I'm still waiting Microsoft to bring full Windows Aero and start menu back as options. I also don't want Microsoft to think that I'm supporting their vision and buying Windows 8 and then customizing it with third party programs would be counted as support to their vision. So while customization is nice it isn't offering anything as good as native options would offer in Windows 8 case. I'm going to wait for Windows 9 as that time Microsoft most likely will restore start menu and full Windows Aero after losing enough money.

Sure, but the whole point is that the good MS guys are providing more and more "bells and whistles" in order to hide the removal of NEEDED features and/or the overcomplicating the life of the business (or anyway professional) user. The feature of changing desktop or logon screen (or both) is a feature (optional), not a "main, needed, cannot-live-without" sort of thing. The possibility (if one has the time and will) to change the look (or if you prefer to "skin" an OS) is a good thing , but not something that someone actually needing the PC to do some real world work will actually drool about. jaclaz Okay, so that's what you meant at your original post. I haven't seen full Windows Aero back yet. So I just wonder what you mean when you said MS are providing more "bells and whistles"? What "bells and whistles"? Windows 8 is visually ugly and does not only remove features but is visually step back as well.

and the corresponding login page does what it is supposed to do (logging on): jaclaz Sure, but desktop and login screen can also look better, more elegant and modern. After all hardware of current computers is so powerful that why not have shiny and glassy desktop and login screen as an option?

Slight surrealism that I suggested is not any officially known surreal movement it is just design that I feel fit best in operating system design and has no official name. I feel that slightly surrealistic design would be nice. Especially slightly surrealistic improved Aero. Full surrealism doesn't fit in operating system design. http://benguy12.deviantart.com/art/windows-8-aero-ish-login-screen-323040115 what you think about this? Little improved and more shiny and glassy login screen. Though grassy wallpaper doesn't fit. http://voyager9600.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Swirl-Wallpaper-156485118 This kind of wallpaper fit better with glassy login screen.This wallpaper + aero-ish login screen at first link would make login screen more modern and shiny than login screen in Windows 7 which is good but can be improved.

Does anybody here, other than me think that slightly surrealistic design would be good idea? Why everything should have to be either flat or realistic? This is example of very realistic design: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5260/5535287995_582289c70c_z.jpg And Windows 8 is example of flat design. slightly surrealistic design would remove need to try look realistic and would remove certain really realistic thinks but retaining transparent and translucent elements like glass and other elements that look shiny and modern. Examples of slightly surrealistic design: http://voyager9600.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Swirl-Wallpaper-156485118 (Grass is not used so it look less realistic to me at least, instead bubbles and swirls are used to create modern and shiny look) http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/844213/100115684/stock-vector-neon-illumination-shelves-100115684.jpg http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/844213/844213,1330285491,4/stock-vector-neon-glass-shelves-96130448.jpg http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/844213/844213,1330285490,2/stock-vector-aqua-glass-shelves-96130445.jpg http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/844213/844213,1329431465,2/stock-vector-glass-shelves-95350096.jpg

You can create local account in Windows 8.1 preview and to do so you need write someone@example.com and wrong password to Microsoft account then it will suggest you that you can create local account. Option is hidden obviously. Microsoft indeed is trying to get users to use Microsoft account by hiding this option but it is still there.

All they have done really is absolute minimum to limit damages and are putting some lipstick (Windows 8.1) to fat pig ( Windows 8). Also they still believe they were right and people only need visual clue to start screen and that people are happy with flat interface and don't need start menu and full Windows Aero as options. They think this is all that is necessary and hope people will fall for this trap and buy Windows 8.1. Of course this is unlikely going to happen and Windows 8.1 will also fail and in time of Windows 9 Microsoft will likely finally understand that forcing their way doesn't work.

Also when you are on desktop there should be option to totally disable charm bar, it is totally useless and only get in way when you use desktop PC. Windows 8.1 preview there is opinion to disable upper charm bar but not lower charm bar, basically charm bar still come if you move mouse to lower corner.

I Just tried Windows 8.1 preview. There is nothing really interesting in it. Full Windows Aero is not back, start menu is not back. Boot to desktop is there and start button without start menu is there and good thing is that Aero animations are back after all. Microsoft hasn't yet lost enough of money, so this is in line what to expect before Windows 9 when some real changes will more likely happen.

Don't expect too much real change before Windows 9. Windows 9 has been rumored to come at earliest 2015. More likely is that it will come in 2016 or 2017. If Windows 8.2 is really going to be developed in the future like some rumors indicate it won't really change much. Microsoft need time to see lost of plenty of money before they realise that current direction is wrong. And yes new MSDN forum look ugly and is in line with Modern UI. By the way about start menu,yes it is better way in desktop and I prefer it over start screen as it way more natural and feels better when you use desktop PC. Start menu should indeed be option in future, however start screen should remain to be optional in future for those that want use it. Some people genuinely like start screen and don't want restrict others options like some hardcore Windows 8 fans.

Stop asking only Aero Glass back we need full Windows Aero back. Aero is more than just glassy borders. Windows 8.1 will remove also Aero animations (flying windows when minimizing and maximizing) in favor of animations that are more traditional and in line with Modern UI style (uglier). I have tried all leaked Windows 8.1 builds and none have restored Aero animations at this point. Also progress bars in Windows 8 are uglier than those in Windows 7. And when you start Windows 8 there are only little white spinning circles (more in line with Modern UI style) and not animated Windows flag like in Windows 7. During installation in Windows 7 there is cool Aeroish orange-yellow installation bar but not in Windows 8. Even installation is little uglier. Also when example you plug in USB flash drive checkbox is uglier (more in line with Modern UI) than in Windows 7. And Aero Peak and Aero Snap no longer have cool glass effect. Taskbar live thumbnails for example are still here but how long? And Aero Peak and Aero Snap might be even more in line with Modern UI (uglier) in future. I have bad feeling that Microsoft will not stop before whole Aero is gone if they don't suffer enough lost of money. Microsoft likely will understand eventually in time of Windows 9 and give Aero back if they suffer enough lost of money because unpopularity of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 but point is we need whole Aero not just Aero Glass. http://wyday.com/windows-7-progress-bar/ http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-XmETgxCao/UFnoKrsgC5I/AAAAAAAADJc/d6dsLRT0wqw/s1600/Web+Client+-+10.+Installation+Runs.png (Windows 8 uglier progress bar) http://www.howtogeek.com/128819/aero-isnt-gone-in-windows-8-6-aero-features-you-can-still-use/ Take at look at the article and check how much of Aero is still left. Windows 8.1 will remove those Aero animations as it seems. And hardware acceleration alone example without other Aero parts wouldn't be even Aero.