3 Most Infamous Windows 8 Drawbacks, My Personal Experience

Microsoft Windows 8 might be the biggest launch of the year and even in Microsoft's 30 year history. Microsoft's engineers were trying to develop a new generation and high speed OS since 2010 and finally cam with Windows 8 in 2012. However, with many improvements and splendid advantages over its predecessors, Windows 8 still have some drawbacks that can annoy users.

Over the course of two months (Since, Windows 8 was first introduced in the market), I've compiled a list of some drawbacks and reported to Microsoft forums to check and see if they can do something to remove those bugs. Perhaps, you didn't notice it or just enjoy those updates, but some users really got messed up with these and looking for alternatives, if there are any. Here, You can find a great list of infamous Windows 8 drawbacks along with its subsequent alternatives so that Windows 8 taste never feels wasted out.

# R.I.P. Traditional Start Menu in Windows 8
Microsoft has finally removed the widely popular 'Start' button in Windows 8, which is still being used to access several programs and control panel settings. Since the launch of Windows 2000, users get addicted to use this start button and finally after 15 years, Microsoft decided to remove this button in Windows 8. Lets have a look that what Chaitanya Sareen, Principle program manager at Microsoft says on this;

When we evolved the taskbar we saw awesome adoption of pinning on the taskbar. We are seeing people pin like crazy. And so we saw the Start menu usage dramatically dropping, and that gave us an option. We’re saying 'look, Start menu usage is dropping, what can we do about it? What can we do with the Start menu to revive it, to give it some new identity, give it some new power?

However, If you are one of those that can't afford using Windows without using Start button, can restore traditional start menu in Windows 8 using Classic Shell.

# Metro -  Start
Whenever you start your Windows 8 system, the very first screen you see is the tile based start menu items and programs where you could scroll right to see more apps or can arrange those by simple drag and drop operations.

However, this might be another pain point for Windows lovers where they are restricted to use either Windows 8 apps or switch to task bar (in Windows 7ish style) one at a time. Moreover, as soon as you start any apps from the menu, it will automatically start in full screen mode with no window bar or buttons to close, minimize or navigate and the only option you left is to drag it to the bottom (close it using alt + F4 option) or switch to another running application using the traditional app switcher shortcut (Alt+Tab). Means, you can't see what other apps are running without taking an action, mouse movement or keyboard shortcut as there is no task bar present when you use metro style apps..

The most worst thing is, you get no alternative for this metro style startup except to completely remove it from your Windows 8 PC.

[Also Read: Revert Back to Windows 7 From Windows 8]
 
# Automatic Live Account Sync.
While installing or upgrading to Windows 8, you'll be asked to enter live account for activation and Windows 8 will keep you logged in throughout all the Microsoft services like live, social accounts (if connected with live account), browser etc. If we keep these positive aspects aside, you'll find no reason to appreciate. This feature  lets you be signed in always into your social accounts which involves risk of  loosing your confidential information which can be easily used by anyone.

There are various other drawbacks that worth having your attention but this time, you've to agree with only these three. Though, I'll publish some other Windows 8 drawbacks as soon as I notice  those and worth writing here.

Windows 8 vs Windows 8 PRO vs Windows 8 RT : Full Review

Microsoft windows 8 was launched on 26th October 2012 with completely redesigned user interface and fast processing speed. Microsoft has done a lot of changes in Windows 8 to improve the booting speed, home screen design, security and interface of Windows.

Windows 8 comes in three versions - Windows 8, Windows 8 pro and Windows RT. Each version is completely different with one another and has its own importance. So if you are wondering about the information on what these three different versions stands for or which of these is suitable for your home or office use, here is the answer.

Brief Introduction
Windows 8: Windows 8 is the basic version falls under the Windows 8 family and contains almost all the features of other versions. Windows 8 comes pre-installed on desktop, laptops, PC's etc.. It is also available as standalone retail boxes which users can download and install on their current PC. Windows 8 supports third party applications or Apps from Windows 8 app store.

Windows 8 Pro: Windows 8 Pro is the professional version of Windows 8 and can be upgraded from Windows 7 (yes, you can't upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7). It can be easily adjusted with any new PC or an old home PC with compatible hardware as well as comes in already installed mode with tablet.

Windows 8 RT: Windows 8 RT stands for 'Runtime' or also called Microsoft surface. Windows 8 RT is specially built to be used for ARM enabled devices. Microsoft breaks the long held record of not making Windows compatible with ARM processors. Windows RT completely differ from Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro and lacks some of the great features of Windows 8/Pro like remote control, network sharing, third party application support etc. Below is the detailed comparison and difference between these three.

[Read Also: Windows 8 Released, Have You Tried It]

Full Comparison of Windows 8/Pro and Windows 8 RT

Features	Windows 8	Windows 8 Pro	Windows 8 RT
Basic Windows 8 Apps like people, Mail, SkyDrive	Charms Bar, fast booting, removed traditional start button, apps store etc.	Charms Bar, fast booting, removed traditional start button, apps store etc.	Charms Bar, fast booting, removed traditional start button, apps store etc.
Browser	IE 10	IE 10	IE 10
Price and Upgrade Offers	$19 for Up-gradation, $39 USD for Retail Boxes	$19 for Up-gradation, $39 USD for Retail Boxes	You can't buy it, Comes Pre-Installed with Tablets or Ultrbooks
Carry Forward Old Windows Files and Settings	Yes	Yes	No
Tablet Compatibility	Yes	Yes	Yes
Processors	Any Latest Processors Like i3, i5 or i7	Any Latest Processors Like i3, i5 or i7	Only runs on ARM devices
Interface	Metro Interface, Can be tiled to Desktop	Metro Interface, Can be tiled to Desktop	Metro Interface, Can't be tiled to Desktop
Third Party Software Support	Supports existing Windows programs and supports third party applications	Supports existing Windows programs and supports third party applications	Comes preinstalled Office, can only use applications from Windows app store
Functionality	WPM, Storage Spaces, Windows to Go, Domain Support, Remote Desktop	WPM, Storage Spaces, Windows to Go, Domain Support, Remote Desktop	Only Xbox, Mail Sync, Browser Support etc.
Display	Varry according to size of the desktop	Varry according to size of the desktop, 10.6 Inches in surface	10.6 Inches in Surface and may vary in other tablets or ultrabook devices.
Old software support	Supports Old Windows software that runs in Windows 7, XP, Vista	Supports Old Windows software that runs in Windows 7, XP, Vista, This feature is restricted in Windows 8 Pro tablets	Can only run the latest Software designed only for Windows 8 RT enabled devices.

Precautions You Should Take in 2013 to Reduce Photo Loss Risks From Memory Cards

When using our mobile phones or digital camera to store/capture photos, we might be at a risk of loosing photos at any moment. I'm sure that most of us know or at least heard about such circumstances. But, what precautions we've taken to keep our precious photos secure & stored in the memory card or the storage device? Not any, right?

So, heads up to the best 4 ways for reducing photo loss risks that are easy to follow and can make your photos even more secured and intact.

Memory cards are the non-volatile flash storage components comes in different sizes and shapes for different camera brands or smart phones. However, these cards can easily get corrupted or inaccessible because of improper uses, bad formatting, internal damages or overage. And, after which, you would no longer able to retrieve or access the photos stored inside the memory card.


#1 Proper uses
You can greatly increase the memory card life by using it in recommended way like remove the card only when the source device is off. Irrespectively, if you remove the memory card while saving or editing photos on the camera, it can instantly damage or deletes the photos as well as can make the memory card inaccessible. So, it is advisable to edit or delete photos only in the computer not in the camera or mobile phone.

#2  Securely Copy/Save Photos 
Many times, we need to format the memory card or delete picture from it just to save few more photos when there is no free space left in the card and couldn't store more images. So we do the same and start using it immediately. Where as, the correct way is, simply copy/move all your photos in computer or laptop from the card at once and format it there. This will make your card very fresh and completely free to save the bunch of images or recorded videos.

#3 Take backup daily
Creating backup of your photos taken throughout the day will take hardly 5-10 minutes but ensures you that whenever disaster strikes, you're still able to restore lost, deleted or damaged multimedia files from the backup copy on your computer. You can further distribute the backup to cloud or burn it to CD or DVD for even more security.

#4 Purchase memory card from trusted online or in-person store
The news is recently highlighted that many manufacturers on ebay and various other online selling websites is selling damaged or non durable cards. These cards will look same as the original and save your photos too but suddenly become crashed or corrupted and would give you no chance to retrieve the photos back to your computer.

# Bonus Advise to get back the lost card
One of the biggest nightmare for many photographers is that they often complain about having no way to find the lost or stolen memory card. Therefore, you can stick a tag with your name, complete address and phone number to all your memory cards, so that if anyone finds your card, can easily get in touch and return it to you (if they're honest).

Thanks to +David Douglas for making this article live here.

Resolving Mass Storage: Error Detected problem in Mac OS X

Anytime you initiate a hardware test on Mac OS X connected hard drives and in return receives the result as “Mass Storage: Error Detected 2STF/8/3 : ATA - 100 ata - 6 – Master”, then consider something fishy with the Macintosh HD, and a serious attention is required in the case.  

To begin with the occurrence of this error, even a crashed application can cause the hard drive to display this message followed by series of system slowdowns, other applications starts to show weird behavior and download files may transform into corrupt files. Another instance of the occurrence of this error is when an external hard drive is disconnected unethically while data transfer is under way. At times, the hard drive develops the corruption of one of the A.T.A – 100 buses that might not be as serious as MBR corruption, though it allows functioning of the drive but in a troublesome manner. 

Also, interruptions through abrupt shutdowns, system or hard drive components going through power jolts may also put an end to the normal functioning of the devices and eventually leads to the corruption of Master Boot Record (MBR). In no such way, the Master Boot Record corruption should be taken lightly because in the worse case of all, it can deprive you the access to your entire system and the data residing on the HD (or an external hard drive). Oops, I must also not forget to mention another worse kind of case where the drive in question may be considered for replacement. 

From the user end, verifying the disk and running 'Repair Disk Permissions' could prove to be of some help but the Disk utility may not always be victorious in resolving severe errors, but yes if the damage done on the drive is small then Disk utility can fix it for sure. Another try is to verify the A.T.A controller of the drive & monitoring the connectors of the drive in question followed by a Mac OS X reboot. This could prove to be of little or great help sometimes.

Hard Drive Replacement and other tools of help: Hopefully if the drive is under warranty or comes under 'Apple care Protection Plan', then approaching for the replacement should be on priority. Otherwise, we do have good hard drive repair utilities for Macintosh Hds that claims to repair severe drives (volume) errors including the re-building of directory structure, if damaged. A damaged boot volume can also be put under the scanner of a drive repair utility with the help of a boot DVD which can further help the drive repair its errors.