I just got an i7 quad core Windows 8 1TB 8GB RAM computer.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

... and I love it ...

... except the Windows 8 bullshit.

I downloaded the start menu, but it's still a very counter-intuitive system for me. Anyone I have any suggestions?

[AgingAmerican]

1. Either get a copy of Windows 7 or get Linux

n/t

[TexasTowelie]

2. See below:

I'm not familiar with Windows 8 so I'll let someone else advise you whether to keep that operating system or loading an earlier version. Try going to the online tutorials for assistance. Congrats on getting a new computer.

[steve2470]

3. How to navigate Windows 8 with keyboard shortcuts

(from page 33 of dead tree Maximum PC issue for January 2013)

Windows Key (WK) + start typing = Search

WK + C = exposing Charms bar

WK + F = opens Search charm to search files

WK + Q = opens Search charm to search apps

WK + H = opens the Share charm

WK + I = opens the Settings charm where you'll find the power button

WK + K = opens the Devices charm

WK + Shift key + period key (.) = snap an app to the left

WK + period key = snap an app to the right

WK + J = switch the main app and the snapped app

WK + CTRL + Tab key = cycle through open apps (except Desktop app)

WK + D = switch from Modern/Metro (ugh) to Desktop mode (this should be highly useful !!)

WK + X = Access a slew of Windows tools like Power Options, Device Manager, Control Panel, Run, etc. (should also be highly useful !)

[Fantastic Anarchist]

4. Thank you, everyone. Steve, those shortcuts are a lot of help.

Much appreciated!

[Phillip McCleod]

5. personally with a sweet machine like that i'd install as many operating systems as i could

which is four, unfortunately, if each one is installed on a primary partition and using mbr/grub2 to boot. still you could leave windows 8 as is, install windows 7 just to have it around, and a couple linux distros to mess around with. you could even install mac os x in virtualbox and with a system like that run it faster than my macbook does native. inside windows (or linux, or both).

i'd probably go with a triple boot though and leave a primary partition for shared data.

hell yeah that'd be sweet. (green)

[Fantastic Anarchist]

6. Thanks, Phillip.

I might have to search the internet to figure out how to do what you just said. I've never installed more than one OS on a system before, but that does sound like a good plan - just to have variety.

[Phillip McCleod]

7. if i might make a couple suggestions then?

i'd go with windows 8 and a linux first. that will get your multi-os bootloader installed and working with two operating systems. then you can branch out more with that research you mentioned.

in which case, i recommend linux mint 14 (cinnamon) for your linux. it has a fantastic installer and the resulting o.s. is ubuntu/debian based meaning all the great documentation out there for ubuntu and debian applies equally to mint. both ubuntu and debian have excellent wiki sites for noobs, including docs on how to set up a dual-boot.

ah hell.. here ya go..

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

..
on 2nd thought and edit..

i forgot we're dealing with a 1TB supercomputer for teh lapz.. i'd play with linux mint KDE *not* cinnamon. keep in mind in *nixland we're not married to one desktop environment, window manager, window decorator, or compositor. for instance i use a semi-lightweight combo of xfce4 with compiz and emerald themes. but the gtk themes are still going and i'm using adwaita so it's pretty with Qt apps. complicated right?

hence cinnamon and kde. they're very full-featured desktop environments with their own all of the above not cobbled together like mine. cinnamon is pretty simple. too simple so far. kde's got all the bells and whistles though. i'd give it a whirl.

with that kinda gear. kde is notoriously bloated but it's also high-functioning eye-candy and if your machine can handle it.. why not go with the monster desktop?

[Fantastic Anarchist]

8. Much appreciated!

I'm in the process of customizing Windows 8 to have a bit more of that 7 feel. I'm bookmarking your link so I can get into dual booting.

Really appreciate your help!

[Phillip McCleod]

9. everyone should try linux now. it's better.

do keep in mind that *any* time one tinkers with operating systems, one must remember the cardinal rule of baldur's gate..

'you must gather your party before venturing forth'.

(maybe that will be my signature.)