Why has the fun gone out of computing?

I do feel where you coming from. I have always preferred classic Windows 98 UI. But in the ends it's the usability that should matter the most. So far with less than 32 programs the new start menu is actually faster than the classic one. The problem comes in when you regularly use more than 32 applications. Then you actually have to use the search box feature which takes more time than classic pre-windows 7 start menu, especially when you don't remember the software that you were using.

 

@Trespasser

I'm the supreme authority of my opinion, lol.

If you want to stop seeing it, just add my profile to your ignore list: https://www.wilderssecurity.com/profile.php?do=editlist

I wouldn't call it faith but I'm a tech enthusiast, that's for sure.

 

Your enthusiasm shows, lol. Seriously though, I don't think advancements in computing are anywhere near done. But, some things are just practically out of reach, whether for now or simply for good. There are lots of really cool things that can be shown to work, whether in computing or another field. But getting them to work reliably and to find practical usage for them that doesn't bankrupt companies/people and is actually worth testing over, and over and over again...that's an entirely different matter. Think practically about things, how you'd use them, the benefits vs the drawbacks (enjoy easily losing a truly flexible smartphone).

 

Computers are a part of our day to day life for alot of us.

I've found myself spending less time on the PC and being more healthy because of it.

The only thing I plan on for the future is: a tablet PC

Thats it.You asked me a few years ago,I would've said maybe a gaming PC,but not so much nowadays.

Get outside people,get away from the PC,it's not healthy. Like today,I went fishing,and now just got back from the gym.The point being,become more active,dont let the PC dictate how much fun you have in life,or you'll be miserable and unhealthy later in life.

 

PCs may not be dying, but I truly believe that gaming on them is dying out. I predict that if anything in the mobile world survives, it'll be gaming. I also predict that console gaming will make a huge comeback and make major changes. I don't think the era of 600 dollar Xboxes and Playstations is going to last too many years more.

 

Thanks for all the comments, I have enjoyed reading through and your ideas have given me a lot to think about.

I was a little disappointed with vista and 7 because they were not so different from XP. Perhaps XP was around too long and I got used to not having change.

8 has certainly sparked my excitement again because I didn't automatically know where things were. It does seem new and different and it made me see gnome 3 in a different light as well. Windows 8 is what got me thinking about the topic.

You have made me wonder if it's a societal change and we have become customers who know what we want and demand it now rather than passively waiting (albeit with anticipation) for someone to present their latest offering. If we don't get it, we make sure they know about it.

Then again some of you have made me wonder if my perception is wrong and perhaps most people are still enthused. Maybe it's just that people who complain are more vocal and the internet allows this minority to appear as a majority.

Which ever way it is, I'm just glad the excitement is back for me.

 

You got old Welcome!
And you learned to spot nonsense.
Mrk

 

Or perhaps the OP learned there is no right or wrong answer and there are no "facts" to respond to the original question with. It's completely subjective and can really only be answered with personal opinions.

 

There are some big differences, but much of it is under the hood and not apparent to the end user.

 

I also think people are too negative and should be a bit more open minded about new products. When I got my new notebook 2 months ago, it took me almost a day to start it as I was so thrilled with all the new things to learn ahead of me. A new machine and a new OS is great fun!

 

go try the new Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon if you folks are bored!

 

I still miss Windows 98 S.E.

Good point, Boost. I always try to find time to do modifications to my car (Camaro Super Sport). And if the weather is good.... I'll race it on weekends.

 

A computer is a tool. The OS should ideally be transparent and as hidden from the user as possible. If one gets fun from computing, it should come from the apps, which do the real work, and not from the OS.

 

Lotta "should"'s in there.... There are a lot of people who get quite a bit of entertainment and educational value out of exploring and using just what comes with the OS, and the OS itself. Also a lot of people who enjoy experimenting with and using different OS's.

 

AMEN. This is exactly how I'm feeling about PCs these days....which is a big reason why I deactivated Facebook as well. And truthfully, I've been a lot busier doing things that I want and need to do (like the gym, yard work, etc.), but had previously been "distracted" by the computer and things like that social networking site known as Facebook.

 

i run pretty much the same apps on Windows and Linux.
i keep Windows around for games but that's it.

i enjoy the Linux OS a lot more., especially the Cinnamon and XFCE desktop/windows managers.
it's way more customizable than Windows esthetically.
and that is 'out of the box' without having to install 3rd party apps.

Linux OSes uses much less resources than Win 7/8, save perhaps for KDE which is on par with Windows 7/8.

 

Agree.

 

I live in NYC and I dont own a car. Getting away from the city is harder than you think, especially if you want to go fishing or hiking. Gym membership at YMCA in here is $70 a month. However virtual fishing can be done right out of the box of my computer. Seriously these days simple things are becoming very expansive.

 

haha! Many misinterpreted (as usual) your first post but they won't admit it.

 

Correct! All over the world people got soooo excited with Windows 8 but wouldn't to admit it.
Computer sales and windows licenses sales were skyrocketed but OEMs and Microsoft are afraid to admit it.

edit: As for the subject of the thread. The excitement is not lost. The problem is that the new OSes do not provide anything new that is worth to get excited for. Why people should get excited for something that they do not want or need?
and by the way most people that I know do get very excited when they buy a new tablet or a new smartphone. It just happens that Android and IOS excite more people than windows 8 or RT.

Panagiotis

 

I finally did and am exceptionally pleased with it in it's entirety. In a most radical change on my end, i went out in Feb. this year and bought Windows 8 after skipping completely
past 7. Then recently windows 8 went belly up and on a spanking new system to boot. Well then turned to Linux Mint while waiting for the manufacturers recovery discs to see if they can revive 8 again, and now I'm seriously considering a transition to Linux permanently sometime this year.

Microsoft may have just done me a huge favor and won another new convert to Linux world!

 

Actually there are lot of changes under the hood of Windows 8. Dont get distracted by the dysfunctional UI.

That depends how much you like the new OS. Personally I couldn't stand it for a long while. But after working on it for 2 weeks now, I can say that I would have had no problem upgrading my other Windows 7 PC if it wasn't for the steep price tag and the broken keyboard.

 

Easier said than done....

 

I know what improvements has windows 8. But none of those got me excited.
I do not dislike it but do not need it. Not for 200$, not for 40$ or even for free.
Ubuntu 12.04 on the other hand got me excited and won a place on one of my pcs.
And I am waiting for microsoft to get their act together hoping that windows 9 will bring some innovation in the field.

Panagiotis

 

there's still a few bugs but nothing too serious.
Linux Mint 15 final version should be out in a week or so but it is working quite nice so far.