Windows 8 and imaging

I am wondering if anyone is succefully imaging using Windows 8.
I have an almost 3 year old laptop and the Windows 7 machines are getting harder to get. I am wondering if I need to get a backup laptop before they are no longer available?
Blueman

Floyd Blue said:

I am wondering if anyone is succefully imaging using Windows 8.
I have an almost 3 year old laptop and the Windows 7 machines are getting harder to get. I am wondering if I need to get a backup laptop before they are no longer available?
Blueman

That is a good question Floyd, and it begs the larger question, what is the future of 90% of the software and apps that we use for astro imaging? Windows 8 says goodbye to all the XP compatability and drivers that are still in regular use by this community. The software industry is moving away from "hobby" apps sold outside of controlled, curated "app stores". Apple started this a couple of years ago and now Microsoft is following with its own version. I expect in a few years it will be difficult to install and run applications that are not connected with one of the stores and blessed by the OS as safe to use. These stores have many things to like, price, confidence, easy access, etc., but they also tend to cull out the developers who might serve an obscure hobby like ours. Think about the dozens of small developers, or even a project like ASCOM, where given enough headwinds, they might just say the heck with it.

Another shift is the move to cloud-based applications accessed by a subscription. These require web access (what, your imaging rig in the boot heel of NM isn't online?) and it could affect our choices down the road. I also see tablets and smartphones replacing laptops in portable rigs, with wireless becoming the control interface of choice. Another big change that would obsolete much of the USB-centric gear being offered today.

Well, I did hear from someone that is using MaximDL, CCDAutoPilot, CCDinspector and FocusMax with Windows 8 and says it works fine. Still does not make me feel all warm and cozy, but maybe it will work.

One thing is sure, with the changes in BIOS and chips, it is going to become very difficult to install Windows 7 on newer computers. If there is a chip without a win7 driver, well you are out of luck.

Now whether there will need to be new Win8 programs written, don't know. But if I have to spend all that money on new ones, then the spare laptop is starting to sound good. 8)

A short add on to prior posts...I am still using XP and have 5 computers at the observatory. One for the site, network, FTP server, weather, security, etc. One for the seeing camera, one for the Dome 1 camera, and (2) for dome 2 cameras. I am using 12Volt Stealth computer machines compatible with the solar power system, and custom written C++ software in addition to CCD soft, the Sky, CCD Commander, PinPoint, etc. I purchased additional XP licenses from Microsoft and will use these going forward for planned add-ons. I am looking into as a replacement for XP. The issue is I have a lot of time invested in homemade C++ software to run the observatory remotely and don't want to learn another operating system or variant. Whats the message, get prepared for the industry to leave the hobby high and dry...Best regards, Dave