Microsoft is at it again. Barely 2 years after the release of the long awaited Operating system, Vista (code-named Longhorn), it has announced the release of a successor:Windows 7. Unlike its predecessor Windows Vista, which saw users face compatibility issues in trying to migrate from Windows XP, Windows 7 promises a seamless transition, says senior vice president, Bill Veghte. Bill Gates has stated in an interview with newsweek that new OS will be geared towards improving its performance and they intend doing so by locating and fixing inefficient block of code that will help enhance certain areas of the Operating System.
NEW FEATURES
After learning of the Release candidate version of the new O.S (available for download), I had it installed on my laptop and from the desktop after booting, it’s easy to see the changes right from the new Taskbar with its large icons (which can be customized) replacing the Quick Launch bar in Vista to the new Jumplists that allow for easy access to common tasks like reopening files opened previously in that application. The Quick Launch tool bar has been integrated into the task bar by enabling the pinning of applications directly on it. Obviously the task bar is the most eye-catching change you notice once you get the system running. The Show desktop button formerly on the Quick Launch bar has been moved to the far right of the Task bar right after the clock. Clicking the button immediately minimizes all windows and clicking again restores them.
Start-up and shut-down times have also improved and this is great news as I also observed that my battery life also improved. Power Management in Windows 7 is really commendable. The new OS comes with Internet Explorer 8 and Windows media Player 12. It also reintroduces games (Internet Backgammon, Internet Spades, Internet Checkers) that were removed from Windows Vista.
REMOVED FEATURES
Certain features once part of Windows vista are no longer included in Windows 7. Such applications include Windows Ultimate Extras, Windows Calender and Inkball. Others are offered as a free package called Windows Live Essentials and applications under this package include: Windows mail, Movie Maker and Windows Photo Gallery.
In part two of this series I look at the Hardware requirements, the different Versions and the cost of the OS. Overall I’ve done my best in a nutshell to outline my experience of the new Operating System – the new features, the changes and the removals. In intending to keep this simple, only the really basic features and changes were given account of here. It’s a tad bit unfair to jump to conclusions regarding how the OS will be rated all round as there seems to be the notion of Microsoft coming up with Service Pack upgrades after security loopholes get to be exploited. Let’s hope the release of Windows 7 signals the start of a new era of enjoying full stable releases. I look forward to your comments and feedback regarding your experience with Windows 7, the features you love the most, the ones you wish were done away with or better still what more features you’d love to be integrated to the ‘final, I hope’ release to be out on October 22 by Microsoft.
Henry Fimibama is an IT specialist and software developer. For more information, send a mail to info@thenigerianlawyer.com
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