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The Rife Report September 2009 |
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Plus: Worrisome PC Happenings
That software (once code-named Blackcomb and then Vienna, until Microsoft settled on Windows 7) will be on store shelves Oct. 22, but many of the aforementioned group of computer tinkerers (myself included) have been happily poking around in some form of Windows 7 since early January. Software reviewers have also liked what they've seen in Windows 7. Check out these sites - Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows which has screenshots, and a lengthy, in-depth and a (currently) 3-part review. Then there is Ed Bott's blog which has (at this writing) 10 great articles on Windows 7, and his screenshot gallery. Or you can try the How-to-Geek where there is an awesome list of good articles on the subject. 
Paul Thurrott says - "Reviewing it (Windows 7) is difficult. This is a near perfect software release, that rarest of upgrades that improves on virtually everything about its predecessor while losing nothing of serious importance. Yes, there are nits. Sure, I'd have liked to have seen a few components of the OS turn out a bit differently. No software is truly perfect. But you don't have to qualify the successes of Windows 7 as you did with Windows Vista. Windows 7 is just excellent, with no caveats attached. "If you're an XP holdout, Windows 7 is the version you've been waiting for. It's a better Windows than Vista. And that's saying something, because despite all the Vista detractors and libellous Apple advertisements, Vista is actually quite good. But yes, Windows 7 is better." 
Ed Bott says - "From a design standpoint, Windows 7 makes the 2001- vintage XP design look downright primitive. Switching between Vista and 7 is less jarring, but the improvements in consistency and visual presentation are still noteworthy and make 7 feel more graceful and modern. "Windows 7 performs better than Vista and is also faster than XP, although XP remains more capable for devices with limited memory and outdated graphics. "Subjectively, the change from Vista to Windows 7 is like releasing a car's handbrake. This significant increase in performance has several causes: faster system startup and shutdown compared to XP and Vista; improved parallel processing; and faster loading of drivers and operating system components."  Personally, I've found Windows 7 RC to be a joy to work with, no driver problems, much smaller hard drive footprint, no software compatibility trouble and generally quicker in performance. I forestalled any compatibility issue by downloading and using the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on prospective upgrade machines beforehand to check for any software or hardware problems. The machines used were relatively new - 2 to 3 years old - one runs Vista and one XP Pro. For those interested, I've put Windows 7 timeline in perspective: Microsoft's Steve Ballmer announced at CES (the Consumer's Electronics Show, second week in January) that Windows 7 Beta, build 7000, was available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. He also said that the beta would be publicly released Jan. 9, on a limited basis - "to the first 2.5 million downloads. " That (not unexpectedly) created server overloads at Microsoft. You may recall my story of the hassles that resulted (see the Feb 09 Rife Report ). MS bowed to pressure when the limit it imposed was exceeded - they extended downloading to Feb. 10. That's all only a memory now - Windows 7 Beta expired Aug. 1. Next in line was the Win 7 RC (release candidate). Build 7100 became a public release on May 5. More recently, on Aug.20, Microsoft closed off those downloads. However the RC won't expire until June 1, 2010. Mind you, all pre-release versions MUST be uninstalled before you install the official final version of Windows 7.  Perhaps I've overlooked security in Windows 7 - how much better the new code is in use. By comparing the number of security patches issued by Microsoft over similar periods for XP, Vista and Win 7 you get an idea of just how solid Windows 7 is, and why you should consider it. Ed Bott (as you must by now realize, one of my favourite bloggers), made the comparisons. Over the first month, "a total of eight Microsoft security bulletins were aimed at various Windows versions. Three of them were rated Critical for both XP and Vista, even with the most recent service packs. Another two security updates were rated Important for XP and Moderate for Vista. But for all eight of the August 2009 security updates, Windows 7 was listed under the Non-Affected Software heading. Not one of those security holes required patching in the new OS." For more information about Windows 7, visit the Windows 7 website . For help on installing Windows 7 . For more technical help try the Windows 7 online forums Keep up to date on news about Windows 7 on the team blog. Find more "getting ready for Windows 7" info at Microsoft Answers.  And again, don't forget Win 7 RC is pre-release, test software. Any computer with RC loaded will automatically and anonymously send Microsoft information so their engineers can verify any fixes and changes made based on the Windows 7 Beta tests. Remember all pre-release versions of Windows 7 MUST be uninstalled before installing the "real" thing! There are, admittedly, HUGE numbers of XP users who sat out Vista for some very good reasons - hey, I have two solid XP machines in my own stable - and I know many business owners who would rather fight than switch. So, OK, what advice for this contingent of Windows users? Watch and wait works! There is NO easy upgrade path to Windows 7. The ONLY method is a clean install. But recall when you got XP, didn't you get it with a then brand new computer? Best advice - and you probably already have it in mind, when you eventually upgrade your system - buy a new PC and get it with Windows 7 pre-installed. Then migrate your system to the new OS.  As you have probably noticed there were many critical fixes in XP in the early months of this year. Microsoft originally set Windows XP to expire January 30, 2008. However, strong consumer demand forced Microsoft to extend the life cycle to June 30, 2008. MS security support for XP with Service Pack 3 installed continues until April 21, 2010. For details check here. In case you wondered, Forrester Research reports that Vista systems are "picking up ground" in the corporate sector. XP may be beginning its decline, but it still powered 86 percent of enterprise Windows PCs by March. With the release of Windows 7 coming Oct. 22, businesses are expected to wait until at least until then to upgrade. Between June 2008 and this past March, use of Vista grew from 7.3 percent to 11.9 percent.  And, in case you are an interested VISTA USER, that OS became available Jan. 25, 2007 (Gosh, is it really middle-aged already?) and it's support ends April 10, 2012. You can check Vista's life cycle dates. And yes, you can upgrade to Windows 7 from Vista, but there are gotchas. Example: I can't migrate down to my preferred version, Windows 7 Home Premium. I must go for an equal upgrade to Ultimate, no other! To go down I must do a clean install. What? Yep, to check on this oddity, read Ed Bott on the Confusing Windows 7 Upgrade Chart. Which brings me to another point - there really is no valid reason to rush into Windows 7 despite all the heady reviews and the fact that everyone who has tried it, feels it is compelling upgrade. Move at your own pace. That old plan of waiting for an OS's SP1 seems dated considering Windows 7's current great track record. So let your wallet and your hardware necessities decide when it is time to move up. In the midst of preparing this piece, my keyboard stopped responding - it just clacked as usual, but nothing happened on the monitor's screen - no letters, numbers - I couldn't even backspace. What? I checked the cable to the PS2 port - I'm no fan of wireless connections, batteries have a tendency to die at crucial moments. The cable plug was firmly in place so, I pulled it out and then re-inserted it - nothing. Was it the keyboard? Pulling an older IBM keyboard from the cupboard, I plugged it in - still no soap. Nothing. It couldn't be the port itself, could it? I called a tech buddy at his shop. "Have you ever heard of something like a PS2 port failing on a practically brand new motherboard?" "Not unusual," he replied. "Had a few last year. Fixing a wonky port is problematic. Want a wireless keyboard replacement?"  I said no, thanks anyway. But I did purchase a new USB keyboard. When I plugged it in - amazing, it worked, first click! Fortunately the motherboard had lots of USB ports to spare. But, it was a wake-up call - neither hardware or software lasts forever be it a hard drive or even a PS2 port. Hardly had that thought occurred, than a backup XP machine, one of uncertain vintage, started acting peculiar. It just would not boot! Was it the hard drive that had failed? Thank goodness for regular Acronis True Image backups to an external drive - nothing would be lost. Then I noticed there was no fan noise. And then I saw that a tiny LED on the front of the computer's case was out - could it be a blown PSU (power supply unit)? Don't they last forever? Apparently they don't, according to tech support at my friendly computer store. Happily, an on-sale unit perfectly replaced the old power box, which was indeed fried. Yet another reminder NOT to rely exclusively on these tech marvels without some sort of backup. |
If there's one thing I learned during my summer hiatus, it was that computer enthusiasts rate Windows 7 VERY HIGHLY! You may know these enthusiasts as computer fans (short for fanatics) who enjoy sitting on technology's cutting edge, trying to keep pace with the latest release, gadgets, hardware or software. Well, these people have concluded that Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7, is a BIG winner! They can't wait to get their hands on the final release.