Windows 8: HOT or NOT

Firstly, sorry about the huge gap between my posts. Been really busy these past few months. Actually more than busy I've just been putting off writing  for a while now.

Anyway, I recently bought a new Windows 8 based system and thought that this is a good opportunity to write about the Operating System. If you follow Tech News, there have been mixed reactions on the new version on the Microsoft based operating system series.

Some say that Windows just took a leap backwards with the ease-of-use aspect after Windows 7 and others say that it offers a wider variety of features as compared to previous version.

Me? I believe that both opinions are justifies. When it comes to going backwards with the ease-of-use functionality, Microsoft should have realized that although the new tiled menu looks beautiful, people are just too used to the Start Menu where all their installed items are neatly listed in their respective folders.

No one except for the slightly advanced users or Mac Users use the spotlight search functionality to look for their apps. It's just a waste of time to them.

However, when it comes to the new features, I really like that you can now view RAW image files as thumbnails without having to install any additional program for the same. I totally dislike that there are no longer any visible 'Close/Quit' buttons on native Windows 8 programs such as photos etc.

I also dislike that when I install Windows 8 for the first time, I don't get an option of choosing if I want to install the Windows 8 add-ons such as weather, finance, news etc. (Major -ve points to Microsoft for this little bother)

However, again since Windows 8 syncs directly to my Hotmail/Microsoft based account without having to take any additional steps (Kind of like Android-based devices), I have all my Skydrive files, Contacts, Mail, Calendar etc all synced right at my first boot. (Even Messengers like Facebook chat & Windows Live Messenger are embedded)

Also love that most of the driver files are packaged within the Windows 8 Installation DVD so I don't have to waste my time searching through a manufacturer's website to download the respective Hardware Drivers.

So, to sum it all up
Pros: Fast Boot, In-built photo editors, RAW image viewers, Support for old software and 32-bit applications
Cons: No customization options for during Windows 8 installation, messy 'Start Menu' for average users.

Overall, I would give the OS a 6.5 rating out of 10.

PS: If you have bought a new Laptop/Desktop with Windows 8 pre-loaded, I would suggest a clean format to get rid of all the manufacturer bloatware.

Hope this helps you take a call on whether to upgrade your system or not. Until next time. Cheers ;)

Swiftkey 3: How fast can you type?

There are a lot of keyboards available for android devices currently and an equally high number users for most of these keyboards too. With most people now jumping onto ICS enabled devices, they general opinion is that the stock android keyboard is well near perfect for your average user (No, the average user does not include individuals in the teens to their late thirties).

For the average user, slang is usually limited to key words like U, Ur, Whr etc. While these words are now part of keyboards in most smartphones, the problem arises when people have to type fast and do not have time to sift through their message to look for mistakes; and in Auto Correct and your sentence usually making some sense turns into your English teachers nightmare.

Take for example the following text I just wrote in the comfort of my office with no pressure. 

(The text reads: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog)

Now add to this equation public transport or crowded streets and you have an extremely embarrassing story to tell your friends when drunk ;)

So what is the solution one might ask? For me, Swiftkey 3 came to the rescue. This nifty little application not only offers you a wide variety of languages to choose from (some the latest offerings being Hindi and Hinglish), it can also connect to your Facebook and Twitter accounts to learn your typing habits as time progresses.

Its like one of those retirement fund advertisements you watch on TV that are supposed to grow with time, only in the case of Swiftkey 3, that really does happen.

And at a special price of US$ 2.40 (50% off Holiday Sale), its well worth the money.

Hey, I bought it and don't regret it one bit.

For more info check out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchtype.swiftkey&feature=top-paid#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIwNiwiY29tLnRvdWNodHlwZS5zd2lmdGtleSJd

Follow me on twitter: @jds1ngh