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February 17th, 2009

Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 3:07 am

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Adobe PhotoShop, Microsoft Windows 7, Audio Card, Cracks, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Over on Slashdot is perhaps the worst piece on Windows 7 that I’ve see so far (I find it hard to believe that this one will be beaten anytime soon …).

A few days’ testing of Windows 7 has already disclosed some draconian DRM, some of it unrelated to media files. A legitimate copy of Photoshop CS4 stopped functioning after we clobbered a nagging registration screen by replacing a DLL with a hacked version. With regard to media files, the days of capturing an audio program on your PC seem to be over (if the program originated on that PC). The inputs of your sound card are severely degraded in software if the card is also playing an audio program (tested here with Grooveshark). This may be the tip of the iceberg. Being in bed with the RIAA is bad enough, but locking your own files away from you is a tactic so outrageous it may kill the OS for many persons. Many users will not want to experiment with a second sound card or computer just to record from online sources, or boot up under a Linux that supports ntfs-3g just to control their files.

OK, just a few points worth making:

  • Someone messes about with Photoshop in order to crack it, the program then breaks, and that’s somehow the fault of Windows?!?!!
  • Why would Photoshop CS4 contains some super-secret anti-tamper system that’s incorporated into Windows 7?
  • What DLL was changed? Cracks are very variable and many just don’t work.
  • As to the inability to record, this is also an issue under Vista, and is highly dependent on the sound card and sound card driver used. An example of this is Realtek drivers - OEM supplied drivers usually have recording crippled and to get access to full features you have to download the full driver.

The piece goes on to howl at the moon about Windows firewall (describing behavior already exhibited by Windows firewall in Vista).

Utter nonesense.

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

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Posted by: mgp3 Posted on: 07/28/09  (Edited: 07/28/09 @ 05:09) You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
The pot calling the kettle....  TheMostToysWins | 02/17/09
What did I miss?  MGP2 | 02/17/09
It's not Vista SP2. It's Vista SE.  Letophoro | 02/17/09
Not Vista SE, Vista Millenium!  kburrows | 02/17/09
No. No it doesn't...  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
actually it does  akulkis | 02/18/09
ME was a great OS...  Crestview | 02/18/09
Re: ME was a great OS...  eppervesce@... | 02/21/09
I don't buy this theory  Crestview | 02/18/09
That was pretty random and off topic, but I'll play along..  AzuMao | 02/19/09
You're right, and pieces like that  chrome_slinky@... | 02/17/09
RE: You're right, and pieces like that  svc4you | 02/18/09
WTF?  khawaja.umar.farooq@... | 04/23/09
Windows 7 must be good...  eqpc | 02/17/09
A hacked dll can fail any system  Crestview | 02/18/09
Did you even  AzuMao | 02/19/09
In typical slashdot fashion  honeymonster | 02/17/09
It will crash and burn!     Wait... It already is  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Do you think?  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
Shouldn't you be doing some cost analysis or something? (nt)  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Nah, meetings today...  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
Socializing (with the right people) produces results faster than merit  InAction Man | 02/17/09
I know.  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
That was a good try, but you should try harder to be more convincing  InAction Man | 02/17/09
re: not wanting to work at McD's  akulkis | 02/18/09
Hahaha. It is already a sucess.  honeymonster | 02/17/09
Look for the nearest doctor's office...  aldisp@... | 02/19/09
Competitors...  khawaja.umar.farooq@... | 04/23/09
Summed up the facts nicely. Good job.  AzuMao | 04/24/09
Good one. There are more people running win7 beta.....  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
Why do you brag so much about quantity? That's hardly a compliment!  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Brag? I don't work for Microsoft.  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
Linux is better...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
Something that makes sense? Whaaat?  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Hmmmmmmm  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
@Dave...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
I cater to anyone...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
Microsoft's Ultimate Steal...  Wolfie2K3 | 02/18/09
Great price...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
And your choice is to lay it on Windows, while otherwise being objective...  xuniL_z | 02/18/09
Interesting....  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
Even more interesting Dave. You honestly didn't notice...?  xuniL_z | 02/19/09
ok...  Dave32265 | 02/19/09
@Dave, i never said Linux was not an alternative.  xuniL_z | 02/19/09
"major downsides of Linux and we all know what they are, then your post wou  AzuMao | 02/24/09
 xuniL_z | 02/18/09
Objection!  AzuMao | 02/24/09
Enough With The WGA Already ...  PMC-CON | 02/18/09
It has happened and ...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
@Dave32265: Licenses Vs. WGA "Failures"  PMC-CON | 02/18/09
You just made my point....  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
@Dave, please don't be so pompous about everything...  xuniL_z | 02/19/09
@xunil  AzuMao | 02/24/09
"use that license on as many machines as necessary. There is not limit"  Ole Man | 02/25/09
That's patently false!  khawaja.umar.farooq@... | 04/23/09
After each patch, like in Windows? Or just once?  AzuMao | 04/24/09
If you can't beat them....  JoeMama_z | 02/17/09
The two aren't mutually exclusive  mikefarinha | 02/18/09
"High Quality" for a Microsoft OS  akulkis | 02/18/09
Because  AzuMao | 02/24/09
it will crash  Col Mustard | 03/10/09
Why get upset over this?  jpr75_z | 02/17/09
Slashdot? So 1999......  Gnutella | 02/17/09
"Hating on"  akulkis | 02/18/09
G.N.A.A.  Marcos El Malo | 02/19/09
Windows 7 is **begging** to be run inside a virtual machine... on Linux  InAction Man | 02/17/09
What Sound card degradation???  honeymonster | 02/17/09
Can you read?  InAction Man | 02/17/09
You obviously cannot  honeymonster | 02/17/09
Here you go...  msalzberg | 02/17/09
He only reads some parts  InAction Man | 02/17/09
What?  Average-IT-Guy | 02/19/09
That is not "Sound card degradation"  logicearth@... | 02/18/09
Keep 'em coming. This is like going to the fair....  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
In response to your plead...  InAction Man | 02/17/09
I must say....  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
RE: "I can't get enough of the good ole "look in the mirror" routine."  AzuMao | 02/24/09
Microsoft CAR 2009  akulkis | 02/18/09
Oh yes, please believe everything you hear  Crestview | 02/18/09
This would imply...  wolf_z | 02/17/09
Linux fanbois running scared  honeymonster | 02/17/09
Windows 7 is not that important! You're being paranoid!  InAction Man | 02/17/09
That is probably why millions ....  ShadeTree | 02/17/09
And your point is?  Tiggster | 02/17/09
You are right on the lack of interest part  InAction Man | 02/17/09
useless  B.Beck | 02/17/09
Have you been listening (or reading) to yourself lately? Of course not!  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Lots of interest  rtk | 02/17/09
"Today most people prefer XP over Vista" Yea dream on  Michael L Hereid Sr | 02/17/09
"Today most people prefer XP over Vista" Yea dream on  Michael L Hereid Sr | 02/17/09
Of course I believe it  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Thank you for explaining that...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
@MGP2.....We have a winner.....  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
@mgp2: It's so good you always have something useful to say  InAction Man | 02/18/09
@Inactive Man  MGP2 | 02/18/09
@mgp2: Those words you posted before were self-defeating  InAction Man | 02/18/09
The numbers don't equate to "preference"  dprozzo | 02/17/09
Those same people are saying...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Nice to have a clairvoyant here  Ole Man | 02/17/09
Where was it I said "said"?  MGP2 | 02/17/09
My mistake  Ole Man | 02/17/09
@Ole Man, but you CAN "divine"  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Veeeery funny ha ha ha  Ole Man | 02/17/09
"You certainly talk ugly enough."  MGP2 | 02/17/09
It's easy to divine what the Ole Man will say.  xuniL_z | 02/19/09
"It's the same curmudgeony bunch of poo"  Ole Man | 02/25/09
Relax man, take it easy!  InAction Man | 02/18/09
Huh?  MGP2 | 02/18/09
Wow.  akulkis | 02/18/09
You're free to eat what you like...  MGP2 | 02/18/09
Reached such a point of apathy for m$??  Cayble | 02/17/09
Average Joe doesn't know what Windows is either  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Funny thing is....  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
And someone who buys a Linux netbook from Best Buy will?  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Obviously missed the point...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
The Point..  bobiroc | 02/18/09
I give ...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
You mean the average joes  soonerproud | 02/17/09
Wow, you really do hate windows don't you?  xuniL_z | 02/17/09
But the problems windows have  akulkis | 02/18/09
Oh yeah. You are absolutely right.  xuniL_z | 02/20/09
Wow, you're really sad aren't you?  AzuMao | 02/24/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  Gis Bun | 02/17/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  noogrub@... | 02/17/09
re: Windoze  Badgered | 02/17/09
Very True  B.Beck | 02/17/09
That's why one should use the proper term for it  akulkis | 02/19/09
"Windoze" is windows with a french accent  InAction Man | 02/17/09
And some would say...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Yes, when talking to you they SHOULD say that  InAction Man | 02/18/09
History Lesson - Windoze is endearing not derogatory  stillgolfing | 02/19/09
There is legitimate reason for such articles  Cayble | 02/17/09
"Windoze" that's windows with a french accent  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Well then  akulkis | 02/19/09
So, don't read slashdot articles. Schimple.  Custard_over_2x_Pie | 02/17/09
Regular folks do not read slashdot.  osreinstall | 02/17/09
slashdot moron  akulkis | 02/19/09
Never ending MS Bashing  osreinstall | 02/19/09
windoze 7 is already dead!  Linux Geek | 02/17/09
Knowledge  B.Beck | 02/17/09
Linux can't pay developers either. Therefore paid...  ye | 02/17/09
Ask IBM  InAction Man | 02/17/09
What should I be asking them? (nt)  ye | 02/17/09
In your case, ye  akulkis | 02/19/09
Really  B.Beck | 02/17/09
Your proclaimed intentions look nice, too bad they don't match reality  InAction Man | 02/17/09
ZDNET  B.Beck | 02/17/09
You know who they are.  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Info  B.Beck | 02/17/09
That's easy. Some of those qualities are:  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Well...it's refreshing to see such an unbiased opinion  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Truth hurts  akulkis | 02/19/09
Hey B.Beck...you wanna know what's worse than what you're saying?  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Posing Strawmen  dszimmer | 02/19/09
I'm a Linux user...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
Speaking of botching and mangling...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
its BETA  Comnenus | 02/17/09
stmarie has obviously NOT  akulkis | 02/19/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  DannyO_0x98 | 02/17/09
Don't forget  threedaysdwn | 02/17/09
Oh now you did it....  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Really?  Ole Man | 02/17/09
Showing your age  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Don't discourage him, Bob...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
You should take a break, really!  InAction Man | 02/18/09
Ah, now I get it....  MGP2 | 02/18/09
@mgp2: Self-defeating  InAction Man | 02/18/09
@InActive Man  MGP2 | 02/18/09
Never mind, InAction Man  Ole Man | 02/25/09
don't forget WHAT????  akulkis | 02/19/09
Er... no.  MarkKB | 02/20/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  hilcheyman | 02/17/09
Ok, here is someone...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
How many monkeys...  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
Answer: None  InAction Man | 02/17/09
So Linux is too complex for the casual user!  Sleeper Service | 02/17/09
If that casual user happens to have the brain of a monkey then, yes!  InAction Man | 02/17/09
Windows users  LiquidLearner | 02/17/09
LOL  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
Good one, Dave  MGP2 | 02/17/09
@Dave32265- MS Solutions  bobiroc | 02/17/09
More anecdotes  Ole Man | 02/17/09
Dave, Dave, Dave...  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
Funny...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
Really, Dave?  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
This is always most amusing  LiquidLearner | 02/17/09
My point was...  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
I think what your opponents are trying to say, Dave  Ole Man | 02/17/09
Truth About Windows  bobiroc | 02/17/09
You're forgetting one key point, Bob...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
"I haven't found a situation where Microsoft has not worked in my life  Ole Man | 02/17/09
So basically  akulkis | 02/19/09
Ole Man...  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Oh Dave...  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
haven't needed ....  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
But you don't use Netgear cards...  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
Yes it is...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
@Dave32265: My 10 year old daughter just installed Win7 on her laptop  de-void | 02/19/09
Hmmmmmmm  Dave32265 | 02/19/09
And intelligent people want  akulkis | 02/19/09
Ok, here is someone...  soonerproud | 02/17/09
I support home user's....  Dave32265 | 02/17/09
And "how do I get on the internet?...  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
I don't use...  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
This is not about you  soonerproud | 02/18/09
Well ....  Dave32265 | 02/18/09
But... but...  Sleeper Service | 02/18/09
And the ONLY reason there aren't Linux drivers for netgear  akulkis | 02/19/09
As opposed to  akulkis | 02/19/09
I have one eighty year old man  Ole Man | 02/25/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  Loverock Davidson | 02/17/09
No, it's Windows f'ing 7.  threedaysdwn | 02/17/09
A pile of bug-ware  akulkis | 02/19/09
Complete Crap  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Busted! What happens when WGA attacks  Ole Man | 02/17/09
Hmm..I must be lucky I guess  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Gee, it's tough to argue with...  MGP2 | 02/17/09
Exactly  bobiroc | 02/17/09
Busted! What happens when UBUNTU Attacks!  xuniL_z | 02/20/09
You feeling okay there?  AzuMao | 02/24/09
He can't help it.  Ole Man | 02/25/09
If I can't copy the audio stream of an external CD device  akulkis | 02/19/09
Adrian, you actually read the crap from Slashdot?  transposeIT | 02/17/09
Adrian, you actually read the crap from Slashdot?  transposeIT | 02/17/09
THIS is the worst one ever! Learn to READ!  erikswanson | 02/18/09
I keep sayin' Linux is the new wave...  mikifinaz1@... | 02/18/09
Funny. I just tried that. Fedora 10 and SuSE 11.1...  HypnoToad | 02/20/09
Why ...  ksarkies@... | 02/21/09
Yes, but remember....  xuniL_z | 02/21/09
How could anyone forget?  Ole Man | 02/25/09
I have been beta testing Windows 7.0  Crestview | 02/18/09
RE: Worst. Windows 7. Piece. EVER!  Sirgwain | 02/18/09
Linux?  Average-IT-Guy | 02/19/09
Windoze 7: I miss XP Already  VAITGuy | 02/19/09
Personally.....  xuniL_z | 02/20/09
people that fails...  Ceridan | 03/12/09
test  mgp3 | 07/28/09

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