Windows 7

[Panajev2001a]

I'm tempted to tell you to try it yourself, since it's not a good idea to use a beta OS as a primary OS.
(You would install it, try it and see how it's like, but not make it your main OS.)

Well, the problem is that it would be quite tight as far as HDD space given to it is concerned...

Even though I have over 100 GB free on my HDD (and I already did disable paging and rebooted) the Disk Management tool will only let me have about 19.5 GB and looking at these MS published minimum specs:

#

A test PC for the Windows 7 Beta that meets these minimum hardware recommendations (specific to the Beta and subject to change in the final version of Windows 7). Please do not use a PC you rely on for your work or daily use:

*

1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
*

1 GB of system memory
*

16 GB of available disk space
*

[...]

I would not even be able to use a decent page file...

So, if I liked it and wished to kept using it, I'd pretty much have to make it my main OS...

 

[suryad]

ConayR you bring up some good points that is for sure. But for example take a look at the 64 bit version of XP or Vista. It started of with a very slow start because people were not sure if there apps would work or not but Microsoft launched 32 bit versions as well. Microsoft could do this...create a version that is backwards compatibility neutered of Windows 7 and another version that has a VM of some sort to allow for the old apps to run. Sell the version without backwards compatibility for a bit cheap, and they would be for people like us who like to have a clean slate I dont think MS would lose money in that situation do you think?

 

[Florin]

ConayR you bring up some good points that is for sure. But for example take a look at the 64 bit version of XP or Vista. It started of with a very slow start because people were not sure if there apps would work or not but Microsoft launched 32 bit versions as well. Microsoft could do this...create a version that is backwards compatibility neutered of Windows 7 and another version that has a VM of some sort to allow for the old apps to run. Sell the version without backwards compatibility for a bit cheap, and they would be for people like us who like to have a clean slate I dont think MS would lose money in that situation do you think?

They actually have a version without media player and that is exactly the same price. So forget that scenario. I think you're not seeing the actual business model.

The price for Windows includes your subsidy for their application departments who specialise in making a second rate browser, virus scanner, defragmenter, backup program, touch interface, fax and scan interface, optical burn program, media player, movie maker, speech recogniser, java clone, flash knockoff etc etc. You know, all that stuff that was invented elsewhere and then cloned almost well enough into the Windows fold.

 

[Davros]

Even though I have over 100 GB free on my HDD

Doesnt it feel better now youve admitted such disgraceful behaviour, dont worry your among friends here and we forgive you despite such a blatent shamefull act.
Times are hard now days but dont worry we can help, the illusive goodness needn't cost a penny.
repent your crimes and make amends by visiting here :
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=49979

 

[Humus]

Assuming the folder names aren't extremely long, it takes max 1 mouse click more on Vista to go up folder(s), in many cases when you need to go up several folders, it takes less clicks from the mouse.
In case you haven't noticed, no matter how long Vista has been out there, clicking on a folder in the adressbar takes you there.

Example:
Folder you're in
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\
and you want to go back to C:\Windows\
On XP, you press the "up" button 3 times to get there
On Vista/7 you see this:
<< Windows > System32 > Drivers > etc
And just click on the "Windows" and you're there, 1 click

Assuming you're somewhere really deep in the folder jungle, you need total of 2 clicks max compared to x clicks of XP & earlier, just click on the "<<" part and pick from the list the folder you want to go to

Try this:
Create a folder on the desktop. Go into that folder. Now try to go one step up to the desktop (without any textediting on the address bar).

 

[Blazkowicz]

Well, the problem is that it would be quite tight as far as HDD space given to it is concerned...

Even though I have over 100 GB free on my HDD (and I already did disable paging and rebooted) the Disk Management tool will only let me have about 19.5 GB and looking at these MS published minimum specs:



I would not even be able to use a decent page file...

So, if I liked it and wished to kept using it, I'd pretty much have to make it my main OS...

then install it into Virtualbox, it's very simple and quick, and very fine for testing compatibility of your software.

 

[Richard]

Try this:
Create a folder on the desktop. Go into that folder. Now try to go one step up to the desktop (without any textediting on the address bar).

Hmm... what seems to be the problem? I can reach the desktop from there without having to textedit the address.

 

[Panajev2001a]

then install it into Virtualbox, it's very simple and quick, and very fine for testing compatibility of your software.

Thanks .

 

[Kaotik]

Try this:
Create a folder on the desktop. Go into that folder. Now try to go one step up to the desktop (without any textediting on the address bar).

Have to click on ">" and pick desktop (on top of the list) from there, so 2 clicks.

 

[Sxotty]

Hmm... what seems to be the problem? I can reach the desktop from there without having to textedit the address.

Me too, but mayber our views are different than his or something.

Indeed. One needs only to look at the driver compat situation at Vista's launch and how everyone that got an unknown driver in DM called it a botched launch to realise that if Windows 8 dropped x86 and pre-Vista 64-bit BC, there'd be mobs with torches and pitchforks outside the MS campus.

*drat already suggested above* Why not release a special version that is faster and cheaper without all the legacy crap? Then people who wanted it could pick it with the knowledge that catastrophe might await.

 

[Richard]

Me too, but mayber our views are different than his or something.

TBQH, I use either backspace or Alt + up arrow myself. While I can see how the up button is useful, the functionality to go up a directory is still there, unlike the column headers which they've removed from every folder view except details. <snif>

*drat already suggested above* Why not release a special version that is faster and cheaper without all the legacy crap? Then people who wanted it could pick it with the knowledge that catastrophe might await.

Well, I can think of a few issues MS might have with that. Another version on the market is another version they have to support (patches, KB, life-cycles, educating consumers and OEMs, marketing, pricing, etc.). From there on out, every single MS app (from PowerToys to Visual Studio) would have to be audited, re-tested and most likely re-released.

Considering (guestimating here) 90%+ of all Windows licenses are either OEM or VLK and that of these the vast majority of customers wouldn't want the compatibility problems I'd say MS wouldn't consider this new version cost-effective. XP64 is enough proof that if the compat isn't there, people will not take it.

Having said all that, I would buy that version but I can see why MS would shy away from it. WoW64 alone is a huge architectural hurdle. I'm in awe that it works frankly (though there are some issues heh).

 

[suryad]

then install it into Virtualbox, it's very simple and quick, and very fine for testing compatibility of your software.

That would be exactly what I did. Even a VM noob like me got it up and running in a minute or two.

 

[Sxotty]

TBQH, I use either backspace or Alt + up arrow myself. While I can see how the up button is useful, the functionality to go up a directory is still there, unlike the column headers which they've removed from every folder view except details. <snif>

That is good to know I almost always use detail view so it won't affect me. To bad though for others as I like the column headers bit they were a great addition.

 

[Panajev2001a]

That would be exactly what I did. Even a VM noob like me got it up and running in a minute or two.

Windows 7 Beta x64 edition would not boot (the installer would fail saying that it could not load a 64 bit executable a 32 bit CPU basically) on the x64 version of VirtualBox...

So, I wrote down the product key of the current MSDN AA installation of Vista (x64) and installed Windows 7 Beta x64 edition... Matlab works .

 

[Tokelil]

Windows 7 Beta x64 edition would not boot (the installer would fail saying that it could not load a 64 bit executable a 32 bit CPU basically) on the x64 version of VirtualBox...

You need to select the template for one of the x64 bit systems (Vista 64bit, 2008 64bit) when you create the VM. (If you select "Other OS" it will run as 32bit) Doing that will let you install W7 64bit under Vista 64bit at least...

 

[Panajev2001a]

You need to select the template for one of the x64 bit systems (Vista 64bit, 2008 64bit) when you create the VM. (If you select "Other OS" it will run as 32bit) Doing that will let you install W7 64bit under Vista 64bit at least...

Oh, well...

At least this will be bookmarked and might be useful to know in the future , thank you .

Edit: there are a few glitches here and there (like some windows being stuck behind others, but it is simple to get them "unstuck" and it does not happen frequently), but I am impressed... I LIKE the new GUI SO SO much... so many nice little touches and the whole experience is just so polished... wow .

 

[Davros]

Am I right in thinking you get no d3d with a virtual machine ?

 

[Panajev2001a]

Am I right in thinking you get no d3d with a virtual machine ?

I have seen an option for 3D acceleration in VirtualBox, but I could not go much further in Windows 7 Beta's installation to make sure Aero was working...

 

[Richard]

MS moving forward to blend virtualised environments and native apps. If this is successful with customers it could signal that MS can begin dropping "native" BC.

 

[Scott_Arm]

For a long time I've been thinking about switchin to Mac, but Windows7 is making the choice a lot more difficult. Everything I've read is positive ... Is that a first for a Microsoft OS?

Still, if the Mac mini really does get updated, I'll probably get one of those and Snow Leopard which also seems really great.

Tough choices, tough choices.