Windows 8.1
I've had a huge Computer Crash that I'm going to talk about later. For this reason I haven't blogged or worked on any games for a while now, and it'll be a while until I can start again. In order to restore the computer, I needed to downgrade to Windows 8. Of course, I could upgrade to Windows 8.1 at this point, but I chose not to.
Let me start with this: I think Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 are great OSs. I also think Windows 8.1 is a superior Operating System, on its own, to Windows 8. The support for dual monitors, which is very important for me, is better. Also, the start button's back. I didn't think that was such a great improvement until I got back to Windows 8. Functionally, it's not important. But aesthetically, it's vital. The exposé is kind of ugly in that area near the taskbar. The button is better. Also, the way Metro Apps are treated somewhat similarly to Desktop Apps is nicer for someone who works primarily on the Desktop (me). The settings are better organized, and the start menu looks and works better.
However, one thing is clear about Windows 8.1 that caused me to choose not to upgrade. That thing is driver support. On Windows 8.1, my front USB ports fail. Their manufacturer does not provide driver support for 8.1. There are tons of drivers that simply aren't available for 8.1. My friend had a Lenovo computer that ran Windows 8. When he upgraded to 8.1, his screen kept going haywire because his drivers weren't supported. One other thing that kept me from upgrading may be a little less universal, but is still true. With certain configurations and subleties in your system, as this has happened to me and a few other people on the Internet, Metro style apps can simply stop working, and resort to a crash.
Windows 8.1 is the best Windows OS yet, I think, but it needs time to gain more support and updates before I'll upgrade.