Interesting Software and System News

[YoKenny]

Better Explorer 2.0.0.631 Alpha
Project Description
This is a replacement for the standard Windows Explorer  with more features for more convenience. One of that is Tabs, Ribbon interface, additional conditional tabs and so on!

This Project is designed for use with Windows 7 (according to Microsoft specifications it should work with Vista but is not tested).

http://bexplorer.codeplex.com

[bob3160]

Are you using it

[YoKenny]

Are you using it

Yes. 
On my Windows 7 system. 

[Dch48]

Oh no, not the dreaded ribbon interface--I hate that.

[DavidR]

Yep MS really have a thing about the ribbon interface, you join many that feel the same way about it in MS Orifice...

[bob3160]

You better get used to it. In windows 8 it's even used on Windows Explorer.

[DavidR]

I think windows 8 has other things to dislike

Metro win 7.5 mobile style interface even on the desktop PC. Here is one that is hoping that doesn't survive through to Gold release.

[Dch48]

You better get used to it. In windows 8 it's even used on Windows Explorer.

Yes, I know Bob and that's just another reason why I have no intention of going to Win 8 when it comes out.  Almost every gamer, casual or hard core, is saying that they will stay with Win 7. It's mainly because of the Metro interface which the majority of all people, not only gamers, seem to have serious reservations about. I may be wrong, but I think MS is going to have a hard time getting anybody but the ones who buy a new machine with it pre-installed to adopt Win 8. I'm fully expecting to see many of the new machine buyers "downgrading" to Win 7. Even more than those who went back to XP from Vista.

[bob3160]

I've been using it almost exclusively since it was first available.
It's much faster than windows 7 and I open directly to the desktop
I don't even pay attention to the Metro Style Desktop.
Since we still find people using Win 98 SE, it's obvious that change comes very
slowly to some.

[YoKenny]

I'm fully expecting to see many of the new machine buyers "downgrading" to Win 7. Even more than those who went back to XP from Vista.

It is easy to see who is a stick-in-the mud type.

It is obvious that bob3160 is not that type. 

My favorite quote is:
“Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.”
 Robert C. Gallagher 
 

[DavidR]

It is called choice, you don't have to buy what you don't like.

I'm sure your favourite quote could just as easily say 'getting/buying what you want is inevitable - except from Microsoft.'

There are lots of indications that the Metro interface on a desktop system will be as popular as a f4rt in a lift. So if they don't change the defaults before Gold, why should those who don't like it buy it, just because of change, not all change is good, like your favourite OS MS Vista

[spg SCOTT]

I think that as long as Microsoft make it possible to completely disable the metro interface, then they wont have too much trouble...

I don't think that the metro interface is useful on anything but a touch screen

I don't like the ribbon either, takes up too much space...

(OT) - come on David you know not to bad mouth MS in front of YoKenny

[DavidR]

That's the current problem, the Metro is the default and although you can switch to a more conventional interface, it doesn't stick and after a reboot it is back to the Metro. That is what many are screaming about in forums, blogs and newsletters.

I don't give a stuff if I upset MS (or YoKenny) when it is my money and not Micro$oft's (or YoKenny's) money. I will buy what I want not what they feel/think I want.

I now have a nice new shiny Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0.1 (learning how to use that now), so not all change is bad

I don't even have to put up with a phone with MS windows mobile 7.5 Metro OS interface
Though some would say that would have been an advantage if and when I every use win8, but then again I wouldn't be able to use the avast! Mobile Security package

[spg SCOTT]

I now have a nice new shiny Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0.1 (learning how to use that now), so not all change is bad

I don't even have to put up with a phone with MS windows mobile 7.5 Metro OS interface
Though some would say that would have been an advantage if and when I every use win8, but then again I wouldn't be able to use the avast! Mobile Security package

I don't think that the metro interface on a phone would be that bad...since that is what it was originally designed for. I have tried a html5 (I think) demo of the tiles interface and it seems to work well, and is quite simple.

[DavidR]

No, by all accounts on a touch screen smart phone or tablet or netbook the Metro interface isn't at question is is the forcing of desktop users into the same jelly mould that is the issue.

It is more that MS seem to think that the desktop is dead already so they are effectively discounting it long before that is even close, if it ever happens. There are just too many applications that aren't suited to tiny screens.