I had access to the live tiles on Win 8/8.1 and now on Win 10. Never really were that exciting for me. I think personally they are actually less useful on Win 8.1 or 10 because you don't spend time on the start screen (at least not on a desktop/laptop). Moving away from the full start screen has reduced the usefulness of the live tiles.

I think though that live tiles give a benefit for those that want them but aren't a reason in themselves for someone to upgrade. Most people here are saying there is no point in upgrading because they don't see a big benefit - and I would not say that live tiles was that big a benefit to drive an upgrade.

That's the sort of thing I was on about with:-

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

I can imagine that a live tile placed on the right of the screen with information of interest, such as currency rates or specific stock indices would be useful to me - as in the earlier Gadgets. Similarly I used to like my photograph folder 30-second or so changing display. It brought back many happy memories and often led me into going deeper. Can that be done?

However, prior to that TM said he wasn't here to answer questions, and didn't.

I can't imagine how a live tile scrolling through email headers is more convenient than, in particular anything like as quick and useful as, glancing at a folder ladder and clicking any changed ones you think may be important.

I'd certainly agree that Live Tiles, in themselves, are not an overwhelming reason to upgrade to Windows 10. It is a matter of numerous factors, probably the most important for me being the increased stability and lower use of resources. And, as a developer, the new APIs are a big draw. I can see that for many multiple desktops would also be an important contributory factor.

I don't think that I've ever upgraded to any version of an OS because of a single factor. Normally it's the stability/resources issue that is the main driving force; the changes in Windows, in that respect, over the years have been significant.

If people don't see a benefit then they are right not to upgrade. But I think they deserve to make that decision on facts rather than rumour. I think they are more likely to get that from those who have actually used the new OS.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

If people don't see a benefit then they are right not to upgrade. But I think they deserve to make that decision on facts rather than rumour. I think they are more likely to get that from those who have actually used the new OS.

It also depends on for what they use the OS.

As an App developer with virtually no choice in the matter, your view has to be inherently biased both in terms of maintaining your income and in terms of the way the new OS satisfies your very specific needs. To wit - providing facilities with which to write apps for it.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

... startisback and yes it is all one word but that one is not free, but I think it is one of the better start menus. If you want free then Classic shell will work.

As a matter of interest what makes you prefer startisback to Classic Shell?

No particular view either way, and at $2.99 it's hardly likely to break the bank, but I am interested in understanding the pros and cons.

Nice words paradigm & extrapolate, don't you think?
With your near rudeness and superior attitude to some others on this thread, it would help your position of superiority if you knew how to use apostrophes correctly.
Shouldn't be critical of others if you don't even see your own shortcomings!

Thank you for your helpful comments. Anything to say about the subject under discussion?

In reply to a post by TrishaH:

That looks good!

It is good and that price is for all versions and all updates, mind you if you want to put it on more that one computer at a time it does cost more, but still good value.

I used it on Windows 10 which really made it better and I have it on my windows 8.1, whihc made the Os usable again.

Does VM need to be opened and the programme run within it? I'm never sure if just the fact that it's installed causes it to be used by any programmes that need it. (I haven't read up on it for years now, so can't recall if I actually saw that explained or not).

VM is a operating system running on a operating system, so you have to have iut running to run anything inside it

I used to use Virtual box as it was available for Linux as well, the same sort of thing as VM, but you can use any os you like, Virtual machines are not great, but they do service a purpose, you will not get the same performance than if you ran the Os directly on hardware.

I don't mind new software if it's better and easy to go back from if I don't like it, but with my website programme, it took me 82 hours over a week to build it, and I haven't a clue how I got it to actually work ..had some help to upload it to the hosting company too.
It could be a lot better now, but it works and is purely for information purposes, so as such, as long as it will work, I don't want to replace it - have neither time nor patience now

I used to use net objects years ago, those was the days when ISPs used to give away free webspace and when sites like Geocities used to be around. As i remember it was pretty good, but a mate of mine did not like it or any of these WYSIWYG web design software as he does it using HTML code using a text editor and he says the code they produce is naff. But it done me and I found learning Forth bad enough. I still have emails toi my old AOL email address from Netobjects, so they are still going. The company name is fusions.

I don't use a webcam or microphone. Can the 'getting to know you' part be disabled?

Yes, pretty easily. but you mat porefer to use thrid party softwar software like shut up 10.

Mine is a third party calendar (Active Desktop Calendar) - it's efficient, customisable in appearance and works well - can give infinite repeat reminders as well as one-off ones.

That is a name from the past, I used to use it on Xp and windows 7 and one time when I reinstalled my computer I did not put it back on. i decided to have a look at it again and just reinstalled it as it also connects to my google calender; Very useful.

Seems that when I do finally need a new computer, W10 perhaps won't be too bad - I know more about it now that I've asked, so as long as I won't have to use the tiles, it should be fine

The core of the Os is pretty good, it is fast and efficient, which makes a change for Microsoft. My problems with Windows are the spying in it and it being too invasive, I know people say that I have a Android phone and that is just as bad, but I expect it from a smart phone and it is my choice. The look of Windows 10 is awful and it is still not complete, the context menus are still a mess. Granted the start menu can be changed at the moment.
I don't like this service idea, while I don't believe Ms will start a subscription for windows 10 which some people do, I don't agree with the fact MS can now add what they like to windows 10 and say it is part of the service.
I don't like this integration, too much with one drive, skype and Ms wanting to keep your computer to their MS account all the time. While it is optional, again how long for?

I do not like the modern app or universal apps they are called now and I found when I used Windows 10 it took a long time to get it running how I like and getting files to open the software I like.

I got Windows 10 all nice and cosy, for me and then MS updated it in November and it knocked out all my defaults and settings. I do not like the forced downloads, Windows pro users have a bit more control, but home users have very little control.

The other thing will not a part of Windows 10 is to do with it, is MS being aggressive at trying to get people to install it.
I may install it again at some point, but not for a while.

In reply to a post by cheshire_man:

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

... startisback and yes it is all one word but that one is not free, but I think it is one of the better start menus. If you want free then Classic shell will work.

As a matter of interest what makes you prefer startisback to Classic Shell?

No particular view either way, and at $2.99 it's hardly likely to break the bank, but I am interested in understanding the pros and cons.

Just the way it works and the look, it seems more polished than classic shell.

In reply to a post by ian72:

I had access to the live tiles on Win 8/8.1 and now on Win 10. Never really were that exciting for me. I think personally they are actually less useful on Win 8.1 or 10 because you don't spend time on the start screen (at least not on a desktop/laptop). Moving away from the full start screen has reduced the usefulness of the live tiles.

I think though that live tiles give a benefit for those that want them but aren't a reason in themselves for someone to upgrade. Most people here are saying there is no point in upgrading because they don't see a big benefit - and I would not say that live tiles was that big a benefit to drive an upgrade.

TBH, I think live tiles are a waste of time on a computer, I put the start menu up and click on what I want, but I would never look at the tiles to see if it is going to rain. or what emails I have got, I don't think the mail app would cope with all my email addresses anyway.

Even on windows 8 before I got a star menu I never took notice of the live tiles.