That's not nice... just because we don't agree regarding Win 8, it's not a reason to become uncivil.  There's plenty of other reasons to hang out here, orright!!!   

Peace.

I think something needs to be addressed here and it's to do with who actually should be influencing what a new version of an OS should be.  Should it be the consumer (home user or corporate) who uses the OS on a day to day basis to get what they need, or the developers/programmers who are trying to move the technology to the next level?

Windows 8 may very well have some great advances in technology but Microsoft seems to want to make the consumer and specifically the Desktop user change how they interface with their computer systems.  Metro may be nice for Tablets and Smart Phones but in the work place it is going to cause problems for the user not to mention the IT folks.  No doubt it will also effect productivity.

On my last visit to the Doctors I just happened to pay attention to their computers.  They have workstations set up in the exam and Doctors office, all still running XP.  You have to think it's for a reason.

Now these are just my thoughts on the subject, worth as much as anyone else's. 

I bet that is mainly because the 'doctor software' makers did not notice there is something like vista/7 yet (as surprisingly many makers of corporate 'special' software). Not to mention the special hardware manufacturers. Heck many doctors here even still have parallel needle printers bought in the stone age for printing receipts...

On topic I still don't see corporate pcs using 8 soon. At my office we are in the process of switching 70 machines from XP to 7 64bit AND Office 2010 at the moment. All new machines and we replaced pcs running xp that where 7 (!) years old.

I'll just take a seat on this bus.

Me too. And see where it goes.

Tell me the last time anyone here agreed with me about anything.

If you can't, you're in the same boat I am.

And now I'm out.

Agreed, except that a Fail with W8 might really hurt MS. They should also realize that many businesses are transitioning to the iPad2, since people are crazy about it, it has MS apps, and great connectivity. Now with the new Retinal screen and faster processor, MS is going to have a terrific uphill battle with a completely non-intuitive OS. Not good.

OK, I go back on what I said about never installing Windows 8, so I installed the Consumer Preview on a separate hard drive just to have a look. After a few minutes of being totally lost and getting my equilibrium completely thrown off (and vomiting as a result). I rebooted back to Windows 7 and reformatted the Windows 8 drive. Now for sure I will never install Windows 8 again unless some drastic (and I do mean drastic) changes occur.

You guys had the opportunity. I couldn't even get it installed.

Well, I must say that the K Tek 4D Winstep theme looks and runs awesomely on 8!

I want to see what I can do with 8. I guess to each his own. I enjoy exploring other OSes. Just to see what can/can't be done...push the limits, so on and so forth.

Which is why I have XP, Vista, Win 7, Win 8, and Ubuntu installed.

Shut up Yrag. 

It may have something to do with the software doctors rely on being quite expensive, and upgrading to Win 7 plus the updated software could prove way too expensive for some doctors. My doctors surgery runs Win 7 these days - about 15 - 16 on duty at any time - but it has rather a large clientele and it was probably necessary to move forward to keep pace with patient and doctors needs.

I expect you are quite right there old mate.... MS will perfect [well as near to it as they can] the new setup and Win 8 will be the OS of the decade.  I just hope the make a desktop version that does not have to have Metro as the default UI... that users can disable it should they desire.  In fact, I hope MS is keeping an eye on threads such as this, see what users want, and implement the necessary changes before Win 8 goes on the shelf.

I still Have Win 8 installed, it's just that I can't boot into unless I insert the installation disc, and just lately I've been to distracted with other things to bother.  However, that doesn't mean to say that I won't take another look at it.  The one thing Win 8 has got going for it is Winstep Xtreme, which puts back everything familiar and productive to make it more useable.... AND makes it NOT NECESSARY to go back into Metro.  Yippeee!!!!

starkers, the Doctor I go to is part of a Health Care Provider system that has three Hospitals and several clinics within a 25 mile radius. 

I would agree that it's the software they use that dictates the OS.  

I'm not all that sure Microsoft would look kindly on a third party making a program that essentially allows folks to shut off part of their OS.  Just guessing here. 

True, MS mightn't like it, but it's the price they'll pay if they refuse to listen to those who use the OS... and from what I'm seeing right across the board, all over the internet, there's a majority saying they'll not buy it unless drastic changes are made.

It's not really shutting anything off. More like bypassing the BS.

Which is a good point, businesses see the PC as a tool. It's the software that is important, they only care about an UI if it increases productivity. Why upgrade a computer when it's doing its job.

I think Microsoft is forgetting what made Windows such a successful OS ... the business community. Software was developed for Windows which became the standard for an office computer. Schools teach students to use the PC because of the software ... everyone uses Windows.

If Microsoft comes along and makes a UI which business don't want to use, I can't see them upgrading ... even worst, they might look at another OS.

Would they really care if it meant people were migrating to the new OS?
I have to say though, i don't even understand why MS is going with metro? It's not like MS dominate the tablet market or anything?

It would be one thing if MS tablets were the dominate device, but are they? i don't know anyone using a MS OS on anything other than their desktop, so why even bother with metro in the first place.

Only tablet users will really love it. (generally speaking)

I'm pretty certain they'll be fine with it.  It's nothing new to them as it's been going on ever since shells were created to alter Windows 3.  [that's the earliest I remember.... look up Calmira ....or earlier... Gorin Desktop ...a Dos one]...;)

Not really hard to understand.  There's no 'ROI' on OS upgrades in the medical office environment - docs don't get paid any more than they did using the old OS and there's simply nothing in the way of productivity gain to be had.  As machines die and are replaced with new Win7 machines, all the old (actual work) software continues to run just fine, so the only driver of 'OS creep' is hardware failure (the new OS is forced on you at that point).  Absent hardware failure, money spent on upgrading an OS is pure (completely unnecessary) expense.  We still have a couple of Win2k machines built May of 1997; special-purposed but happily humming along.

Side note:  Wish you could still buy decent dot-matrix printers, actually - those who have them keep them till they die.

Damn, I guess I could be wrong, first time this year............NOT!