Windows 8 Features Slick Search from Start Screen
Metro has some very cool search UI.
When we talk about "search", most people would assume we're talking about Google, Bing and the like. While cataloging and searching the endless stream of information from the internet is vital, sometimes we just want to find something on our own computers.
Thumbing through the dozens of programs installed in the Start menu is one way to do it, but these days it's all about search. Check out the video below to see how Microsoft is improving search on Windows 8. Those who are also a fan of keyboard shortcuts or just hate using the mouse will also find a lot of love about the new search functions.
Power users can also search down to a very granular level using AQS, such as the examples noted below:
Query | AQS Syntax |
Find all files authored by Brian or David | author: (Brian OR David) |
Find all photos with an F-stop of 2.8 where no flash was fired | f-stop:2.8 flashmode:no flash |
Find all files where the file name contains a word starting with Metro and the file size is greater than 1MB | filename:$<Metro* size:>1mb |
For more, check out the full Windows 8 blog.
I wouldn't mind a new file system, hell they had one planned for Vista, WinFS which looked to run circles around NTFS, but that was cut for now. As for rewriting the Kernal, why do it again? It was rewritten for Vista, hence why you can't really upgrade from XP to Vista, and reworked for 7. The 7 Kernal works great, why redo it if you don't have to? How many times do you think Apple has rewritten its Unix Kernal for OSX?
It wont matter because they already have the classi 7 Start menu in 8. This is the Metro UA and much like Aero, can be turned off.
Have people really been paying attention to the Windows 8 info or just missing it all together?
Unless you have Calculator pinned to the Start menu, its 4 clicks. Start> All programs> Accessories> Calculator.
Being able to use the keyboard to make 5 clicks is a lot faster than moving the mouse and making it click twice, it also interrupts the flow of what you are doing on the keyboard.
You do realize you can just use the mouse then, right?
If I promise never to buy or use a Windows tablet, will they include the normal Start Menu in Windows 8?
Yep.
Stupid, anyhow... I can't recall when was the last time I used Search. I really can't. Whether or not Win8 will have better search doesn't matter to me.
I'm all for criticizing stuff that needs criticizing, but I don't find your criticism very compelling.
I'm all for criticizing stuff that needs criticizing, but I don't find your criticism very compelling.
He's right, I don't want to switch to Start, either... It IS two clicks - one on the Start button, another on the Calculator icon. And 2 mouse clicks ARE faster than 5 keyboard presses.
I think this is one of those cases where it is to each their own. Some people who use the start menu search will probably find this really helpful, while others will continue to use the mouse to launch programs. Why should there be only one way of doing something? It is nice to have the option either way.
Exactly. Problem is, most likely we won't get that choice.
Both Vista and 7 search takes a long time to complete and sometimes can't find a file, even though it exist.
Let's hope Win8 isn't broken.
I wouldn't mind a new file system, hell they had one planned for Vista, WinFS which looked to run circles around NTFS, but that was cut for now. As for rewriting the Kernal, why do it again? It was rewritten for Vista, hence why you can't really upgrade from XP to Vista, and reworked for 7. The 7 Kernal works great, why redo it if you don't have to? How many times do you think Apple has rewritten its Unix Kernal for OSX?
It wont matter because they already have the classi 7 Start menu in 8. This is the Metro UA and much like Aero, can be turned off.
Have people really been paying attention to the Windows 8 info or just missing it all together?
Unless you have Calculator pinned to the Start menu, its 4 clicks. Start> All programs> Accessories> Calculator.
I dunno, I may be wrong, but from what I've seen of the latest changes they've made to the start menu, programs will be categorized similar to being in a folder, except that they will be visible right off hand. So I would assume that any program should only be about two clicks away (may be some scrolling involved), plus you can always pin a program to the start menu (again, from what I have seen).
The example suggested that the person uses Calculator often. In that case, I'd expect it pinned to the Start Menu.