[Radar]

I've seen Jon St. John wish happy birthday to quite a few Dukers. Usually to the guys in the Duke Facebook groups regarding playing online, like "Duke 3D Reunion" and "Duke Nukem 3D Online with Dukematcher".

[Kathy]

Mr.Flibble, on 25 January 2013 - 03:31 PM, said:

I'd like to not have to go through the desktop just to do that.

That's the first time I've heard anyone preferring to not go through the desktop.

I'm probably going to switch to Linux after Win7.

[Hank]

Ubuntu 12 is heading into the same direction as Windows 8.
Look at Ubuntu 12

It's the new trend, forget your mouse let alone key board, just get a touch screen and use your fingers.
Time moves forward, or something like that.

[Micky C]

This is ridiculous. Sure touchscreens are better for mobile devices like phones or tablets, but for desktops mouse and keyboard are the way to go. Typing on keyboard is much faster than on the screen, and using a mouse is more accurate and faster than using fingers (on a big screen that is) and you don't have to move your arms as much so they don't get tired over long periods.

I love having high sensitivity on my mouse so I can move it anywhere on the screen with only the slightest movement of my wrist.

[Kathy]

Hank, on 25 January 2013 - 06:12 PM, said:

Ubuntu 12 is heading into the same direction as Windows 8.
Look at Ubuntu 12
fuckingShit.jpg
It's the new trend, forget your mouse let alone key board, just get a touch screen and use your fingers.
Time moves forward, or something like that.

I'm pretty sure Ubuntu isn't forcing that kind of look(as Windows is) and probably you can change it through simple option or by getting another GUI altogether. Windows, on the other hand, have lesser options to do that which always fascinated me for a GUI-centered OS. In the meantime it continues to enhance command line PowerShell capabilities, though.

Oh, and my switching to Linux has nothing to do with Win8 or Metro.

[Forge]

I prefer the Debian flavor of Linux, but i haven't had a dual boot computer since 4.0 etch

[TerminX]

Touchscreens will never become commonplace on desktop computers, at least not as the primary input device... Google "gorilla arm" and you'll see why.

[Kathy]

Forge, on 25 January 2013 - 07:12 PM, said:

I prefer the Debian flavor of Linux, but i haven't had a dual boot computer since 4.0 etch

I tried Arch on VM. I think I'm gonna stick with it once I go to actual machine. On the other hand... not much point in abandoning Win7 now. Most likely I will go Linux on a new PC rather than on this one. Which could be quite awhile.

[Hank]

Burnett, on 25 January 2013 - 06:57 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure Ubuntu isn't forcing that kind of look(as Windows is) and probably you can change it through simple option or by getting another GUI altogether. Windows, on the other hand, have lesser options to do that which always fascinated me for a GUI-centered OS. In the meantime it continues to enhance command line PowerShell capabilities, though.

Oh, and my switching to Linux has nothing to do with Win8 or Metro.

Well, if/when you switch to Ubuntu 12, show me. With my short temper, I have like minus 0 patience to make this look like Ubuntu 10. Yet, the upgrade from 10 to 12 was suggested by Ubuntu, since they no longer officially support 10.

At this point in time, I see very little difference between GUIs of the two OSs. It's like the holy computer god has spoken to them and you better get used to this shit (large buttons and screens) or get left behind. It is not that bad actually, it just looks fucked up, well so I think.

[Kathy]

Dude, it's Linux. Change it to whatever you want! That's one of the Linux's strengths, is it not?
Though I'm not experienced in Linux much and could be wrong.

[Master Fibbles]

Actually, as much as some people may want to complain, the Start screen is not bad with the mouse. However, if I'm to use apps, I would rather it all work seamlessly. Grant it, I don't use the Internet Explorer app but the Desktop version. That is because the full screen IE is hard to use in general even with a touch screen. However, a full screen Steam already exists (and I am not sure how I feel about it) but they haven't integrated it to Windows 8. Integrating Steam and the games with Windows 8 could be beneficial. There are a lot of features in the Surface, for example, that could make gaming a lot more fun and intuitive.

I am a huge fan of the split screen (I have Skype on my left taking up like 1/6 of the screen and the desktop takes up the rest fitting in nicely. If I opened up settings, the store, or any "app" it keeps Skype on the screen there. It is nice and convenient. Of course, if I was using a tablet and the full screen apps, this would be great for taking notes from a website of PDF.


I was not initially a fan of Windows 8 but I am getting more used to the Start screen and quick searching. I had the hardest time getting the firewall to let me log in to play online with a friend but I found that if I delete the Windows 7 firewall rules and let it make the rule again, it works fine. The upgrade kept all my games and such even the ones that I don't need since there are new versions.

[Micky C]

Mr.Flibble, on 25 January 2013 - 07:57 PM, said:

However, a full screen Steam already exists (and I am not sure how I feel about it)

From what I could understand, the full version screen version of Steam (the "big picture" or whatever they call it) is designed for use with TVs, which are of course generally a lot bigger than computer screens, and often don't have the benefit of keyboard and mouse. Then again I'm not sure how or who would want to run steam on a TV. On the other hand most Steam games these days support xbox controllers so maybe one day the line between PC and console will be blurred by the cloud...

[Kathy]

Mr.Flibble, on 25 January 2013 - 07:57 PM, said:

full screen Steam already exists

Big picture is not a "full screen Steam", but an interface to use with a controller on a TV which is generally situated further than a monitor thus a big buttons and font. And would it need it if you're a fan of a "split screen" anyway?

[Master Fibbles]

Actually, the split screen feature in Windows 8 is turned off when you run full screen Desktop applications (any game on Steam). I like the utility of the split screen while I'm browsing or while I was adjusting the various settings because it kept Skype open and right there in front of me. If I wanted to, I could also have OneNote up while I were, for example, editing a website or working on a video in Premiere. If I was working off of a script for a video I was editing and I only had the one monitor that I have now, I would probably have a OneNote or notepad thing open on the side view while I worked in Premiere in the main view off the Desktop. There is a certain amount of productivity usability built in to Windows 8 that could be used in business if people are trained properly on the OS. Microsoft put a lot of work in integrating the possibility of touch capable interfaces and the Desktop with mouse/keyboard configuration. I was at first skeptical but I started using it while I was on vacation on other people's computers and I have gotten used to a lot of the features. I still prefer some of the old fashioned things but I would like to see more companies make use of the features in the OS. Watching my girlfriend play a Mist like game on her Surface using the augmented reality to look around was pretty awesome. I look forward to being able to play Civ 5 or other AAA titles on a Surface Pro without needing a mouse on the train or wherever.

The purpose of the Steam Big Picture is probably the lead up to the Valve Steam Box that is basically a Linux computer running Steam (and pretty much only Steam). However, if they can do that, I don't see why they snub Windows 8.



Outright rejecting the idea simply because it is new is rather ignorant, frankly. If you haven't used it or even tried to use it, I'm not sure it is fair to outright reject the idea.

[Fox]

This HUD looks reeeeally good, too bad there isn't such a thing for Duke 3D or Doom.

[Kathy]

Mr.Flibble, on 25 January 2013 - 09:40 PM, said:

The purpose of the Steam Big Picture is probably the lead up to the Valve Steam Box that is basically a Linux computer running Steam (and pretty much only Steam). However, if they can do that, I don't see why they snub Windows 8.

Does it really that important for Steam to be a Store App(Metro App) ? I don't see it as a deal breaker really.

Quote

Outright rejecting the idea simply because it is new is rather ignorant, frankly. If you haven't used it or even tried to use it, I'm not sure it is fair to outright reject the idea.

It's as unfair as outright forcing you to this idea. Was is that hard to have an option to boot right into desktop?

[Sangman]

Relax people, keyboard and mouse aren't going anywhere.

[Forge]

Burnett, on 25 January 2013 - 07:56 PM, said:

Dude, it's Linux. Change it to whatever you want! That's one of the Linux's strengths, is it not?

exactly.

linux allows you to "downgrade" pretty much seamlessly. if you don't like that desktop (it looks like gnome), downgrade the (gnome) packages back to the ones you liked. Or shitcan that desktop and get KDE, or whichever one suits your taste out of the mainstream ones available.

Sangman, on 26 January 2013 - 06:31 AM, said:

Relax people, keyboard and mouse aren't going anywhere.

for me it has zero to do with keyboard and mouse. i've watched people use it and the difficulty with transitioning is minimal.
(again for me) what i don't like is it feels like the desktop is hiding the rest of the computer. i like to get into the system and "tinker" with settings, files, etc. I want to look around, have access and control. Either the people i've dealt with were not as familiar with their system as they thought, or the desktop masks and limits access to what the user can do. Everything they could reach or control was rather generic and simplistic.

i really won't know until i get my own and see how long it takes me to "break" it and "fix" it a dozen times before i'm satisfied.

[Hank]

Forge, on 26 January 2013 - 07:06 AM, said:

exactly.

The Unity inter phase has this left, mega, size button set, which takes 10% of valuable space from my 15" little lap top. This can not be customized unless I change the entire desk top, or you know something else. - So, just install KDE and hope they wont join the large button god with their next edition . Nah I treat this crap like bad weather, just get used to it.

[Forge]

like i said, i haven't messed with linux in a few years, but can't you customize the theme or just install a new one?

http://gnome-look.org/

or try this tweaking tool:

https://live.gnome.org/GnomeTweakTool

[Hank]

Forge, on 26 January 2013 - 09:18 AM, said:

like i said, i haven't messed with linux in a few years, but can't you customize the theme or just install a new one?

http://gnome-look.org/

or try this tweaking tool:

https://live.gnome.org/GnomeTweakTool

From now on I will stop posting here! Damn I feel stupid.
All I needed to do is go to Appearance/Behavior and click on the "OFF" - this then will act like a slide out for this bar.

[Radar]

en.akinator.com

A cool game that guesses what famous character you are thinking of, real or made-up. For me it successfully guessed Duke Nukem, John Lennon, Red Bird, Jimmy Page, Hawk Eye, Gandalf, and my cousin. I know I tried more, but I can't remember them all. All I know is it was pretty darn accurate and everyone reading this should give it a shot.

[Alan]

Site's still going. Cool. Too bad I failed it.

[Inspector Lagomorf]

Radar, on 26 January 2013 - 07:12 PM, said:

en.akinator.com

A cool game that guesses what famous character you are thinking of, real or made-up. For me it successfully guessed Duke Nukem, John Lennon, Red Bird, Jimmy Page, Hawk Eye, Gandalf, and my cousin. I know I tried more, but I can't remember them all. All I know is it was pretty darn accurate and everyone reading this should give it a shot.

I remember this from a while ago. It even guessed "the voices in my head", Linkara, and Red from Red Dead Revolver. Oh, and Akinator's wife.

[Jimmy]

Alan, on 28 January 2013 - 12:53 PM, said:

Site's still going. Cool. Too bad I failed it.

Poast moar.

[Inspector Lagomorf]

Captain Awesome, on 28 January 2013 - 03:43 PM, said:

Poast moar.

[Alan]

I fully intend on it.

[Sangman]

It's been too long, Blaster!

[Alan]

*shudder* I felt a chill just now. That name haunts me so. Thanks Sang.

[Master Fibbles]

I just went to look into buying the new Office suite since I'm behind a few versions (I'm running '07 and they are now on '13) and I'm looking to inject money into the economy from my tax refund. Microsoft simplified the choices for Windows but they over complicated the options for Office. I use Access (and many students use Access) and I have used Publisher (like many students) but to get those I'd either have to pay $80 for a 4 year "subscription" or $400 for the right to use it indefinitely.

Grant it, they are probably going to have a new version in 4 years anyway and unless I fail my MA comps and completely botch my thesis, I should be continuing in school for the foreseeable future (and will remain eligible for the cheap "subscription"...but I'm not a fan of renting my software. The 2 PCs/devices is a nice plus for this "Office 365 University" but I'm not sure I want to say "Sure, I'll give you $80 now so you can ask for another $80 in 4 years." I get that the plan is for (business) students who will need to write papers over the 4 years they are in college but won't need to buy their own copy of Office when they get a job - or, if they do, they will be able to afford the $400 version that has the applications they used for cheap those 4 years of college.

This is highly annoying. I fully intend to buy a Surface Pro when I get my refund since it comes out to about what I'm getting from the government but I'm not sure I'm going to upgrade Office if this is how they want to play ball. Of course, I could also just use the money to buy a DSLR and lenses or save it for rent and other bills...