Animation Source Forums

(As requested by MightyBalto1925, since this is a high topic of interest, some people get so uptight about little things these days...Apparently I'm supposed to care about what other people want... What's the point in that?)

Windows 8:
Earlier this year, Micro$oft announced that they would be releasing a new operating system codenamed "Mac OS X Lio-" ... I mean Windows 8 (ever so easy to get the two mixed up these days...). Which, would be built on the highly successful foundations of the highly-successful and bug-free Vista (with a few major tweaks, of course). In this post I will show you how Microsoft sees the future of Windows; a smartphone/tablet/workstation hybrid machine that makes Windows Vista look like a classic. Admittedly, some of the new features and designs of the new operating system are pretty cool, like the weather app, intro screen and the RSS Feeds. But, overall I think this is more of Microsoft's aim to diminish iOS and Android, rather then target current Windows XP/7 power users.

To start, let's look at the intro and logon screens. The "lock screen" is probably the best thing Microsoft has created since XP, although... It just feels... Androidy... The lock screen acts as like a notification hub (displaying wifi signals, Outlook notifications, messages etc):


(Cheers blogdefined)

In order to get past this, you must click with a mouse or "swipe up" on a touch display to go to a horrendous screen they call the login screen:



I thought Bill Gates quit? Meh, anyway...

Next, is the "main feature" of Micro$oft's new operating system: The Start Menu replacement; called "Start" (Micro$oft have always been creative):


I think, Mighty put it best: While Paint has improves since XP... It's still pretty funny.

Now... Let's start clicking!!!!!!

Next on the agenda; the actual "Desktop", which so far is identical to Windows 7... Except this silly... Ugly... Black logo on the bottom left hand corner (where the old Start menu used to be):


Beautiful, isn't it?

Anyway, for anyone that has used Apple's latest Desktop OS (OS X Lion), this next screen may look oddly familiar...


Inspired by anyone???

Thanks ?!

One more little bicker... Is Micro$oft's decision to include the Windows Store... Fabulous...

Sorry... What was that? An App Store? Where have we seen that before....

Thanks again ?

Okay, let's move away from my silly bickering about how they copy stuff... I'm going to move on the new Internet Explorer (well, it's technically like a mini-browser). As far as I can tell; this is the WebKit/Gecko version of Microsoft's Tangent Internet Explorer (although it is still tangent). The Desktop version of Internet Explorer is the fully-featured version of IE 10, while the "Metro" Internet Explorer, designed primarily for tablet use; is plugin-less, with no flash and limited functionality. It's fresh though, with the new address bar being at the bottom of the screen as opposed to being on the top. Which is a bonus; I guess.

Here is the introductory screen that you see when you boot up the Metro Internet Explorer:

And here it is:


Now, moving from one kind of Explorer to another. This time I want to look at Windows Explorer. Which in recent years has definitely played out to be one of Micro$oft's biggest strengths on the Windows platform. Until... They decided to scare away old ladies who are trying to work out how to go backwards... I think I prefer the old one:



Anyway, afterwards; I looked at the next "enhancement". The Control Panel... Is actually pretty intuitive, compared to the one used in XP, Vista and 7. Of course, you can still revert to the traditional one:

[img]http://8.conaysforum.info/Windows_8/Windows_8_files/Media/Screen%20Shot%202011-09-15%20at%2016.35.24/Screen%20Shot%202011-09-
15%20at%2016.35.24.jpg?disposition=download[/img]
You also have some like mini-settings with each app, including the desktop:


Now, sitting on your desktop... Have you ever wanted to awkwardly press the Start button, find the weather button and wait 30 seconds to find a Yahoo weather forecast? Well, you are now in luck; with Micro$oft's crappy weather app:


And introducing! Tweet@Rama! Hooray! Aside from Twitter... It really doesn't do... Anything:


However, for RSS feed noobs, here is your saviour. They are building RSS feeds directly into Windows 8! What next... A Stock market viewer? Wait...



And finally... My overall impression? Ask me when I'm not in a bad mood. However; when I WAS in a good mood, I gave a little demo of Windows 8, which at first glance I was pretty impressed. Now? Not so much... But I hope to hear your opinions on this. Windows 8 will be released next year.

For more screenshots on Windows 8: http://www.8.conaysforum.info

[(Unless otherwise stated, all screen shots were taken by myself)




Ubuntu version 11.483275846578463875782436857642378:
Okay, so this year (sometime), the open-source creators of Linux Ubuntu announced that they were releasing the billionth version of the Linux-based operating system. A pretty big update too. THIS update I have not yet previewed, but I have had some experience with Ubuntu 10. So this is based mostly on what I've seen in screenshots and read in reviews.

Okay, so the first main difference I've seen on Ubuntu is the new dock-like feature they have added. They call it "The Launcher", where you can launch just about anything from your desktop. It also allows easy management of open-windows and some neat short cuts.

Anyone want to guess the two places they've seen this before?


Either way, one of Ubuntu's best features is it's Software Centre. Unfortunately, there isn't much software out there for small open-source platforms like Ubuntu, but if there IS any software; it's here.

I think this one looks a lot better then the previous one. Which wash't the most user-friendly fella.

Next up is something they call "The Dash"... I haven't worked it out yet...


And finally... Something they call the "App Switcher". In all fairness, I've been using this for years.


All in all, I feel relatively disappointed by the guys at Ubuntu, there seems to be nothing that really makes open-source look anymore attractive then other cheap (and expensive) alternatives.

For more information on Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com

(All images from Ubuntu.com)




iOS 5

FINALLY... iOS 5. Something I have positive emotions about. It boasts over 200 new features, including iMessage (BBM for iOS), Notification Centre, Newsstand, Reminders, Twitter Integration, new Camera app, PC-free and iCloud.

This is a huge step forward for iOS users, it brings a lot more functionality while still keeping it's ease of use. BUT - what I'm most excited about is a new feature on Apple's new iPhone 4S. They call it "Siri".

Now, I'm not going to ramble on about all of Siri's cool features (like understanding what you mean and not just what you say, see Apple's website for more on this). I'm just in it for the Easter Eggs the developers have built in. They are pretty funny. Here are some screenshots:

This one is in reference to Steve Jobs:

These next ones are just funny:



The following ones are with reference to "2001: A Space Odyssey":


And of course... You can't leave these out:



And there are many more. For just... Loads of them, click here: http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech ... -responses
If you'd like to listen to Jonathan Mann (remember the iPhone Antennaguy?) sing a duet with Siri, you can here: http://www.youtube.com/user/therockcook ... ckrig2BwNY

So... I think that's about all I can be bothered talking about today... Perhaps I'll chat Google Chrome OS and Android next time? See you next time.

Allow me.

Paint version:


The whatever this version is:


Oh wait, crap, I thought I was in wordpad...






The "orb" is now a black box to tell you that you're now doomed. And there is some UGLY green bar that looks UGH, on the side. What is that?

Mighty: "Conay's Tech roundup" = "Conay's rant at every other company aside from Apple... Roundup"

And did you make that on paint? lol

Yes, I made it on paint.

Well done for noticing


I honestly think that the new Windows look is great for tablets, although I would NOT want it on my desktop


SOME software for Ubuntu, which I've found to be hard to set up unless found in the software centre. And unfortunately, it's facing a dead end. For years it's been Windows, Mac, Linux; in that order. Well, now it's becoming Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Windows Phone... So many more platforms that software developers would get more success writing for.


I make you true on that one. Although, if something goes wrong with hardware and you need physical support, then it's much easier if you have a Mac.


Well, since I already have a laptop with a full-featured OS, what's so compelling to go with Ubuntu? Especially on your average consumer.


It literally does anything that OS X or Windows can... Virtually everything is ripped off from some other OS.

Mighty: Now we know their secret!

Quite. Besides, I hate image-heavy topics, and this one is lousy with relatively pointless images, where one or two might have worked, if, as you pointed out, Starsk, this wasn't just yet another attempt to stir up arguments because of this one person's personal preferences.

Not referring to the kernel. Referring to how (if you look at the new Ubuntu), it's design and features rip on Windows and OS X.


And if you think Linux is facing a dead end you clearly need to get the soap out of your eyes, if anything they are growing as they are getting more and more user friendly. Linux is not about making money or getting famous, there is a reason for it being free. And also Linux is VERY popular for servers.[/quote]
Linux itself is not facing a dead end, but this theme of extensively growing apps for Linux versions like Ubuntu will dramatically slow down in favour of others like Chrome OS and Android. In terms of servers, I see that as the only real way forward for traditional Linux variants (like Debian, for example).


Unless you know what you are doing. I prefer to have control over my hardware. I prefer to be able to just get into it and re-arrange and do whatever I feel like.[/quote]
Fair enough, but that's if you know what you're doing. Think of the old people... XD


So in other words this topic needs to be locked because you are basically saying that you are just posting this to flame people.[/quote]
Actually, quite the opposite. Since you asked me why I would the disappointed with an OS, I gave a reason that it doesn't offer anything special to your average user. So no, I don't see how I'm saying that I just wan't to flame people.

Believe what you wish.

I am gonna lock this topic since people are arguing and the topic really isn't going anywhere.

Topic Locked.