Are you really ready for the new Windows 7: November 2009
Is the time for Windows soon doomed eventually = Maybe! Some of the very best software I have ever seen is listed as FREE! eg: Linux Ubuntu (almost user ready for even our dear Granddad to get going with ), ClearOS Linux (Centos derived) - which I currently use to run a 24/7 public and private dual-wan / internal LAN proxy SERVER - with full web services, email and protected access for internal private LAN’s (including my client’s systems). Without this wonderful software option, I would need a greater number of expensive software and hardware to run with any current 'Windows Release'.
I have noticed that many older traditional (pre-VISTA) Windows XP support / recovery tools that once worked so well with Windows XP now fail under both Windows VISTA and Windows 7. So you’re clever IT Pros are finding they are left in a new support hole, for Microsoft has changed many features in the new releases, including even the CORRECT ADMIN access privileges to repair a damaged Windows Registry Hive! And that is a common problem when Windows VISTA + has been compromised. To date none of the new Windows ‘protection policies’ prevent this un-expected Windows registry corruption event. With the older and stable Windows XP release, it was (and is) practical to deal with and fix easily such issues and with much less recovery costs. This is about economy, recoverability and ongoing support.
I can typically setup a fully working SECURE Linux or Mac OS X system in about 2-4 hours (new or old), but with Windows VISTA and now Windows 7, I find that you strike constant permission access problems, poor hardware support - out-of-the-box, and strange hidden 'recovery only' partitioned drives where the 'only real legal' factory restore state of Windows VISTA and 7 hide. Lose the hard drive with Windows Vista or above, and you are on your own for legal re-installation. This cost’s professional IT support a very large amount of ‘free service’s time during most recent Windows recovery processes. I know, I have been there many times to attempt to do it the ‘new Windows way, and then 24 hours later you notice you have not had much sleep – or success. It is new vicious and relentless IT support cycle; I would state that in 60% of problem cases with Windows VISTA and 7, that a economical repair (based on traditional repair methods) is no longer possible or as easy to perfom.
So the summary is this; Windows VISTA and 7 are both a lot more expensive to maintain and repair (facts seen and recorded in my own workshop practices). Important Note: If you are unlucky enough to lose a hard drive through a fault, then you could even lose your licensed legal rights to re-install the new Microsoft product.
Therefore, if you must go the 'new' Microsoft way, please ask the vendor / supplier to backup your hard drive contents to allow the optional legal rights and easy access to Windows VISTA and Windows 7. Otherwise you are in for a sad recovery expense – IF your current hard drive fails. Without the MS software disclosure right to re-install Windows you could be stuck with a much higher cost for repair – if your current hard drive fails! Insist on this policy, whatever the salesman tells you.
Windows 7 Reports - End User Results: November 2009
Windows Vista and 7 are both proving to be new support nightmare with some very high end user frustration, unexpected maintenance costs, and [currently] some rather poor software and hardware support.
This [new] 2009 revamped Windows 7 (VISTA re-birth) release is going to [soon] encourage the world consumer computer market over to the well supported FREE software via Linux (and it's many FREE alternatives).
For those that are tempted to seek the bold courage to make the move, they will discover the warm joy of a supportive free public user support community (24/7). Observed Facts: You can get all the help you ever need for free Linux, but - not much support for 'Windows 7' but some hard $$$ and a lot of end user 'trial and error'! Is it worth the pain?
More and more Ubuntu and Linux converts (from Windows) report that the recent free Linux operating systems are now near good enough for general public use!
Windows 7 is possibly Microsoft's last market chance to deliver an reasonable operating system that "just simply works" for the end user. If it fails, there are some great alternatives - freely available NOW!
The new consensus may become that Windows is for the 'Gamers' market, where expensive video cards and software players / writers deal the limits?
My Thoughts: "Microsoft: I was hoping for better things with the 2009 release of Windows 7, but the best I can say is, "Eh." I think I’ll go format that hard drive now, because a new Windows system that takes three days to install [barely] correctly makes me nervous and rather tired. However there is some hope, most modern and free Linux releases takes about 2.4 hours to install correctly - and rarely do I need chase support software for new hardware drivers to suit! I suggest that open source (free) is the coming future and it's hard for me to tolerate a software giant's hegemony and their strong market monopoly and poor support.
When Linux breaks (and it is usually my own fault), I can usually fix it in 1 - 2 hours, but with Windows (Vista or 7) it is often a full and difficult system re-load, along with a hard and long fight to have easy license rights and recoverable and legal software to re-install? This hard route Windows recovery method wastes days of my time
Simply said, Windows does not promote itself well for recovery or in-place repair of 2009 security or malicious 'change' problems that I have seen. XP fairs well for recovery, but Vista or Windows 7 is like hitting a low IQ brick wall (recovery against malicious changes and spyware). This clearly creates a poor recoverablity factor for Windows based computers!
Windows 7 release: October 2009
October 2009: Microsoft has released Windows 7, a long awaited and potentially improved operating system over the recent quirky Windows Vista. For many computer user's Windows XP has proven to be the most popular and easy to maintain version of Windows - simply based on its 8 years of maturity and user acceptance.
With Windows 7 the main role was to fix the known flaws in Vista and to further encourage existing Microsoft customers with another reason to move up from well accepted Windows XP.
It is likely that Windows 7 will soon show to banish Vista's known main flaws—sluggishness; incompatibility with third-party software and hardware; heavy hardware requirements; registry corruption and constant security warnings.
It has proven to be tedious and painful to upgrade an existing computer from XP to Windows 7, and the variety of editions in which Windows 7 is offered is a little confusing.
Microsoft has stripped Windows 7 of the past common Windows built-in applications, such as email, photo organizing, address book, calendar and video-editing programs. These missing programs can be sourced free of charge, but they are no longer part of the new operating system.
Windows 7 compares favourably with the Mac OS in some areas, such as better previews and navigation right from the taskbar, easier organization of open windows on the desktop and touch-screen capabilities.
System Requirements: Most current Vista PCs, and recent XP machines, are likely to use Windows 7 fine – including most Netbook's. You should have at least 2 GB of memory, 20 gigabytes of available hard-disk space and a video system that has support for Microsoft’s "DirectX 9 with WDDM 1.0."
Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7 |
||
Architecture |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Processor |
1 GHz 32-bit processor |
1 GHz 64-bit processor |
Memory (RAM) |
2 GB of RAM |
3 GB of RAM |
Graphics Card |
DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver model 1.0 (For Aero) |
|
HDD free space |
16 GB of available disk space |
20 GB of available disk space |
Optical drive |
DVD drive (only to install from DVD/CD Media) |
|
Installation, editions and price: There are four common editions of Windows 7 of interest to consumers. One, a limited version called Starter, comes pre-loaded on Netbook’s. The second, called Professional, is mainly for people who need shared office networking access,. The third is called Ultimate, and is targeted for technical users who want every feature of all other editions. The fourth edition, which is best for most consumers, is Windows Home Premium.
The system for upgrading to Windows 7 is complicated, but most Vista owners (but not XP) can upgrade to the exactly comparable edition of Windows 7 while keeping their files, settings and programs in place.
Current Windows XP owners, the vast users of Windows users, will need to wipe their hard disks (after backing up their documents), then install Windows 7, and then restore their documents.
So far, Windows 7 tests and behaves to perform almost exactly like the original Windows Vista release. And sadly, Windows 7 breaks several things that used to work under Vista. Microsoft's follow-up to the recent and unpopular Vista release indicates a zero measurable performance benefit while introducing new crippling compatibility issues (software and device drivers - most of all).
With the new Windows 7, Microsoft include's an Easy Transfer software wizard to help with the migration, but this caters for only for personal files, and not programs. So this painful XP upgrade process to Windows 7 will likely encourage many XP owners to stay with what they've got or wait until it is time to buy a new computer.
Looking into the future: (your alternatives)
Microsoft now needs to sell its new Windows 7 hard against Linux. From my technical view, this is how I see the current Software Operating Systems options: (you make the choice as I did)
Feature |
Microsoft Windows 7 |
Linux |
Easy to install |
No |
Yes |
Easy to use |
Somewhat |
Yes |
Comes with Office suite |
No |
Yes |
Complete |
No |
Yes |
Reliable |
Maybe? |
Yes |
Secure against viruses |
No |
Yes |
Secure against lawsuits |
No |
Yes |
Runs on your hardware |
No |
Yes |
No media restrictions |
No |
Yes |
No remote lockdown |
No |
Yes |
Choices |
No |
Yes |
Free of charge |
No $$$ |
Free or paid, your choice |
Free applications |
Mostly no |
Yes |
Free upgrades |
Maybe? |
Yes |
Customer support |
Pay by the call |
Free or paid, |
Bug fixes |
Monthly |
Immediate! |
Hardware support |
Fair |
Good |
Games |
Many |
Few |
So there you have it. If you're buying a Computer for a games console, you will probably need to buy Windows 7. But, seriously, for everything else, there is Linux – and it is free – along with many helpful online users and free forums.
Windows Vista and XP News Update!
Year
2008
Vista
and
XP
- Practical advise on buying a new computer (2008 - with Vista)
- Understand the Windows Vista UAC
- Considering aborting Vista to return to XP
- How long will Microsoft support Windows XP?
- Microsoft's new Windows Vista
What are the current editions of Windows Vista?
Microsoft has created several different packages of Windows Vista. Basically they are separated into two distinct user types: Home and Business. This is outlined below:
1) Vista Home Packages:
Windows Vista Home Basic:
Windows Vista Home Basic is the ‘plain’ edition of Windows for users with the most basic computing needs. Vista Home Basic is deal for home users with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos.
- Available in 32-bit or 64-bit editions
- Does not include Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D navigation, Scheduled and Network Backup, Windows Meeting Space, and Tablet Technology
Windows Vista Home Premium:
Windows Vista Home Premium includes a digital entertainment package; including photos, DVD, video, TV, movies, music, and games. Vista Home Premium can turn your Computer into an all-in-one home entertainment centre. With the Windows Media Centre you can now record and watch your favourite TV shows (including HDTV). You can also connect Vista Home Premium to a Microsoft Xbox 360.
- Available in 32-bit or 64-bit editions
- Includes Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D navigation, Scheduled and Network Backup, Windows Meeting Space, and Tablet Technology
Windows Vista Ultimate:
Windows Vista Ultimate is a very comprehensive version of Windows Vista. It combines all the features of the Windows Vista Home Premium and a business-orientated operating system. It also includes Windows Media Centre for using your PC as a complete home entertainment centre.
- Available in 32-bit or 64-bit editions
- Includes Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D navigation, Scheduled and Network Backup, Windows Meeting Space, and Tablet Technology
- Includes both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions in the box (DVD's)
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2) Vista Business Versions:
Windows Vista Business:
Windows Vista Business is designed for the needs of business organizations of all sizes. Vista Business offers IT management of users' systems and access levels. Vista Business employs the use of standard level user accounts but without the compatibility and usability issues that did arise in previous versions of Windows. Vista Business integrates global network searching throughout the operating system and providing better ways to organize files.
- Available in 32-bit or 64-bit editions
- Includes Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D navigation, Scheduled and Network Backup, Windows Meeting Space, and Tablet Technology
Windows Vista Enterprise:
Windows Vista Enterprise is designed for larger organizations with highly complex IT infrastructures needs. Windows Vista Enterprise uses high levels of hardware-based data encryption protection. Vista Enterprise includes a sub-system for UNIX-based Applications, which enables you to run UNIX applications unchanged This Enterprise edition is only available to Microsoft Volume License customers, and not for retail clients.
- Available in 32-bit or 64-bit editions
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