Windows 8 is Windows re-imagined! Join this session to learn about the new platform for building Metro-style applications. Get an understanding of the platform design tenets, the programming language choices, and the integration points with the operating system and across Metro-style apps. We will also discuss the enormous opportunity for developers to make crazy money with the Windows Store. You will walk away with the resources to begin writing Metro applications for Windows 8. Quick Boot: This is a feature I love. Instead of turning on the computer and waiting for it to boot for long, I now get to the Start screen within 10 seconds. That is on a Celeron powered notebook!!! 2. Shutdown: It seems as quick as pressing the POWER button in old 8086 machines running MS-DOS (Remember them?) 3. Boot to Internet ready Interface: Unlike Windows 7 that shows desktop while still loading drivers for Internet, I can fire Internet as soon as I get to the start screen. No waiting here as well. 4. Navigation: Strange enough, I am not missing the Start menu nor the Start screen. Scrolling using the mouse wheel is fun. It is a different matter that I removed all unnecessary apps to make it a smaller scroll New layout may be a bit difficult for some people to get used to 2. Some people may not like the new layout 3. Some minor bugs here and there (it IS a beta, so this is forgiveable; the only bug that I've run into consistently over the last three weeks with Windows 8 is that the desktop gadgets sometimes move around after restarting the computer; but this is hardly a problem) 4. Some programmes are not yet compatible with it, such as hardware drivers and some games (currently the only one that I had an issue with was Bioshock 2, but running it in compatibility mode fixed that). Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's platform, primarily focused towards improving its user experience on mobile devices such as tablets to rival other mobile operating systems like Android and iOS,[4] taking advantage of new or emerging technologies like USB 3.0, UEFI firmware, near field communications, cloud computing and the low-power ARM architecture, new security features such as malware filtering, built-in antivirus software, and support for secure boot (a UEFI feature which allows operating systems to be digitally signed to prevent malware from altering the boot process), along with other changes and performance improvements. Windows 8 also introduces a new shell and user interface based on Microsoft's "Metro" design language, featuring a new Start screen with a grid of dynamically updating tiles to represent applications, a new app platform with an emphasis on touchscreen input, the new Windows Store to obtain and purchase applications for the system, and the ability to synchronize programs and settings between multiple devices. Because its such a new and different operating system you will have to relearn how to use windows also its mobile app based 30 October 2012 Adam Feldman Managing Director, VISITS Therefore: We will ‘downgrade’ all new PC purchases to Windows 7 by default. When you are ready, purchase one Windows 8 computer for testing by an employee. We will guide you through this process. Once verified that Windows 8 works with all your other hardware/software, it can be rolled out progressively and/or in volume to staff. Commence staff training during the roll out Advice for desktop and notebook computers Windows 8 is a fast, stable and secure operating system, but you must ensure your existing software and hardware is compatible with the new operating system. A testing phase is highly recommended, and you may have to wait for other vendors to release software or driver updates. Your staff will need training, as Windows 8 has some major interface differences from previous operating systems. Advice for tablets and smartphones These devices are yet to be released for testing. We don’t anticipate any issues with these devices, and expect they will be well received by the market. Our support teams will get some hands-on experience and training once the tablets and smartphones are available. A new and interesting os with gereat protental for a vary of task and projects