Monday, 26 October 2009
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Windows 7 brings you virtualized XP mode
It has been revealed that if you purchase or upgrade to the Ultimate or Professional version of Windows 7 you would have access to the XP mode. This is basically running another version of windows inside windows - i.e. an operating system inside an operating system. It basically supports a virtualized OS with its own own drivers and hardware allowing users to run programs under Windows XP if they don't run in Windows 7. If you run a big company and are worried that programs won't run in Windows 7, then this is a good compatibility fix. However, it does eat up resources just like any other virtualization software. If you purchased the Starter version, then fear not as there are many other virtalization software out there: VMware, Virtualbox and Virtual PC etc...
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The disadvantages of Windows 7
If you are contemplating whether to buy or upgrade to a new operating system, it is always important to look at any possible setbacks. Below are a few issues you need to think about:
If your system has a low memory resource it might not be advisable to change as Windows 7 requires at least 1 GB of RAM. Anything lower than this, just like Vista, you wouldn't be able to experience the full effects like Aero etc.
If you haven't tried Windows Vista, then you may find that there is a learning curve and it may take some time getting used to the new interface. Although there is a lot of eye candy and visual effects, the core functionality can be provided with older predecessors like Windows XP and Vista. If you only use it for document processing or work purposes, then you may not find that there is enough features to upgrade.
If you are a fan of Windows Media Player, then you will find that it has changed as well. Personally, I don't think they have tried too hard and the resulting interface isn't really improved a great deal. However, I don't generally use WMP for my videos as there are a lot of other free players out there.
If you used Windows Vista are there were softwares or programs that didn't run well then the chances are it might not work in Windows 7 either. For example, I had a scrolling problem with my USB mouse in Vista and unsurprisingly it didn't work in Windows 7 either.
Lastly, there are cost issues in buying or upgrading to a new system, particularly since Windows XP has been a stable operating system and can provide most of the functions required for daily work. Although Microsoft has been cutting prices given competition from other companies like Apple, it still remains to be seen whether this new operating system can live up to its reputation. It may be prudent to wait a while and try out a demo version to check that all your drivers work before making the leap to the new system.
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If your system has a low memory resource it might not be advisable to change as Windows 7 requires at least 1 GB of RAM. Anything lower than this, just like Vista, you wouldn't be able to experience the full effects like Aero etc.
If you haven't tried Windows Vista, then you may find that there is a learning curve and it may take some time getting used to the new interface. Although there is a lot of eye candy and visual effects, the core functionality can be provided with older predecessors like Windows XP and Vista. If you only use it for document processing or work purposes, then you may not find that there is enough features to upgrade.
If you are a fan of Windows Media Player, then you will find that it has changed as well. Personally, I don't think they have tried too hard and the resulting interface isn't really improved a great deal. However, I don't generally use WMP for my videos as there are a lot of other free players out there.
If you used Windows Vista are there were softwares or programs that didn't run well then the chances are it might not work in Windows 7 either. For example, I had a scrolling problem with my USB mouse in Vista and unsurprisingly it didn't work in Windows 7 either.
Lastly, there are cost issues in buying or upgrading to a new system, particularly since Windows XP has been a stable operating system and can provide most of the functions required for daily work. Although Microsoft has been cutting prices given competition from other companies like Apple, it still remains to be seen whether this new operating system can live up to its reputation. It may be prudent to wait a while and try out a demo version to check that all your drivers work before making the leap to the new system.
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The Advantages of Windows 7
In my opinion, these are the main advantages of Windows 7:
It is faster than Windows Vista and probably equivalent to Windows XP. Unlike Windows Vista, it demands less resources than Windows Vista. Even with 1 GB of ram, everything runs more fluently with Windows 7. The user interface has been completely revamped and there is the new concept of libraries, which is going to revolutionize the way we organize data. The icons in the notification area have also been changed, which is definitely good news.
Continuing in the theme of appearance, the taskbar has finally been changed allowing to drag and reorder items on it. It is quite unbelievable that it took them so long to change the taskbar. It is now much easier to organize your windows and menus than if you are using Windows Vista.
On the plus side, all the drivers and software that worked on Windows Vista should similarly work on Windows 7. When I first migrated to Windows Vista, my sound drivers didn't work and I know that lots of other people had similar problems. Microsoft seems to have learned the lesson this time and at least there are a lot more Windows 7 drivers available.
It looks like that the Microsoft team has really put in the effort to make Windows 7 as indistinguishable from its predecessor as possible. Even programs like calculator and wordpad have been given new interfaces. I have found it difficult to adapt to the ribbon theme in office 2007, but if you liked it then you would also like what they have done with wordpad. Paint also has some new functions such as crayon effects but for me it is still quite primitive.
There is a new addition to the games section - any fan of internet checkers will be surprised by the inclusion of the game in Windows 7. Rather than that inferior inkball game in Windows Vista, this would satisfy any players who like checkers and you can play this at any time you like.
The User account control (UAC) that has plagued Windows Vista users have also been improved allowing users to select the level of security they prefer. Personally, I always turn it off but for those who want some protection, there are now multiple levels that you can set. This shows that Microsoft has at least listened to what users have said and commented with Windows Vista.
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It is faster than Windows Vista and probably equivalent to Windows XP. Unlike Windows Vista, it demands less resources than Windows Vista. Even with 1 GB of ram, everything runs more fluently with Windows 7. The user interface has been completely revamped and there is the new concept of libraries, which is going to revolutionize the way we organize data. The icons in the notification area have also been changed, which is definitely good news.
Continuing in the theme of appearance, the taskbar has finally been changed allowing to drag and reorder items on it. It is quite unbelievable that it took them so long to change the taskbar. It is now much easier to organize your windows and menus than if you are using Windows Vista.
On the plus side, all the drivers and software that worked on Windows Vista should similarly work on Windows 7. When I first migrated to Windows Vista, my sound drivers didn't work and I know that lots of other people had similar problems. Microsoft seems to have learned the lesson this time and at least there are a lot more Windows 7 drivers available.
It looks like that the Microsoft team has really put in the effort to make Windows 7 as indistinguishable from its predecessor as possible. Even programs like calculator and wordpad have been given new interfaces. I have found it difficult to adapt to the ribbon theme in office 2007, but if you liked it then you would also like what they have done with wordpad. Paint also has some new functions such as crayon effects but for me it is still quite primitive.
There is a new addition to the games section - any fan of internet checkers will be surprised by the inclusion of the game in Windows 7. Rather than that inferior inkball game in Windows Vista, this would satisfy any players who like checkers and you can play this at any time you like.
The User account control (UAC) that has plagued Windows Vista users have also been improved allowing users to select the level of security they prefer. Personally, I always turn it off but for those who want some protection, there are now multiple levels that you can set. This shows that Microsoft has at least listened to what users have said and commented with Windows Vista.
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Microsoft Windows 7 has finally arrived!
Windows 7 is finally here and it proves to be a worthy operating system, perhaps the first in its class to outperform its predecessor Windows Vista. Vista never got off the starting block and many chose to switch back to XP. However, Windows 7 is quick and intelligent, which is what Vista should have been like. All the annoying UAC prompts are gone and the user interface is completely renewed with extra eye-candy. It still maintains the same improved and secure kernel as Windows Vista, making Windows 7 vastly superior than all the predecessors!
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