These pictures supposedly come from a new build of the Windows 7 beta, 7025. It goes without saying that while we knew this was a possibility, we’ve been seriously wishing against it. We hope these are fake (and they very well could be), but seriously Microsoft… don’t even think about this.
Whether you love Windows 7 or hate it no one seems to be talking about one of its biggest problems. Many fancy business-friendly features are randomly tied to Windows Server 2008 R2 (also in beta) and won’t work even with older versions of Windows Server.
Engadget’s gone and pulled together all its thoughts and impressions so far on the Windows 7 Beta into one big review, showing its true love for MS Paint in the process.
Unlike Apple, Microsoft doesn’t have to convince users to buy its operating system; that happens automatically when they purchase a new PC. Microsoft only has to keep users from removing Windows 7 and backing down to Windows XP, which typically runs faster on the same hardware due to a variety of factors.
cremou brulee writes “Redmond’s photocopiers have been unusually busy for the last couple of years, with the result that Windows 7 copies a lots of Mac OS X features. First and foremost among these is the Dock, which has been unceremoniously ripped off in Windows 7’s new Taskbar. Or has it? Ars Technica has taken an in-depth look at the history and evolution of the Taskbar, and shows just how MS arrived at the Windows 7 ‘Superbar.’ The differences between the Superbar and the Dock are analyzed in detail. The surprising conclusion? ‘Ultimately, the new Taskbar is not Mac-like in any important way, and only the most facile of analyses would claim that it is.'”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
A survey sent out to Windows 7 beta testers indicates that Microsoft is considering developing a software center for Windows. Who wouldn’t want to be able to search for software locally or on the Internet, look at reviews, check requirements, download, install, keep up-to-update, and repair any piece of software from one control panel applet?
snydeq writes “Windows XP, Windows Vista, and (soon) Windows 7 all support SMP out of the box, but as InfoWorld’s Randall Kennedy notes, ‘experience has shown that multiprocessing across discrete CPUs is not the same thing as multiprocessing across integrated cores within the same CPU.’ As such, Kennedy set out to stress the multiprocessing capabilities of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 in dual-core and quad-core performance tests. The comprehensive, multiprocess workload tests were undertaken to document scalability, execution efficiency, and raw performance of workloads. ‘What I found may surprise you,’ Kennedy writes. ‘Not only does Microsoft have a firm grasp of multicore tuning, but its scalability story promises to keep getting better with time. In other words, Windows Vista and Windows 7 are poised to reap ever greater performance benefits as Intel and AMD extend the number of cores in future editions of their processors.'”
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Microsoft’s post-Vista Windows experience is more than the obvious Taskbar and user interface updates; there are plenty of hidden features and shortcuts that haven’t been advertised. But fear not: we’ve compiled a list of every known Windows 7 tweak and secret.
“Yeah, I said it. The Windows 7 taskbar is the most important Windows UI change since Windows 95, and it will dramatically change the way you use Windows. And it’s better than the Mac’s Dock.”
nk497 writes “Writer makes the case that Windows 7 is a turning point for Microsoft, and we all might start liking them soon… ‘While it’s not winning everyone over, there are real signs that Microsoft has taken criticisms on board where it matters most: in the software and services that it provides. The idea of a faster, slimmer Windows is one that most Vista owners would automatically put on their wishlist, and it seems that Microsoft has genuinely done something about it. It’s not just reignited interest in the Windows product line, but it’s got users appreciating a fresh approach from Microsoft as well.'”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
