Windows 7

I have been using Windows 7 for about 4 days now, and I have to say that Windows 7 is far better then vista (of course most OSes are better then Vista).  The boot up time has been greatly decrease from Windows XP, and adds some cool new features.

The coolest new feature has to be the Projector control.  win you hit the Windows key + P it will bring up a window that will allow you to:  turn off the projector display, clone your screen on the projector, extend the screen on to the projector, or the projector only.  This feature is vary useful for those of us who need to give presentation and use a projector.  In Widows Vista the UAC (User Account Control) was the biggest problem (second only to the resource hogging) however in Windows 7 the UAC has been tuned back to a level that I think is far more reasonable to give you more control of your computer with out driving you insane.

Other features that are worth noting are: the built-in ISO burner, System repair Disk, and the PowerShell.  The built-in ISO burner is vary simple to use and you won't have to install a 3rd party program to burn ISOs any more.  The System Repair Disk will make a system repair disk that will work like a restore disk that would ship with an OEM computer.  Last but not lest is the PowerShell, it is basically a vary powerful Unix like command prompt that you can use to automate system tasks and more.

One thing that will trip up windows users is that Windows 7 does not have a quick launch toolbar for the task bar.  It is fairly simple to add the quick launch toolbar:  1.) Right click on the taskbar and create a new toolbar in the toolbar menu.  2.) copy "%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" into the address bar 3.) Click "Select Folder". 4.) Right click on the taskbar and unlock it 5.) Click on the dotted line next to the quick launch and uncheck: Show text, Show Title, and check the small icons in the view menu. To get the quick launch on the left side of the screen drag the dotted lines all of the way to the left then drag the dotted lines on the right to the appropriate size for the quick launch.

Overall I would recommend that all windows users upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out on the 22nd of October.  Windows XP users will have a lot of adjustment and if you use net meeting then you will lose it (unless you use the XP compatibility feature to run it).  Windows Vista users won't notice as much of a change but they will notice that their computer is far faster and more responsive with Windows 7.

This has been a fairly quick review of Windows 7 as I use it more I will be writing more about it.