Windows 8

So this post will just be my thoughts on the Windows 8 Developer Preview that I have recently installed on my laptop (side by side with my Windows 7 installation).

1. The Interface - So everyone knows that Windows 8 will be compatible with tablets, nothing new there. The Start Menu is the part of the interface that not only has changed the most, but will be the biggest feature for tablet users. It features what Microsoft calls the 'Metro Display' which instead of a list of apps on your start menu, they're on tiles that you can organize. The Start Menu is also full screen. Kinda weird. It is really easy to switch between the start menu and the 'Desktop View' because well, there's a big button that says 'Desktop' and when you click it you see a Windows 7 style desktop. If I was to be using this OS as my main system I would probably prefer this view a little bit more. When you open Non-Metro apps, it automatically kicks you over to this 'Desktop View' as well and opens it there. The big change is that instead of your Desktop View being your central screen that everything stems from, the Start Menu is now the core screen.
2. The Apps - This is probably the biggest change for Microsoft - having the ability to buy and sell apps. Obviously this functionality already exists within Windows Phone 7, but they see how successful Apple is and this will probably appeal to those with Windows 8 on a tablet more then anyone else (why would you get an app from the Marketplace when you can download a desktop version online?). It comes preloaded with some games (as all Windows computers do) and while they aren't the greatest, I can't really complain. Have to keep in mind that no developers have done anything for this OS except for Microsoft's team. I'm pretty sure games are pretty low on their list of things to do to get it release ready. One thing I haven't learned how to do yet is actually close one of these Metro apps from within the app without using the Task Manager.
3. Internet Explorer - Easily the most hated web browser on the planet, however, it is the number one web browser for downloading a better browser. What's a little different in Windows 8 is that there seems to be two different IE's existing in the ecosystem. One is the IE metro app and one in the Desktop IE. They don't seem to be interchangeable. Yes they both work, but the metro app is definitely a different look and feel. I kinda like having it full screen and it uses the right click a little bit more. You can however switch easily between your open Metro Apps and your Desktop apps using Alt+Tab. I am actually writing this from within the Metro IE. The Ctrl+Tab still switches you between tabs, but the user interface is way different. Also, within the Metro IE, the scrollbar no longer takes up space on the screen. It is visible, but it's kinda like iPhone in that it sits on top of the content, not beside. Also, Metro IE doesn't support Flash yet, but I downloaded Chrome and Flash works great. Not sure if this is a bug but there is lots of time to get it working.
4. The Windows Key - I have found myself using the Windows Key quite a bit in Windows 8. This is because it's the easiest way to get back into the Start Menu from within a Metro App or in Desktop View. All the regular Windows key shortcuts are still active, from what I can tell, and when you press it from within the Start Menu, it just kicks you back into whatever you last had open, which I like.
5. The Installation/Startup/Running - This probably should have been my first point, but as long as it's here I'm happy. Installation was a typical Windows installation, very similar to Windows 7. One thing I was really impressed by was the fact that there wasn't really any install time. Once it had uncompressed the files from the disc it instantly just rebooted into my first run bootup. This was awesome. Startup and shutdown are quick (almost lightning fast), which is a major bonus. They really worked hard on streamlining that for Windows 8. Running on my laptop, I find my laptop to be running significantly hotter then it does when just running Windows 7. I almost can't even have it sitting on my lap. It's not like it gets hot and then cools down either, it's a constant heat. This is a major complaint, however, you have to remember this version of Windows is Pre-Beta testing. It's like a taste of what's to come. Microsoft is teasing us with Windows 8 and making us want it all. I have no doubt this problem will get fixed as my battery life also sucks on it.

All in all, I am so far impressed by Windows 8. While the Start Menu is a big change as now it seems that the OS is based around it, I kinda like it. However, I can see how when people install a lot of apps it would get a little bit cluttered with all the tiles on it. I will be continuing to use it, as I have just installed it yesterday, probably will use it until I can't anymore. By that time there should be the RC version available for me to download and try. So yeah, definitely wets my appetite for the future.

LDR's

Long distance relationships suck. This is nothing new. I'm just reiterating it for the masses. Although I wouldn't say this blog reaches the masses. Whatever. They suck. There are bright spots though, and for these bright spots I am quite thankful.

Image credit: http://solarphotographers.com

In fact, LDR's (long distance relationships) boast some advantages. It does make you value the spend time you do get to spend with your significant other, for example. It definitely helps you ease into a relationship as well (although, at the beginning you always wanna spend 24/7 with the other person). One of the best advantages though, is it really forces you to communicate well.

Now hear me out, no you don't get as much face to face time, but time spent just communicating is forced. Two of the biggest building blocks of relationships are communication and empathy (and with empathy comes patience, trust, etc). Now, allowing that patience and communication to grow has huge benefits for the later parts of relationships. You already have all that out of the way so you can move on to more important things.

Most people hold the belief that long distance relationships rarely ever work. One has to then ask them if their relationship won't work long distance, how can they feel comfortable saying that it would last if they lived in the same town (or together, I don't hate). Putting everything into perspective, yeah, LDR's suck. Majorly. But it's not like there isn't advantages. I talk regularly (or I try to) to my girlfriend on the phone and yeah we get to see each other about once a month for a few days. It's not much, but that time is when I'm happiest. I've had several people tell me I'm just a more pleasant person when I'm with her or when I know I'm going to see her soon. And you know what my secret is for having a good relationship? I ask myself one simple question: will it make her happy? If it doesn't or won't, what's the point. I get upset when she's upset and when she's happy it makes me happy. Win-win.

Anyways, this is my post on my long distance relationship, and as much as it sucks, I wouldn't trade this girl for anything in the world. She's the bomb to my diggity. Also, I am in no way saying that relationships where you never experience a LDR is not a legit relationship. This post is to say as much as they may suck, you gotta take the good parts out of it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Something that's kind of related to this is moving in with said boyfriend/girlfriend before getting married. I just want to say that my stance on this is very much against it. When people use the excuse 'you don't really know the person that well before living with them' is such complete crap. Honestly. Try spending time with them communicating and getting to actually know them and see how and where they live. It tells a lot about a person. Just because you might suck at reading how the other person is does not mean that you get to know them better once you move in together. Plus, where's the risk in that? When you love someone isn't nothing else supposed to matter? So why does it so much? I dunno. Just a little bit of an addition to this post that is kind of related. I guess it goes without saying I will not be living with my girlfriend when she moves down here to Edmonton. And why should I? There is absolutely no reason for it because we aren't married. Call me old fashioned (and I kind of am old fashioned so I don't take it badly) but if I end up marrying her, that will be the time to move in with her.

There. Done.

Crap Situations

Have you ever been in one of those situations where you just say 'enough is enough'? Where you just make a decision to not take the crap that's happening anymore and (potentially) do something about it? I'm having one of those situations right now.

One of my pet peeves is probably when people say something like 'I have a secret' and then they never tell you the secret, or 'I'm mad' and never tell you what they're mad about? I find this to be most common from women (not being sexist here, just a personal observation). This is why guys sometimes just gotta have brotime. Guys tell it how it is. Straight up. Legit. Girls either try to beat around the bush or worry about what might happen way too much. Yes, I do care what others think, but honestly, trying to say things that indirectly are supposed to make people think one thing - doesn't work. If you've got a problem with someone, tell them. Tell them honestly. That gets everything out in the open and then you can start to deal with it so it doesn't get bottled up inside.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4