Categories: Techtoday
I was thrilled when Microsoft released Windows 8 for consumer testing a few years back and like thousands of other users, ran the new OS through its paces. Although the Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been out for a long, long time now, it took me awhile to give it a try on my Lenovo IdeaPad Z360.
The experience is very slick and the setup file checks your hardware, providing a list of compatible software and hardware after a few minutes. Downloading the upgrade to Windows 8 was less stressful than downloading the full version of Windows 7. The only caveat to the whole process is that once you install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, there's really no turning back. Users would have to do a clean install if they want to return to Windows 7. To their credit, Microsoft kindly reminds testers regarding this particular detail on the download page and during the process itself - only those who avoid reading such notes would blindly install Windows 8. What I did find surprising is that there isn't a CANCEL button on the setup window. Users will have to click the X button to stop the process. Linux users, on the other hand, have that option any time throughout installation. On the plus side, providing a Product Key before installation makes it all official.
Like many Linux users, I got addicted to trying out the various Linux distributions floating around the web (an activity fondly called "distro-hopping") and enjoy figuring out compatibility issues and feature differences. I approached Windows 8 with the same excitement and found the experience just as satisfactory as running a LiveCD. For all the criticisms leveraged against Microsoft and their products, I think they have come a long way from Windows ME, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
There are a few points I hope would be considered in the next consumer preview for the venerable OS:
1. A Windows LiveCD/LiveDVD - Linux users would be up in arms at the very thought, but a 700MB or 4.4 LiveDVD would be more friendly than an upgrade that forces testers to reimage their machines if they want to revert back to their original OS. Obviously, Microsoft would be facing a challenge putting a full Windows OS into a DVD/CD that is bootable and can run from memory. However, if openSUSE and Mint devs can do it, then I'm sure Microsoft's engineers can figure it out. Moreover, a bootable ISO is easier to run via VirtualBox and other virtualization software.
2. Official Windows Torrent - Microsoft should embrace lawful file-sharing. Torrents are one of the more efficient ways of file-sharing and would help spread an official Windows Consumer Preview even faster than posting it on their site or advertising on tech sites. Plus, it would help give Microsoft a more open reputation as a software provider. The small setup file from the Windows 8 site (5,112 kb) wasn't a problem but downloading the upgrade could be difficult for users on a slow network or broadband service.
3. Official Virtual machines for Intel and ARM platforms - I like the idea of Windows appearing on ARM devices and a prepared virtual machines will give users a chance to experience Windows differently.
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