I have been using Windows 8 for a week, and I feel Microsoft has taken a huge risk by totally changing the UI, and the risk has been worth it.

It may take some time to get used to the interface, as it uses tiles instead of icons and ‘apps’ instead of software. If you are all at sea, you have the option of using a screen with the ‘old’ look. Users are likely to get confused initially about switching between apps or closing screens. The interface looks easy, but involves a learning curve. Instead of having shortcuts the home screen apps have to be ‘pinned’. The process of pinning an app is quite easy.

Searching for an app that is not on the home screen is extremely simple. There is no need to go to the ‘start’ screen (there is no start screen), just typing on the screen brings you the app. And pinning it on the home screen for easy access is just a couple of clicks away. There are issues like availability of apps for your favourite programs. And there are apps that are just tweaked versions of the original programs and there are popular programs that are yet to get apps.

There are apps that just bowl you over. The default Maps app that uses Nokia Maps is one such app. Then there is also the Weather app. If you are not happy with the default Weather app, you can download Accuweather’s app.

Creating or switching between users is also extremely easy, and you have the option of using your Windows (Hotmail, Live, Xbox) IDs to log in. The best part is the boot time. It takes just eight to 10 seconds to boot in my two-year old desktop.

> dinakaran.rengachary@thehindu.co.in

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