H.I.T.S. 9-18-11
There appear to be plenty of rumors concerning Microsoft’s upcoming new operating system, Windows 8. I did a net search via Google to try and learn some more about it, but the results left me even more puzzled.
First, it’s not supposed to appear until 2012 and from what I read, it seems that Microsoft is trying to get into the touch screen market like Apple has done with the iPad. Their goal is to create an operating system that can work well on not only computers, but on smart phones and touch pad devices as well.
It will also have a form of online store where you can buy applications, etc. Wow. Where have we seen this before? Hmm…let me think. From Apple, of course, with their iTunes store.
Mac users have iTunes, an application on their computers, where instead of searching through your online browser, you go directly to the iTunes store, buy directly and download your app from Apple.
Another new change for Windows 8 appears to be “large panels” that can either be moved about by a touch screen or a mouse. Again, I have to comment that the Microsoft stuff in the pictures that I’ve seen always looks somehow old-fashioned and cheesy.
I hope that as computer users, we don’t end up with laptops and desktops running entirely without keyboards and mice. Let’s face facts. It’s taken most of my generation a while to get used to using a mouse and typing with one finger on a keyboard.
If you think I’m being a bit rude, just take a look at any of the automated touch screen checkouts at any of the big stores around here. Observe how they always have a staff member nearby to assist you and how there appears to be an age cutoff of users in those particular aisles.
Personally, I prefer a real keyboard, especially on my Android phone that has both a touch screen and a slide-out keyboard. That’s another reason that I dislike the touch screen-only aspect of the iPhone. Sure, you can get used to it, but I just prefer a real keyboard.
I dread the thought of a computer with a touch screen. My Mac laptop that I use for teaching guitar has a touch pad that appears to have a mind of its own and will randomly rotate pieces of music on the screen so they’re upside-down or sideways. Other times, it zooms in, making everything look incredibly large. About a week ago, I touched the touch pad thingy and all the icons on the desktop went really tiny.
Anyway, back to Windows 8. Further reading of various articles about it only revealed assorted advertising catch phrases like, “Windows 8’s touch-centric interface.”
This might sound cool, but I’ve heard it all before when Microsoft rolled out the new answer to sliced bread in the form of the “Zune” — that mighty new competition to the iPod. Zune was going to rule the world and make you wish you’d never bought the humble Mac counterpart.
At the time, Doren and I even did a HITS show about the Zune with a young Microsoft rep and our good friend, Jeff Morris. We sat politely through it as the young rep, Dave, extolled the Zune’s virtues. We even kept a straight face when Dave described how you could buy music for the Zune from an online store. I knew that Doren had the same thoughts that I was having. Apple already had the same thing in place, but for years before all of this.
Yes, the Zune bombed. Mainly because it was an ugly little thing with color schemes that seemed derived from military Jeeps and other various army hardware. Let’s face it, Apple stuff just looks better and in my humble opinion, is just cooler. When you reach my age, you need some cool stuff.
Seriously, though, while I’m sure that Windows 8 was created with the best of intentions, most of it will already have been done before by Apple. I’ll bet on it.
Finally, please mark on your calendars for 5 p.m. Sept. 29. Along with Mrs. Schulze on vocals, Jerry Onesi on bass and Bob Mascia on drums, we shall be playing a few tunes to open the first “Rock the Cause” event at Storey Square.
“Rock the Cause” will hopefully become an annual event to help musicians with cancer with their healthcare costs. For more details visit the “Rock the Cause” Facebook page and watch this newspaper for upcoming details.
Until next time, have a great week.