Save PC gaming, boycott Windows 8

[Flanyboy]

Personally you folks are way out of line with this one. You can't say that Microsoft can't do it, but Apple can, or Linux can, but not Microsoft.

Microsoft presently commands 90% of the PC marketplace with their OS platform...and you don't see the power there?

So, this statement and the accompanying generalizations remind me of a band director I once worked with. When a student starting distracting rehearsal by talking, the director would stop rehearsal, stare down the kid and state: (student's name), if you didn't open your mouth so much, people wouldn't know how s....d you were.

You've got SEVERAL threads touting how WONDERFUL Win 8 is, we've only encroached on one, apologies. Still, it was titled as a Discussion of Win 8. So, we've since left it in favor of this one. Your opinions are welcome here, but don't expect us to just sit back and listen to your bunk without responding negatively.

As I've stated, Win 8 is harmless at this point in time, and it may stay harmless, but that's not what many folks are seeing, the rationale behind this thread.

Hey Rebbugler.

No problem about the encroaching in the Windows 8 discussion. I didn't really take offense, it just took away from the general discussion, but of course the thread title could have been changed to what I have now, so my fault on that.

About the 90 percent market share between the Microsoft, MAC, and Linux you are right it is higher, but my full point is that even though the MAC has an online store for it's apps, and Linux has a apps store didn't cause the MAC to become a closed platform, neither did it cause the Linux OS to become a closed system. Microsoft is doing what has been going on with the MAC OS, and the Linux OS for quite a long while, and you will not see Microsoft to be the nasty as they are being accused of becoming where their online store is concerned.

You can't say yes to one, and no to another simply because of Market share, and call it a free market, and no I don't see the 90 percent being anything other than 90 percent. I see nothing ominous about it being that high. If Apple is having a problem with that, then step up too the plate Apple, and take Microsoft on. It's Apples decision to either let their MAC fall off the cliff, or start putting their systems into the hands of everyone which means that Apple will have to start lowering their prices, and pushing it as hard as Microsoft pushes itself. Apple even today has the same mind set as it did back when Microsoft came along, which is "People will see that the Apple/MAC is better than Microsoft, and they will buy a MAC", is simply not true. It's two things. PRICE is one, and amount of software available.

Apple has lost on both fronts where that is concerned. I can build two high end PC's for the price of one good MAC, and only having 1000 software choices for the MAC, there is 20,000 for the PC.

If anyone is to blame for Apples market share, it is Apple, not Microsoft.

Note: Concerning me pushing several topics about Windows 8, if you don't like my posts, just delete my threads, that is the job of the forum moderator, delete them, then give me my warnings. If I get three, ban me it's that simple.

Actually MAC is considered a completely closed operating system, showing them having a store sort of proves the point. Further Steam isn't an OS and therefore it can't be open or closed, it's a store front, and the Microsoft Store will put it under even if your unwilling to admit it. Also depending where you look there are conflicting reports on if Windows will allow 3rd party stores but more importantly as a developer according to many articles if you want to be in the Windows store your prohibited from using another 3rd party like steam, this in of itself will destroy competition as it will become normal for people to buy at the Microsoft store and less likely people will hunt around for other places to buy.

[Flanyboy]

I will say there is one thing that will likely prevent Windows 8 from going the way of Windows 3.0.

Companies and organizations in general do not seem excited about it. Windows 8 appears to be primarily a commercial release, not a business release. Most business' are just starting to upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 is not nearly as business friendly due to it's touch centric interface. For that reason Windows 7 will continue to have support for YEARS and I could see some kind of mix between more standard tower design of Windows 7 and the touch centric release of Windows 8 when it comes to Windows 9.

I think because of enterprises largely sticking with Windows 7 (many of whom are just starting to upgrade to it) the "death" of PC gaming wont be decided until we see what Windows 9 brings to the table.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Flanboy Wrote:

Actually MAC is considered a completely closed operating system, showing them having a store sort of proves the point. Further Steam isn't an OS and therefore it can't be open or closed, it's a store front, and the Microsoft Store will put it under even if your unwilling to admit it. Also depending where you look there are conflicting reports on if Windows will allow 3rd party stores but more importantly as a developer according to many articles if you want to be in the Windows store your prohibited from using another 3rd party like steam, this in of itself will destroy competition as it will become normal for people to buy at the Microsoft store and less likely people will hunt around for other places to buy.

First before I reply in full I will explain what a Closed system means too me. A closed platform would first not allow any other piece of software to be installed , meaning you go to say website B, download a game, or util, and the Closed OS refuses to install the software because it was not directly download via the online game store, or/and the closed OS refuses you to install any program which is on a DVD or any other media (purchased from a store, digital download, etc) that has not been digitally signed off on.

IF you can install, and use third party utils, or games for the closed os then it is not a closed platform, it's open.

Steam does work in Windows 8, all that is required is that Valve do an update the way it launches their games, and that is all. You can still install Steam, visit Steams games list, purchase their games, download their games, and install their games, and install all of the patches. Microsoft store is not in any way interfering with this what so ever. If Steam is reluctant to support the latest Windows operating system then Valve is doing their customer base a disservice, and can no longer be seen as a trustworthy component to the gaming industry which they claim themselves as being.

A true closed platform are the consoles (XBOX Series, PS3, etc).

[Jim]

The gaming companies that have products on Steam are already rolling out Win8 updates. I got an update to Civ5 G&K that includes a Win 8 touch enabled launch choice. It was grayed out as I have Win7 and am not likely to get a touch monitor that would be an ergonomic disaster on my crowded desk.

-Jim

[Michael Slaunwhite]

The gaming companies that have products on Steam are already rolling out Win8 updates. I got an update to Civ5 G&K that includes a Win 8 touch enabled launch choice. It was grayed out as I have Win7 and am not likely to get a touch monitor that would be an ergonomic disaster on my crowded desk.

-Jim

Thanks Jim, that is good news. I was hoping that something would be done for the Steam Users. My next door neighbor will be happy, that man lives, and breaths Steam, but I'm sure he already knows.

Thanks again Jim!

[Flanyboy]

By the way Steam isn't the only group that feels Windows 8 will destroy the PC world we have today. Mine craft was asked to certify itself to the Windows 8 store and they refused, and said they would rather it not run on Windows 8 at all, they feel the closed nature of Microsoft's Windows 8 platform is a serious threat.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

By the way Steam isn't the only group that feels Windows 8 will destroy the PC world we have today. Mine craft was asked to certify itself to the Windows 8 store and they refused, and said they would rather it not run on Windows 8 at all, they feel the closed nature of Microsoft's Windows 8 platform is a serious threat.

Very true, but also the creator of Minecraft also spoke about the reason why he is not (at one point, and time) going to have his game become part of the Steam game database either because of how steam dictates the terms of patches, and modifications.

The gentleman in question is against all tyrants imagined or true.

Here is the link: http://betterwithpopcorn.com/blog/georg ... t-be-steam

Here is a link to Notch's Blog: http://notch.tumblr.com/post/9550850116 ... team-notch

Just in case you don't want to visit the link, here is a quote.

Quote:

Steam is the best digital distribution platform I’ve ever seen. I’ve spent incredible amounts of money on it, and I own a crazy amount of games on it. [...] But..

Being on Steam limits a lot of what we’re allowed to do with the game, and how we’re allowed to talk to our users. We (probably?) wouldn’t be able to, say, sell capes or have a map market place on minecraft.net that works with steam customers in a way that keeps Valve happy. It would effectively split the Minecraft community into two parts, where only some of the players can access all of the weird content we want to add to the game.

We are talking to Valve about this, but I definitely understand their reasons for wanting to control their platform. There’s a certain inherent incompatibility between what we want to do and what they want to do.

So there’s no big argument, we just don’t want to limit what we can do with Minecraft. Also, Steam is awesome. Much more awesome than certain other digital distribution platforms that we would NOT want to release Minecraft on.

As far as other articles concerning what Microsoft might be doing behind the scenes, I don't care. I am using Windows 8, and I have not seen one thing that would convince me of the Doom, and Gloom being passed around about it. I'm only concerned what Windows 8 is about so I can make a decision one way or the other to purchase it, and so far I am enjoying it. I do not read an article, and make my decisions based on their opinions, or what they may think will happen in 2 or 5 years time. I make my own mind up by testing out the software for myself, and if it's bad, or good I hold myself fully responsible.

Again, I DO NOT live my life in the world of What If's, if I did I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

It's obvious that I have to clarify my position where Corporations are concerned. Personally I don't trust any corporation, but I do see the right of any company to be allowed to make their own decisions on how they wish to conduct business. Either they fail, or they succeed that is up to them, and the consumer.

If I see misinformation about something that I am personally using, and I know the real truth, I'll speak up about it. It would be no different if I came across a forum post about something I knew to be a flat out lie for instance about NSD, or SOW or any member here I can tell you right now you would see me on the frontline's fighting back, and I'm not saying that just so I can sound cool, it's the truth.

Do I like any company being as strong as Microsoft? NO of course not. Do I defend their rights? Yes I do.

That is how simple it is. I don't like misinformation being posted about anything that I know is not true, and I'll fight it every damn time.

I understand what people are saying, and I understand people's fears, but lets first see what the outcome is about Windows 8. As far as Windows 9 hell even Microsoft probably has no idea about it yet.

Anyway, I am right now working on showing users how to stop the live icon updates on the Start menu for Windows 8 for those who might be interested in knowing how to do it.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Check out the "App Developer Agreement", and we can talk about it, and I mean really talk about. Let's tear it down line by line, and see where it takes us.

Link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... 94058.aspx

[RebBugler]

I am using Windows 8, and I have not seen one thing that would convince me of the Doom, and Gloom being passed around about it.

Microsoft is promoting Win 8 like never before seen with the introduction of a new MS OS. Offering Win 8 for $70, almost half the price that would normally be seen. If this isn't a big RED flag of SOMETHINGS GOING ON, I don't know what is. Folks that state that they don't consider What Ifs will surely serve Microsoft's future goals of dominating the PC marketplace like never before.

Boycotting the purchase of Win 8 is the only way consumers and PC gaming enthusiasts can send a message to Microsoft. This would be a BIG message, and force Microsoft to reconsider their present path. They are already the dominant OS for the PC, and not presently at risk of losing that status. However, if they pursue the integration of ARM within their OS, and alienating publishers of PC software because of this total domination approach, they may risk everything if consumers and publishers rebel. So I reiterate:

Send Microsoft a message, don't buy Win 8