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PLANET RS

We face a crisis because it is human nature to always face a crisis. This time like all other times in history we wonder what is the world coming to. We have had a strong upheaval pretesting violence against women. But it’s not an old issue. Good thing is, the fight against it is not an old issue either. It’s picking up steam because the young people these days don’t sit down with their ears closed. They speak up. And we print their voices here, today, tomorrow.

- E R Ronny, Editor, Rising Stars


Windows 8 Going “everything at once”

By Shahnoor

So the latest iteration of Windows, 8, is out in all its glory, with all its variants, gracing TV ads with its “Everything at once” tagline and it's certainly got people talking.

Now, question is, is it worth the upgrade?

 
It's easy to notice that people over at Redmond have made a conscious effort to take a more streamlined approach with the user interface, following in the footsteps of its mobile counterpart, with the “Metro” styling. All the talk of ecosystems by a certain cashed up fruit company in recent times have also forced Steve Ballmer and his men to take on a similar approach, seeing their success in the recent years and the impact they have had with the touch screen (r)evolution.
 
You can enter the regular desktop mode from the start menu, just the same as that of Windows 7. You can enter other metro apps from the start menu and they all work fine, but multitasking leaves some to be desired, especially if you use a non-touch device. That leaves us with the charm bar, which is a bit like the options key in Android, but with better, more practical options.
 

How do you rate Win8?

Let us know on facebook.com/DSRisingStars

 
You can enter the regular desktop mode from the start menu, just the same as that of Windows 7. You can enter other metro apps from the start menu and they all work fine, but multitasking leaves some to be desired, especially if you use a non-touch device. That leaves us with the charm bar, which is a bit like the options key in Android, but with better, more practical options.
 

 

All in all Microsoft have got all the basics right but have still left some gaping holes for users to nag about, or as they would like to put it, give feedback on. “I haven't made the switch to Windows 8 because I know that Microsoft want to iron out the kinks through user feedback and because it would make more sense to use it on a touch screen device,” says game developer Himel Morshed.

 
Windows 8 has been redesigned ground up with touch based devices and ARM architecture containing processors in mind. But has trying to focus more on touch oriented devices made it less intuitive or less practical to use in regular desktop PC's and laptops? In short, it has, but in general though it's great to see the mobile and desktop versions of the platform meshing so well to create for a cohesive, coherent ecosystem, much like their Cupertino based rivals
 
One thing users will be glad to know is that this version of the OS takes just about the same system requirements as the previous two – Windows 7 and Vista, for which Microsoft should be whole-heartedly applauded. On the flipside, the app catalogue for the RT version of Windows (the version made with tablets and ARM chips in mind) is still a barren land with many essential apps missing. Moreover, jailbreaking RT allows users to use all legacy Windows apps, just like on the professional version of Windows 8 so something is definitely not kosher here.
 
Tech enthusiast Ashikur Rahman’s verdict: “I'm pretty happy with my Windows 7 system. I'm not looking to make the change at least until a year before the platform becomes a bit more mature, with a greater app catalogue and a wider adoption.”
 
I'd have to say, that if you're bored with your current Windows and want to see some change, you should absolutely go for the Windows 8 and even more so if you are using a touch based device (I guess it's the norm for those devices to come with Windows 8 preinstalled). It's certainly a lot flashier and has a certain charm, while at the same time being decently stable, so it's worth making the upgrade if you believe in the latest and greatest.
 

Windows 8 essentially brings three new core features to the User Interface and it all has to do with the new start menu with its set of metro apps, fully rounded off with a lock screen and a charm bar that makes system searching and gestures a more integral part of the OS.

The new start menu is Metro themed and people having used Windows Phone would not be too shocked with its looks and usability. However, the same unfortunately cannot be said for the government official type. So if you insist o n using a Windows 2000 theme on your Windows 7, just to make things seem “simpler”, Windows 8 is definitely not for you.


 


Loads to talk about from last week's issue, with people ranting left and right on our Facebook page. Guy Fawkes and his misinterpreted symbolism was a hot topic, while our ongoing recruitment notices brought on a lot of questions

Flavour Ice-cream: About the job, will I be notified if i don't make it?
Ahmad Ibrahim: Depends on what flavour ice-cream you are. If it's strawberry you're hired already.

Najmus Sakib: I want to work with RS as an illustrator. Do I have to send a cover letter with CV?

Siham Sarawat: The piece on Mozart, reminded me of the piano concerts of the yester-years.

Nikita Rubaiyat: Just wondering if there would be any word limit for the creative writing contest. Is there any limitations when it comes to genre?

Ahmad Ibrahim: It's an imaginary creative writing contest. How creative. You win.


   

 

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