Well, updated my computers from Windows 8 to 8.1...

[Archae]

Funny thing, I still don't use any of the dozens of apps available.

I just use my desktop.

[GoCubsGo]

1. Yeah, not much difference that I can tell.

As far as the apps go, I will use Skype, but that's about it. I will also look at the star chart app and the Hockey Night in Canada app when I think about it, which isn't that often, since I don't find myself in "Metro" very often. I tend to forget that they are there.

[Ron Obvious]

2. Any way to get it without going to the app store?

It's offering it to me for free but I'd have go to MS' app store or whatever they call it. I categorically refuse to use apps or the metro interface (I got regular desktop Skype instead) and refused out of principle to link my logon name with my email address like they tricked me into doing during setup.

I've got everything set up exactly the way I had it with Windows 7 (replacement start button, gadgets, and it boots straight to the desktop, so I never even have to see that visually noisy Metro thing screaming at me). I quite like the OS now. It's noticeably faster and I like some of the small improvements (like the File Copy dialogue box)

Then again, given what I just said, maybe there'd be no point in getting it anyway?