📎 AI Summary:
The thread covers diverse topics, starting with the original poster experimenting with creating custom coasters from laser-engraved discs, expressing a preference for unperforated discs and sharing their design challenges. Later, a different user discusses Windows 8.1 RTM's ability to boot directly to the legacy desktop, highlighting the compatibility of Classic and Start8, and suggesting that free alternatives are viable, with no immediate threat of these paid programs disappearing. Overall, the forum features creative DIY projects and technical tips, with users sharing their experiences and opinions on software options.

seekermeister

Honorable Member
Member details
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
1,491
Thread Author #1
I know that most everyone here has made a number of these, although they may just have thrown them in the trash. I decided that it would be a good idea to take the name literally and create a custom coaster set. I've not gotten too far yet, because I'm still experimenting with the LS templates and thinking about the design for the wooden plaques that I will glue these to.
An image from 'Coasters'. The first image shows a clock face with Roman numerals, and the second shows ornamental rooftop statues in grayscale.
An image from 'Coasters'. The first image shows a clock face with Roman numerals, and the second shows ornamental rooftop statues in grayscale.


This is just a couple of examples that I've come up with. I only wish that they made LS discs without any holes in the middle of them, because I know that will become a magnet for spilt beverages, etc. I may experiment by cutting out the hubs and cutting a smaller disc to fit into the center, but unless I print them first, they would still be adding a blank hole in the designs.

I guess that I've either got too much time on my hands (the clock above hasn't got any hands (maybe that's appropriate to someone that has no set schedule to keep), or I just hate throwing anything away that has some possible use.
 

Last edited by a moderator:

momal12

New Member
Member details
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
1
Nor forgetting the 8.1 RTM ability to boot straight to the legacy desktop, as a choice..
Classic and start8, are both compatible. Personally I would not see the point of paying for something which has free alternatives doing the same job.
Start8 and classic are in the store, so I don't really see them vanishing in a hurry? Like many other earlier programs, there are better alternatives than the built in ones (Paint, for example). Microsoft have never, historically, obstructed their use.