Whenever Microsoft announces that they have a new operating system in the works, we greet the tidings with some fear and trepidation. Don’t get us wrong. We love computers, and we love technology. While we enjoy most of the operating system upgrades, we were somewhat happy to have skipped a few like the Millennium Edition and Windows Vista.
When we first looked at Microsoft’s new forthcoming OS, Windows 8, we were not sure that we would like it because it looked too much like a smartphone. However, as we checked into the Windows 8 operating system a little further, we found that it was more than just a smartphone on steroids. While the Metro interface does resemble the smartphone’s, Windows 8 also has a more traditional desktop interface that can be used in conjunction with Metro.
We must honestly admit that we did begin to appreciate the look of the new operating system. We suppose the part of the reason is that we had a chance to play around with an all-in-one computer that sported a touch screen monitor. The Metro interface is certainly well suited for tactile computing. Manipulating photos, files, and applications by touch is definitely interesting, if not fun; and computing should be both fun and productive. Furthermore, we were relieved to find out that both the Metro interface and the more familiar desktop both work well using a mouse and keyboard for input.
The interface is not the only thing that has changed. In Windows 8, Microsoft has made great strides in integrating and blending the online and offline computing experience. The user is effortlessly and seamlessly transported from the living room to “the cloud” and back. Much of the integration is accomplished through the Windows Live suite of online programs.
The Windows 8 operating system works well on desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, and Tablet PCs. The system is basically the same for all these formats, making it easy to switch between them. Other improvements, such as a global spellchecker and the “refresh your PC” function just might make computing in Windows 8 a joy. Furthermore, unlike some previous OS versions, this system will actually consume fewer resources and work more smoothly than many before it.
