Windows 7: Updated[Micorosft News]

Although this is not a huge chunk of new or earth shattering news, it is still interesting and somewhat informative.

According to a post on Gizmodo, it seems that Windows 7 will look and feel a lot like Windows Vista. I am not sure if that is a bad thing, or if it is supposed to scare off the anti-vista crowd.

The article also states that Windows 7 Beta will be out around December, gearing for a 2009 release. 

A Microsoft Product Manager's Vista Confessions

For all of the anti-Vista static floating around out in the world these days, I still have yet to see any large or in depth list of Vista issues or failures.

The article posted here at Giz seems to have several issues lined out, not all of which are listed as Microsoft's fault. 

To me this is kinda like when GW Bush declared Iraq had WMD's. Then people said where are they?!? And he really didn't have much to show them.

This is Mac fanboys and Microsoft haters saying "look at all the issues Vista has!" And I am saying, "where are they? What are the issues?!?"

And they really don't have much to show me.

Windows Vista Ready Boost vs. RAM Upgrade

Just wondering what some of your thoughts are out there on the ReadyBoost technology Microsoft has deployed in versions of Vista.

The poll closes July 31st, 2008.

Windows Update Getting...an Update!

For those of you out there who are using Vista and have seen the sluggish, beastly application know as "Windows Updater," then this will be good news for you. Windows Vista updater is getting of all things...an update!

This is great news to me. I spent a good portion of the weekend getting SP1 for Visual C# Express Edition (so it will run on Vista) and it took damn near 6 hours to complete.

Slow? Snails passed the updater! Hopefully this will be better!

Link.

Gizmodo Writer Explains Why He Still Uses Windows XP

This article was actually really well written and thought out in my opinion. I know there tends to be a huge rift between OS X people and XP people and this may help shed some light on why.

The author does not bash Apple, or even condemn some of their more insidious acts. Nor does he bash Windows (XP anyways.)

If you are curious as to why one individual refuses to jump ship to Mac, read the article.

"Why I Still Use Windows Despite the Peer Pressure"

Gizmodo Link.

My Windows Vista Premium Review - Day 14

In the last two weeks I have used my copy of Windows Vista Premium, I have found several issues (some of which I am not sure if they are a Vista issue or a Dell issue) and I have also had much success with it.

The latest issues with Vista circle around iTunes. One of our laptops had iTunes installed, the DVD-RW stopped working (see last post - Day 7.) Once that was fixed via Dell, iTunes was upgraded via Apple updates...DVD-RW stopped working again!

This was frustrating and time consuming due to Dell's high volume Tech Support Que. Again, this problem was easily fixed by Dell and we were told not to update iTunes or any Apple product for right now.

I know this may not be a Vista issue, it could be an Apple issue or a Dell issue, but it is still fairly frustrating when trying to configure your system and every time you add a new software package, a hardware driver gets dropped.

I also noted that if I reboot my machine with an iPod plugged in via USB, the machine hangs and won't fully boot...Hmmm. I am not a conspiracy theorist but, damn! That's' one hell of a coincidence!

The Good

• Still pretty solid OS despite the issues had.
• Issues can be fixed, albeit a slow process

The Bad

• Issues require a tech support person to analyze and fix. They are "known" issues...I smell a patch coming.
• Reboot issue with iPod is a weird one. Not very good design considering the iPod has been out for years! Still could be an Apple issue.
• No Alt + Tab to get the angled 3D view. I read it was available on Vista premium...guess not.
• Security warnings are getting pretty damn annoying right about now!

All-in-All Score: 2.5

My Vista Premium Review - Day 7

After a week of working with Windows Vista Premium, I am beginning to have some mixed feelings towards my new OS. Overall, the experience has not been too bad. There have been a few bumps here and there though.

The Good

Last night I was trying to switch my network connection from wireless to local LAN and somehow in the process "disabled" my ethernet card. This caused me quite a bit of frustration until I realized that the way the OS seemed to handle the issue was quite brilliant.

The ethernet port was disabled after encountering an issue (caused by me) and I had to navigate to the device manager to resolve it. The device manager stated that a problem had occured with the ehternet port and it had been disabled. I re-enabled it and it worked just fine.

I think that might be a good idea, for people with some technical skill anyways, in how they handle hardware issues. In XP (as far as I have seen) if there is an issue, it may or may not be visible via the hardware manager.

The Bad

Again, I am not sure if it was user error, poor manufacturing or what, but my wifes DVD-RW drive did not show up on the My Computer screen. After about an hour or so on the phone with Dell, the issue was resolved and the drive worked fine.

We are not sure if it ever worked to begin with! The good tech support guy at Dell also gave me some hints for the Internet Explorer too.

The tech person told me that when the IE gets to running slowly, go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Advance -> Reset. this resets any changes made to the IE's settings and restores the manufacturers defaults. Again, problem solved.

Also, it seems that my mere 1GB RAM is not as adequate as it was once the boxed was first opened. I threw some office apps, some dev suites and some anti-virus and such on the machine...and the system can slow down, sometimes coming to a stop.

Overall

Although it is pretty obvious I need more RAM and maybe a few less applications, I am still fairly pleased with the OS. It seems sturdy and fairly resilient to problems, and assists the user in correcting found issues, to an extent.

The Score

Overall Score: 3.0

Lock Ups: 1

Fixes Needed: 1

Best OS Survey

Take the "Best OS" Survey! Cheer for your favorite Operating System and see who wins on May 5th!

MCI Wind Notebook To Come In 8.9", 10" Flavors

The MCI Wind has some updated information. The article at Gizmodo states that the Wind will come in two sizes; 8.9" and 10" LCD screens.

For those of you have yet to see specs on this UMPC, here is the link that will give you some more information.

Asus Eee 4GB Model Available at Best Buy: Linux and XP Versions Same Price?

Although anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love the Asus Eee, even though I don't have one...yet, I am a little worried about the price comparison between Linux models and Windows XP models.

They have the exact same price...$399!

While that is good for consumers getting Windows XP Home for $399, it begs the question; why isn't the Linux version cheaper? After all isn't Linux a free and open-source OS? I am thinking it should a bit cheaper...say $299 - $349? Maybe the version of Windows XP Home isn't the same as you would get on a traditional laptop. Maybe it is not as good as the Linux version.

I looked at the specs on line and they are exactly the same (except for the MPEG capability, which may be based on the Windows XP OS.)

Asus Eee Linux Specs via Best Buy Link.

Asus Eee Windows XP Specs via Best Buy Link.

I am not saying that Windows on the Eee is a bad thing, far from it. I just think that the Linux version should be a bit cheaper. After all, isn't part of the cost of the system, the OS?

FYI: PriceGrabber.com found what appears to be the Linux version at various places for $350.

Here is the link.

UPDATE: The model is only an 800 MHz machine. But at Amazon.com's site, you can the 800 MHz machine with a 2GB RAM upgrade for $389!

Windows XP SP3 Available for Download

Microsoft has released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP recently. While the service pack is not a major enhancement, it does offer users the confidence of getting all of the latest fixes and updates, especially if you have turned off your "automatic updates."

SP3 does have some security fixes and enhancements of its own such as Network Access Protection (NAP) and "Black Hole Router" Detection.

Click here for the download.