Windows 10 offer?

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Well I think from memory Windows 10 is available this week.

Is anyone jumping onboard straight up?

My interest has pretty much perked up from seeing what Direct X 12 is capable of.

Cheers

Russ

[Akwestland (Andrew and Kim)]

Russell, personally my thoughts are to wait until the reviews from users are starting to come through. I am concerned over glitches that Microsoft are so well known for. I will wait probably a month or two, or at least until I see some favourable responses (and no real negatives).

Andrew & Kim.

[Garbz (Chris)]

There's been plenty of reviews already given the RTM version was sent to the Insider program weeks ago. Microsoft may have been well known for major bugs in the past but with their new release schedule there's only so much they can break right? :-)

Windows 10 doesn't look like too much away from Windows 8.1 but there's one major bit of concern:

The Windows 10 Home edition does not allow you defer windows updates. The reason this is an issue is because I remember reading about a member here who had his unattended telescope fail to do a meridian flip after his computer did a reboot at 3am to install an update and he woke to find his telescope in pieces.

Just something to be mindful of.

I'm jumping onboard straight up for my Surface but not my telescope machine. I'll let you know how it goes :-) Also don't get too excited about DirectX 12. Games need to support it long before that becomes a relevant reason to get WIndows 10.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Bit of a review on here
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/...tag=TREe331754

My feelings are that it's a slightly needy OS requiring an internet connection to do anything useful including staying licensed. Win 7 works for me and astro. I won't be putting it on the home PC for a while as it looks slightly undercooked as well, Apps gone etc.

[multiweb (Marc)]

I was also told that the "reservation" is more of a compulsory move. When it is ready it will download automatically from windows updates and you don't have a choice to install or not install. That's it. I have since cancelled the reservation on both my machines. I understand that once the update is done you can't revert back to the previous OS unless you've ghosted your PC but I don't like the idea of being forced to move to the new OS. Microsoft is in a big move to standardise all OS lately and is aggressively moving into the market. I think it's bad news for consumers.

[julianh72 (Julian)]

I got the update to Win 10 on a 3-4 year old Dell Inspiron laptop (4 GB RAM, dual-core CPU, running 64-bit Windows 8.1) last night. It's not our main computer, so I thought "Why not?"

Installation took about an hour or so, and was painless, and everything seems to run fine. All my installed programs and data were retained, and desktop icons were left right where they were on the Windows 8.1 desktop.

First impressions - it's a VAST improvement on Windows 8.1 - the Start button is back for one thing! The user experience is far more consistent as you swap between apps - it's very reminiscent of how Windows 7 worked, but with the Windows 8 "flat" look. My computer boots faster than it did under 8.1, and I felt "at home" straight away. It runs at least as quickly as it did before under Win 8.1, and my effective productivity is already better because it works the way I expect it to. (I never did get used to Windows 8's "split personality" of jumping between the modern UI and the desktop all the time.)

My advice: if you're on Windows 8.x, and you hate it, then upgrade to Windows 10 ASAP. If you're on Windows 7 and you're happy with it, then there may be no compelling reason to rush it, so you might want to wait a few weeks to see if there are any horror stories before upgrading - but I think when you DO upgrade, you will be very happy with the new Windows 10 UI.

(Back up your data first, of course - I didn't lose anything in the upgrade, but you can never be too careful.)

I've got the Win 10 upgrade "queued" on a couple of other Win 7 and Win 8 machines and a Win 8.1 tablet - I'll install the updates progressively, and report back here if the experience is any different on any of the other machines.

The Windows 7 laptop is the oldest of the lot (about 5 years old, 2 core CPU with 2 GB RAM), but the update advisor says it is up to the job, so it will be interesting to see how it manages it.

The Win 8.1 tablet is a budget 8" Toshiba Encore (quad-core, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB stoarge) which was designed for Windows 8 http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/products...specifications . I may have to clear a bit of storage space to squeeze in the update, but I will be interested to see how the Win 10 interface works on a true tablet device.

[Garbz (Chris)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

it's a slightly needy OS requiring an internet connection to do anything useful including staying licensed.

From all the rumors I've heard, that's a first. I also think it's quite wrong, the only thing that won't work without internet are the internet enabled processes like Onecloud, Cortana, Windows account syncing, windows updates, the windows store etc. MS's website says you do not need an internet connection to use Windows 10, and effectively it'll be more like Windows 7 without one.

Originally Posted by multiweb

I was also told that the "reservation" is more of a compulsory move. When it is ready it will download automatically from windows updates and you don't have a choice to install or not install.

It downloads automatically but then it gives you the choice whether to install.

Originally Posted by julianh72

but I think when you DO upgrade, you will be very happy with the new Windows 10 UI
....
but I will be interested to see how the Win 10 interface works on a true tablet device.

On the desktop I'm quite happy with the interface. On the tablet not so quite. I actually liked the way the tablet features of Windows 8.1 worked, but with 10 they've gone too one way or the other. Under tablet mode I can't figure out how to unmaximise a window or how to access the desktop for instance. I'm afraid they are turning the tablet mode into too much of a tablet mode to the point where it becomes hard to do anything....

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Originally Posted by Garbz

From all the rumors I've heard, that's a first. I also think it's quite wrong, the only thing that won't work without internet are the internet enabled processes like Onecloud, Cortana, Windows account syncing, windows updates, the windows store etc. MS's website says you do not need an internet connection to use Windows 10, and effectively it'll be more like Windows 7 without one.
....

But it much touted advantages are that it is seamless across devices and is the main reason for the redesign. It's connectivity is what it's all about.
So it's of no advantage in my non connected Observatory. WordPad is gone, you only get OneNote. Office 365 which I am deploying at work (800 + users) only works connected, it needs it to maintain it's license with a monthly 'check-in' to MS.
I guess there will be a flurry of updates and additional features but although I do like it's return to Win7 similarity and User friendliness I don't see any gains in upgrading.
To me it will become another MS subscription service to pay for which seems to be the direction they are heading to.

It's funny really. I work in IT, have done for the last 20 years or so and I am not 'anti' progress but I've seen so many so-called upgrades and unnecessary forced changes that delivered nothing that I have to be a sceptic. I want to see real advantages ganied in productivity, ease of use or reliability of function before I'd commit to moving.

[pixelsaurus (Mike)]

I'm having second thoughts about upgrading to Win 10. Yesterday the upgrade failed 5x so I'm still on Win 7. Then a friend sent me this: https://i.imgur.com/iHge6RJ.jpg

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

another load of crap first release
wifes win 7 Acer laptop
wi-fi goes off after sleep - disables wireless card
go into hardware and disable/enable again
need new driver for dolby sound
wife says games she minimises to task bar are gone after sleep

i don't think i've ever seen a windows release that has'nt had some sort of network problem
HONESTLY!
i'm just glad that i now use linux mint as my preferred OS

geoff

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by pixelsaurus

I'm having second thoughts about upgrading to Win 10. Yesterday the upgrade failed 5x so I'm still on Win 7. Then a friend sent me this: https://i.imgur.com/iHge6RJ.jpg

Ouch. Lots of worries in there!

I'm staying with my shelled Win 8.1. Works great (like Win 7) effectively.
Win 7 staying on the laptop for astro.

[lazjen (Chris)]

Go Linux instead for astro.

[AlexN]

How is the support for *nix OS's with regard to astro software? I'm running ClearOS on my servers and Ubuntu on my main desktop but my astro lappy is Win 7 all the way purely because I don't have any dramas getting software for it.

Would love to migrate it to a Linux distro to bring it in line with all my other computers.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Originally Posted by pixelsaurus

I'm having second thoughts about upgrading to Win 10. Yesterday the upgrade failed 5x so I'm still on Win 7. Then a friend sent me this: https://i.imgur.com/iHge6RJ.jpg

I've never used Windows 7 and the only issue I've ever had with astro stuff on my Windows 8.1 (via Parallels on OS X) was because QHY haven't bothered to fix their drivers.
Needless to say, sticking with 8.1 even with its apparent flaws. I usually use it under Coherence Mode anyway so I don't have to worry about the workings of 8.1 anyway (everyone hates the "menu" place).

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

ok - round 2

my toshiba laptop tells me i can download and install win 10
download starts just before 3am - 6am i go to bed . all installed

but not before blue screen of death on first reboot test after install
turns out it does not like esets firewall - google is your friend.........
start in safe mode and rename offending SYS file - all good - blue screen of death defeated

have to reinstall ESET Smart Security (where is my install key and password ?)

darn thing will not activate! - delete program and start again when i wake up this afternoon - success this time

where have they put windows update - search everywhere - no windows update to be found in control panel - google is your friend.......

rumour has it that control panel is for the chop in windows 10 down the track

find it in "System" - check for updates - one to install, one waiting to download - 45% - been like it all afternoon

so moral of the story - disable anti virus and firewall before installing - start upgrade and go to bed
depending on your hardware - you might be lucky

geoff

ps: i can download linux mint ISO - burn disk - and install - all in under one hour painlessly

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by pixelsaurus

I'm having second thoughts about upgrading to Win 10. Yesterday the upgrade failed 5x so I'm still on Win 7. Then a friend sent me this: https://i.imgur.com/iHge6RJ.jpg

Wow. That's an eye opener. I love the way Microsoft feels it has the divine right to know everything about you. Perhap Big Brother is not a Government but rather a monopoly corporation who doesn't have to worry about being relected!

Greg.

[lazjen (Chris)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

How is the support for *nix OS's with regard to astro software? I'm running ClearOS on my servers and Ubuntu on my main desktop but my astro lappy is Win 7 all the way purely because I don't have any dramas getting software for it.

Would love to migrate it to a Linux distro to bring it in line with all my other computers.

Look into INDI. It's effectively ASCOM for Linux, etc. From that point, there's a lot of software around to connect to devices, imaging, etc. For all the "common" activities you need to do at the scope, you can do it under Linux now. For some of the more specialist stuff, you may need to hunt for solutions. I'm working on making Linux my main astro setup, but even when I do, I'll always keep a windows setup available as an option.

There's other threads around on this forum about Linux astro, so if you want to discuss it more, bump one of those and we'll let this one go back to the Windows 10 disaster in progress.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

isn't there an "Astro Distro" ?

sure i saw something somewhere

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

here it is

http://www.distroastro.org/

geoff

[Garbz (Chris)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

But it much touted advantages are that it is seamless across devices and is the main reason for the redesign. It's connectivity is what it's all about.
So it's of no advantage in my non connected Observatory. WordPad is gone, you only get OneNote. Office 365 which I am deploying at work (800 + users) only works connected, it needs it to maintain it's license with a monthly 'check-in' to MS.
I guess there will be a flurry of updates and additional features but although I do like it's return to Win7 similarity and User friendliness I don't see any gains in upgrading.
To me it will become another MS subscription service to pay for which seems to be the direction they are heading to.

It's funny really. I work in IT, have done for the last 20 years or so and I am not 'anti' progress but I've seen so many so-called upgrades and unnecessary forced changes that delivered nothing that I have to be a sceptic. I want to see real advantages ganied in productivity, ease of use or reliability of function before I'd commit to moving.

Working seemlessly across devices and not working are two disctinct differences and doesn't make it any less of a desktop device. I think of it as a feature, which it is now. Quite different from Windows 8 / 8.1 which actively ruined the desktop experience in favour of the compatibility. Anyway that's just my view. I actually like it a lot and I will likely update my main Windows 7 machine soon, but right now I was keen to get my Surface away from Windows 7. My telescope.... no so much. That can stay 7, as you say, no advantage. Though I would be keen to know if they fixed the bug I'm experiencing with RDP and Windows 7 causing massive guiding problems, I'm just not prepared to change the entire OS to try

Just a few notes though, Wordpad is still there, it just isn't in the start menu, but hitting start and typing word gives you wordpad straight up. Also Office 365 is a distinctly different product, definitely a subscription service so yes that needs constant licence checks. This I agree is a load of crap, that said I'm not convinced they are abandoning the mainstream office yet.

For an observatory I doubt you'll ever see massive changes that make an upgrade worthwhile, but Windows 10 has a LOT going for it under the hood as did Windows 8.