November 10th, 2009

Seven great (and free!) applications for Windows 7

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:57 am

Categories: Software, Windows 7

Tags: Mozilla Firefox, PC, Antivirus, Operating System, Disc, Microsoft Corp., 7-zip, Tool, VLC Player, VLC Media Player

An OS isn’t much without software to take advantage of it. If you’ve just got yourself a copy of Windows 7 (by paying full price for it or by being canny) then you’ll be looking for cool, useful, and above all, compatible software to install. Look for further!

Here’s a top 7 list of what I consider to be Windows 7 “must have” software. Not only are these applications compatible with Microsoft’s newest OS, but there’s also all free!

Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox

Regular readers will know that Firefox isn’t my personal favorite browser (it’s Google Chrome) but that doesn’t prevent me from wholeheartedly recommending Firefox to others.

Why? Because it’s a darn good browser. It’s fast, it’s robust, it’s reliable and if it doesn’t do something you want it to do, chances are there’s an add-on for that. 

And what better time to recommend Firefox, given that this month sees it celebrate its fifth birthday!

>> Learn more <<

Media Player: VideoLAN VLC Player

There’s nothing more annoying than coming across a video of sound file and not being able to play it without messing about with codecs. Rather than stick with the built-in Windows Media Player I prefer to download and install something a little more versatile, like VLC Player.

VLC media player is a highly portable media player capable of reading most audio and video formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, MPEG-1, mp3, ogg, aac …) as well as DVDs, Audio CDs VCDs, plus it offers support for  a variety of streaming protocols.

VLC Player is a great bit of kit that I can’t recommend highly enough.

>> Learn more <<

Email Client: Mozilla Thunderbird

Windows 7 doesn’t come with a built-in email client. Microsoft does make available a free email client called Windows Live Mail, which you have to download. But since you’re having to download an application, you might as well download something more versatile.

Thunderbird, by the makers of Firefox, is a fully-featured desktop email client that offers a whole raft of tools to help you control your inbox.

>> Learn more <<

Next –>

October 30th, 2009

Windows 7 vs. Ubuntu 9.10 - Strengths and weaknesses

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 5:09 am

Categories: Linux, Windows 7

Tags: Ubuntu, Operating System, Hardware, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Over the past few days I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the differences between Microsoft’s latest Windows 7 and Canonical’s Ubuntu 9.10. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of each of the operating systems. Is a free operating system really as good as one that you pay for?

Let’s take a look at several aspects of using operating systems and examine the various strengths and weaknesses of each OS.

Installation

Windows 7

• Pros
  - Install is quick, easy and painless.
  - After working through a few wizard screens at the beginning, the install is automatic
• Cons
  - None really

Ubuntu 9.10

• Pros
  - Option to “try before you install” using the Live CD feature
  - Can easily install as a dual boot or even inside Windows using the Wubi installer
• Cons
  - Unless you’re luck to get a CD, you do have to mess about with .ISO files and burn a disc. If you’re happy doing that, it’s not really a problem.

Next –>

October 23rd, 2009

UPDATE: Less than 24-hours on and a potential Windows 7 Achilles' heel surfaces

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 5:09 am

Categories: Microsoft, Windows 7

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, E-mail, Microsoft Outlook, Operating Systems, Software, Online Communications, Microsoft Office, Office Suites, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Yesterday was Windows 7’s launch day - WooHoo! Yay! PARTAY!!! - but now that the parties are over and people are settling down to actually use their PC, a potential Windows 7 Achilles’ heel emerges.

It revolves around email, specifically the fact that Windows 7 doesn’t come with a built-in email client. Windows XP had Outlook Express and Vista had Windows Mail. By comparison Windows 7 doesn’t come with an email client (saves on bloat … although Microsoft do bundle far more frivolous applications Paint, Media Player, and endless games …).

If my inbox is anything to go by, problems seem to fall into three categories:

• Users don’t know where to find a new email client
• Users don’t know how to migrate their data and settings
• Users have tried to migrate their data and settings but the migration fails for some reason

I’ve never really used Outlook Express or Windows Mail Read the rest of this entry »

October 22nd, 2009

Buy Windows 7, download now!

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 1:15 pm

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Several of you have asked me if it’s possible to buy Windows 7 and download it so you don’t have to wait for a disc to be delivered. Yes, you can.

Take a trip over to the Microsoft Store where you’ll find both the full and upgrade versions available for purchase.

• Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade ($119.99)
• Windows 7 Home Premium Full version ($199.99)
• Windows 7 Professional Upgrade ($199.99)
• Windows 7 Professional Full version ($299.99)
• Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade ($219.99)
• Windows 7 Ultimate Full version ($319.99)

The best part is that there’s no DVD drive needed … just download it to your hard drive or USB flash drive.

October 22nd, 2009

Strangest Windows 7 promotion

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 12:33 pm

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Today you’ll be reading a lot about Windows 7. But i bet you won’t see a weirder promotion than this one:

Each pattie is 13cm in diameter and weighs 113g. The first 30 Windows 7 burgers will sell for ¥777 ($8.50), after which the price rises to ¥1450 ($15).

My advice - limit your intake of these if you want to be around to see Windows 8.

October 22nd, 2009

7 Days of Windows 7 offers

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 3:14 am

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: PC, Student Offer, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Today is Windows 7 launch day. Here are some launch day offers that might be of interest to you.

Microsoft is introducing a limited-time series of offers known as “7 Days of Windows 7” with amazing deals on hardware, upgrades, support and other options. Watch for new offers to be released daily on Windows.com.

To kick off Day 1 tomorrow, Microsoft is offering PCs that are targeted at simplifying consumers’ lives. There are a host of offers available for customers, including:

• Best Buy. Full home technology remodel, handyman included. Best Buy PC Home Makeover     
  - HP laptop, netbook, desktop and monitor package with Windows 7. Geek Squad wireless home network with router and new PC setup is included.           
  $1,199.00
• Dell Studio XPS 13. All the speed you’ll need.    
  - Simply put, everything you do on your PC will be easier with a fast, high-performing laptop.
  Save more than $100 on a Dell Studio XPS13
• Acer AZ5610-U9072 23″ Touch All-in-One (with Windows Touch) 
  - Touch capabilities and all-in-one elegance with an integrated PC and monitor    
  - This stunning, All-in-One PC with Windows Touch incorporates intuitive multi-touch technology for exceptional high-definition (HD) entertainment at your fingertips. An elegant, bring exceptional HD entertainment to your fingertips.
  $880.00

With the Buy a PC, Get a Discounted Upgrade offer, customers who buy a new PC running Windows 7 Home Premium can upgrade a Windows XP- or Windows Vista-based PC they already own with a discounted box copy of Windows 7. This offer will run through Jan. 2, 2010.

Other offers available include:

• The Windows 7 Family Pack is available tomorrow in select countries while supplies last. With this offer, consumers can buy three Upgrade licenses of Windows 7 for one low price.
• The Student Offer begins tomorrow. For a limited time, the Windows 7 Student Offer gives college and university students in the U.S. and select markets worldwide the opportunity to purchase Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade or Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for a significant discount.

October 20th, 2009

How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 8:12 am

Categories: Apple, Microsoft, Poll of the Day, Trends, Windows 7

Tags: Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows 7, Apple Mac OS X, Apple Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

OK, time for a bit of fun. Windows 7 hits the General Availability make on October 22nd. How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard?

Here’s the data as it stood for September 09 as per Net Applications:

• Windows 7: 1.52%
• Mac OS X 10.5 3.03%
• Mac OS X 10.4 0.96%
• Mac OS X 10.6 0.77%
• Mac OS X 10.4/10.5 combined 4.76%

How long until Windows 7 market share beats Mac OS X Tiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard?

Note: Windows 7 has already beaten Linux’s market share of 0.96%.

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Note: I’m pretty sure that Net Applications will be tracking market share hourly following launch.

Want to make a more precise guess? Pop it in the TalkBack!

[UPDATE: Via Twitter, PC Pro's Jon Honeyball suggested that a good metric would be to see how long it takes Windows 7 to grab the same percentage of the Windows install base that Snow Leopard has captured of the entire Mac OS X intall base - Interesting!]

October 19th, 2009

Nine out of 10 corporate PCs can run Windows 7 ... but that's not the whole story

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:48 am

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: PC, Microsoft Windows Vista, Survey, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Desktops, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware

According to a survey carried out by Softchoice, 88% of corporate PCs in the US are capable of running Windows 7.

The data is pretty interesting:

• 88% of PC capable of running Windows 7, compared to 50% when Vista was released
• 65% can run advanced features such as Aero, compared to just 6% when Vista was released
• 93% still running XP
• 5% running obsolete Microsoft OSes (currently outside of support period)
• 4% running Windows 2000
• 3% running Vista

Seems like there’s huge potential for a massive upgrade wave on the face of it. However, we need to be cautious when drawing conclusions. For example:

• Survey says nothing about software compatibility
• The survey also says nothing about device compatibility

The data also raises some other interesting questions, such as:

• If 88% of PCs can run Windows 7, then that means that could also, technically, run Vista. So why aren’t they?
• The data seems to suggest that there’s been a lot of hardware upgrading going on over the last few years, but users have been sticking with XP. Why?
• Why are so many PCs running obsolete OSes? That’s just crazy on so may levels.

Softchoice research notes here [PDF].

October 19th, 2009

Did 'reporters' sink Vista?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 6:50 am

Categories: Microsoft, Vista, Windows 7

Tags: Operating System, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Windows blogger Long Zheng posted via Twitter that he’s ’sick of tech “reporters” labeling Vista a “train wreak”‘ and that they ‘derailed a perfectly good OS.‘ Did ‘reporters’ sink Vista?

To answer this question we have to look at the issue from two angles:

• Was Vista covered in a negative way by the tech media?
• Was Vista a ‘perfectly good OS’ or not?

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Having both read and written a LOT about Vista, my belief is that coverage of the OS has, overall, been fair and balanced. Sure, there’s been extremes in coverage, but this is perfectly normal and to be expected. People (and tech pundits are, after all, people) will always have, good or bad, a differing and unique perspective on an OS. Users too (outside of raving ‘moon howlers’) have been fair and balanced in how they’ve covered the OS on blogs and forums.

Note: I’m going to ignore all the bogus rubbish written about things such as DRM in Vista too …

Something worth noting about coverage is that people are far more likely to tell other people about negative experiences than they are positive experiences. The old adage that people will tell ten others of bad service while only one if the service was good holds true in the tech industry too. And why not. After all, if people have paid good money for a product, why shouldn’t they gripe when things go wrong? Doubly so when Read the rest of this entry »

October 16th, 2009

Windows 7 stability and reliability update available for download

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 4:42 am

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Computer, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Microsoft has posted the first stability and reliability update for Windows 7. This is the first such update for Windows 7 since it hit the RTM stage.

This download is available via Windows Update and from the Microsoft Download Center:

• Windows 7 (32-bit)
• Windows 7 (64-bit)

Note: The update is also available for Windows Server 2008 R2.

Here are the fixes that this update brings:

• When you view a PDF file that was created by using a 2007 Microsoft Office system document, the PDF file is displayed on the screen correctly. However, when the document is printed, some characters are missing. This problem occurs in fonts such as Calibri, Cambria, Courier New or Gabriola, in which characters such as “fi”, “ti”, “fl”, and other combinations are frequently presented as ligatures.
• In certain scenarios, an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message does not automatically tune to the appropriate channel in Windows Media Center.
• You connect a secondary monitor to a computer that is running Windows 7. When the computer resumes from hibernation, a black screen is displayed.
• In certain scenarios, the Windows 7 Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) diagnostic information settings are configured incorrectly for Windows Explorer. Only those users who are enrolled in the Windows 7 CEIP will be affected by this part of the update. This update limits the diagnostic information that can be collected by the CEIP.
• You put an x86-based computer that does not have Physical Address Extension (PAE) enabled into hibernation. However, it does not enter hibernation correctly. When you try to resume the computer from hibernation, a black screen is displayed. This issue does not affect x64-based or Itanium-based computers, or computers that have the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature enabled.
• A problem in Windows 7 affects the playback of certain media files in Windows Media Player, when Windows Media Player is started from Internet Explorer. Only those users whose media associations were changed incorrectly will be affected by this part of the update.
• On a computer that is running Windows 7, you use Windows Internet Explorer to open the certificate enrollment Web page and to install an end entity certificate. However, the installation fails. This issue occurs if the certificate chain for the new certificate cannot be built, or if the root certification authority (CA) has not first been installed in the Trusted Roots on the computer.

More details here.