"Big Seven" (before the suspension of Russia's membership - " big eight") is an international club that does not have its own charter, agreement, secretariat and headquarters. Compared to the World economic forum The G-7 does not even have its own website and public relations department. She is not official international organization consequently, its decisions are not subject to mandatory execution.
Tasks
As of early March 2014, the G8 countries include the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, the United States of America, Canada and Japan. As a rule, the task of the club is to record the intentions of the parties to adhere to a certain agreed line. States can only recommend to others international participants take certain decisions on pressing international issues. However, the club plays an important role in modern world. The composition of the G8 announced above changed in March 2014 when Russia was expelled from the club. The G7 is as significant for the world community today as large organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, WTO, OECD.
History of occurrence
In 1975, in Rambouillet (France), the first meeting of the G6 ("Big Six") was held at the initiative of French President Valerie Giscard d'Estaing. The meeting brought together the heads of countries and governments of France, the United States of America, Great Britain, Japan, Germany and Italy. At the end of the meeting, a joint declaration on economic problems was adopted, which called for the abandonment of aggression in trade and the establishment of new barriers to discrimination.In 1976, Canada joined the club, turning the "six" into the "seven."The club was conceived more as an enterprise with a discussion of macroeconomic problems but then global topics began to emerge.In the 1980s, agendas became more diverse than just economic issues.Leaders discussed the external political situation in developed countries and in the world as a whole.
From "seven" to "eight"
In 1997, the club began to position itself as the "Big Eight", since Russia was included in the composition. As a result, the range of questions has expanded again. Military-political problems became important topics. Members of the "Big Eight" began to propose plans to reform the composition of the club. For example, ideas have been put forward to replace leaders' meetings with videoconferences to avoid the huge financial cost of hosting summits and ensuring the safety of members. Also, the states of the G8 put forward the option of including more countries, for example, Australia and Singapore, in order to transform the club into the G20. Then this idea was abandoned, since with a large number of participating countries it would be more difficult to make decisions. At the start of the twenty-first century, new global themes are emerging and the G8 countries are addressing current issues. The discussion of terrorism and cybercrime comes to the fore.
United States of America and Germany
The "Big Seven" brings together significant participants in the world political arena. The United States of America uses the club to advance its strategic goals in the international arena. American leadership was especially strong during the financial crisis in the Asia-Pacific region, when the United States secured the approval of profitable schemes of action to resolve it.
Germany is also an important member of the G7. The Germans use their participation in this club as an influential means to establish and strengthen the growing role of their country in the world. Germany is actively seeking to pursue a single agreed line of the European Union. The Germans put forward the idea of strengthening control over the global financial system and the main exchange rates.
France
France participates in the G7 club in order to secure its position as a "country with global responsibility". In close cooperation with the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance, it plays an active role in world and European affairs. Together with Germany and Japan, France advocates the idea of centralized control over the movement of world capital to prevent currency speculation. Also, the French do not support "wild globalization", arguing that it leads to a gap between the less developed part of the world and the more developed countries. In addition, in countries that are suffering from the financial crisis, the social stratification of society is aggravated. That is why, at the suggestion of France in 1999 in Cologne, the topic of the social consequences of globalization was included in the meeting.
France is also concerned about the negative attitude of many Western countries towards the development of nuclear energy, since 85% of electricity is generated at nuclear power plants in its territory.
Italy and Canada
For Italy, participation in the G7 is a matter of national prestige. She is proud of her membership in the club, which allows her to more actively implement her claims in international affairs. Italy is interested in all the political issues discussed at the meetings, and also does not leave other topics without attention. The Italians proposed giving the G-7 the character of a "permanent mechanism for consultations," and also sought to provide for regular meetings of foreign ministers on the eve of the summit.
For Canada, the G7 is one of the most important and useful institutions for securing and promoting its international interests. At the Birmingham summit, the Canadians moved to the agenda issues related to their niches in world affairs, such as the ban on anti-personnel mines. Canadians also wanted to create the image of a petitioner on those issues on which the leading powers have not yet reached a consensus. Relatively further activities The G7 opinion of the Canadians is to rationally organize the work of the forum. They support the "presidents only" formula and holding separate meetings of foreign ministers two to three weeks before the meetings.
United Kingdom
The UK highly values its membership in the G7. The British believe that this emphasizes the status of their country as a great power. Thus, the country can influence the solution of important international issues. In 1998, while the UK chaired the meeting, she raised the discussion of global economic problems and issues related to the fight against crime. The British also insisted on simplifying the procedure for the summit and the membership of the G7. They suggested holding meetings with a minimum number of participants and in an informal setting in order to focus on a more limited number of issues in order to deal more effectively with them.
Japan
Japan is not a member of the United Nations Security Council, is not a member of NATO or the European Union, so participation in the G7 summits has a special meaning for it. This is the only forum where Japan can influence world affairs and strengthen its position as an Asian leader.
The Japanese use the "seven" in order to put forward their political initiatives. In Denver, they proposed discussing on the agenda counteraction to international terrorism, the fight against infectious diseases providing assistance for the development of African countries. Japan actively supported the decisions on the problems of international crime, ecology and employment. At the same time, the Japanese Prime Minister was unable to ensure that at that time the "Big Eight" of the countries of the world paid attention to the need to make a decision on the Asian financial and economic crisis. After this crisis, Japan insisted on developing new "rules of the game" in order to achieve greater transparency in international finance for both global organizations and private enterprises.
The Japanese have always taken an active part in solving world problems, such as providing employment, combating international crime, arms control and others.
Russia
In 1994, after the G7 summit in Naples, there were several separate meetings between Russian leaders and G7 leaders. Russian President Boris Yeltsin took part in them at the initiative of Bill Clinton, the head of America, and Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of Great Britain. At first he was invited as a guest, and after a while - as a full member. As a result, Russia became a member of the club in 1997.
Since then, the G8 has significantly expanded the range of issues discussed. The country-chairman of the Russian Federation was in 2006. Then the declared priorities Russian Federation were energy security, the fight against infectious diseases and their spread, the fight against terrorism, education, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the development of the world economy and finance, the development of world trade, the protection environment.
Club goals
The leaders of the G8 met at summits annually, usually on summer time, in the territory of the presiding state. In June 2014, Russia was not invited to the Brussels summit. In addition to the Heads of State and Government of the Member States, two representatives from the European Union participate in the meetings. The proxies of the members of this or that G7 country (Sherpas) form the agenda.
The chairman of the club during the year is the head of one of the countries in a certain order. The goals of the "Big Eight" in membership in the club of Russia are the solution of various actual problems emerging in the world at any given moment. Now they have remained the same. All participating countries are leading in the world, so their leaders face the same economic and political problems. The commonality of interests brings leaders together, which makes it possible to harmonize their discussions and conduct fruitful meetings.
Weight of the Big Seven
The G7 has its own significance and value in the world, since its summits allow heads of state to look at international issues other people's eyes. Summits identify new threats in the world - political and economic, and allow them to be prevented or eliminated through the adoption of joint decisions. All members of the G7 highly value participation in the club and are proud of belonging to it, although they primarily pursue the interests of their countries.
The G8 is an unofficial forum of leaders of the leading industrialized democracies, whose members are Russia, the United States, Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the EU is represented and participates in full. The G8 member countries account for 49% of world exports, 51% of industrial production, and 49% of IMF assets. Within the framework of the G8, approaches to pressing international problems are being coordinated.
The history of the G8 (formerly the G7) began in November 1975, when, at the initiative of French President Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, the first meeting of the leaders of six countries was held in Rambouillet (France), which Canada joined a year later. meetings are attended by representatives of the EU leadership ( European Union always represented at G8 summits by the President of the Commission of the European Communities and the President of the European Council).
The first Russian contacts with the Group of Seven took place back in Soviet times. On July 17, 1991, in London, on the sidelines of the summit, a working meeting was held between President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and the leaders of the G7. In the future, the leaders of the G7 countries adhered to a similar format for holding meetings with the Russian president.
The formation of the G8 was initiated in 1994 at a summit in Naples, Italy. Its first part was held in the "seven" format, and the second - in the "eight" format with the participation of the Russian president as an equal partner.
The summit in Lyon (France) in June 1996 was held in three stages: the first (in the format of the "seven") was devoted to the consideration of a number of international economic issues, the second and third - to the discussion with the participation of Russia of the entire complex of global and foreign policy problems.
As an equal partner, Russia was admitted to the G8 at the Denver (USA) summit in 1997. In the final communiqué, the partners acknowledged that Russia is "completing its historic transformation into a democratic state with a market economy."
The G8 is not an international organization. It is not based on international treaty, has no formally defined admission criteria, statutes and permanent secretariat. The decisions of the G8 bear the character of political obligations of the participating states.
The G8 summits are held annually in turn in the partner countries, and the country hosting the summit acts during the calendar year as the chairman of the G8. It organizes the holding of the summit, ministerial, expert and working meetings, develops a schedule and ensures the coordination of all the current work of the G8.
Discussions of heads of state and government are held in a narrow circle (only Sherpas, personal representatives of the leaders, are allowed). When making decisions, the principle of consensus applies.
G8 summits have been accompanied by anti-globalization protests for a number of years. Thus, the summit of the G8 countries in July 2001 in Genoa (Italy) gave rise to one of the loudest actions in the history of anti-globalists. 120 thousand people took to the streets. As a result of clashes with the police, protester Carlo Giuliani was killed - he became the first victim of anti-globalization speeches. Later, a native of the French city of Nice, Susan Bendotti, died under the wheels of a car. 200 people were injured of varying severity, hundreds were arrested.
During the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg in July 2006, the "counter-summit" of anti-globalists gathered about 1,500 participants. For holding events, the anti-globalists were given a place that was chosen by themselves - at the Kirov stadium. The "counter-summit" included a "social forum", a symposium on educational problems and a seminar on the protection of social rights.
The anti-globalists expressed their gratitude to the Russian government for giving them the opportunity to visit St. Petersburg during the days of the G-8 summit and hold their alternative meeting.
In 2010, in Huntsville, Canada, a "free speech zone" was created specifically for protesters a few kilometers from the place where the heads of the G8 met. But the activity of anti-globalists was not observed.
In 2011 in France, anti-globalists spoke in Le Havre, 40 kilometers from the summit and serious problems the organizers did not create.
In 2012, the G-8 summit passed without numerous anti-globalization protests and was not marked by riots and clashes with the police.
On June 11, 2013, pickets of anti-globalists and anarchists in London protesting against the G8 summit in Northern Ireland took place in the central squares of the British capital. Protesters intermittently blocked traffic, creating numerous traffic jams.
For various offenses, including disobedience to the police and for attempts to obstruct traffic by law enforcement officers. One of the anti-globalists tried to jump off the roof of the building, but was caught by the police who came to the rescue.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
- Sempron
- Mobile Sempron
- Opteron
- Athlon 64/FX/X2
- Mobile Athlon 64
- Turion 64/X2
K8- x86 compatible CPU microarchitecture developed by AMD Corporation. First introduced April 22, 2003: The first Opteron processors were released for the server market. Based on this microarchitecture, the families of microprocessors Opteron, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, Turion 64 were produced. It is a radically redesigned, significantly improved and expanded version of the microarchitecture previous generation AMD K7. The new processors managed to overcome a number of problems that were the Achilles' heel of the K7, and also introduced a number of fundamentally new solutions.
Main points
The K8 microprocessors are superscalar, multi-pipeline, branch predictive, and speculative execution processors. Like the AMD K7 and Intel P6 processors, they are theoretically capable of executing up to 3 instructions per clock cycle. Like any modern x86 processor, K8 first recodes the external complex CISC set of x86 instructions into internal RISC-like micro-ops, which, in turn, are already being executed. To improve performance within the microarchitecture, speculative execution with branch prediction and Out-of-Order launch of micro-operations is implemented, to reduce the impact of data dependencies, register renaming techniques, Result forwarding, and a number of others are used.
Conveyor K8
The K8 microarchitecture uses a pipeline with 12 stages, a significant part of which is in the instruction decoder.
Instruction fetching and decoding
The main problem with decoding x86 instructions is that they have different lengths (from 1 to 15 bytes). In K8, this problem is solved by dividing the process of labeling the instruction stream and actually decoding into two separate subtasks executed in different processor units. The fact is that before being placed in the first-level cache for instructions ( L1I) go through the pre-decode procedure at a rate of 4 bytes of instructions per clock. And the markup information is placed in a special array of tags associated with L1. This simplifies further, working decoding and reduces the pipeline. This solution is unique, since in other processors x 86 (with the exception of K7) uses different techniques to solve this problem. So in processors Intel P6 marking is carried out "on the fly", and in Intel netburst instructions are being decoded before conservation in L1(instead of the standard instruction cache, a special, rather complex structure is used that stores already decoded micro-ops - the trace cache).
The K8 has a dual-channel set-associative cache with a payload of 64 KB and a line of 64 bytes. However, in addition to the instructions themselves, the processor also stores an array of markup tags - 3 bits per byte L1, that is, about 21 KB, as well as branch predictor descriptors - about 8 KB.
From L1 instructions are fetched immediately in 16-byte blocks, which are sent at the same time, through a special buffer ( fetch-buffer), to the execution pipeline and to the branch prediction block ( branch predictor). In the branch predictor, a block of instructions is parsed using a special branch address buffer ( btb) with a size of 2048 records and associated jump history tables ( BHT) with a total capacity of 16K records, as well as some auxiliary devices. If the instruction block contained a jump, then the next block will be fetched from the predicted address. Unfortunately branch predictor- too complex a device to work at the full pace of the processor, so all predictions are performed with a latency of 2 cycles, that is, if the processor encounters a transition, then the next fetch from L1 will be executed only after a cycle. In most cases, this delay is offset by the fact that one 16-byte block contains many instructions, and the overall fetch rate is leading.
From fetch-buffer instructions go to the decoder. Each instruction x 86 K8 refers to one of three classes:
- DirectPath- instructions recoded into one MOP (micro operation);
- DirectPathDouble- instructions recoded into 2 MOPs; and
- VectorPath- instructions decoded into a set of more than 2 MOSFETs.
DirectPath and DirectPathDouble are considered simple and VectorPath complex. In fact, the K8 has 2 different decoder blocks working in parallel and complementing each other. The main unit is a complex of three simple decoders working together and decoding up to three DirectPath and DirectPathDouble instructions per clock, in any combination. The second block deals exclusively VectorPath-instructions and decodes one such instruction per cycle. When does it work VectorPath-decoder, the corresponding stages of simple decoders are blocked. Thus, the K8 decoder can be considered a fairly efficient and productive device that can recode up to three simple or one complex instructions per clock. Decoding results, MOPs are repacked through intermediate buffers into special groups of three MOPs per group (lines). Mops in the group follow strictly in the order of the original code of the program, no rearrangement is made. mops DirectPath and DirectPathDouble instructions can be mixed in any way (except for the multiplication instruction, which is decoded into 2 MOPs and always placed in one line), DirectPathDouble instructions may even be located in different lanes, but all mops VectorPath instructions must be followed in an integer number of groups and cannot be mixed with uops from simple instructions, which leads to some fragmentation and incomplete filling of groups, but this is not a common situation, since the vast majority of instructions in K8 are simple.
Execution and resignation
An interesting feature of K8 is that the processor internally operates in whole groups of 3 MOPs, which can significantly reduce the amount of processor control logic. In Intel processors, although MOPs go in groups at some stages of the pipeline, each MOP is still tracked separately. Another big difference between K8 and processors Intel, then that it departs from the principle of maximum simplification of micro-operations. The fact is that the x86 command system is like CISC contains a large number of instructions like load-op(load+execute) and Load Op Store(download+execution+upload). Since all modern x 86 processors inside are RISC, then such instructions inside the processor are divided into a large number of MOPs, each of which performs some simple action of its own, so an instruction like add eax, mem; will be decomposed into at least 2 MOPs - loading from memory and actual addition, that is, the number of MOPs that need to be executed can significantly exceed the number of original x86 instructions, they will fill the internal paths and buffers of the processor, not allowing to achieve a speed of 3 operations per clock.
In the K7 and K8 microarchitecture processors, the developers decided to get around this problem by making the MOS two-component. Each MOP in these processors consists of two elementary instructions, one microinstruction of integer or floating point arithmetic + one microinstruction of address arithmetic. So instructions like load-op and Load Op Store can be decoded in K8 in just one MOS, which saves processor resources and, accordingly, improves its efficiency.
If necessary, one of the MOP components may not be used and will be filled with a blank. So an instruction of type Load will be recoded into only one MOP containing only the address component. It must be said that in the new processors Intel for a series of instructions like load-op they also used a similar mechanism for merging micro-operations into one MOP with its subsequent separation before launching the MOP for execution, which they called microfusion.
A group of three two-component MOSFETs leaves the decoder and is further controlled by the processor as a whole using a special block - ICU (Instruction Control Unit). Groups of uops go through the stages of renaming registers and allocating resources, then they are placed in ROB (Reorder Buffer). In ROB, groups of instructions are stored until the moment of resignation, the resignation of instructions is carried out immediately by the entire group only when all MOPs in the group are executed and only in the order of priority specified by the source program. The ROB capacity of the K8 is 24 groups, which corresponds to 72 MOPs or 144 micro-ops. The K8 processor uses a static scheme for distributing instructions among execution units, that is, in which group of FU [ unknown term ] the MOP will be launched directly depends on the position of this MOP in the group. In total, the processor has three instruction schedulers for integer and address arithmetic, according to the number of MOPs in the group.
From ROB instructions are copied to scheduler buffers. The processor has three scheduler queues for int-operations and three for address operations, each with a capacity of 8 micro-operations. In the general case, instructions from each queue can be launched for execution in the FU independently of each other and using out-of-order. That is, the instructions are sent to the FU in the order in which the processor needs. The processor contains three 64-bit ALUs and three AGU (Address Generation Unit) connected in pairs, each to its own scheduler.
The layout and execution of MOPs of floating arithmetic is carried out in a separate special device. For their execution, the processor contains one device FMUL, one FADD and one FMISC(which is auxiliary).
Links
Articles are periodically published in the press about meetings and decisions taken by the G8. But everyone knows what is hidden under this phrase and what role this club plays in how and why the G8 was formed, who is in it and what is discussed at the summits - this will be discussed in this article.
Story
Early 70s world economy faced a structural economic crisis and at the same time began to deteriorate relations between Western Europe, the US and Japan. To resolve economic and financial issues, it was proposed to hold meetings of leaders of the most industrially developed countries. This idea arose at a meeting of the first persons of the governments and states of Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, the USA and Japan, which took place from November 15 to 17, 1975 in Rambouillet (France).
The initiator of this meeting was the French President Giscard d'Estaing, and what meetings were decided to be held annually from now on. In 1976, this informal association accepted Canada into its ranks and turned from the "six" into the "seven". And 15 years later, Russia entered and the now known “Big Eight” turned out. This term in Russian journalism appeared as a result of incorrect interpretation of the abbreviation G7 by journalists: in fact, it did not mean "Great Seven" ("Big Seven"), "Group of Seven" ("Group of Seven"). Nevertheless, the name has taken root and no one calls this club differently.
Status
The G8 is a kind of informal forum of the leaders of these countries, which takes place with the participation of the commission. It is not an international organization and does not have a charter or secretariat. Its creation, functions or powers are not fixed in any international treaty. It is rather a discussion platform, a pool or a club where consensus is reached on the most important issues. The decisions taken by the G8 are not binding - as a rule, they are only a fixation of the participants' intentions to adhere to a developed and agreed line, or they are recommendations to other participants in the political arena. As for the issues discussed, they mainly relate to health, employment, law enforcement, social and economic development, environment, energy, international relations, trade and counter-terrorism.
How and with what frequency do the meetings take place?
The G8 Summit is traditionally held annually. As a rule, this happens in the summer. In addition to the official leaders of countries and heads of government, the President of the European Commission and the head of the country that currently holds the EU presidency also take part in these meetings. The venue of the next summit is planned in one of the participating countries. The G8 of 2012 met at Camp David (USA, Maryland), and this year, 2013, the meeting is scheduled for June 17-18 at the Loch Erne golf resort, located in In exceptional cases, instead of the G8, the G20 gathers : the meeting is held with the participation of Spain, Brazil, India, South Africa, South Korea and a number of other countries.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 8 on January 12, 2016.
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✪ Windows 8 / 8.1. Connecting and setting up the Internet
✪ How to connect the Internet on Windows 8
✪ Windows 8 won't connect to the internet
✪ Restricted Wi-Fi access in Windows 8/8.1 Solution
✪ How to install Internet on Windows 8
Subtitles
Innovations and changes
Appearance and new Metro interface
Windows 8, unlike its predecessors - Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and earlier, uses a new interface called Metro. This interface appears first after system startup; it is similar in functionality to the desktop - the start screen has application tiles (akin to shortcuts and icons), by clicking on which an application is launched, a site or folder opens (depending on which element or application the tile is linked to). The Metro interface is touch-oriented, but does not preclude use on non-touch PCs.
Also in the system there is a "classic" desktop as a separate application. Instead of the "Start" menu, the interface uses a "hot corner", clicking on which opens the start screen. Scrolling in the Metro interface is horizontal. Also, if you make a zoom out gesture (or click on the minus at the bottom of the screen), the entire start screen will be visible. Tiles on the start screen can be moved and grouped, names can be given to groups, and tiles can be resized (only available for tiles that were originally large). Depending on the screen resolution, the system automatically determines the number of rows for tiles - standard tablet PCs have three rows of tiles. The color of the start screen changes in the new control panel, and the background ornament also changes.
Windows 8 is a reimagined version of Windows 7, and the desktop experience remains the same.
Main innovations
- Microsoft account and sync settings: Ability to sign in to Windows with a Live ID . This will allow you to log in to your user profile and download your settings online, and adds OneDrive integration.
- App Store Windows Store: The only way to buy and download Metro and desktop apps on Windows RT.
- Two new methods for user authentication: a picture password that allows the user to log in with three touches, and a four-digit PIN, as well as built-in support for biometric devices. The non-local user account password matches the Microsoft account password.
- Internet Explorer 10. IE 10 on Windows 8 is included in desktop and touch. The latter does not support plugins or ActiveX, but includes a version of the Adobe Flash Player that is optimized for touch.
- Conductor. File Explorer includes a Ribbon ribbon (similar to the ribbon in Microsoft Office and Windows Essentials) and improvements to conflict resolution when transferring or copying files.
- System Restore. Added two new features: Restore (eng. Refresh) and Reset (eng. Reset). Restore for Windows restores all system files to their original state while preserving all settings, user files, and applications. Resetting returns the computer to factory settings.
- New Task Manager. In Windows 8, the task manager has been completely redesigned. Added new performance graphs, optimized management of running applications, background processes and services on a single tab "Performance". Also, the management of autoloads from the "System Configuration" was transferred to the task manager.
- Family Safety”was built into Windows, family safety is managed in the control panel.
- Personalization: After starting, a picture with the current time and date appears on the screen. To get started, press any button to open the welcome screen. The image itself can be changed in the settings. Added auto color detection in desktop themes.
- New control panel in the Metro UI style, which allows you to quickly change some system settings.
- Advanced Search: On the home screen, you only need to press any key to start searching for applications, settings, etc.
- Switching keyboard layout: You can also change the keyboard layout using the keyboard shortcuts Windows + Space or ⇧ Shift + Alt .
Development history
First information and rumors
The first information about Windows 8 began to appear even before Windows 7 went on sale - in April 2009, when Microsoft posted an offer in the vacancies department for developers and testers to participate in the development of Windows 8. “We will also start soon<разрабатывать>Significant enhancements to Windows 8 that will include innovative features that will revolutionize file access on remote machines,” was written in an advertisement for the position of Lead Software Development and Testing Engineer.
In connection with these first indirect information, various rumors and conjectures began to appear actively regarding Windows 8. For example, it was suggested that Windows 8 would be shipped only in a 64-bit edition, that to the Internet will be possible directly from the desktop and there will be a non-tree file system. There have also been speculations about a complete merger of Windows 8 with the concept laid down by MinWin. Another group of rumors was the assignment of third-party code names to Windows 8. Most often, Windows 8 was codenamed "Midori", while "Midori" was a separate research OS. In addition to "Midori", Windows 8 was given the names "Mojave", "Orient" and some others.
Initial development stage
At the Computer Software Developers Conference, the Professional Developers Conference (Professional Developers Conference - English) 2009, which took place from November 17 to 20 in Los Angeles, Microsoft's plans to release new operating systems of the Microsoft Windows family for personal computers and servers became known. Two slides were shown, which indicated the release date of the next operating system of the Windows family - 2012. Moreover, on one slide the name of this operating system was also indicated - “Windows 8”, however, it was clarified that this name is code, and not final.
On January 27, 2010, a Microsoft technology road map became available to the public with preliminary plans for the release of various software products, including Windows 8 and Microsoft Office 2013 . According to this document, the release of the RTM version of Windows 8 was scheduled for July 1, 2011. Windows Server 2012 and Office 15 were scheduled to release exactly one year and one day later, on July 2, 2012.
On February 9, 2010, thanks to reports from two Microsoft employees, new information about Windows 8 appeared in the press. The first employee is John Mangelaars, director of consumer and online directions in the EMEA region, who, in an interview with the British edition of CIO, said that Windows 8 will "terrific". A little earlier, another employee posted an entry on the official MSDN blog called "What's In Store for the Next Windows" (Russian. What's in store for the next Windows) . This entry was soon deleted, but its text became available to journalists. In this entry, Windows 8 appears under the name "Windows.next". The entry claimed that Windows.next would be "something completely different" from what is usually expected from Windows. Dozens of teams worked on the OS, and the author of the post called the process of discussing Windows.next "surreal." According to the author of the entry, Windows.next was supposed to completely change the way you think about personal computers and the way you use them.
Presentation materials leaked in 2010
At the end of June 2010, Windowsette, an Italian fan site dedicated to Windows 8, made publicly available PowerPoint presentation slides from Microsoft (which are NDA-certified and dated April 20, 2010) describing the key features of Windows 8 . Immediately after this publication, this information was reprinted by the authoritative English-language sites Microsoft Kitchen and Microsoft Journal, and after them - by most other news media resources dedicated to the IT industry. In addition to the information about the new OS itself, in these slides there was an image of a 30-inch monoblock supporting voice control with Windows 8 installed.
Presentation at CES 2011
BUILD Conference (former PDC 2011)
It took place from 13 to 16 September 2011. During the conference, a test version of Windows 8 for developers was published on the official website of the product software("Developer Preview"). The validity period, originally set until March 11, 2012, could be extended until January 15, 2013.
Mobile World Congress
According to Microsoft, 4 million Windows 8 updates were sold in the first days of release, and over 40 million OS licenses were sold a month later. However, initial demand for the new operating system was rated as weak by analysts. According to Net Applications, the market share of Windows 8 among Windows systems by the end of February 2013 was 3%. The same figure for Windows Vista for this period was 4%, and for Windows 7 - 9.7%.
Simultaneously with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft released its Tablet PC - Surface. Tablet PCs from Microsoft are divided into two branches - Professional with Windows 8 preinstalled and regular Surface with Windows RT. The professional version sells for more.
Sales results for the first quarter of 2013 showed that Windows 8 failed to slow the decline in demand for personal computers. Consumers want touchscreen PCs, but they're expensive and manufacturers are running out of components, IDC analysts say.
On May 20, 2014, China banned the use of Windows 8 in government agencies. Reasons for the decision were not made public.
Windows 8.1
On March 26, 2013, Microsoft officially confirmed that they were working on an update codenamed windows blue. May 14 update received official name Windows 8.1, it also became known that the update will be free for owners of official versions of Windows 8 and will be distributed through the Windows Store. The public preview of Windows 8.1 appeared on June 26, 2013, the release of the final version occurred on October 17, 2013.
Criticism
Windows 8 received negative reviews due to the prevalence of the Metro interface. Users criticized the redesigned interface, forcing them to spend extra time learning how to work with the new operating system, although most of the innovations are described in the help system, which is called up by pressing the F1 key when the desktop is open.
Along with the negative feedback from the first users, an unfinished activation service has surfaced that can provide a free activation code to any user. This vulnerability was fixed in December 2012 .
Chief Marketing Officer Microsoft Tami Reller (English) in an interview, she said that some key elements of Windows 8 will be changed when an updated version of Windows 8.1 is released. This was seen by some in the media as a de facto admission of the company's failure with the release of Windows 8. But Windows 8.1 was also received negatively by inertia, especially after the end of support for Windows XP.
Technical requirements
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 GHz clock speed ; IA-32; Support for PAE, and SSE2. |
1 GHz clock frequency; x86-64 ; Support for PAE, NX and SSE2. |
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| video card | Video adapter supporting DirectX 9 and WDDM version 1.0 or later. | |
| Free hard disk space | 16 GB free space | 20 GB free space |
Additional requirements to use some OS features:
- To use the touch features, you need a tablet computer or monitor that supports multi-touch technology.
- To access the Windows Store, which requires an Internet connection, you need a screen with a resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels.
- Pinning applications requires a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768 pixels.
- Internet access required (ISP fees may apply).
- Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI version 2.3.1 Errata B and has a Microsoft Windows CA in the UEFI signature database.
- Some games and programs may require a video adapter compatible with DirectX 10 or later for optimal performance.
- Some functions require Account Microsoft.
- DVD playback requires separate software.
- BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only).
- BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 or a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only).
- The Hyper-V client requires a 64-bit system with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) capabilities and an additional 2 GB of RAM (Windows 8 Pro only).
- A TV tuner is required to watch and record TV in Windows Media Center (Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Pro with Windows Media Center packages only).
- Free Internet TV content depends on geographical location. Some content may incur additional charges (Windows 8 Professional and Windows 8 Professional with Windows Media Center). [ ]
Editions
7 editions of Windows 8 are known:
- Windows 8 "Single language" - completely similar to Windows 8 (Core), but the ability to change the language is disabled. Comes with laptops and netbooks.
- Windows 8 "With Bing" is a version of Windows 8 in which the default search engine in the Internet Explorer browser is Bing, and it cannot be changed. Comes with some laptops.
- Windows 8 (Core) - basic version for PC, laptop and tablet users. Comes with laptops and netbooks.
- Windows 8 "Professional" - PC, laptop and tablet edition with small business features.
- Windows 8 "Professional with Windows Media Center" - differs from "professional" in the presence of Windows Media Center
- Windows 8 "Corporate" - version for enterprises with advanced features for corporate resource management, security, and more.
- Windows RT - version for tablets on ARM architecture, runs applications only from the Windows Store.
In addition, three versions of Windows 8 were released for the European market: Windows 8 N, Windows 8 Pro N, and Windows 8 Pro Pack N. These versions lack Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, Video applications.
| Editorial | Windows 8 Professional |
Windows 8 Enterprise |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
For one language |
with Windows Media Center |
|||||||
| Acquisition methods | OEM license | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not |
| Retail sale | Not | Not | Not | Yes | Yes | Not | Not | |
| Volume Licensing | Not | Not | Not | Not | Yes | Not | Yes | |
| Architecture | ARM (32-bit) | IA-32 or x86-64 | ||||||
| Maximum RAM (x86) | unknown | 4 GB | ||||||
| Maximum RAM (x64) | unknown | 128 GB | 512 GB | |||||
| Start of sales | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | 30.10.2012 | |
| End of license sales | n/a | n/a | n/a | 31.10.2014 | 31.10.2014 | n/a | 31.10.2014 | |
| End of sales of devices with a pre-installed OS | 30.06.2016 | 30.06.2016 | 30.06.2016 | 30.06.2016 | 30.06.2016 | 30.06.2016 | n/a | |
| End of support | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | 12.01.2016 | |
| Compatible with existing Windows applications | Not | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Graphic password | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Start Screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Touch keyboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Language packs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Updated Windows Explorer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Standard Applications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| File History | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Reset and update OS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Play To | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Standby mode with network connection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Center Update Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows Defender | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Improved multi-monitor support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Advanced Task Manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Mounting (mounting) ISO and VHD images | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile broadband features | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Microsoft account | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Internet Explorer 10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| smart screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Store Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Xbox Live (includes Xbox Live Arcade) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Exchange ActiveSync | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Snap | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Ability to connect to a virtual private network | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Device Encryption | Yes | Yes | Beginning with | |||||
