Not Your Typical IT Guys

So how does Windows 7 ranke after a few days of use… well so far, I really feel the OS is more stable. Operation like sleep and resume work like I would expect them to.  I’m not seeing any sluggishness when my computer resumes.

However there were a few bumps! Don’t expect to use your current AntiVirus. Windows 7 does require a “certified AV software” see here for more details. The good news is that most of them are in Beta right now and free!.

Overall, first impressions are good. So far the RC is more stable than Vista!

W7, well after a few days, I’m not cussing and regretting my impulse to wipe my computer and install the latest attempt by Microsoft to release a fast, secure and user friendly OS. For those of you keeping track, that would count one point in the positive column.

So far things are smooth and in fact I’m starting to really dig the new taskbar and its awarness. As an example, you can right click on an application and it will allow you to choose certain tasks.

• IE allows you to open a new tab, open a new windows, open a new instance of IE in private mode.
• Right Click on live messenger and you get a ton of options
• Cool things happen if you let your mouse hover over an application with several child windows…  I will let you discover that one…

It’s also now possible to drag a file that is pinned to the task bar. Very convinient when you have a INI or log file you want to open with notepad…

Stay tuned… more later

Many Businesses and users out there are holding on to windows XP with dear life! People are simply not ready to face the hardware issues, application compatibility and employee training issues that come bundled with Vista. I consider myself a pretty advanced user and it took me a few weeks to get comfortable with the new “features” of Vista.

Let’s review the highlights:

• BAD: User access control: That was the first feature that I disabled!
• BAD: Versions!!! the options are dizzying.  Home, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate!
• BAD: Themes, Vista does have some nice themes, but they bog down you system. I had my Vista desktop looking like Windows 3.1 before I got performance I considered to be acceptable.
• Bad: Networking!!! Getting a new IP address on a new network can be like playing roulette. I’m not sure what Vista is doing while it’s identifying the network, but it can take several attempts to get an IP address when attaching to a new network.
• Good: If your hardware is on the “list” then managing drivers is easy.
• Mixed: looks good, but can slowdown your system

Overall after 2 service packs and countless updates, Vista is no grand slam!

Microsoft has recently released its newest Desktop OS to the masses. Windows 7 is now a “release candidate” and can be tested by anyone with a live ID (see here for complete details).

This past Saturday, I took the plunge and installed Windows 7 on my laptop. Pretty big step! Over the next few weeks, I plan to journal my impressions and issues and ha ah moments here and on twitter.

Maybe collectively, we can decide if Microsoft deserves a mulligan?