Installing Windows 8

[Doomonkey]

If you are referring to all the Win8 hate, change is not always good.

In the case of Windows 8, the change is good.

[Ad Bot]

[Wedge]

So its basically windows 8 without the actual desktop and ability to run exe files?
I'm thinking they are going to have a heck of a hard time selling that over android.
I would really like to get a windows 8 computer/tablet, but if RT has fewer features, then I can wait.

Then get an x86 tablet running Windows 8 instead of an ARM tablet running Windows 8 RT. I don't know if any have been announced yet but I'm sure they're coming.

[DontCare4Free]

The bad thing about Metro, IMO, is that it's going the wrong way. I like the idea of being able to run mobile stuff on the computer, but not the lazy implementation ("run them in full-screen!").

What I'd like to see is a proper Dalvik/Android framework reimplementation running natively on the desktop (think WINE), but also actively restyles them to look native and where they're actually ran in regularly integrated windows (one per activity?).

PS. Side-loading should be a standard feature.

Then get an x86 tablet running Windows 8 instead of an ARM tablet running Windows 8 RT. I don't know if any have been announced yet but I'm sure they're coming.

Only the x86 Surface, AFAIK.

[Crêpe]

Surface is kind of the bridge between tablet and laptop
and it's not an ipad rip-off

[Port]

While some people claim Windows 8 has several good parts (the user interface, the new additions everywhere, etc., each their pick), what Microsoft plans to do in regards to software control is simply unacceptable.

[Doomonkey]

While some people claim Windows 8 has several good parts (the user interface, the new additions everywhere, etc., each their pick), what Microsoft plans to do in regards to software control is simply unacceptable.

I'm pretty sure the software control only deals with apps. And there is always software control with apps.

[DontCare4Free]

I'm pretty sure the software control only deals with apps.

Doesn't make it any more acceptable. It also sets the tone, and is an ugly precedent for things to come.

And there is always software control with apps.

Incorrect.

[Doomonkey]

Doesn't make it any more acceptable.

Incorrect, when you accidentally install crappy software that screws up your machine on a desktop or laptop, it is relatively easy to fix. When you do the same thing on a mobile device, it can really screw you over. Software control prevents this stuff from happening to people with mobile devices.

And searching Google for Windows 8 "Software Control" brings up one article with the phrase in the first few results, and that says that they are stepping away from it.

[DontCare4Free]

Incorrect, when you accidentally install crappy software that screws up your machine on a desktop or laptop, it is relatively easy to fix. When you do the same thing on a mobile device, it can really screw you over. Software control prevents this stuff from happening to people with mobile devices.

Nope, that's proper permission systems and sandboxing (which are good and way overdue).

[Doomonkey]

Nope, that's proper permission systems and sandboxing (which are good and way overdue).

Even with a "proper permission system" you can't ensure that there are no holes. For example, Badspot tried to design Blockland to be able to use mods freely without breaking, yet some add-ons still break the game, and there are even client-sided exploits that his permission system does not catch. He fails these add-ons, which is probably the best solution, because the other alternative is to destroy the freedoms of mod makers.

A "proper permission system" that catches all issues would probably be more restrictive than software control.

[DontCare4Free]

Even with a "proper permission system" you can't ensure that there are no holes. For example, Badspot tried to design Blockland to be able to use mods freely without breaking, yet some add-ons still break the game, and there are even client-sided exploits that his permission system does not catch. He fails these add-ons, which is probably the best solution,

No, Blockland doesn't have a permission system. For an example of what I'm talking about, look at Android or Facebook (an application declares the permissions it needs (such as accessing the internet, or reading your phone book), you see and accept/deny this when installing the application.

Another thing, there's the difference between a blacklist-based approach and a whitelist-based approach. For example, Blockland is based on a blacklist, while RTB is based on a whitelist. While I'm fine with a blacklist as long as it's not abused, or a whitelist for a store/download center, the thing that's happening here is embedding a whitelist into the OS. That is unacceptable.

because the other alternative is to destroy the freedoms of mod makers.

He's doing this all the time lol.

A "proper permission system" that catches all issues would probably be more restrictive than software control.

See the first answer.

[Doomonkey]

the thing that's happening here is embedding a whitelist into the OS. That is unacceptable.

Okay, I see what a permission system is, and that would probably work. But I don't see anywhere where Windows 8 says they are only allowing apps that they have approved and no one can use apps that have not been approved. A link would be nice.

[DontCare4Free]

Okay, I see what a permission system is, and that would probably work. But I don't see anywhere where Windows 8 says they are only allowing apps that they have approved and no one can use apps that have not been approved. A link would be nice.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852635.aspx
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/microsoft-details-windows-8-enterprise-142874

First link is a bit unclear, since it seems to alternate between "you need a special product key" and "you need an expensive edition of Win8 and group policy hacks".

[KoopaScooper]

XP and 98 are the most stable and I like them (XP more however)

I want you to hush up right here, please. Windows 7 is much more stable (provided you have mid-aged or newer hardware) than any version of XP or 98.

[Doomonkey]

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh852635.aspx
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/microsoft-details-windows-8-enterprise-142874

First link is a bit unclear, since it seems to alternate between "you need a special product key" and "you need an expensive edition of Win8 and group policy hacks".

Some more searching shows that even though Windows intends for you to be a business to sideload apps, the group policy hack can allow anyone to sideload any app.

But okay the whole "you can only get apps through our store unless you are a wizard" is kind of dumb.