Windows 8 Released to the World But is it Good

The wait is finally over, Microsoft Windows 8 is officially here. The newest iteration of the worlds most popular computer operating system was released today after months of demos and commercials showcasing it. Microsoft has said that over 1.24 billion hours of testing went into the new operating system and is in many ways hedging the future of the company on the new release. Because of the increased pressure from Apple and Google, Microsoft wants to assure consumers that they are still relevant in todays world.

Windows 8 marks a radical change for Microsoft in terms of the layout of their operating system. Gone is the traditional start menu, replaced by an entirely new start interface with "live tiles" and an array of downloadable applications from the all new Windows Store. Current windows users will notice a drastic change from Windows 7 to Windows 8. While the traditional "desktop" is still there, it is no longer the center of the computers processes, and more of a "background application". Part of Microsofts reason for making such drastic changes to the interface is to make their operating system compatible across more devices. Microsoft is trying to not only keep hold of the traditional PC market, but also branch into tablets and smartphones. Windows 8 is truly built more for new hybrid, touch-based computers and tablets more so than traditional desktops, though it is built to run on those as well.

Having already downloaded Windows 8 to my laptop early this morning, I have only had a short time to interact with it. That being said, I noticed one thing right away, there is a steep learning curve. The interface, short of the traditional desktop which is now essentially an "app", is completely different. Even for someone that is very familiar with the way Windows computers work, navigating Windows 8 is in many ways a whole new experience. That is not to say that all is bad. I do like the modern interface that Microsoft has introduced, and I like many of the new, full screen applications that are available from the Windows Store. I also like the deep integration with all Microsoft services, if you have an email account, that allows many settings and files to be synced over the cloud.

There are, however, plenty of drawbacks, at least currently, to Windows 8. For starters, nothing is where it used to be. Just trying to turn the computer off takes multiple steps that may take users a while to figure out. Also while Windows 8 is "easy" to navigate, it is more so for a touch screen rather than a traditional computer. A traditional keyboard and mouse feel "out of place" in this new user interface, save for when working with the traditional desktop. I understand Microsoft wanting to make Windows 8 touch friendly for tablets and new touch-enabled computers, but traditional computers upgraded to the new OS feel a bit neglected. In addition, the current offering of applications in the Windows store is very limited, and until more popular applications are added, it will suffer.

Overall, my opinion of Windows 8 is still up in the air. While I think it is a must have if you are looking for a new, touch enabled PC, it is not yet a necessary upgrade for existing computers. If Microsoft continues to add new, relevant applications to its Windows Store and allows easier ways to interact with the traditional desktop, then I think it will truly be useful to everyone. It remains to be seen how the radical change in design will impact sales of the operating system, but one thing is certain right now, it is a new age for Microsoft and for the future of personal computers.

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Norton Antivirus Why is it So Good at Protecting Your Computer

One of the most trusted brands when it comes to antivirus is Norton. Not only is it one of the most effective brands that is out there but it is one most well known as well. People who are not computer experts know the Norton brand. There are not a lot of antivirus solutions out there that you can say that about. But the brand is not known just because of its name alone. There is a reason why people respect the software when they see it. In this article we will take a look at why Norton is so good and why you should use it on your computer.

The features that the software comes with

While it may be easy for people to believe that all antivirus software is the same, the truth is that it is not. All of the top software have different features that make them stand out from the others. Some of the features may include faster run time while some of the other software may have more built in capabilities. It is up to you to decide what you need in your antivirus software. Some people may need as many features that they can get while others only need the bare essentials. The Norton line of antivirus software has a lot of features that you are sure to love, lets go over a few of them.

The first thing that you should know about the software is that it has one of the quickest virus definitions update around. This is important when you are looking for an antivirus to run on your system. There are several pieces of malware released every day. You need to make sure that the antivirus that you choose will be able to stop them. Another thing that you should look for is whether the software is able to scan more than just the files that are on your computer. Is it able to scan new files that are in coming from different sources? If you receive an email that has an attachment, will your antivirus solution be able to handle it? The Norton antivirus solution can.

Easy install

The best part of using Norton antivirus is that there is a good chance that the software is already installed on your computer. When you purchase a new computer there is usually demo software that is already on it. Either MacAfee or Norton will be the demo antivirus solution that is on the computer. So this saves you the time of having to purchase it, download it, and then installing. You can just go through the software and at the end of the demo period, pay for it that way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4774332

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