Windows 7: Overhyped?

Now that I've been using Windows 7 Beta 1 for a couple weeks, I do feel as if I've developed a bit of an affinity for the new OS on the block. However, I really have a hard time understanding this "world beater" attitude that some on the web (and yes, some of them are other no-name bloggers such as myself) have gotten when it comes to Windows 7 compared to its oft-bashed predecessor.

I was also a Windows Vista beta tester, and had the unfortunate fate of downloading, and using on my main computer, Windows Vista Beta 2. Those of you that were also a part of the beta testing, and maybe even some of you that weren't, already know that Vista Beta 2 was one of the worst debacles in Microsoft OS history. I do like to water down the Beta 2 flub by arguing it was simply a beta, and betas can't be expected to be flawless, but, let's face it, Vista Beta 2 was a constantly crashing, ever-incompatible mess that's singlehandedly responsible for frying my laptop battery.

However, once Vista RC 1 was released, everything seemed magically better. The crashes were gone, the UI was cleaner and faster, driver support was improved, and Vista was on the right track. I upgraded my computer to Vista within a couple days of its release, and, outside a couple minor driver issues that have since been corrected, I haven't looked back. I feel like Marty McFly whenever I happen to go back to the future and mess around with somebody's XP system.

Windows 7 will likely make me feel the same way about Vista, but I don't have some overwhelming drive to upgrade like the only way I can save my system from the computer apocalypse is if I do. When it comes to those things people nag on about Vista, and beam about how Windows 7 has fixed 'em, there's usually a pretty easy workaround/explanation for their Vista issue:

UAC: The most popular of Vista knocks, the UAC can simply be shut off. It's not easy to figure out, but it can be done, and a quick Google search will usually suffice for the instructions. Vista might get mad at you for doing it, but, if you hate it that much, you may as well go for the jugular.

Overall Speed: Generally, a clean machine means a fast machine, and Vista isn't much different. Are there sacrifices in speed compared to XP, sure, but not so drastic that it makes me want to yank my hair out. As long as the install is clean, bloatware removed, and startup apps are kept to a minimum (this is where I falter most often), you shouldn't have too many issues in terms of speed with Vista.

Incompatibility: Another favorite of mine. As I mentioned in one of my first posts, people will praise 7 for it's amazing compatibility out of the box. Vista, as of 7's release date, will have the exact same compatibility as its new cousin, but nobody will care. They'll just say that 7 is so much more compatible upon release than Vista, even though Vista really was the OS that did the driver dirty work for the kernel the two OS's are based on.

Edition Names: Who the hell cares!? It's not too difficult to discern between Windows Home Premium, Business (Professional for 7), and Ultimate. Also, for that matter, the feature set isn't exactly radically different, with the main shift probably being Windows Media Center's absence from Business (although the lack of a DVD codec in Business is also incredibly baffling to me). Windows 7 really keeps essentially the same labeling structure, and I don't see any real reason to change it or why people struggle so mightily with what each one entails.

Windows 7 Beta 1: My Experience

Back after some time off during the holiday, I had a chance to install the Windows 7 Beta on my 3+ year old HP Pavilion zd8200, and here's a summary of my experience so far:

When using the Pre-Beta builds, I had created a 20gb partition upon which to install my test subjects, and that's also where I installed Beta 1. Starting off, I decided to go with the 32-bit version for compatibility reasons, even though I have little issues running x64 Vista on my main partition. Funny thing is, this ended up NOT being the way to go, as I had unrepairable sound card driver issues that caused unbearably choppy video/audio.

So, after downloading Windows 7 x64, I encountered a couple driver issues I figured I would considering I originally had the same problems under Vista x64. The sound card, this time, decided not to work at all, and neither did my media card reader. However, even though Windows Update wasn't able to find the correct drivers, I was able to pull them same drivers I use in Vista over to 7 using my USB flash drive, and, as long as I run in "Disable Driver Enforcement" mode, both devices now work.

Once the driver issues were resolved, I was pretty happy with the overall experience. I enjoy the window preview that brings particular windows to the forefront when highlighted in the taskbar, and the "Desktop Slideshow" feature, which I have set to change wallpapers every 5 minutes, is pretty cool. Shutdown time, more so than startup, is extremely peppy as well.

The only real issue I have with 7 comes in the form of sleep mode, from which it has had a couple issues recovering. The biggest issue here was when it woke up once without recognizing, or even powering, my USB flash drive that had been plugged in even before it went to sleep.

All-in-all, 7 has been a decent experience so far, but I've only used it for a couple days, so I'll let you know more of what I think as I become more ingrained in the interface.

NOTE: If you are also having sound issues with a 2005-2006ish HP Laptop (remember, I have a zd8200) and are having problems finding drivers, follow this link:

http://cid-5fdf5d7e24cea71d.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/Windows%20Vista%20x64%20HP%20Audio%20Drivers

Put all the files into a folder where you would keep your drivers on your local hard drive, and then manually install them through the Device Manager in the Control Panel. Also, you can get ReadyDriver Plus, a program to ease your pain when attempting to boot into "Disable Driver Enforcement" mode, here.

Windows 7 - Build 6801 Already Leaks

I won't give out any information on where you can get the file, but, suffice it to say, it appears at least one attendee of PDC couldn't keep their software to themselves, and decided to put build 6801, or Windows 7's M3 build (the 32-bit version only at the time of this post), out into the open.

This should come as no shock to anyone really, considering some that attended PDC had certainly no allegiance to Microsoft, and no reason to hold back on letting everyone else join in the fun. Build 6933, which some feel could be the Beta 1 version Microsoft releases either later in '08, or in early '09, will be a tougher find on torrent sites and elsewhere. This build has only been released for internal testing, and those that actually do have a copy certainly have a vested interest in making sure it doesn't go out.

Build 6933 screenshots, taken from PDC itself and posted on Teknobites, show an all new taskbar, a simplified interface for syncing external devices, and a cool graphical feature that entirely glasses open windows so that gadgets and other desktop items can be seen.

Windows 7 It Is

When it all comes down to it, I guess I agree with vice president of Windows product management Mike Nash, it "just makes sense." Windows 7 will be just that in production, "Windows 7," according to multiple sources, including Gregg Keizer over at Computerworld.

I am a bit surprised at the sudden decision to go with the build number as the final name of the OS, but there are some interesting customizations that could be had with such a name. One such customization could come in the form of turning the "v" in "Seven" into the number "7." As shown by this wallpaper, the "7" in Se7en sort of looks like a sideways "v," and could certainly make a pretty cool product package.

I would also imagine the change is coming simply due to Microsoft running out of ideas for arbitrary names (i.e., XP and Vista). Going to the build number makes more sense, but will it result in future name decimals such as Windows 3.1?

Windows Cloud: Bad Timing?

With all the hype surrounding Windows 7's Pre-Beta 1 being debuted at PDC, Microsoft definitely wouldn't do anything to steal the thunder from under the next version of their flagship product . . . or would they? Well, Steve Ballmer actually seems to have done just that by, likely prematurely, mentioning that Windows Cloud, a cloud-computing based OS, will also surface at PDC.

Despite mentioning the product, not a whole heck of a lot was mentioned about Windows Cloud by Ballmer, but it does appear as if it will compete directly with Google App Engine and Amazon EC2. Microsoft wants to go beyond just web-based application use within browser windows, and move onto integrating these apps with Windows Cloud.

So, what the heck does this all mean? As John Brandon mentions over at Computerworld, a "cloud" OS isn't really a tangible thing, but more of an idea. From what I understand, it would include an incredibly light infrastructure from the OS itself, and then have straight web-based apps that ran so that the system resources wouldn't be bogged down.

It almost sounds like Ballmer wants to turn Windows into a web-based form of Linux: a quick, stripped down OS where open source apps rule the world. I'm getting ahead of myself, thinking Microsoft would open up Windows Cloud to programmers galore . . . but I can dream, can't I?

Back to the timing of all this. Why would Ballmer drop this ball when Windows 7 is slated to be the focal point of the PDC? He dropped the news at a Microsoft-sponsored conference in London, and apparently went on to bash Google's web-based offering, saying that wants "software more powerful than software that runs in a browser."

Oh snap Steve! They're reeling at the Google HQ now. I'm a Microsoft guy, but he's gotta get past the jealousy, and recognize that Google has gotten to the "cloud" realm first, and is doing a pretty good job laying the foundation for web-based apps to come.

Firefox 3.1: Minefield's Here

First there was "Shiretoko," now we have been graced with "Minefield." The latest Firefox 3.1 build, which is pegged as a Pre-Beta 1 version of the software, was recently released to very low fanfare. However, this release is notable for a couple of reasons.

One thing I thought IE 7 did better than either Firefox 3 or Safari was that it was much easier to open a new tab within a given window. Right next to the tab furthest to the right sat a "new tab" button, which was easily accessible, and made opening multiple tabs a breeze. In Safari and Firefox, you had to either open one using the drop down menu, a keyboard shortcut, or, in Firefox, by placing a "new tab" button on the toolbar manually.

Now, Minefield has a new tab button on the toolbar by default, which you'll see placed all the way on the right side of the page when you start the program for the first time. It also comes with a little drop down tab situated right next to the button that lists the tabs you currently have open, so you could switch between them that way as well.

The big advancement in Minefield, however, is so under the radar that Mozilla hasn't even activated it by default. The new TraceMonkey JavaScript rendering engine, which has been really labeled as Firefox 3.1's breakout feature, is now available IF you know how to activate it.

Luckily, thanks to some help from Andrew Smith over at the Dallas Morning News, I've run down the Mozilla Wiki page that tells you how to accomplish this goal. I've played around with it a bit, and ESPN.com, for example, does seem to have a bit more pep in its step.

NOTE: Sort of as a bonus, if you want a tip on how to activate additional internet pipelines for Firefox and IE, take a look here, and it may make everyday browsing a little quicker.

New Xbox Live Experience Coming in November

Even though Microsoft has been doing quite well at keeping software from leaking onto the net lately, it has not done quite as admirably as it comes to release dates. As a matter of fact, Microsoft actually let the cat out the bag themselves that The new Xbox Live Experience. complete with Wii-esque avitars, will be surfacing this coming November.



How could they pull this off you may ask? That happens to be the best part. Gamespot is reporting that the drop was actually hidden within a Stride Gum advertisement placed within the Xbox Live blade interface. The interactive ad had a section labeled "New Xbox Experience," and scrolling over it revealed an ad that stated "Check out the New Xbox Experience coming in November."

For those of you that don't know much about the new interface, it, as I mentioned in the beginning, has customizable avatars for users, and will also add new Netflix functionality that could become quite a hit for those who subscribe to the service.

I'm not necessarily all about the new changes, mostly because I'm so used to the blade interface in its current form. However, as long as it's just a fresh coat of paint, but still functional and easy to navigate, I probably could care less.