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PC-users who haven't found much to get excited about have been all abuzz the past week over some odd numbers that could even out the playing field... May 5 and Windows 7.
Yes, today is the day Microsoft die-hards have been waiting for - the public roll-out of a new operating system with what Microsoft officials describe as the highest quality Release Candidate in the history of Windows.
Many have been waiting for a replacement to Vista 2007, the operating system which earned more brickbats than bouquets, and downgrade options for users and machines unable to take to Vista.
Fortunately, the future doesn't appear the same for Windows 7.
This time round, users can't seem to get Windows 7 fast enough.
Following the announcement on 30 April that the new operating system was ready for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, the folks at Redmond found their servers under so much strain, tech teams had to work double-hard to get the downloads running smoothly again.
With early praise earned for Windows 7's stability and the absence of other problems associated with Vista, the company is all geared-up for the next open window - the release of the operating system to the broader public.
"Listening to our partners and customers has been fundamental to the development of Windows 7," said Microsoft senior vice president for Windows business Bill Veghte when detailing the Release Candidate (RC).
“We have more partner support than we’ve ever had for an RC and are pleased to say that the Windows 7 RC has hit the quality and compatibility bar for enterprises to start putting it through its paces and testing in earnest.”
Much of what went into the new Microsoft OS came from the January 2009 beta of Windows 7 where feedback was collected every few seconds from millions of users who chose to test out the operating system.
One insight was probably that some users may have hang-ups from Vista, while others may be reluctant to give up on XP - the result, an XP Mode option which Microsoft didn't have in the beta but is offering with the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
This beta download means users can run a Windows 7 desktop but fire up Windows XP-based applications in a virtual Windows XP environment, so it'll appear that you never really did make a move!
Microsoft's approach may seem over-cautious, but really it's also practical as it gives room for compatible software development and caters to end-users who need some getting used to change.
Apart from the fact that mainstream support from Microsoft for the seven-year-old Windows XP has run out, there is another reason why you should give Windows 7 a good, close look and even try - it is rather friendly.
Like many of you, I chose not to switch to Vista on both my desktop and laptop PCs (apart from the reason that both are old).
When I was offered a chance to 'play around' with a device running on Windows 7 beta, I was cautious, even doubtful if I'd find it agreeable.
It has been over a month, and I have been happily working with Windows 7 with hardly any XP withdrawal symptoms. Even curious family members who had a try have been sold to the new operating system.
Windows 7 is surprisingly easy to get used to and yes, even vaguely familiar to XP in some instances. So, if you skipped Vista, you don't really have to worry that the new and more visual interface is going to prove a hassle.
One feature I enjoyed which came from Vista, is the ability to 'see' the windows that you have opened.
This is a very useful and friendly tool especially when you work with a number of windows and tabs open. All you need to do is to mouse over an application icon and you'll get a thumbnail glimpse of what's open.
Those who have messy desktops will also love the 'pin' option where a much-used application can be stuck to the taskbar with the pin button, so you don't need to search around too much.
Other useful features in the Release Candidate include extending the battery life of mobile PCs, Remote Media Streaming so users can access digital media stored via secure remote Internet access from another Windows 7-based PC, and touch-screen capabilities.
The general consensus is that with the May 5 Release Candidate, there will be little change going into the final version of Windows 7.
It's also expected that the new OS will find favour with the new range in netbooks, touch-screen or tablet PCS as well light-weight devices, where fewer kilos call for lighter hardware specs.
In the meantime though, you don't have to wait for any new, top-range device to have a feel of Windows 7.
The new OS is set to work on a broad array of hardware given the minimum system requirements set out by Microsoft:
- 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB of RAM (32-bit)/2 GB of RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit)/20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or higher
If more help is needed, there is the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, a download tool that will analyze a PC and determine if there should be an upgrade to Windows 7.
With less guesswork and more friendly features, it looks like it's going to be a lucky 7 for Microsoft and Windows-users.
-CNA/sf
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