Windows Se7en’s User Experience

 

Preface

As mentioned in the earlier post, I’ll update with my user experience towards the Windows 7 Operating System (OS).  My comparisons are basically between Windows XP and Windows 7 as I never (or seldom) use Windows Vista.  Currently I’m using the latest RC Escrow (pre-release candidate) build 7077 of Windows 7.

Fresh Install or Upgrade

This section is basically for Windows Vista or earlier Windows 7 version where upgrading is possible. Sorry for Windows XP’s user as this is not an option for you!!  My observation is

• Upgrading take really long time if your previous OS have a lot of programme.
• Clean install is faster than upgrading if you do not mind reinstall all the software and configuring your system again.

 

Device’s Driver

Installation of driver is tweak in build 7077 making it slightly faster than build 7068 (which contribute to faster fresh install speed). 

 

Window’s Graphic User Interface (GUI)

This is the most dramatic part that you will notice starting from the installation process.  Once you finish testing your machine performance by rating it, aero peek will be activated (hopefully).  What is aero peek?  Well refer to the picture below :    

Hover your mouse to the opened programme in the taskbar, active thumbnail will show up for the relevant programme and once pointed on it all the opened window will become translucent (only the pointed thumbnail window will be shown).  Apart from the nice effect of it, it is really convenient as you can close the tab or window from the thumbnail itself. 

 

Desktop Gadget

This is initially called sidebar in Windows Vista but renamed to desktop gadget in Windows 7.  The reason for this is Microsoft finally tweak the tool to be more flexible.  You can move the gadget all around the desktop.  However, thing to be noticed is that enabling desktop gadget need some additional RAM to be burned (around 100mb for 5 Gadgets).

 

Networking

Ahh… the most annoying part in configuring a new system.  Surprisingly, Windows 7 make everything as easy as 123.  The new wizard make home networking very very easy even for person with limited networking knowledge.  The setting up process took me less than 5 minutes with minimal user input (most of the things are automatically configure by window).    

 

Multiple Monitor

For laptop user or multiple monitors user this is basically the best tool so far.  You can easily extend or duplicate your monitor.  A simple shortcut of window+P called up the utility.  A sample of my extended desktop is shown below. 

As you can see I dedicated my smaller laptop screen for all the gadgets and live messenger while the bigger screen as my main display.

 

Features On/Off

This new function allow most of the windows function to be turn off.  For example Internet Explorer, tablet pc function, games, etc.

 

Updates

• Seems like build 7077 will not be the public release candidate as build 7078 and 7079 had been compiled.
• Latest version of Kaspersky Internet Security 8 for Windows 7 will caused window explorer to be unresponsive.
• Please be caution when disabling IE as some of the application still dependent on it.
• Windows 7 release date revised to early September 2009

Edinburgh’s Future Transport

 

This is the scene if you arrived Edinburgh City in this time of year. Ahh blocked with major barrier due to city tram upgrading process.

   Some information on where are the planned stop for the future tram services.  Apparently the tram line run from the harbour till the airport. 

The much annoying construction process.

How the tram will look like in the year 2011 when it officially run.

Another photo showing the model tram.

Lastly a photo of a funny guy. This guy posed for me when I'm taking the model tram picture.

Brain Surgery

Ahh the day to celebrate indeed, finished all of my coursework and my laptop got a new brain.  After utilising the original hard disk for almost 3 years.  I think it is the time for it to retire as primary hard disk. 

 

As usual, I ordered my parts (160Gb SATA 7200rpm and SATA enclosure) at Ebay.  The replacement process is quite straight forward as a no brainer also can do it.  The hardest part is to reinstall all the stuff.  For this part, I’m choosing a dual boot option where Window XP and Window 7 will be installed.

 

   

So far the next generation OS (window 7) performance is quite remarkable.  The install time is half of Window XP as the native driver included is quite sufficient.  I only need to download my graphic driver through window update and the rest come as native interface.

 

The installation of some software didn’t seems successful in window 7 but no worry the OS can run the programme in compability mode which solve all of my problem so far.  This is the likely scenario for using a beta software (in fact mine is close to RC version which is 7068) as support from manufacture is still unavailable.    

I’ll further update my user experience as time come but so far I really like the new GUI and the stable performance from window 7.