Windows 7 - Report
When Windows 7 first launched, I did a short report on it based on the best information available at the time, but I wasn't actually using it at the time.
Since then, I've upgraded machines and my new computer is running this version of Windows.
I think I'm safe in saying that I, along with many others, was reluctant to buy a new computer if Vista was going to be installed on it - and who wants to change out the operating system right out of the box? There's always some worry that something else will go wrong if you change a major piece of software on a brand new computer.
Yes, Vista was a big blunder, but so far, I have nothing but positive things to say about Windows 7.
Yes, it takes a little getting used to - the interface is different and has a lot more "chrome," that is, (flashy) user interface. It's true, Microsoft is finally catching up to Apple in the attractiveness of its displays.
Running programs are identified by cute little shadowed icons that sit in your taskbar; when an icon is hovered over, a little "spotlight" lights up below it.Remain there for a moment and thumbnail of what's up on that program's active interface will display, reminding you of where you left off. When you click on an icon, it smoothly launches that application.
Of course, all of this takes more system resources, so that's why Windows 7 takes:
What else? Silly things like some gadgets that you can add to your desk top - currency converter, weather, clock, calendar and slide show - or add additional gadgets from online sources.
Then there's something called "Jump Lists." This is actually kind of handy. Is there something you do every day? Your Jump List can take you right to a document, a picture, a song, or a website you access frequently. Jump Lists are up to you, and will also depend on the program in charge of the file you return to; so for example, your browser will show a list of the websites you access most often.
Here's another feature I'm still trying to figure out... it's called "Snap," which is a design/layout term for attaching an object to a grid line (visible or invisible) in order to line things up neatly without having to go in and nudge each object. Snap for Windows 7 does something similar - it allows you to resize open windows on your desktop by simply dragging them to the edges, or by using your Windows/Left Arrow keys, or Windows/Right Arrow. What it seems to be good for is moving several open Windows into side by side views without having to drag and resize them. For example, right now I have one browser window open as I write this post, and another open to view some Window 7 information.
Of course, none of these things is reason enough to upgrade to a new OS (unless of course you have Vista and are really desperate).
But I'll be taking notes as I explore, and I'll let you know how it goes.
Since then, I've upgraded machines and my new computer is running this version of Windows.
I think I'm safe in saying that I, along with many others, was reluctant to buy a new computer if Vista was going to be installed on it - and who wants to change out the operating system right out of the box? There's always some worry that something else will go wrong if you change a major piece of software on a brand new computer.
Yes, Vista was a big blunder, but so far, I have nothing but positive things to say about Windows 7.
Yes, it takes a little getting used to - the interface is different and has a lot more "chrome," that is, (flashy) user interface. It's true, Microsoft is finally catching up to Apple in the attractiveness of its displays.
Running programs are identified by cute little shadowed icons that sit in your taskbar; when an icon is hovered over, a little "spotlight" lights up below it.Remain there for a moment and thumbnail of what's up on that program's active interface will display, reminding you of where you left off. When you click on an icon, it smoothly launches that application.
Of course, all of this takes more system resources, so that's why Windows 7 takes:
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
What else? Silly things like some gadgets that you can add to your desk top - currency converter, weather, clock, calendar and slide show - or add additional gadgets from online sources.
Then there's something called "Jump Lists." This is actually kind of handy. Is there something you do every day? Your Jump List can take you right to a document, a picture, a song, or a website you access frequently. Jump Lists are up to you, and will also depend on the program in charge of the file you return to; so for example, your browser will show a list of the websites you access most often.
Here's another feature I'm still trying to figure out... it's called "Snap," which is a design/layout term for attaching an object to a grid line (visible or invisible) in order to line things up neatly without having to go in and nudge each object. Snap for Windows 7 does something similar - it allows you to resize open windows on your desktop by simply dragging them to the edges, or by using your Windows/Left Arrow keys, or Windows/Right Arrow. What it seems to be good for is moving several open Windows into side by side views without having to drag and resize them. For example, right now I have one browser window open as I write this post, and another open to view some Window 7 information.
Of course, none of these things is reason enough to upgrade to a new OS (unless of course you have Vista and are really desperate).
But I'll be taking notes as I explore, and I'll let you know how it goes.
Comments