2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeWindows 7 gives PCs quite the view with release of new operating software
By Matthew Bellezza
Posted: 11/18/08, 1:03 AM EST Section: Feature
Ah, Vista, so much to say, so little time. Hardware hog, unstable, compatibility issues, everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. But hey, it looks pretty.
One service pack and a few months later, Microsoft announces the rumored new operating system that promises so much: Windows Vienna, now officially dubbed "Windows 7." The new OS had a press release of a pre-beta (No clue why they didn't just call it an Alpha version) at the beginning of the month.
So naturally I had to get my hands on a copy.
There is no way this is a pre-beta. The entire install process on my desktop took 15 minutes as opposed to the two-hour long XP and Vista installs.
No hardware issues, no compatibility issues. Upon loading the OS, there were no hangs, no stalls, none of the shuddering that usually comes with the beta experience.
Right off the bat, all the drivers for all the hardware in my custom computer were installed. Sound card, video card, USB drivers - everything.
The first thing to notice is that it looks like Windows Vista, except for the taskbar, which is where I'll start.
The new taskbar has more of a Mac dock feel to it. Programs can be "pinned" to the bar permanently to avoid browsing for them in the start menu. All windows and tabs within programs that are opened and/or pinned to the taskbar are grouped together in a very fancy "glassy" looking way.
The live preview feature from Vista that works by moving the mouse over an open window on the taskbar has even been amped up a bit. When Internet browsers have multiple tabs open, the preview displays all the tabs open as well as giving the user the opportunity to close any of the tabs via the preview. The same goes with multiple windows within the same program.
It's also good to note that users have basic program controls right on the taskbar other than close, minimize and maximize. The system tray (where your clock is) is also customizable. Users can choose what is displayed in it and what notifications show up. Pretty nifty.
One service pack and a few months later, Microsoft announces the rumored new operating system that promises so much: Windows Vienna, now officially dubbed "Windows 7." The new OS had a press release of a pre-beta (No clue why they didn't just call it an Alpha version) at the beginning of the month.
So naturally I had to get my hands on a copy.
There is no way this is a pre-beta. The entire install process on my desktop took 15 minutes as opposed to the two-hour long XP and Vista installs.
No hardware issues, no compatibility issues. Upon loading the OS, there were no hangs, no stalls, none of the shuddering that usually comes with the beta experience.
Right off the bat, all the drivers for all the hardware in my custom computer were installed. Sound card, video card, USB drivers - everything.
The first thing to notice is that it looks like Windows Vista, except for the taskbar, which is where I'll start.
The new taskbar has more of a Mac dock feel to it. Programs can be "pinned" to the bar permanently to avoid browsing for them in the start menu. All windows and tabs within programs that are opened and/or pinned to the taskbar are grouped together in a very fancy "glassy" looking way.
The live preview feature from Vista that works by moving the mouse over an open window on the taskbar has even been amped up a bit. When Internet browsers have multiple tabs open, the preview displays all the tabs open as well as giving the user the opportunity to close any of the tabs via the preview. The same goes with multiple windows within the same program.
It's also good to note that users have basic program controls right on the taskbar other than close, minimize and maximize. The system tray (where your clock is) is also customizable. Users can choose what is displayed in it and what notifications show up. Pretty nifty.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 11/18/08 @ 9:06 AM EST
The problem is still that Vista and 7 do not have any "killer apps" that make them 'better' than XP. Newer does not mean better; frankly, older does. XP has proven itself year after year to be a stable, compatible, fast OS. (Continued…)
Al
posted 11/18/08 @ 9:23 PM EST
I've always been a diehard Mac fanatic, but after having to take my MacBook Pro to the repair shop zillions of times, I've been very tempted to switch over to PCs. (Continued…)
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