Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

[tpenfield]

Yea, I got the Admiral a Surface RT for Christmas in hopes that it will replace her aging netbook.

The interface and touch screen are really cool and we set up the email with no troubles . . . But then we tried to download some "Apps" and it appeared that we needed to apply some 'updates' to the Windows software first.

So, last night (Christmas night), I started to apply the updates . . . 45 updates, that pretty much took overnight. This morning I checked for any additional updates . . . Yup, 30 more updates. The message on the screen says the estimated completion time is in 2 days !!!

No matter how cool the Surface RT looks and feels, some things about MS Windows never changes :facepalm:

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

And they never will change, from the time of shipping to the time of purchase almost all programs get updates, heck I purchased a Blu Ray burning software package before Christmas and when I installed it, it took three days to get all of the updates to the program that had been wrote. I received a FireHD yesterday for Christmas and it the operating system was installed on October 23rd and the update to that operating system is now downloading with an estimated completion in 2 days.

By the time a computer or software ends up in the consumers hands, it has been updated and reprogrammed many times and will always require updates, sometimes very large ones.

In the case of Windows, you have to remember not only have they updated the program, they have released a completely new version of windows, so again, don't think it is just Microsoft that does it.

Another thing to remember, Christmas day is the worst day of the year to try and download updates, you have to remember, there are millions of other new owners that are trying to do those updates at the same time as you, so that makes everything slow down, Christmas day, creates a situation that on any other day of the year, would be called a "Targeted Denial of Service Attack"

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Not to mention, one of the largest "updates" would have been your free copy of Office. And if it is really telling you 2 days then your wireless equipment and or internet service sucks and needs to be upgraded.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

2 day updates for me are not that unusual, when you live where I do and can't get any better than 1.5 DSL and you are trying to do large updates, then it just takes a while.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Yup, I'm on 20 mbps +/- cable Internet . . .

Seeing as how it was on update #28 of 30 just before I left for the commuter train this morning, it probably finished shortly thereafter. (maybe it really meant 2 hours, not 2 days :noidea: )

I was thinking that everyone that got a MicroSoft product on Christmas day was probably downloading updates, so the time involved last night came as no surprise. I just hope it is done (for a while) once it finished the second round of updates. We'll see when I get home. I'm sure that the Admiral would like to start using the thing . . .

 

[southkogs]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

I'm more an Apple guy, but MS Surface has sure made a splash out there. It'll be real interesting to see what happens in the larger unit applications (big tablets and screens) as things progress.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Yea, I'm an Apple guy too, but the Admiral is more experienced with windows and could not figure out the MacBook Pro . . . so we'll try the Surface.

Anyway, 107 updates (29 + 3 more when I got home) . . . then it said that it had Windows 8.1 to download and install :facepalm: :faint2:

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

As I said, there has been a complete revision of Win 8 since that machine was put in the retail box, Just to be fair, I have seen major updates to Macs/Apples as well that can take days to do. Normally when I need to do major updates, I will order an update disc if it is available, much quicker and easier to deal with.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

...but the Admiral is more experienced with windows and could not figure out the MacBook Pro...

Learn Windoze 8 over Mac OS :suspicious:

That's kinda' like preferrin' to learn the IRS tax code because you can't figure out why your accountant keeps asking you for stuff, isn't it?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Now that Windoze 8.1 is installed . . . 23 more updates

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Learn Windoze 8 over Mac OS :suspicious:

That's kinda' like preferrin' to learn the IRS tax code because you can't figure out why your accountant keeps asking you for stuff, isn't it?

I knew it couldn't last. Darn it I will keep my Ford before I will ever buy a Chevy, no matter what you say!



:facepalm:

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Breaking News !!!

The updates have ceased. We have a working tablet computer . . . for now

 

[southkogs]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

I knew it couldn't last. Darn it I will keep my Ford before I will ever buy a Chevy, no matter what you say!

I'm mostly playin'. I use Windows about 20% of my computing time (which is substantial) and it's really a pretty good OS. I do like Mac better (for real reasons), but Windows isn't that "evil." And, yes … Macs can freak out too.

Windows 8 on the other hand … even experienced Windows devotees have to "learn" that OS. I had to dump it for a number of reasons.

. . . for now

Ain't that the truth!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

I'm mostly playin'. I use Windows about 20% of my computing time (which is substantial) and it's really a pretty good OS. I do like Mac better (for real reasons), but Windows isn't that "evil." And, yes … Macs can freak out too.

Windows 8 on the other hand … even experienced Windows devotees have to "learn" that OS. I had to dump it for a number of reasons.

I was pretty much kidding as well, on the laptop, once I added the start button with classic shell, it became very easy to use the computer, not all that much of a difference over the previous version of windows. I don't know that you can do the add on with the RT versions, but I have heard that the start button will be included in the next update to windows 8.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Well, now the windows Mail app does not want to sync the AOL mail account. It did originally, but now has decided to stop. It sync's 'saved mail' folders, but not the main inbox. The iPhone still sync's AOL mail just fine.

So, just as I thought I was gaining ground . . . :facepalm:

One weird thing, which I have not seen in an email client before, is that the Windows login account that you set up for downloading Apps, and logging into the device, etc. shows up as an email account, . . . then there is the AOL account. I'm not sure why the Windows account (which is not an email account, but more like an iTunes account) would show up. I'm also wondering about the adverse effects of deleting the 'windows' account on the Mail App.

The support FAQ's, etc. on the Windows Surface web site are only marginally helpful. Possibly I could just delete the AOL account from the Surface and either re-add it in the Mail App or set it up in the Outlook App, which comes with the 8.1 upgrade that I just did.

The Admiral is now thinking that learning to use the MacBook may not be so bad . . .

 

[southkogs]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

...The Admiral is now thinking that learning to use the MacBook may not be so bad . . .

… and once you go Mac …

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

… and once you go Mac …

Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!

Don't fight it man!

 

[QC]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

Well, now the windows Mail app does not want to sync the AOL mail account. It did originally, but now has decided to stop. It sync's 'saved mail' folders, but not the main inbox. The iPhone still sync's AOL mail just fine.

Nod to Windoze. Some things are just meant to die. AOL screams "COMPUTER NEOPHYTE" to me. Let it go, it just needs to be done

Furthered my Apple products this Xmas. Got an iPad mini, and Apple TV, already had the iPhone. Can't put the iPad down. Prefer a PC for posting here, but decided I could finally switch to eBooks now that we can keep electronic devices running on airplanes during takeoff and landing. We'll see how that goes.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Windoze 8 On a MicroSoft Surface RT

The Admiral is now thinking that learning to use the MacBook may not be so bad . . .

Ted, for god sakes man... switch her to the Mac before she changes her mind... while she's still weak and woozy from the updates...

By the way Windows 8.1 just called and they have 79 more updates coming starting Monday. :facepalm: