Upgrade
The weekend after the official lunch of Windows 8, I decided to upgrade my (very) old DELL notebook (Inspiron 6400). The first thing I did was downloading the Upgrade Assistent:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 (english)
http://windows.microsoft.com/de-DE/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 (german)
Using the assistent makes the upgrade very easy. The only things you need is a credit card and a DVD (if you want to create an installation DVD). The assistant found two programs that were known to be not compatbile. But the assistant already knows that there were updates for these programs. Therefore I updated this software first and launched the assistend again. After answering the question what I would like to keep (nothing, settings or programs and settings), the assistant offers you a Windows 8 version (At the moment Windows 8 Pro for Â29,99). You have to type in some personal information and you credit card number and you get your key. Than the assistant starts to download the binaries. At the end you can decide if you want to upgrade now, cretate a DVD image or a USB stick. A I decided to create a DVD… After the image is finished (and maybe burned on a DVD) you can start the upgrade with an icon on your desktop… Some times later… My old DELL needed more than an hour… The installation starts to ask you the first questions for the personal settings (e.g. colour scheme) and for your Windows Live ID. This is the ID Windows 8 needs for logging on to SkyDrive, Outlook (Hotmail) and xbox. My personal opininion is, that Windows 8 (for personal) use is senseless without connecting to the Microsoft cloud services.
I am not a gamer. I use my PC for mailing, writing, and browsing in the internet. For these things Windows 8 Comes with all I need (OK. I still have my Windows Live Mail for storing mails on my disc).
If you are missing the Media Center you should install it soon, because at the moment it is for free:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs (english)
http://windows.microsoft.com/de-DE/windows-8/feature-packs (german)
Like it or hate it: The new Modern UI
I found some posts in the internet about the new user Interface (formerly known as Metro), were the people wrote that they hate the new design, bad graphics and they would like to have the old start button back. I can not follow them! I like the new desing. It is simple and clear with interactions inside some tiles. This design is perfect for me at home. It shows all information and I can open fast my appps. At the left side you can switch between the open apps and at the right side you have an app-sensitve menu for seeking, sharing, devices (e.g. print on a printer) and settings. At the moment I have not a touchmonitor but even with the mouse I am able to use Windows 8 and the apps I need. And „old“ apps opens on the desktop that is now also in app.
I am starting to like Windows 8 …