Windows 7 is coming...

[BD2003]

So, the curtain is officially going down on Win7 tomorrow. I'd expect the keynote itself to be far less exciting that even the most minor apple release, but there should be some quality juicy details on it.

There's still plenty of info out on it already, and IMO it's shaping up to be a fine release. For one thing, its building on the vista codebase without changing the driver model, so compatibility should be a minor if nonexistent problem.

The way theyre developing it is much cleaner, where a feature is only added when 100% complete, so hopefully it should have even less of a beta feel than vista did on launch.

Theyre moving to a much more componentized model, and you'll finally again be able to customize your install (like back in the win9x days)...so hopefully there will be less bloat.

Although I'm sure itll succeed merely because it's not named vista.

 

[pstylesss]

Looking forward to seeing more and testing it out.

 

[VinDSL]

Interesting!

They chose the anniversary of the Wall Street Crash of 1929...

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Theyre moving to a much more componentized model, and you'll finally again be able to customize your install (like back in the win9x days)...so hopefully there will be less bloat.

If anything will be removed it will be the applications that has Windows Live variants, but even that isn't final. Everything else should be in the base installation.

So far there is zero information of substance or relevance out, by that I mean information which 1) can be officially confirmed and 2) clearly notes an advancement unique to Windows 7, or 3) . With what we know we can't really say "it's shaping up to be a fine release," all we do know is that they are making changes which would promote a more stable, cleaner product but that doesn't mean the end result will be just so. For all we know the bar is way above what Windows 7 is capable of. All the talk about Windows 7 has been from Sinofsky & Co. essentially thinking out loud about what issues they might address somehow in the next version. No We don't know how they'll deal with dual monitor support, or if they will, only that they're saying it's on the agenda. No concrete details.

Compatibility will just as big an issue as it is today, providing all goes well and Microsoft doesn't include another batch o' shim or other compatibility fixes in SP2 and 7's final build. Meaning people who need applications to work today but can't get them to do so should be in the same boat, although I will admit, generally it's silly of them to be expecting otherwise.

I think you're reading too much into absolutely nothing on your talking points as none are guaranteed to be true or translate into a better product.

 

[shafeen]

windows 7 would be a tweaked vista for extra money.......i am fine with my ubuntu/xp combo now

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Rhonda the Sly

Theyre moving to a much more componentized model, and you'll finally again be able to customize your install (like back in the win9x days)...so hopefully there will be less bloat.

If anything will be removed it will be the applications that has Windows Live variants, but even that isn't final. Everything else should be in the base installation.

So far there is zero information of substance or relevance out, by that I mean information which 1) can be officially confirmed and 2) clearly notes an advancement unique to Windows 7, or 3) . With what we know we can't really say "it's shaping up to be a fine release," all we do know is that they are making changes which would promote a more stable, cleaner product but that doesn't mean the end result will be just so. For all we know the bar is way above what Windows 7 is capable of. All the talk about Windows 7 has been from Sinofsky & Co. essentially thinking out loud about what issues they might address somehow in the next version. No We don't know how they'll deal with dual monitor support, or if they will, only that they're saying it's on the agenda. No concrete details.

Compatibility will just as big an issue as it is today, providing all goes well and Microsoft doesn't include another batch o' shim or other compatibility fixes in SP2 and 7's final build. Meaning people who need applications to work today but can't get them to do so should be in the same boat, although I will admit, generally it's silly of them to be expecting otherwise.

I think you're reading too much into absolutely nothing on your talking points as none are guaranteed to be true or translate into a better product.

There's plenty of solid information and leaked betas out pre-PDC - just because you havent seen or heard about them doesnt mean they dont exist. The windows live apps being out for sure has been final for weeks now.

I thought itd be a little silly to post the details of what was already known via leaks (sensors, voice accelerators, homegroup, multitouch, ribbons, biometrics etc, etc) when the doors were about to blown wide open on it today, but I suppose that'll be irrelevant in a few hours anyway.

 

[corkyg]

Any link to an official news release?

7

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Any link to an official news release?

7

Am i missing something or was the last update to that page last January?

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

REORDERING OF THE TASKBAR ITEMS IS HERE.

Worth buying Windows 7 for that alone.


Edit:
...and anyone see the IE Tab in the taskbar? Shweet.

Edit:2
Libraries make a lot more sense now. Music libraries will be shared between WMP12 and W7 and the same for WLPG and Explorer. Homegroups make me wish I had a wife and children. ; ;

Edit:3
"So, I'll just dock it at the top..."
Nope. Maybe next time Julie. For those of you who missed it, Julie Larson Green tried to dock a window at the top of the screen (shortcut to fullscreen) and, well... nothing happened. Fair enough, she didn't try again but it was just funny.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

http://www.microsoftpdc.com/

If you wanna view PDC keynotes!

 

[loup garou]

http://gizmodo.com/5069661/win...-video-and-impressions

Some more info. I'm liking some of the improvements, but I hope all these new features are completely replacing older features...nothing bugs me more in MS products than a bunch of different apps/utilities/menus that do each do different parts of a feature, or duplicated features across said apps/utilities/menus.

Also excited to see what Media Center improvements are made...although kind of pissed it's going to take another OS revision for any major improvements...come on DirecTV HD tuner support. :|

 

[Anubis]

i keep reading rumors that its gonna have more ribbons like office did, GOD I HATE THOSE THINGS

 

[Genx87]

The only thing that interests me at this point is the touch screen capabilities. I really think that is going to change how we use computers big time.

If they add in voice commands and the ability to dictate to office applications that is golden. KB and Mouse will be used minimally which is nice.

 

[BD2003]

I really like what they've done with the taakbar...it's taking the best of the osx dock by essentially combining the tasks with the quicklaunch, just taking it one step further. Really impressed with what they've done, I was expecting something far less drastic.

Also good to hear that they're reducing the memory footprint as well.

It seems like with all the structural changes complete from vista they're now focusing almost entirely on the ui, which is finally getting a long overdue overhaul.

 

[BD2003]

I'm 99% postive dictation has been in vista from the start. They're doing some other stuff with voice in 7...for example you can highlight a word and say "define" or an address and say "directions". I believe they're called accelerators...I don't wan to give up my keyboard just yet but it makes voice actually something you'd consider using day to day without being totally reliant on it.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

They still haven't proven that Windows 7 will be better at Window Management (with anything over 3 windows...) than Vista or prior. Customization options are still a huge question mark (people will be clamoring for text on their taskbars) as well as DPI awareness/compatibility of applets within Windows.

 

[BD2003]

well, it's something I can't wait to try out..the more I read about the new taskbar the more I like. I really hope they do away with flip 3d and get on to something a little more expose-like, but there's really only so much you can do with one monitor. I have a feeling it's going to be like the ribbons in office - at first it's incredibly confusing and it's upsetting that they changed it so radically, but I could never live without the ribbon in office. I'd cringe at the thought of going back to office 2k3. Although I can't say I think paint and wordpad really need it...the ribbon seems like overkill for those apps.

I had pretty positive experience with high dpi on vista already (the vast majority of apps scale fine), although the sidebar gadgets were indeed made virtually useless...although it's such a no brainer I can imagine they don't address that.

 

[evident]

that taskbar is HOT!

 

[Gooberlx2]

winsupersite is in the process of putting up a 5-part series of preview articles.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Fluid Ribbon UI in Wordpad? Naturally a fit, Microsoft is positioning Wordpad to be a step below Office Word.
Fluid Ribbon UI in Paint? It can go either way.

According to the UI Guideline I think they know Ribbons are not suitable for every application.

I had pretty positive experience with high dpi on vista already (the vast majority of apps scale fine), although the sidebar gadgets were indeed made virtually useless...although it's such a no brainer I can imagine they don't address that.

Like I said, not all applets are high DPI. I've had a very positive experience with it as well but ALL of the stock UI should be able to resize for DPI.

Gadgets still looks useless though...

 

[Psynaut]

Here is the ARS Technica review.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Genx87
The only thing that interests me at this point is the touch screen capabilities. I really think that is going to change how we use computers big time.

If they add in voice commands and the ability to dictate to office applications that is golden. KB and Mouse will be used minimally which is nice.

Having been through HP's introduction of touchscreen desktops around 1984, and having used voice recognition on PCs since around 1986, I have to say I'm skeptical. Keyboards and mice are amazing devices and I don't see them going away any time soon. It can get real tiring holding up your finger all day long dragging things across a greasy, fingerprinted touchscreen. Both keyboards and mice will have to still be installed, so now you'll be jumping back and forth between keyboard/mouse and the touchscreen.

And, unless you are alone in a silent office, voice commands have been more trouble than they are worth, in addition to annoying anybody else in the room.

I wish it wasn't so...but I don't see either of those two features being useful except for specialized applications.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Genx87
The only thing that interests me at this point is the touch screen capabilities. I really think that is going to change how we use computers big time.

If they add in voice commands and the ability to dictate to office applications that is golden. KB and Mouse will be used minimally which is nice.

Having been through HP's introduction of touchscreen desktops around 1984, and having used voice recognition on PCs since around 1986, I have to say I'm skeptical. Keyboards and mice are amazing devices and I don't see them going away any time soon. It can get real tiring holding up your finger all day long dragging things across a greasy, fingerprinted touchscreen. Both keyboards and mice will have to still be installed, so now you'll be jumping back and forth between keyboard/mouse and the touchscreen.

And, unless you are alone in a silent office, voice commands have been more trouble than they are worth, in addition to annoying anybody else in the room.

I wish it wasn't so...but I don't see either of those two features being useful except for specialized applications.

Well, I think they can find pretty broad use, but theyre not going to replace the mouse + kb anytime soon.

Touch is a good idea for laptops (especially smaller ones). If they can manage to put out a reasonably priced netbook with a multi-touchscreen AND a standard keyboard+ trackpad sign me up. I used to have a tablet PC, and wanted to use it to surf on my couch, but that had two main problems - you needed the pen, and it was HEAVY. Netbooks would be just the right size and weight. The iphone has proven touch can be done right, but it's still something that belongs in a portable arena more than a desktop. I personally dont see much use for multitouch on a desktop like the touchsmart, but if the tech was ubiquitous and cheap, it wouldnt hurt either.

Voice on the other hand, is *never* going to really catch on until you dont have to talk to a computer like a computer. It has to be able to understand you naturally. Even the best dictation is an exercise in frustration because unless the PC understands your intent, your slang, your tone and the context of what youre saying, it's just not going to come out right. I'm looking forward to the day I can speak to my PC, but thats a long way off. That being said, the voice accelerators are a neat idea, but in the end they dont seem to serve too much purpose other than cleaning up right click menus. Its probably the most interesting use for voice, being that its a narrow application used to speed up your work rather than replace the mouse+kb, but I still dont see it really taking off.

 

[phexac]

Ehhh, none of those changes sound all that impressive. Really doubt there is anything in there that will have as much positive impact on my Windows experience as SuperFetch did.

 

[Genx87]

I didnt say it would replace the KB + Mouse, only make their use less.