Windows 7

[jdog]

Yes it is OK so far. I'm annoyed I can't seem to make the Start menu look "Classic". Also, performance seems to suffer a bit doing CPU intensive tasks such as video processing or rendering with all the fancy effects turned on - much closer to XP performance if I turn all effects to "performance" settings (i.e. off).

Since I'm reaching the point where I'll need to take advantage of a LOT of ram, Windows 7 64 bit may be the way forward for me.

I'm in need of an outward blocking firewall like Zonealarm that works on Windows 7 64bit so if anyone knows of one, let me know.

So far all of the day to day things I need to use in Windows work under Windows 7 - with the exception of the firewall.

More testing to be done but so far this is pleasing and holds some hope for me unlike Vista.

Windows 7 has an outbound firewall. Go to Start and type in Windows Firewall, click on the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. You'll see an option to configure outbound rules.

[AYHJA]

I really like Windows 7 so far...

I may do a format soon to see how it plays outside the virtualization enviroment, but so far so good man...

[AYHJA]

Anybody else playing w/Windows 7 wishing that it would last forever in the place of Vista..? If I didn't have to switch over to Vista to run one of my games, I'd probably never open it anymore...And the only reason I don't have the game on W7 is because its a 20 GB install and I don't want to do all that right now...I usually don't have much confidence in BETA's, but this is pretty good...

[jdog]

Anybody else playing w/Windows 7 wishing that it would last forever in the place of Vista..? If I didn't have to switch over to Vista to run one of my games, I'd probably never open it anymore...And the only reason I don't have the game on W7 is because its a 20 GB install and I don't want to do all that right now...I usually don't have much confidence in BETA's, but this is pretty good...

There are activation cracks for Windows 7.

http://www.blogsdna.com/1903/download-w ... beta-1.htm

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/3 ... rver-2008/

Also, the Release Candidate for Windows 7 is due April 10th!

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/02/2 ... -10th-2009

[AYHJA]

I was able to get a key, so I don't need an activation crack, but I'm definitely interested in the RC and what that will bring...

[5829]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10217 ... 20∂=sphere

April 10, 2009 1:13 PM PDT
Microsoft Windows 7: Upgrade or just buy a pizza?
by Dave Rosenberg

BusinessWeek is running a piece on Microsoft's latest attempts to fight back against Apple and Linux and its secret strategy to force unwitting Windows users to upgrade to various flavors of Windows 7.

Because of the smaller size of Windows 7, three versions of the program will come loaded even on lower-end machines. If a consumer on a cheaper PC running the "Standard" version tries to use a high-definition monitor or run more than three software programs at once, he'll discover that neither is possible. Then he'll be prompted to upgrade to the pricier "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" version.

Microsoft says the process will be simple. Customers enter their credit-card information, then a 25-character code, make a few keystrokes, then reboot. (Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Consumer-Product Marketing Brad Brooks) says pricing hasn't been determined, but upgrading "will cost less than a night out for four at a pizza restaurant."

I can't decide if this strategy is profoundly stupid or just utterly moronic.

Besides the fact that when you buy an Apple computer you aren't hoodwinked into upgrading the operating system, just think of all the simple things that can go wrong:

* Consumer confusion (and subsequent anger) about what they are paying for in the first place
* The upgrade not working or corrupting an existing installation
* Online credit card processing through an operating system known for being exploited by a vast range of criminals
* An assumption that the hardware will be capable of running the new operating system

As Microsoft continues to tout the Apple Tax, perhaps it should look inward a bit and realize that people are willing to pay for Apple products for the high-quality user experience, and not settle for a subpar experience on a product they use every day.

The vast majority of Windows users will end up frustrated and annoyed if this ridiculous upgrade plan idea comes to fruition. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Apple users will continue to save their pizza money and opt for a better computing experience.

Follow me on Twitter @daveofdoom

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http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10214 ... 20∂=sphere

April 7, 2009 1:53 PM PDT
Windows 7 beta upgrade won't be easy
by Ina Fried

Those who want to move from the beta version of Windows 7 to the upcoming "release candidate" version will be able to do so, but it is going to take some work.

In a blog posting on Tuesday, Microsoft said that it is offering two options for going from the beta to the newer test version, which is due shortly. Neither is all that easy.

The recommended approach, Microsoft said, is to go back to Windows Vista and upgrade from that. Microsoft asked testers to follow this approach as it will help the company get more feedback on the experience that the typical user will have in going from Vista to Windows 7.

Those who really want to upgrade directly from the beta to the release candidate will be able to do so, but only using a series of convoluted steps.

"We know many people (including tens of thousands at Microsoft) are relying on the pre-release builds of Windows 7 for mission critical and daily work, making this step less than convenient," the company acknowledged in its blog. "We're working hard to provide the highest quality release we can and so we'd like to make sure for this final phase of testing we're supporting the most real world scenarios possible, which incremental build to build upgrades are not. At the same time everyone on the beta has been so great we wanted to make sure we at least offered an opportunity to make your own expert and informed choice about how to handle the upgrade."

The company also cautioned that the same hassles will apply for those moving from the release candidate to the final version of Windows 7.

[zaphodz]

Yeah Microsoft have a weird take on the world. The hamstrung version of 7 is going to cause much annoyance. I read people joking about malware will occupy the 3 programs so you can't do anything with your computer. Or once you have your antivirus, firewall, antispyware running you won't be able to do anything with the PC.

Microsoft lately can't compete against Apple. There is only one Apple operating system - unlike the half a dozen confusing types of Vista / 7.

Good luck. For me, I'll continue to use my hacked XP until there is a valid reason to go to a hacked version of 7. I stopped using the beta 7 ages ago.

I don't see any problem with having to reinstall rather than upgrade from betas or release candidates. You should want a clean install, especially for Windows.

[AYHJA]

Yeah, exactly...If I'm installing a new version of windows, I'm not upgrading, period...It's a no brainer for me...And if you're doing this kind of shit, chances are you're dual booting anyway, which means articles like this seem to just want to be taking a piss on something...I like Windows 7, and by the time the new version comes out my 6 months will be up and it will be time to format anyway...

I'll never go back to XP, Vista either if I can help it...I'm definitely a PC, lol...

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

I'll never go back to XP

Thou clearly hath more issues than thinking Silvia Sag is still hot,Monsieur

[AYHJA]

If it weren't for the upgrade in graphics, I would never have left Windows 2000, and in fact, I only left Windows 2K when it absolutely, positively no way I could run my apps on 2K...Beyond clear type and pretty icons, XP offered nothing for me to care about...My system was already stable on 2K Professional, it had a small footprint (about 400 MB compared to +1GB for XP), and it was fast...

XP was good, but it was not the leap from Windows 2000 Pro that I had hoped for...The leap from XP to Vista, however, was pretty significant, and even from Vista to Windows 7 its better...