Windows 8
Due for release
during the second half of 2012 the finished version of Windows 8 will be the latest version of the Microsoft operating system.
This time
around Microsoft has implemented many changes from the previous versions. In particular it
adds a new Start Screen interface which has been designed for touchscreen input in addition to mouse,
keyboard, and pen input. It also
supports an improved boot time and will hit the login screen in approximately
30 seconds.
Metro
Metro is the name
given by Microsoft for their new user interface for Windows 8. It replaces the
more traditional Windows desktop which, although still present, has been
significantly toned done. i.e. the
standard start menu is no longer present.
It is built
around the tablet model, which is already in use for Microsoft’s Windows Phone
7 platform and is soon to be implemented into the Xbox 360 console as well. It
incorporates large buttons which represent your commonly used programs.
Viewing Installed Programs
Windows
8 no longer displays the traditional start menu, which means the process of
viewing all non-Metro programs has changed.
You now
have to hold down the Windows key and press F, which brings up the search
dialog page. From here you can click on the Apps button and you'll be taken to a
list of installed applications. Just
click one to launch it, or right-click one and select Pin to add it to the
Metro screen for easier access later.
Running Apps and programs
In order to run an app or program, you can now press the
Windows key and start typing the name of the item you wish to load. The search
window will appear with list matching the details you entered in the search
text box, clicking one will launch it.
Alternatively, you can hold down the Windows key and
press R to open the Run box and enter the programs name. i.e. ‘eventvwr’.
Closing Applications Automatically
Although still present when running apps in desktop mode,
Metro apps do not have the ‘Close’ button, which is an intentional move by
Microsoft.
The reason being that in previous versions of Microsoft’s OS it has been
the responsibility of the user to control all the programs you would like to run.
Although you are able to run as many programs as you like the system would eventually
begin to suffer and result in slower performance, as you run out of RAM and
rely on the virtual ram as an alternative.
To solve this Windows 8 recognises when it is starting to run short of
resources and will close down anything you've not used for a while. As the application's
state is saved first, you do not need to be concerned with the loss of data as
when re-launched the application will you'll take you back to where you left
off.
Task switching
Due to the fact that the Metro interface does not display
a taskbar, it is possible to lose track of the apps you have running. However,
as with previous versions of Windows, you can press Alt+Tab to display a list
of open apps. Additionally you can press Win+Tab to switch from one running app
to the next. If using a touch screen you
can us you finger to swipe repeatedly from the left also cycles through running
apps.
If you continue to press the Windows key on your keyboard
you can switch between the Metro screen and the last app you were using.
Additionally if you move your mouse to the left edge of
the screen a thumbnail of the last app you used will appear whereby you can
open it.
Internet Explorer 10
Internet explorer has also had an overhaul both in
the looks and power department.
There are now two different interfaces for you to
use, the first being the new Metro design (right) and the standard version
which appears just like IE9.
Although added functionality for general users is
miner there is a long list for developers.
These include support for web workers, a technology that allows web
applications to run complex JavaScript’s in the background. This means that
lengthy tasks will not lock up your browser and the application's interface
should still be able to respond to your clicks
Security for web applications has also been increased with added support
for iframe isolation and the HTML5 sandbox, closing many security leaks. The
support for CSS3 Positioned Floats allows developers to easily create
print-like layouts, where text can flow smoothly around images or other objects.
Elsewhere you'll find support for the HTML5 Parser, HTML5 Forms, channel
messaging, Media Query Listeners and many more
Picture Password and Logging in
Another new addition is the creation of the
picture password. This is where you can pick any type of image and then draw on
it in a combination of taps, lines and circles. Only someone who can reproduce
this pattern will be able to login.
Shutting
Down
To shut down the PC from Metro, you can
display the Settings menu by moving the mouse to the bottom left corner of the
screen and clicking on settings, followed by the power icon, and finally shut down.
Or, if you are in the desktop view, you can
press Alt+F4 and choose from Shut Down, Restart, Switch User or Log Off.
Versions and Download
These
are just a few of the new features added to Windows 8 and, with approxamatlly 12
months of development still to run, it will be interesting to see what will
have changed come the official release date.
If
you would like to demo Windows 8 for yourself then there are currently three
different versions for you to try.
The first and largest
weighs in at 4.8GB and is a 64-bit edition which includes a set of developer
tools such as a preview of Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express and the SDK
(software developer’s kit) for Metro-style applications.
The remaining two
editions of Windows 8 are a 64-bit (3.6GB) and a 32-bit (2.8GB) version respectively.
All are available in an .iso file format that can be copied to
a DVD or USB drive for installation purposes.
In order to run the
preview, Microsoft recommends that you utilise a PC with 1GB of RAM (2GB for
the 64-bit edition) and 16GB of hard drive space (20GB for 64-bit).
Addinitionally when installing Windows 8, along with the developer’s tool, you will
have to overwrite your PCs current operating system (XP, Vista or Windows 7)
with a clean install. However if you are setting up the smaller sans-tools
versions, you can install it while retaining the files, user accounts and settings
on a Vista- or Windows 7-powered PC.
Please click here to
download the Windows 8 Developer Preview of your choosing.
