Soon, many of us will decide if it's time to upgrade our operating system. If you're using a PC then that choice is going to be Windows 8. Clearly, you don't need to take my word for what it is or what it does. There are pleny of sites that are offering tech reviews of the new operating system form Microsoft. But, I'd like to share what I've found out about what's coming.
Windows 8 is designed for tablet users, but works just fine on a desk or laptop. The operating system makes use of Apps. A preview is available for download and you can get a feel for what the new approach will feel like running on your machine.
The new Metro interface features a start screen that replaces the start button. This screen offers a set of rectangles called "live tiles" that correspond to specific apps and their controls. To access the Windows desk top, just go tot the bottom left corner called the "hot corner" of the screen and click. This will bring up the familiar Windows desktop, which no longer has the start button.
There's also the new Windows Explorer which makes use of a ribbon across the top of the screen as you would have in Microsoft Office. And on the Metro Start screen there's an app that takes you to the Microsoft Apps store.
From all that I have seen and read, it sounds like Microsoft has finally given up it's obsession with security features and has tried to give users better functionality. The emphasis is more on the interface, but there are other improvements, like an all new task manager.
The new operating system is due for release in October. Those buying Windows 7 machines between Jun 2nd and January 31st can get a Windows 8 upgrade from Microsoft for just $14.99. After Windows 8 Pro launches, you'll have a chance, for a limited time, to upgrade for just $40. I think those two offers alone make this one upgrade to look forward to.
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