Micheal Dell says that you’ll love your PC again, with Windows 7, Office 2010 and the new range of Intel processors. I’ve loved my PC for quite a while. Don’t know why he hasn’t liked his. Maybe because he got a Dell, dude! I’ve never really liked the guy, myself. But, Dell computers used to be good quality, until the past couple years. I’ve worked on more Dell problems than any other. And most of my clients are switching to HP or Acer. Sorry, Dell…
With Windows 7 just around the corner, the Mac folks are touting what Microsoft stole from the Apple camp and vice versa. Well, it seems that both are guilty of “stealing” idea’s for their ideas and have been for a while now. Is this a consiracy, or the usual evolution of the way things work? Hmmmm…. How many TV’s out there have similar features? Personally, I could care less either way. Just make sure the damn thing works, and works well!
Although Mac fanboys and Windows zealots don’t like to admit it, the fact is that both Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard contain features that originated in the other OS. Some features were stolen so long ago that they’ve become part of the computing landscape, and it’s difficult to remember who invented what.
Windows 7 News has a nice little piece on whether or not to push Microsoft’s new Security Essentials through Windows Updates. While I agree with him that it should be pushed (as an optional download, of course), I don’t agree that it won’t happen. I think that Microsoft will put it on Windows Update. There are too many users out there without any protection, and this would allow them to install something. Although, if they don’t have any virus protection, I’m not so sure they’d do the optional updates, either. I did find out something new, though. As I always put anti-virus software on my new installs first thing, and definitely before I go online, I’ve never seen the screen that he shows when you aren’t running any AV software. Nice addition, I do say myself. Of course, if they do include it in MS updates, I wonder how many companies would cry foul?
First of all we should look at the differences between XP and Vista on the one side and Windows 7 on the other.
Computer World has done some tests comparing Windows 7 to it’s predecessor, Windows Vista, and the results are what I expected, although some are surprising.
Given that, it’s no wonder that improving performance was one of Microsoft’s design goals with Windows 7. Many reviewers have said that the new operating system feels faster than Vista. In our extensive PC World Test Center evaluations comparing the two, we found an increase in speed, though the overall improvement wasn’t dramatic.
Some of these are pretty common knowledge, some are not, but if you use Microsoft Office, you might find some tips in this article with a cool name from Seferm Post: Microsoft Office Top 10 Secret Ninja Moves.
Office is a treasure trove of hidden features that make everyday life easier. Although each version of Office has made improvements in helping users discover the available features, I find that some of my favorite features are still not well-known amongst friends and family. Here are my top 10 most useful secret ninja moves to increase your productivity and win friends and lovers.
Score one for the Microsoft lawyers (do they ever lose?!) in a lawsuit against Uniloc for a product activation scheme built into Windows. At least they got an appeal. I’m sure they will make it out of this one successfully. Of course, I never did like the product activation in Windows. Too many hiccups and false denials and just a general pain in the butt.
The victory in the Uniloc case comes as Microsoft is awaiting the result of an appeal in another patent case in which the custom XML feature in recent versions of Word was found to infringe on patents held by Canada’s I4i. If it fails in its appeal bid, Microsoft faces damages of more than $200 million in that case as well as an injunction that would halt sales of word with the infringing feature.
For those that didn’t know, Microsoft has released their new free security suite: Microsoft Security Essentials. Load it up and give it a try. Nothing to lose. I’m going to throw it on one of my machines and take it for a test spin and let you know how it goes.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It
Well, those of you that were selected for a Windows 7 launch party have been notified. If you weren’t selected, but have Windows 7, take the time to show a friend or relative how it is. I wasn’t selected, but will still be throwing a party of sorts. I’m having a few friends and family over to showcase Windows 7 and make believers out of them. Some of them are Vista bashers and I’ve been trying to convert them to a “modern” OS, and this is my chance! Of course, I’m the family “free tech support”, so I’m sure some are coming for that reason. But, it’s a good chance to show them Windows 7 and help them with their PC’s to make sure they can even run it. 🙂
Well, this is interesting. Microsoft has been working on a nice multitouch tablet… Booklet PC. This looks very nice, and I’ll definitely be sure to keep an eye on this in the coming months. Apple is supposedly building a similar tablet, as well. It’ll be nice to see what both camps eventually release. No word yet on pricing or availablilty dates, but I’ll be sure to get one as soon as possible and do an in-depth review!
Courier is a real device, and we’ve heard that it’s in the “late prototype” stage of development. It’s not a tablet, it’s a booklet. The dual 7-inch (or so) screens are multitouch, and designed for writing, flicking and drawing with a stylus, in addition to fingers. They’re connected by a hinge that holds a single iPhone-esque home button. Statuses, like wireless signal and battery life, are displayed along the rim of one of the screens. On the back cover is a camera, and it might charge through an inductive pad, like the Palm Touchstone charging dock for Pre.
Laptop Logic checks out the features that helps make working with Windows 7 more effiecient. These are some great features that help you work faster, clean up clutter, and make for a more refined OS. Small read, you may have already known what they are, but it’s nice for those that have heard about Windows 7, but yet to see or play with it.
With the upcoming release of Windows 7, Microsoft has introduced and enhanced a slew of features that makes using Windows simpler and less time consuming. At the end of the day, as users all we want is an operating system that allows us to work efficiently and minimizes the number of problems that keep us from doing so.
