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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Windows 7 K.O Windows Vista

3rd of January was my university reopened day and this semester I am going to take Information Technology as my only subject. As usual, this subject contains 3 hours of lecture and 90 minutes for tutorial class per week. 5th of January was my 1st tutorial class and the venue for sure is at the computer lab. When I reach at the computer lab, I just sit down relax and slowly log in into the computer. I found out that all the computer in our university had been upgrade with Windows 7. After the tutorial, my curiosity ‘persuades’ me to get some information about the Windows 7 as not only the university computers were upgraded with Windows 7 but my friends also done the same thing to their laptop. To tell the truth, actually I have no idea about the Windows 7 as myself are using Windows Vista for the being time.


Windows Vista first launch was mainly for business manufacturing (RTM) purpose used in November of 2006; while it officially launched for consumer’s used around the world simultaneously along with Office 2007 was in January 30th 2007 at New York City. Windows Vista is the successor to Windows XP and it is more secure if compared to Windows XP. But when come to 22th July 2009 which is less than 3 years after the releasing of its predecessor, Windows Vista, a more secure, organised and stable competitor Windows was born ---> the Windows 7.


This video will explain the reason of Microsoft launching the Windows 7 and what is so advanced with Windows 7.


These are some ‘cool’ things that only can be done by using Windows 7 instead of using Windows Vista. This is also the reasons why so many students and users prefer using Windows 7 than other Windows.


1. Jumplists

Jumplists are the new feature that gives the option to user in viewing a list of recently accessed files by application, even when the application isn't open. It can be done easily by just right-clicking on the application's icon in the taskbar. It also allows the users to have a quick access into their favourite playlist without opening any media player. Jumplists c

an also be found integrated into the Start Menu.




2. A step forward in previewing


In Vista, the users need to click on the minimised window on the taskbar one by one in order to get the preview of the window. But in Windows 7, a similar preview will pops up where it will gives the option to close a window (within the preview), along with a full-size 'peek'.






3. Snap into place

Window now can be snap and resize into one half of the screen by just simply drag the window to the left or right edge of the desktop. Drag the window to the top to maximise it. By doing this, the users can save their ‘trouble’ in positioning the mouse at the edge of the window to resize it.



4. XP Mode

Normally, an XP application cannot be run or work under Windows Vista. But for those XP applications that do not work under Windows 7, now the application can be run by downloading XP Mode free from the Microsoft website and run the applications in an emulated XP environment.



5. (Almost) eliminate the notification area

The users now can even get rid of the clock and volume icons?

The answer is yes. The users just need to click the arrow that gives access to the overflow icons in the notification area and click 'customise'. Select the specific icon and click 'hide icon and notifications' to remove it. By doing this, the icons will be hide ---> ‘clean and clear’


6. Problem Steps Recorder

The 'Problem Steps Recorder' can help the users record a particular problem they are having with PC so they can send it to someone who may be able to help. Click 'Record', and a screenshot will be taken with every mouse click. Besides, it also allows comments or notes to be added in between if required. These screenshots (with or without comments/ notes) are then placed in a well-formatted HTML document in a zipped folder which show on the desktop. With the zipped folder, the screenshots can be attached easily to an email.





7. A brand new Magnifier tool

If the users having some visually impaired problem, the Windows 7 Magnifier can overcome this problem by providing two options where it can enlarge the image. One of it is using the traditional dock (which took up a lot of the screen) and the other is being a rectangular lens that is stuck to the cursor (meaning there is no loss of workspace).



8. A new way to preview your music files

Opening and listening to an MP3 is easier and faster with Windows 7 due to its new smaller preview player, presenting the users with album art, basic music functionality and a link to the full-blown Windows Media Player. This is an obvious attempt to mimic the preview feature of Mac OS X, but it is very well executed.




9. Homegroup Networking

In Vista, creating a shared folder over a network at home could be a headache work. In Windows 7, using the 'Homegroup' wizard can check the default folders you would like to share. This can give the users a pass code to accesses another computer on the same network to share this files. Was it sounds too good to be true? But keep it in mind, only a Windows 7 computer can join a Homegroup.



10. Stream Music directly to another computer

Since the users can create a Homegroup in Windows 7, the Windows Media Player also allows the users to stream music directly to another computer. Therefore, instead of listening music through the small laptop speakers, the users now can wirelessly stream the music to the Surround Sound Speakers of PC in the living room, without leaving a step from the laptop. Doesn’t it sound awesome?



11. Improved Touch Navigation

Windows 7 also been designed with improved touch sense navigation where the larger taskbar with squarer icons makes it a lot easier to navigate with fingers. For instance, Macbook-like multi-touch gestures on various applications could change depends on how the users interact with the windows.



12. Native ISO Burner

If you are a disc burner lover, Windows 7 sure can please you. With Windows 7, the users do not need to download third-party software (such as copy a downloaded Windows 7 beta or RC). This can just be done easily and simple by double-clicking on an ISO file, then it will take the users to a window where it allows them to change the disc burner drive. Click on the 'Burn' button, after a while, the disc is ready.



Actually there are still got several things that only can be performed by Windows 7 whereas the Vista can’t perform. But among all the features, I found that the features that I listed above are most interesting therefore I just listed out so that other people can have a look and get a better understanding about the benefit of using Windows 7.

This video will show the overall features of Windows 7.


Seems like is time for me to upgrade my lappie with Windows 7. =D

So…Windows 7, here I come!!!

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