PDA

View Full Version : Which features would you like to see in Windows 8?



razorsedge
August 18th, 2010, 05:23 PM
Have ideas on what you’d like to see change in Windows 8? Here is a chance to to make suggestions !

[attachment=0:br8ots66]123.jpg[/attachment:br8ots66]

Want a Windows Restore Button, go ahead and vote for it! Feel Windows is bloated and want less of it? Say so!

If you are not sure what any feature means, see the explanations:

New user interface: Android and iOS are good examples of operating systems with innovative user interface models. Even more revolutionary will be Windows 7 Phone. These examples show that OS interfaces beyond the Windows Start Menu and the Windows Taskbar are possible.
Support for different form factors: Support for different form factors, such as tablets and netbooks, includes the ability to run Windows with minimal hardware requirements and on devices with small screen sizes (as small as 5”). Optimization for touch, the ability to run Windows without mouse and keyboard, and orientation detection are other essential features.

More modularity: Linux is a good example of a modular operating system. It allows you to install only those OS components you really need. This would require a package manager that resolves software dependencies. The advantages of more modularity are lower hardware requirements, a reduced attack surface, and simplified patch management.

Third-party patch management: Third-party management would allow you to update common Windows applications of third-party vendors through Microsoft’s online update service. Linux has this feature for as long as I can remember.

Bare metal hypervisor: A bare metal hypervisor would enable you to run multiple Windows installations simultaneously on a PC. You could move your virtualized Windows installation with all applications to another PC or to a VDI environment by simply copying the virtual system drive.

Application virtualization: Virtualized applications run in an isolated environment that ensures no modifications to the OS are made during installation and at runtime. Application virtualization can solve compatibility issues and improves security.

Application streaming: Application streaming allows you to launch a Windows application from a remote server, for example, through the web, without the need to install the application manually. Application streaming solutions usually leverage application virtualization. An application streaming Windows API would enable third-party software vendors to offer Windows applications through the web.

Windows Store : Like Apple’s App Store, Windows Store would allow you to buy and download third-party applications that have been approved by Microsoft.

Windows Restore Button: If you messed up your Windows installation, this feature would enable you to restore Windows to its original state without losing your data and without the need to reinstall all your applications.

Cloud APIs : Third-party software vendors could allow you to use cloud APIs to add cloud features to their applications. For instance, a web browser vendor could store your bookmarks, plugins, and browser settings in Microsoft’s cloud or in the cloud of a third-party provider. That way, all your settings and data would automatically be available on every Windows machine you log on to.

New authentication methods: Wouldn’t it be cool if you could log on to Windows or an online service with a smile at your web cam (facial recognition), with a friendly “Hi, it’s me” (voice recognition), or by just touching your beloved PC (fingerprint recognition)? Biometrics applications have already been available for a while, but they will only have a fair chance of being adopted in the Windows ecosystem if Microsoft fully integrates these functions into Windows.

Instant-On: Instant-On means that Windows wouldn’t have to boot up when you turn on your PC. Considering that computers are becoming more and more an integral part of our daily life, this could be an interesting feature for home users in particular. It is probably a must-have feature for tablets.

Malware protection: If Windows were delivered with integrated malware protection, every PC would be protected right after the installation, which would make the whole Internet a safer place. Third-party vendors could offer services such as antivirus signatures and antivirus applications that run on top of the Windows malware scanning engine. This would also reduce notorious compatibility problems with antivirus scanning engines and would even allow you to run multiple antivirus applications at the same time.

Better UAC: Compared to Sudo in the Linux world, UAC (User Account Control) is a fairly simple security privilege solution. A UAC with more configuration options could improve security, especially in business environments.
Migration from Windows XP: Windows XP is a very popular operating system and it will still probably run on many computers even when Windows 8 is released. These Windows customers would appreciate a seamless migration from Windows XP to Windows 8.

Better compatibility: Better compatibility includes better hardware and software compatibility with legacy hardware and software.

Better security: If you think that Microsoft should focus on improving the security features of Windows 8, then you should vote for this option.

Better performance: Speed is always important. If it matters most in your environment, then you should tell Microsoft now.

Less hardware requirements: If you intend to run Windows 8 on old computers, then you need a Windows 8 which requires only minimal hardware.

Less bloat: Some people think that Windows already has too many features and would prefer a slim Windows 8.

wassamatteru
August 19th, 2010, 02:06 PM
Hmm. Rather missing the point for me. If I want any of these things (and I'm not sure that I do) then I want them as patched in improvements to Windows 7 not to have to wait 2 to 5 years and then have to give Microsoft another wedge of cash (especially at UK prices!) And it seems to me that many of the so called improvements in this list are already present in Windows 7 if people just used it to its full potential instead of whining because something takes two clicks instead of one (not, fortunately, on this forum but wearisomely prevalent on others).

I can't help noticing that there are a lot of contradictory wants here. I'm sure people will vote for greatly increased functionality along with lower hardware requirements, less 'bloat', and zero boot time without the slightest sense of irony or absurdity? Is it any wonder that MS can never 'get it right'?

razorsedge
August 19th, 2010, 03:43 PM
Hmm. Rather missing the point for me. If I want any of these things (and I'm not sure that I do) then I want them as patched in improvements to Windows 7 not to have to wait 2 to 5 years and then have to give Microsoft another wedge of cash (especially at UK prices!) And it seems to me that many of the so called improvements in this list are already present in Windows 7 if people just used it to its full potential instead of whining because something takes two clicks instead of one (not, fortunately, on this forum but wearisomely prevalent on others).

I can't help noticing that there are a lot of contradictory wants here. I'm sure people will vote for greatly increased functionality along with lower hardware requirements, less 'bloat', and zero boot time without the slightest sense of irony or absurdity? Is it any wonder that MS can never 'get it right'?


lol bud I completly agree with you on all that you said up there, I think the one thing I would really like to see is more modularity being able to install only what you need instead of getting a ton of things installed that you will never use which really is ms's way of forcing thier stuff on you to use. Myself for win 7 I use the N version that has no ie and no media center has no wmp either but I add that cause there are some apps I use that actually need it if it was not for those apps I would not have it installed either lol. I just never saw the point of having so much installed that they give u the ability to disable so we have to run around tweaking everything why not just give the option on install if you want things or not :)

wassamatteru
August 20th, 2010, 03:35 PM
I just never saw the point of having so much installed that they give u the ability to disable so we have to run around tweaking everything why not just give the option on install if you want things or not :)
I think MS would argue that

a) it has to package the OS for non-experts who want it to work 'out of the box' and are best not presented with a whole bunch of options they probably are not in a position to make intelligently prior to extended use

b) the majority of installations, certainly in the later stages of an OS's life, are OEM and it's not for computer manufacturer's to determine what options should be included or excluded

A modular installation route for true geeks may well be possible but it would be less efficient for MS to distribute in that way so if it ever does come it will certainly be at a price and MS doesn't have a reputation for undercharging!