Preme for Windows 7

For Windows 7 power users, this Preme for Windows 7 will certainly be a fine tool to include in your repertoire.

It basically adds several useful shortcuts that will save you valuable seconds during the day.

Once you get used to it, using a non-Preme Windows 7 will feel... awkward.

Boot Time Comparison

Here's an interesting video comparing boot times using different 64bit operating systems in the same machine (Vista, Windows 7, Ubuntu 9.04 and 9.10) :

Windows 7 Launch Day

Microsoft's latest Windows 7 is finally out on the streets.

A lot has been said about this new Windows, rushed to market after Vista's inability to attract customers - which preferred to stay with their trusted old Windows XP.

Most people are talking about how great this Windows 7 is - but let's not forget the same thing happened with Vista.
But two things have changed since then... Hardware has evolved - while computers with 2GB Ram were not that common when Vista came out, today 3 and 4GB RAM is the norm - and Windows 7 really does seem lighter in older-spec machines (they say it will run as well as XP; which I seriously doubt, as though Windows 7 is a fine-tuned "Vista", it's still a "Vista" nonetheless.)

So, while many Vista-pre-installed-computer users quickly reformatted their computers and switched back to Windows XP, this will now be less likely to happen with Windows 7.

But the real question is: will Microsoft be able to "lure" enterprises to upgrade thousands of computers to Windows 7? Even with the virtualized "XP-mode" to minimize migration problems, most might feel better served with their current systems - or, faced with the inevitability of changing, shouldn't they consider other free alternatives (like Ubuntu) as well?


And fear not the ominous warnings from Microsoft that "XP" will end soon... While they do that in "public", they're also reassuring OEM parterns they'll keep selling them Windows XP until... 2016!


Also keep in mind that the "lightness" of this Windows 7 is relative. For instance, a clean install of any of its versions easily takes about 10-13GB of disk space:

Around here Windows 7 costs:

• Windows 7 Home Premium - 219,99€
• Windows 7 Professional - 349,99€
• Windows 7 Ultimate - 364,99€

Now... you can forget about the record braking pre-order stunt (that was for severely discounted offers of Windows 7) and tell me: would you prefer spending 219-364 euros in a new OS -or- using it in something like this Asus Eee PC S101 that is currently on sale for 249 euros? :)

To each his own decision...

Windows 7 Versions - Disk space Used

Is it just me that thinks Windows 7 takes a lot of disk space?
Someone took the time to clean install the different versions of Windows 7 and check how much space each took.

The results:

• Home Premium - 13.1GB
• Professional - 10.8GB
• Home Basic - 10.71GB
• Starter Edition - 11.16GB
• Ultimate - 13.4GB

... I was complaining about Win7 RC tooking almost 8GB of space... and now I find that Premium and Ultimate versions take over 13GB.

Why couldn't Microsoft keep most of the unneeded files (90%?) compressed or something?
(or at least give use the option to delete all the "junk" and get it from the internet when needed?)

via [PauloBarata]

How to Install Windows 7 on a Netbook

If you like trying out new things, the time to play around with Microsoft's latest Windows 7 couldn't be better - Windows 7 RC can be downloaded for free and it will work for a full year.

This is a Release Candidate version, and as such can still contain some bugs... but for the most part it should work as intended.

(Just keep in mind that this version will stop working on June 1st 2010; and as a "warning" it will shutdown every couple of hours after May 1st 2010.)


If for most cases installing a new OS is straightforward - downloading the ISO and burning a DVD - the thing isn't so simple when you want to install it in a netbook with no optical drive.

It's not impossible... you just need to use a bootable USB drive.

You'll need a USB flash drive (4GB or larger.)
And your netbook better have 1GB Ram and over 8GB of disc space.

Then you'll just need to prep the USB for Windows7 bootable installation. Follow the following guides depending on your current OS:

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Linux/Mac


Or, you can also try some netbook specific Windows 7 how-to guides:

• Aspire One
• ASUS Eee Pc
• Dell Mini
• MSI Wind
• HP Mini-Note

You'll be running Windows 7 in no time.

Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7

Finally, Surface starts to reach the public. Microsoft has recently announced its Touch Pack for Windows 7.

This pack will certainly entertain all Win7 users having a touch capable computer - preferably a multitouch touchscreen.

The pack contains:

• Microsoft Surface Globe
• Microsoft Surface Collage
• Microsoft Surface Lagoon
• Microsoft Blackboard
• Microsoft Rebound
• Microsoft Garden Pond

Windows 7 RC available

If you're curious about the latest Windows 7 from Microsoft, you can now try it from Microsoft's official site.

This RC version can be used until June 1st, 2010. After that date, it will begin shutting down every 2h.

Anyway, it's better to be able to try it for free than to be forced to pay for something without knowing what you'll get, right?

[Windows 7 Download here]

Windows 7 DRM

If you thought Windows 7 could still have a chance of becoming a useful OS... I'm sorry to inform you: it won't.

Do you remember the time you could use your computer as you saw fit? Well, it seems that Microsoft and its upcoming Windows 7 cares more about what they want.

1. Beware, he who dares mess with any .DLL file! - For he/she will be forever locked out of access to their files.
   
   
2. Firewall? As long as you're not a MS buddy... If you are, you can change firewall settings at will without confirmation or notification. Meaning, not only can your computer report back to whatever software maker, but that maker could also possibly call your computer whenever they want.
   
   
3. Last but not least. Fancy that new "high-def" audio card you just bought? Well, sorry to tell you: if you're planning on recording any audio from your own computer, all you'll get is a low-def audio recording worse than you ever had with your first computer a decade ago. The OS prevents you from doing high quality recordings if it's playing back any audio at the time.
   

My question is: who is their right mind would want to pay for such an aoperating system?

I wouldn't want it even if it was for free!

Windows 7 Multitouch Video

Another video showing off some of the multitouch features of the upcoming Windows 7, including the new and improved on-screen keyboard.



And, if you're a keyboard shortcut fan, don't forget to visit Brandon's windows7 shortcut cheat sheet.

Windows 7 to Have new Boot Logo

It looks like Windows 7 is going to have a revamped boot sequence animated logo.



Considering the tweaks being made for the startup sequence to be as fast as possible, let's hope we won't have to see this logo for long.

Windows 7 Taskbar

One of the most visible changes in Windows 7 is its upgraded taskbar.

But better than any written explanation, is seeing how it works. Check the following video:



I think its a step in the right direction; but I don't think it will be enough to "amaze" anyone already using OS X or any Compiz-flavored Linux, both offering similar features for quite some time now.

Windows 7 Multitouch Video

Here's a video of how Windows 7 hopes to bring multitouch to the masses - desktop wise.



Apparently, several gestures will become "standard", as the pinch to zoom, but each application will be able to further enhance it's gesture based controls.

Windows 7 to Offer GPU Acceleration?

It looks like Microsoft doesn't want to be left behind when it comes to "general purpose" GPU processing.

This makes even more sense when you consider Apple's next OS X (a.k.a. Snow Leopard) to also have such capabilities.
One of the topics for the upcoming PDC 2008 is:

• Windows 7: Unlocking the GPU with Direct3D (Direct3D-based GPU acceleration of Win32 applications).

It seems the next generation of operating systems will be able to not only use multi-core CPU, but also use different (and highly specialized) CPUs - as the ones you have in your computer's graphic card.

This will allow for far better task scheduleing, using your GPU to speed up operations that would take far longer if done on a general-purpose CPU.


Along with multitouch, and faster booting times, it seems they're on the right track - we'll just have to wait and see if they actually deliver.