An Overview of How Windows 8 Operates

In the software world, Microsoft stands as a dominant force. The company earned its reputation early on in the personal computer era with the launch of MS-DOS, short for Microsoft Disk Operating System. This OS serves as the backbone for all other software, allowing programs to access necessary resources, whether they are software-based or hardware-based.

Though MS-DOS was functional, its text-driven interface could be quite overwhelming. Users had to input commands by typing text and learn several keystrokes to navigate file systems. It wasn't exactly intuitive for those who were new to computers.

In 1983, Microsoft unveiled plans to develop a graphical user interface (GUI) for its operating system. A GUI replaces textual commands with visual elements such as icons to represent files, programs, and commands. Instead of typing commands to navigate, users could simply click on an icon to view their programs. The aim was to create an operating system that was so easy to use that anyone could quickly become familiar with it with minimal effort.

Over the years, Microsoft has continually improved the Windows operating system, solidifying its place as a leader in the personal computer OS market, especially in business environments. Some versions, like Windows XP, remained popular for much longer than typical OS releases, while others, such as Windows Vista, faced criticism due to early issues that never fully resolved.

Windows 8 represents a significant shift from its predecessors. It introduces a fresh interface and includes features tailored to the increasing dominance of touch-screen devices. Let’s explore what this new OS has to offer.

A PC OS for a Post PC World

Windows 8 features two primary layouts: the desktop and the newly designed tiled interface, previously known as Metro. The desktop setup will feel familiar to anyone who has used Windows in recent years. It allows you to create shortcuts for applications, and clicking on an icon opens the corresponding program.

The standout feature, however, is the tiled interface. In a bold departure from traditional desktop designs, this interface is more akin to what you'd expect from a tablet or smartphone. This shift is no accident, as recent trends show a decline in PC sales as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices [source: Tyson]. Despite the progress in mobile tech, there are still some software applications that work best on a full PC.

Windows 8 bridges the gap between PC and mobile operating systems. Microsoft has tailored Windows 8's interface to work seamlessly with touch-enabled devices and displays. As mobile devices evolve, they may eventually replace traditional PCs. With this cross-platform operating system, Microsoft aims to meet the needs of all users.

For devices with touch capabilities, navigating Windows 8 is as simple as using touch gestures. Tapping on a tile launches the respective application. Swiping across the screen lets you move through apps or bring up the Charms menu from the screen's edge. The Charms menu includes essential tools like the search function.

For those without touch-enabled devices, the tiled interface is still accessible via a mouse and keyboard. Instead of gestures, users must move the cursor to specific activation points to access menus and commands. A scroll bar at the bottom of the screen lets you scroll left and right through the tiles.

The tiles aren’t just for launching applications. Microsoft allows developers to use tiles to display live information, even when an app is not in use. This feature, called 'live tiles,' enables notifications to appear on the tile relevant to the app’s content.

Apps Versus Software

The tiled layout of Windows 8 is home to apps. Technically, an app is just another form of software, but the two terms are often used as if they refer to different concepts. In the context of Windows 8, there’s a clear distinction.

Generally speaking, an app is software that’s easy to install and use. Apps typically have a narrow range of features, which helps keep their file size small. Limiting functionality also ensures that the app remains user-friendly. Developers design apps to provide a specific experience tailored to the strengths of a particular platform or operating system.

If Windows 8 were designed solely for touch-screen devices, developers would only need to focus on creating apps that work well with touch gestures. However, since Windows 8 is also used on non-touch PCs, developers must also consider how the apps will perform for mouse-and-keyboard users.

What is meant by software? While the term can refer to any type of computer application, it generally describes more substantial, intricate programs. These programs often have features that demand more support than the tiled interface can offer. They may require complex keystrokes or involve detailed menu systems that would be difficult or impossible to navigate in the Windows 8 tiled environment. Such programs are better suited for the desktop.

The desktop environment in Windows 8 accommodates full programs. Some of these have app versions with fewer features or simplified interfaces. Though the desktop looks similar to previous Windows versions, there are several notable differences.

One significant change is the removal of the Start button. Introduced with Windows 95, the Start button has been a long-standing feature. Its absence may be unsettling for some users. However, much of the Start menu’s functionality is now available through the Start screen in the tiled interface. Pressing the Windows button on your keyboard (if available) will toggle between the desktop and tiled interfaces. Alternatively, moving the mouse cursor to the bottom-left corner of the screen will reveal the Start screen icon.

The desktop environment serves a critical purpose by providing a platform for older programs that lack app versions and cannot function in the tiled interface. Many users rely on legacy programs. The desktop ensures that Windows 8 remains compatible with these older applications.

Snapping Tiles

Mobile apps and desktop software often feature different user interfaces. In a traditional desktop environment, multitasking is possible, with several programs running simultaneously. Each program operates in its own window, which can be resized, allowing multiple programs to be visible at once.

The operating system manages multitasking by allocating resources to each running application. The more programs you run, the greater the demand on your computer to keep them all operating. If you run several memory or processor-heavy programs at once, you might notice a slowdown in performance.

Modern desktop and laptop computers are generally capable of handling a reasonable amount of multitasking, as they typically have sufficient memory and processing power. However, mobile apps tend to have more limitations. Mobile devices may not have the same memory or processing capability as a PC to handle multiple processes running at once.

Apps typically occupy an entire screen. Most operating systems that support apps limit you to viewing one active app at a time, even if they allow multiple apps to run in the background. You can easily switch between apps, but only one will be visible on the screen at any given time.

Windows 8's tiled interface is designed to focus on the active app, putting it front and center. However, you can also use a feature called Snap to mimic the desktop environment. Snap allows you to dock an app running in the background to either side of the screen, while the app in the foreground takes up most of the screen space.

Microsoft also offers the ability to Snap your desktop to one side of the screen, allowing you to view all the applications your computer is currently running. This feature is similar to the application tabs found in earlier versions of Windows.

When an app is snapped to the side of the screen, it may only show limited features, like notifications. You'll be able to view both apps simultaneously, but you won’t have full access to each app’s functionality as you would with traditional desktop windows.

Living With Your OS In the Clouds

To provide a consistent experience across various devices, it takes more than just an OS that can support both mouse-and-keyboard and touch inputs. In order to move smoothly from one device to another, it's essential that all your apps and data are accessible across each device. Not long ago, this would have meant saving data to removable storage and physically transferring it between machines.

With Windows 8, Microsoft embraced the cloud. The cloud refers to a network of computers that store data and applications. By saving your data to the cloud, you can access it from any device connected to the cloud network.

To access Microsoft's cloud network in Windows 8, a user must create a profile. Once signed in on any Windows 8 device, you can access your apps and data just as you would on your primary machine. However, Windows 8 apps run locally on your device, meaning that while signing in gives you access to your apps, you'll first need to download them to the machine.

Windows 8's cloud synchronization is especially useful for users who care about their OS settings. After setting preferences like desktop themes, language, and preferred browser on one Windows 8 device, those preferences are applied automatically when you log in to another device. This also includes browser history, so you can easily revisit that funny cat video you watched on a different machine.

Tools and Tips for Apps

As anyone who’s seen the famous YouTube clip of Steve Ballmer energizing an audience at a conference a few years back knows, Microsoft highly values developers. The company has created a comprehensive set of tools and resources for anyone eager to build apps for Windows 8.

Developers have three primary approaches to creating apps. The first option is using hypertext markup language 5 (HTML5), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript, which are the same tools used to build dynamic Web pages. This method is ideal for developers wishing to turn a website experience into an app.

The second method involves building an app with a more traditional programming language. Developers aiming to dive into Windows 8 app development can use languages like C++, C#, or Visual Basic to create Silverlight, .NET, and Windows Presentation Foundation applications.

The third option requires developers to use DirectX, a suite of interfaces designed for creating multimedia apps. On the backend, developers will use C++ and HLSL to build these apps.

To submit an app to the Windows Store, developers must first download Windows 8 and access the suite of free developer tools Microsoft provides. These tools include Microsoft Visual Studio and the Windows 8 software development kit (SDK). Additionally, developers must apply for a developer license, which comes at no cost.

Numerous guides, created by both Microsoft and third-party sources, are available to help developers learn how to create apps. Microsoft has integrated helpful guidelines directly into Windows 8, including a grid layout that assists developers in arranging the graphics and text in their apps for an appealing and functional design.

Microsoft conducted extensive research with focus groups to understand user interactions with touch-screen devices, such as tablets. By analyzing user behavior, they identified patterns for placing controls and commands. This research is shared with app developers to help them design apps optimized for the Windows 8 platform.

Once an app is developed and tested, the next step is submitting it to the Windows Store. Microsoft performs its own testing to ensure that the app functions properly. If the app meets all the necessary criteria and follows Microsoft's policies, it will be listed on the Windows Store as an available download.

App developers have multiple monetization options for their apps. They can charge an upfront fee, include in-app purchases, or generate revenue through advertising. As part of the agreement with Microsoft, developers must accept a 30 percent revenue share. However, if the app generates more than $25,000 in revenue, Microsoft's cut drops to 20 percent [source: Microsoft].

Behind the Scenes

So, what’s happening under all those tiles and desktops? Well, Windows 8 is actually labeled version 6.2 of Windows by Microsoft. To put it into context, Windows XP was version 5.1, Windows Vista was 6.0, and Windows 7 was 6.1. So why does the version number not align with its name?

One reason is to avoid application errors. Certain applications are coded to check for the OS version number, often setting a cap. The app may run on a version 6.x machine but fail on a version 7.x system.

But why impose these version limits in the first place? Some may argue it’s a strategy to ensure a steady market for newer software versions, pushing customers to upgrade their systems. Another reason is that specific applications rely on certain OS features, and using the OS version number simplifies the process of verifying that those features are available.

Microsoft advises developers to avoid using the OS version number for checking compatibility. Instead, the company recommends creating tests to detect specific features, as per their guidance [source: Microsoft].

Windows 8 was designed to run on devices with an Intel processor, supporting either a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture. This architecture refers to the method in which operations and data are processed. As a result, Windows 8 won’t function on devices using processors with a different architecture.

To run Windows 8, your system must meet certain minimum hardware specifications. The requirements include:

To fully experience all that Windows 8 offers, you’ll need a device that supports touch input.

With Windows 8, Microsoft has introduced a major shift in the computing landscape, especially as we transition to smaller, more portable devices. Will this trend continue with future operating systems?