Discussions

1 hour ago, wkempf wrote

@DeathByVisualStudio:Thank you for proving my point again. Nothing in your definition is quantifiable. It's all about "what I like". Every bit of your description applies to Windows Phone, but YOU won't agree. Pointless, mindless and devoid of any meaningful thought. There's nothing to take away from the article except that Ive knows how to market to the mindless.

+1 - couldn't agree more.

@PerfectPhase: Erm - WOW! I of course knew that Windows 7 had this, but I swear that yesterday when I right clicked the taskbar, there was no 'properties' menu. Must have been having a brain flip or something!

Thank you so much guys - I can't believe I missed that... Slightly embarrassed now!

I'm also trying Windows 8 as primary OS on a real computer - one with multiple monitors, keyboard, mouse and no touchscreen. I also have it installed on my Build tablet.

On the build tablet it's fantastic - LOVE it.

On the desktop PC - not really as good an experience. You do get used to things after a couple of days, but for me there's a few real pain points that I'm hoping won't bother me as much as time goes on, or even better, Microsoft fixes prior to RTM.

• Firstly, the Metro screen is TERRIBLE in a multiple monitor setup. I have three screens, the middle one is my main monitor, so that's where the metro stuff gets launched. This means that trying to hit the corners for the hotspots is virtually impossible. Yes, there's keyboard shortcuts, but even so - yuk. Definitely some usability issues there.
• Speaking on multiple monitors - I like that Microsoft has extended the desktop taskbar across all three. But they've screwed it up. Would be much better if the running program icons didn't get replicated across all three taskbars - rather each screen only showed the apps that were running on that screen. It's a confusing mess. This is something that UltraMon does very well on Windows 7 (http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/). Haven't tried installing it on 8 as I'm assuming it won't work.
• Speaking of Taskbars, has anyone found a way to ungroup the identical applications? In Windows 7, I used to be able to do that, but can't find a way in 8. For example, yesterday I had 5 instances of Visual Studio open, 4 windows explorers and 5 IE's. Trying to get to the correct instance each time was a nightmare.

Other than that, aside from small issues, I'm actually enjoying Windows 8 on the desktop. But, I don't feel as productive yet as I am in Windows 7.

...oh, and I agree with an earlier comment - the ability to mount .iso file natively is fantastic!

So, apparently my elation is short lived - you need a registration code to actually register for a dev account right now. https://appdev.microsoft.com/StorePortals/en-US/Account/signup/start

"If you have a registration code:

•               You can click Register now to register for your Windows Store developer account.            
•               The Windows Store is currently closed to general submissions. If you don't have a registration code, you'll be able to sign up when the Windows Store opens for general submissions."

Anyone on the inside got any secrets as to how to get a registration code prior to general opening? Is there a connect program or special for MSDN subscribers for it somewhere? All I really want to do at this stage is reserve an app name, but I can't without a proper dev account...

Maybe I should just have some more patience!

Ah, silly me - I had launched vs11, but hadn't yet tried to create a metro project. It of course asks you to login or sign up for a dev account when you first create a metro app. I should have tried that at the start

I've been reading a lot of documentation on which countries the Windows Store will be available in and how much it costs to register - what I'm not seeing is a way to actually register....?!

Anyone care to share the link - even the dev center forums is pretty sparse, with some hints that you can't yet, yet others saying they're already reserving app names etc.

I've got Windows 8 and Visual Studio 11 up and running, working on an app and I'd like to reserve the app name if possible. Is there a sign up or a connect 'pre-register' section anywhere?

Thanks guys...

Haven't tried VS 11 with TFS yet, so I can't comment on that but it does sound like a hassle.

On the whole I actually don't mind the new UI look and feel - I thought I may not like it but it's growing on me. I do particularly like the dark theme - I always used a custom dark theme for coding, but there were some things in vs 2010 that didn't display correctly in dark - mostly certain dock windows.

Thing I don't like at this stage:

1. monochrome icons - someone said it in another thread somewhere, although they definitely get out of the way, it does make remembering where things are a little harder. A splash of color would help there.
2. All caps for the dock window headers - yeah, that REALLY bothers me for some reason. I feel like I'm being shouted at! heck, I'd even prefer them all lower case if neccessary.
3. This is the one I hate the most - but I am hoping it's just for the beta and not the final RTM: There are no installation options! Seriously, when I installed it at the office yesterday, I thought I must have missed the screen where you choose what to install. But, I've just installed it at home this evening and the only thing you can choose is the folder location.
   So, I'm going to end up with C++, SQL server express and probably a whole set of additional crap on my machine that I am never going to use. Okay, harddrive space is cheap and plentiful, but please ask me what I want to install - especially if there's going to be 9gb of it!
   
   As I say, hoping that one is just because it's beta...

@PaoloM: Thanks for the heads up PaoloM - unfortunately I can't reproduce your fix. The mail app won't connect to the exchange server at all, thus it doesn't allow me to save the non working account. So, when I close and restart the Mail app, there's nothing there and I have to go through the same loop each time.

To be honest, I'm starting to think that there's something going on with the way our Exchange server is set up as I have vague recollections of our iOS users not being able to access and they had to specify some custom permissions/access. I'm going to speak to my Exchange guy on my team tomorrow and see if he knows what it may be.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

I have been playing with it on my build tablet for a few hours now and it's amazing how quickly you get used to it and feel comfortable using it. There are still lots of rough spots, but on a tablet/slate, I think the UI absolutely makes sense. I really do think that the Windows 8 tablet/slate story is going to be a good one, and finally could give the iPad a run for its money (eventually).
In fact, earlier I picked up my iPad and was trying to cycle through the apps by dragging from the left and lost count of the amount of times I tried to open the charms bar! I've already had a couple of ideas for apps I want to make and have been sketching some storyboards for the last couple of hours.

On a desktop though - I just don't know. Admittedly I haven't installed it on a ''proper' pc yet (it keeps crashing out on my home pc during installation, so I've given up for the evening).

I honestly can't see this being a sucess in business at this stage. I'm willing to keep an open mind though, but thinking about my end users at the office, they're going to struggle with the new UI.

I also want to know more about how it is with multiple monitors - ie, can metro apps only run full screen on a single monitor, or can you target one metro app on one screen and another on a second/third screen...? Once I get my home PC set up, I'll be evaluating this more closely though.

Well, got it installed on the tablet - no problem at all.
Much improved from the Developer Preview.

The one issue I have is I can't connect it to my exchange server, even though I have my iPad, WP7 and Android Galaxy Tab connected.
I *think* it's because my exchange server requires an SSL connection and there's no checkbox for SSL in the Win 8 metro account stuff. Might be wrong there, but all the other settings are the same as the iPad/etc. Will keep digging and debugging...