Win8 beta- Part 3

By Jan Fagerholm

Compiling sample Metro programs from MSDN hasn’t produced the desired results yet, but this is because of what I don’t know about Windows compilers, and I’ve probably failed to link something properly. When the program is installed, a tile is created in Metro, but it doesn’t work. YELP - (Yet Another Learning Experience Pending).

Windows 8 Developer Preview “pre-beta” is the build they get when they first jam code pieces together and knock off some of the pointy parts in a first effort to make them work together. I must mention that you really don’t want to try and use this on your main computer. Batteries Not Included. Some Assembly Required (pun intended). Object Oriented Code In Mirror Is Closer Than It Appears. You Have Been Warned.

Nits:

1) Bluetooth doesn’t work yet, and the factory driver for the 2GoPAD refuses to install. This is a real penalty using the traditional desktop on a tablet, as you really want a bluetooth keyboard and mouse when working with the traditional desktop.

2) Wireless doesn’t start reliably, and it often takes two or three restarts before it wakes up. Again, 2GoPAD drivers won’t install.

3) The traditional desktop is no more usable with a multi-touch screen than Windows 7 was.

Picks:
1) Boots up really fast! 10 seconds from power on to login screen.

2) Shuts down really fast! 10 seconds to power off completely.

3) Several beta Windows components support multi-touch screen. Internet Explorer can pinch-zoom Web pages, which makes it easy to touch-select links on Web pages.

Conclusion: Windows 8 Developer Preview is equal parts fascination and frustration. By the time you read this, the Consumer Preview version should be available for download. If you intend to try this on a traditional desktop or laptop computer, don't waste your time. The traditional desktop interface is no different than Windows 7 and is less reliable. Rumor has it that Microsoft wants it out for the Christmas shopping season 2012. That means it will have to be finished sometime in October 2012. This is a short development cycle, but it look like they have a good chance of making it usable by then. Check this space for progress.