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Best solution for a media server would be simple JBOD - just turns any old bunch of disks into one apparently enormous disk.

I have had LastPass installed in Opera for at least 18 months. Not that I use Opera much - just don't like it!

Sorry I don't get the add - are MS actually saying IE9 was crap but IE10 is a little less crap?

How do we speed up IE9? Don't change IE 9 just disable ALL thirdparty (and MS) extensions !!!! Confuses the hell out of people I meet.

How do we speed up IE10 - just don't let people install extensions at all - just put up with all the missing features MS don't think you need!

Mirroring is fine (if that is what you want) but I can't really see the point of the expense if you have a hardware plane.

Not sure if it is still an issue but the other big problem I encountered with domestic RAID (based on motherboard chips) was that when the motherboard died all data was unrecoverable because the formatting and RAID specifics in a striped (and I guess mall other layouts except mirrored) is defining by the onboard chip you have and the drivers. Unless things have changed radically over the years there was no standard way of formatting RAID drives and so you can't simply shift drives from one box to another if the mobo needs replacing. This means regular full backups are even more important where striped systems are used.

if you really want RAID you need to factor in the cost of a UPS too - it is all very well having a hot swap drive gone bad scenario but power spikes (brownouts or lightening) could take down the whole array.

But I personally don't see businesses looking any less askance at Apple than they do at Microsoft.

I maybe wrong but I haven't seen evidence yet that Apple are working towards a desktop free future on their laptops and desktop computers. If they have any sense they will see MS's implied intentions and woo the likes of Adobe to become exclusively Apple. It would have a huge effect on creative industries - already many use Apple exclusively but it could win over a whole area of business that MS currently shares.

Given that none of the regulators have yet challenged Apple on monopolist behaviour they would be in a good position (at least in their eyes) to rapidly expand their business base.

Most of the people I deal with (private individuals and small local businesses) are looking at Windows 8 and where it is all going with great suspicion. They don't see Apple as the predatory company that it is - at least not yet - but rather see it is a way to get away from MS.

Linus unfortunately seems to be a non-starter for many people and small businesses as it just doesn't have the software support required.

Forget about RAID on home systems. Waste of time and resources.

Horrendous problems with RAID 0 if you get a bad drive so you need to include another drive to make it more robust.

All for what? About a 15% speed increase (it should be 100% speed increase but that is pie in the sky on home systems).

Flamerz is right you will notice a much bigger improvement with SSD.

I suspect in 3 years MS are banking on 3 things:

1) 'Domestic' desktop and laptop computers will have become much more marginalised than they are now and so will be less interest to their bottom line. If things continue the way they are now most 'consumer' level users will have shifted to tablets in 3 years time and that is where MS's focus market will be - with the lock-in store and data model.
2) Business users will start to see things the MS way. Personally I have my doubts on this and I can see a lot of businesses still using XP and 7 and not making the move.
3) Domestic users who have bought new machines will have got used to Windows 8 and see the desktop mode as a quirky and old fashioned way of doing things because the app market will have matured to the point that toggling to the desktop for most users will be unnecessary.

So far I haven't met many people who have bought new laptops or desktops with Windows 8 preinstalled but those I have seen are confused. They have no idea what is going on but they can see that they can browse the internet and do their emails from the tiled interface. Given that many people only use their computer for that and typing the odd letter or the odd spreadsheet means that once Office 2013 becomes established many people will probably not even use the desktop.

Many people/blogs have suggested that by the time Win 8 SP1 is released MS will have seen the error of their ways and give desktop and laptop users the option to start on the desktop with a start menu option. I think the opposite is likely to be true. At the moment there are odd behaviours in Windows 8 that mean the system sometimes flips spontaneously to the desktop for certain tasks. My guess is that SP1 will tighten integration to the tiled interface and avoid random sorties to the desktop.

MS wants the average user to forget about traditional computing and desktop apps - they want users to get used to the new WinRT interface - that is where they see their profit both on hardware and in the cloud.

The only logical step is to integrate their flagship products (such as Office - which is already in the pipeline) into WinRT (as I perceive the not-Metro interface, irrespective of hardware platform) and persuade other developers to do the same so that one integrated WinRT interface common across all devices is most users' experience. Doubtless in time flagship software will be compiled to be also available on ARM based devices (even if they have reduced functionality) and for business integrate those apps across the internet with servers anywhere in the world. I'd be surprised if MS does not start offering cloud based server products for businesses to use just to allow seamless integration for users in the office and on the road).

Driving people to the WinRT approach addresses the issue of falling demand for desktop and laptop computers and not only protects their bottom line into the future but also provides a new and highly lucrative service and apps market that users can't avoid. They have also shown their thinking by the production of their own hardware in the form of tablets and hybrid tablet/ultrabooks coming soon.

I don't think I am being cynical here. Microsoft are doing what all large multinationals do - protecting their future profits and dividends and if it works it will prove to be a clever shrewd move. Once they iron out some of the oddities I think people will see this as a real challenge and great alternative to Apple's current dominance in the mobile market.

The people who lose out in all this will be the users - most won't realise what they are losing and so don't really count, it's the technically more savvy users who actually want to use their computers beyond browsing and email that will really lose out.

The businesses who will lose out are going to be large companies like Adobe who I have no doubt will face the challenge of porting their software to the new interface. It is a gamble on the part of MS - it would be very easy for Adobe to say 'they all work great on Mac' let's just dump windows and encourage our users to move to Macs. Given that they are the market leaders for design software it would be a compelling argument for some design companies - and I am seeing a lot of businesses looking at Microsoft suspiciously and wondering if there is longer term security with Apple.

Had my first experience with Windows 8 today where I needed to use a boot CD to try to fix an external hard disk problem.

At least Fujitsu have left the option to use a normal BIOS boot method (disabled by default) otherwise I wouldn't have been able to boot from a WinPE tools disk. As installed by default you cannot start an OEM Windows 8 machine from anything other than the hard disk because all the options are locked out by Secure Boot!

Not sure what will happen when a boot sector virus hits a machine?

Another oddity I hadn't noticed before is that irrespective of where you are when you plug in a camera card it leaps to a full screen tool to import your photos - oddly the full screen (presumably not-Metro) tool then offers to show you the pictures in the folder and leaps into desktop mode. It all felt seriously unnerving.

The two customers I was working with have used computers for a long time (but are 'normal' every day users and over the age of 18) and they are totally befuddled by all the flipping about on their brand new laptop, especially as it seems to happen when they least expect it.

I would check to see what kinds of RAM the computer actually supports. Look on the motherboard manufacturer's website for details and a manual.

It isn't me that described Windows 8 desktop as 'legacy' it was MS! The fact that there is only minimal development on the desktop from Windows 7 says a lot about their intentions for the trad desktop.

I know that some people are calling the classic desktop 'legacy' and I've seen it bandied about... but can you show me somewhere that MS has said it's legacy?  I think that non-Metro says a lot about their intentions towards tablets, but not necessarily towards desktops.  I think if they're guilty of anything, it's feeling things out and not setting their path out there because they don't know what it is.  And I think that's worst case.

+1 MS has always gone out of it's way to allow backwards for legacy applications. Take DOS's legacy (CLI Only) interface, cmd.exe isn't exactly hard to find...and I seriously doubt it's going anywhere either.

Whilst Windows 7 and 8 include something that look and behaves like DOS it isn't really and I am not convinced you can really expect to effectively run DOS apps on newer machines. Backwards compatibility is being lost - trying running 16 bit windows apps.

Doesn't seem to do it on my Windows 7 x64 system - maybe it is a driver issue?

[no]

It isn't me that described Windows 8 desktop as 'legacy' it was MS! The fact that there is only minimal development on the desktop from Windows 7 says a lot about their intentions for the trad desktop.

I know that some people are calling the classic desktop 'legacy' and I've seen it bandied about... but can you show me somewhere that MS has said it's legacy?  I think that non-Metro says a lot about their intentions towards tablets, but not necessarily towards desktops.  I think if they're guilty of anything, it's feeling things out and not setting their path out there because they don't know what it is.  And I think that's worst case.

Sorry there is so much noise on Google with the use of 'legacy desktop' that I can't find the original article I read when the original consumer preview was released. I remember it was telling at the time that MS used the phrase, since then it has caught on.

Actually one indication of MS's original intentions was that the new version of the free Visual Studio Express was originally intended for developing not-Metro apps only (with no desktop app support) - they have back tracked on that sharply, when the public outcry built up, but I think it says a lot about what they were thinking!

It isn't me that described Windows 8 desktop as 'legacy' it was MS! The fact that there is only minimal development on the desktop from Windows 7 says a lot about their intentions for the trad desktop.

Call me cynical if you like but the reason MS is calling something 'legacy' is because you can no longer rely on it being present in future versions.

MS are openly positioning themselves to move to a locked in infrastructure. Sure they will allow people to write software for not-Metro but they will charge you to validate software as suitable for their store in order to get it listed at all. Remember no downloads for the not-Metro interface except from MS's vetted store, and absolutely no adult orientated material, including games, allowed. Look at how much they currently they charge developers wanting to develop certified drivers! Once approved MS collect 30%, or whatever cut they choose when the dust settles, revenue on sales. This is yet another way MS will screw money out of developers ... an easy way to make cash for no work. They'd be stupid to produce a fully complete interface as it would limit their earnings!!!

I really don't see a difference between 7 and 8 other than the start menu. All of this angst is hot air in my opinion. The real things to be leary of are the fact that Windows 8 brings so little to the table and that MS seems to be shifting toward a more Apple-esque walled playground...

Isn't that the point - the start menu (aka not-Metro) is set to become the ONLY interface in future incarnations. Already not-Metro includes browsing, email and media tools as standard and MS are ominously calling the trad dekstop the 'legacy desktop'.

They have made it very clear where they are heading.

I suspect by the time Windows 9 appears it won't even be called Windows and there won't be a desktop any more. Hell if Apple and MS get their way in the next 10 years there won't be desktop computers and laptops any more - we will all be using consumable, throwaway devices tied to their cash generation systems.

Nope home page works but just links to the broken page you indicated.

Microsoft Security Essentials + MBAM Pro - great team, effective and cheap (free plus one off license)

Never found AdAware to be much good and Spybot doesn't seem to have been updated in years (version 1.6.2 has been out for as long as I remember).

I am amazed people are still using MacAfee and Norton - Iwouldn't let either of them with a mile of my systems. I spend too much time cleaning up messes that they haven't caught and their business practices (such as setting up regular payments without asking - or even when you specifically say no - and then hiking the price year on year is bordering on criminal behaviour). I almost consider both to be a scam - especially they way they appear ubiquitously on almost every new computer.

If you don't want to use MSE and want to pay for an antivirus try the paid for versions of AVAST or Avira.

[UNTESTED]

Shrink/expand partitions[/b] within Windows 8. UNTESTED. Doesnt seem to be documented on MS site.

Can't see any reason why that should be a problem - it works fine in Windows 7 and despite the promise of a new FS they haven't yet implemented it so the current release of Win 8 uses the same NTFS system used by Win 7 - can't see why they would alter the NTFS support in Win 8.

Backup is a good idea if you are nervous but I have never had issue with partition resizing in Windows 7.

PS: Almost all of the tools used to modify partitions in live running windows use Microsoft DLLs to provide low level access so MS tools are probably as safe, or safer, than third party tools - just lack a bit of flexibility.

Think I will stick with Blackberry phone (while they are around) and Android tablet.

Really don't want to get locked into the MS ecosystem any more than I want to be locked into the Apple ecosystem. Can't see any advantage for me in either case whereas I plug my phone or tablet into a USB port and access all my files and folders on both.

If everything is cloudbased on the WinRT phones what is the bandwidth usage like? Many UK carriers really limit your bandwidth or charge a fortune (and anyway I don't get 3G where I live/work so any cloud based activity is basically pretty broken - dog slow and times out a lot on GPRS).

Agree that Windows 8 doesn't really bring anything to the table (hence my no need to upgrade comment) but don't feel that there is a compelling reason to downgrade when buying a new computer with 8 preinstalled. Seriously, on the same equipment, 8 boots much more quickly than 7 did... I was pleased when after extensive tinkering my 4 year old Gateway laptop booted Windows 7 in under 3 minutes. It boots Windows 8 in about 30 seconds and is MUCH peppier overall, so it follows that from a performance perspective downgrading new hardware to 7 would be a step backward (though granted, on newer equipment the difference migth be measureable only in tenths of a second).

Trouble is that all operating systems slow with time. I remember how fast Win 7 was at booting when I first installed it - now it takes ages.

Give Windows 8 a year and I bet it won't be booting in 30 seconds.

Do cached pages count or does a scraper site count against the original author?

If caching counts then sure they company doing the caching is liable - Google anyone?

I'll see how I get on - if it's a disaster, I'll downgrade. If I just dont like it, I'll get another copy of Windows 7, in case.
I guess that qualifies as my Win7 strategy.

Interesting to see if you can downgrade if you want to. What happens if the BIOS is locked (as MS specifies to OEMs) without the ability to unlock it (which MS say is at the OEM's discretion)?

Curious thought - what happens if this scenario happens when Windows 9 is released? Is MS really going to allow OEMs to restrict future MS upgrades?

Just gets better and better ... I  that judge

If you don't want to turn off UAC right click on the shortcut to start the app and run as administrator or go to the properties compatibility tab and tick 'run as administrator' - that will effectively ignore UAC for that app.

Unfortunately that doesn't work. I don't know why but it doesn't and never has. I have "run as administrator" ticked, I have XP compatibility ticked, it would still bring up UAC, which is why I was looking into alternative ways of disabling UAC just for those apps.

Hmm it must be running other processes that aren't picking up the administrator state. Temporarily disable UAC altogether to see if works at all.

Actually I don't think the judge in this case was stepping outside normal precedent (at least in the UK). It is normal where a company tells lies about another company for the courts to insist that a retraction is published. The only difference here is that because Apple is a hight visibility company the judge specified exactly where and what form those retractions should take so that Apple couldn't get away with a 1 line statement on page 46 of the Hertfordshire Herald (that was made up - I wouldn't slander the Hertfordshire Herald if it does exist!).