My Windows 8 Consumer Preview

This book gives you a first look at the exciting new features in Windows 8 Consumer Preview, the beta version of the operating system Microsoft released to the public on February 29, 2012. Chances are good that you’ve already heard about the flashy new Metro style of the Windows 8 interface. The new look may be the biggest news item you’ve been hearing about, but the changes in Windows 8 go far beyond the surface design changes. Windows 8 is a new program from the ground up, meaning that the experience it offers you will be much different from any version of Windows you’ve used before. Windows 8 is fast and fluid, bringing you the updates you need quickly, while providing reliable access to the programs and files you depend on as you go about your daily tasks. Whether you are sharing photos, checking your social media accounts, designing a presentation, or listening to your favorite podcast, Windows 8 gives you the means to move through your tasks smoothly in any order or combination you choose. Some folks welcome this kind of new energy in technology; others aren’t so sure a complete makeover is a good idea. Whichever camp you find yourself in, this book will help you learn more about what you can expect from Windows 8. Some of the biggest changes we’ll discuss in this book include: Navigating the new Start screen, customizing Start screen colors, and displaying your favorite apps as you want them to appear Using live tiles to get the latest information for your favorite apps Using touch and mouse-based techniques to personalize your Windows 8 experience and work with files, folders, and more Enhancing the security of your system by changing your Lock Screen, adding a picture password, and creating a PIN logon Learning to work fluidly with open apps, cycling through open apps, docking apps, and closing or suspending apps you no longer need Using the Refresh and Reset tools to give your computer a fresh start if you’re having computer problems Shopping for apps in the Windows Store, installing apps on your computer, and adding ratings and reviews to let other shoppers know what you think Browsing with the sleek and streamlined Internet Explorer 10

Step-by-step instructions with callouts to Windows 8 that show you exactly what to do. Help when you run into Windows 8 problems or limitations. Tips and Notes to help you get the most from Windows 8. Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping Windows 8 working just the way you want. Learn how to Quickly master Windows 8's fluid, colorful interface--and leave yesterday's Windows behind! Get super-productive fast with the latest touch and mouse techniques Tweak your Start screen to get easy access to tasks you do every day Get up-to-this-instant information with Live Tiles Browse the web with the sleek, streamlined Internet Explorer 10 Use Windows 8's great built-in apps and get more at the new Windows Store Secure your computer with custom Lock screens, picture passwords, PIN logons, and location privacy Copy, move, and share files through the revamped File Explorer View, organize, and share all your photos on your PC, photo sites, and favorite social media accounts Work with Windows 7 programs through the Windows 8 desktop Keep your files safely backed up and Windows 8 safely updated Improve computer performance with Windows 8's updated system tools Stream media and share files easily with your PCs, your Xbox 360, tablets, and phones

This 88-page primer unveils the key features of Microsoft's eagerly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 contains Microsoft's revolutionary new application framework for building dynamic and responsive touch-enabled applications that target both desktops and mobile devices. Experienced author Adam Freeman invites you to take a crash course in Windows 8 development. Using the open standards of HTML5 and JavaScript, he ensures you understand the changes that are being made to Windows development practices and puts you on the right course to creating innovative and elegant applications for this latest evolution of the world’s most successful operating system.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Step-by-step instructions with callouts to Windows 8 that show you exactly what to do. Help when you run into Windows 8 problems or limitations. Tips and Notes to help you get the most from Windows 8. Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping Windows 8 working just the way you want. Learn how to Quickly master Windows 8’s fluid, colorful interface--and leave yesterday’s Windows behind! Get super-productive fast with the latest touch and mouse techniques Tweak your Start screen to get easy access to tasks you do every day Get up-to-this-instant information with Live Tiles Browse the web with the sleek, streamlined Internet Explorer 10 Use Windows 8’s great built-in apps and get more at the new Windows Store Secure your computer with custom Lock screens, picture passwords, PIN logons, and location privacy Copy, move, and share files through the revamped File Explorer View, organize, and share all your photos on your PC, photo sites, and favorite social media accounts Work with Windows 7 programs through the Windows 8 desktop Keep your files safely backed up and Windows 8 safely updated Improve computer performance with Windows 8’s updated system tools Stream media and share files easily with your PCs, your Xbox 360, tablets, and phones

Building Windows 8 Apps with JavaScript is the definitive guide for every experienced developer who wants to create, ship, and profit from Windows 8 apps built with HTML5 and JavaScript. Written by Chris Sells, former Visual Studio Principal Program Manager who led the team that built Microsoft’s official Windows 8 JavaScript app templates, and Brandon Satrom, expert web/mobile developer, this book covers every facet of development with Microsoft’s new JavaScript framework and WinRT. The authors guide you through building full-featured Windows Store apps that merge the best aspects of desktop, web, and mobile apps into a single user and developer experience. You’ll learn how to leverage the full power of the Windows 8 platform and integrate services ranging from client-side state to offline storage. Leveraging these techniques, you can deliver information to users faster, more clearly, and more concisely, on whatever devices they prefer. Through complete example projects, Building Windows 8 Apps with JavaScript covers Understanding powerful new improvements in Windows 8 developer experience Using Windows 8’s more flexible binding to update the UI as underlying data changes Creating layouts and typography that fit Windows 8 style and leverage its advantages Working with audio, video, captured media, animation, and HTML5 graphics Making your app “connectable” with PlayTo Integrating WinJS navigation services to improve UI control Maintaining app states built up over time, and sharing them across devices Writing highly responsive async apps Supporting true-touch metaphors and interactions, location data, and sensors Designing apps for the Windows 8 design language Extending JavaScript code to integrate existing C/C++ code or to access Windows capabilities that WinRT doesn’t expose Discovering best practices for monetizing Windows Store apps All of the downloadable examples can be created and run with Microsoft’s free Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows 8, which includes all you need to build, package, and deploy your Windows Store apps.

Windows 8 is rife with features and behaviors that conspire to perplex even the most experienced PC user. Not all of them are bad, but few are immediately intuitive. Making matters worse, Microsoft designed the OS primarily for touch control, and as a result many mouse and keyboard commands feel like tacked-on afterthoughts. But help is on the way. We’ve assembled a list of our favorite Windows 8 shortcuts, tricks, and workarounds. Many focus on making the most of the OS on a traditional desktop PC, but we also have a special chapter devoted to Windows 8 touch gestures.

"Upgrading, installing, and optimizing Windows Server 2012"--Cover.