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A Tale of Two Windows 7s
theodp writes "It was the best of operating systems, it was the worst of operating systems. When it comes to the merits of Windows 7, it looks like Slate's Farhad Manjoo and PC Magazine's John Dvorak are going to have to agree to disagree. Manjoo gives Windows 7 a big thumbs-up (a sincere one, unlike Linus!), calling it a 'crowning achievement,' while Dvorak is less than impressed, saying, 'Win 7 is really just a Vista martini. The operating system may have two olives instead of one this time out, but it's still made with the same cheap Microsoft vodka.' So, for those of you who've had a chance to check things out, are things really different this time?"
Multiple readers have also pointed out that there have been problems with the download and installation of Windows 7 upgrades obtained through the student discount offer, which Microsoft has confirmed.
And if anyone had a job, they could all buy new computers. Oops. Economic timing at odds with market synergies. What to do?
We'll see how successful this launch is in 5 years. I'm sure they'll fake the numbers in the short term, even if no one is buying.
--
Toro
It was the best of operating systems
Says who? I have yet to see a single human, that is not payed by Microsoft, say something that is even close to that.
It suggest, that you are also payed.
Also, the rhetoric device of the two sides, extrapolating a contrast where none is, is such an old hat, that you must be a real newbie in the business of viral marketing, to still use it.
Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
I went to the new Microsoft store in Scottsdale and had a demo of Windows 7. The demonstrator was having a hard time covering up the fact it kept stalling and was even harder to find or get to anything than in Vista. When asked what the improvements were over Vista all he could do was point to some DVD editing app, show how you could shake windows to hide them, and to point out a new shortcut to a Microsoft internet sales portal. So basically nothing new in the OS itself other than a toy application and an internet shortcut designed to make you pay more to Microsoft.
The fundamental problem is that each new version of Windows keeps building more and more layers of 'features' and artificial views that just get in the way, and Windows 7 is no different. Its now at the point where you haven't got a clue where your files actually are on the disk any more or whats going on with the system any more. Instead of enabling users, they are treating them more and more like morons to be forced down a single path. With Windows 7 If your lifestyle, workflow, and file organisation preferences are in any way different to Microsoft's view of how you should live, act, and think, the system punishes you by being awkward and useless until you change your lifestyle to suit it.
Honestly, the trip to the Microsoft store to check out Windows 7 was the last chance I was giving Microsoft after having already wasted serious money on Vista. My options were to upgrade to Windows 7 or finally say goodbye to Microsoft forever. On the strength of what I saw at the Microsoft store I uninstalled Vista and have now moved entirely over to Ubuntu Linux as my main OS. I'm very happy and haven't looked back since.
(Change an Ubuntu screen to 640x480, and then try to change it back, without using secret hidden commands. Can't be done.)
It not only can be done, but you actually do it just about the same way as with Mac or Windows. Just go to the menu on the toolbar.
Look under System => Preferences => Screen Resolution
How is that harder than doing the same thing in Mac or Windows?
That's what Linux needs to become if it wants to be a universal replacement desktop, instead of just an isolated tool for technicians.
Then get to work.
Linux is your operating system too. Why not start a project to build a desktop that works the way you want it? You don't have to be a developer. If you have ideas compelling enough, you can probably rope in a few coders to knock out a prototype and attract some interest.
What would you start with?
[-- Trust the Monkey --]
Actually providing information about those BSOD will not result in the end of the universe.
System - Preferences - Screen resolution
This enabled you to change the screen resolution. On my system, it has several options, one of which is 640x480. I can change to and from it with the same amount of effort that Windows requires.
Or until you can get some geek to reveal the secret ALT-CNTL-X-NUM-+ whatever key combo. Like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-L-0s-7-Z0 - QUOTE: "Linux works for you, because with youses guys computers, YOU work for the computers, and, and, and....."
Alt-drag is a standard on Gnome for moving a window. You can drag it by any part of the window, just by holding the Alt key as you drag - this allows you to move the title bar fully off screen, or move off-screen buttons onto the screen. You don't have to drag it by the title bar as in Windows (although you can do it this way also). So what's this alt-cntl-x-num-whatever key combo you're talking about?
Seems to me if the average user gets stuck in 640x480, and can't out, it's the computer that has the control not the user. Not consumer-friendly.
Even noobs on Linux generally know about the alt-drag function, or at least they know how to navigate a help system and find out about it. Hint for Ubuntu: start the help browser, click on "New to Ubuntu", then "Introduction to the desktop"; the alt-drag feature is in the section on manipulating windows. Here's what it says about moving a window, after mentioning the titlebar-drag method:
You can also choose Move from the Window Menu, or press Alt+F7, and then either move the mouse or press the keyboard arrow keys to move the window.
You can also press-and-hold Alt and drag any part of the window.
Was that hard? I suppose it's inevitable that some who have been conditioned by too many years of MS Windows without running any other OS may not even conceive that there could be anything other than the "Windows way", and don't even bother looking in the help system. If that's what you mean by "average user", then they are doomed to use Windows forever, as they are unlikely to adapt to anything else...
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
So... How did you change the resolution to 640x480
He went into the display settings, selected 640x480 and pressed, ok.
If so then you must presumably be able to change the resolution again using those same commands and you don't have a problem.
When its 640x480 and you go into that display settings dialog, you can select 1280x1024, but you can't press OK. So no, the same sequence of actions doesn't work. Because the dialog box is too big for 640x480.
Now if you know arcane keyboard shortcuts you can use them to move the window to reveal the offscreen button, but most people don't know that. If you have 2nd computer runnign the same version running right beside it, you can see how many tab presses it takes to get to the 'ok' button and then mirror that on the other unit, but most people don't have that luxury.
I don't have a machine running Ubuntu to hand to try.
This is why you probably should have kept your mouth shut.
Clearly, Windows 7 is for those who don't know any other OS. It might do the job from keeping the clueless from looking for the alternative, which is Microsoft's major goal now. But for those of us who have already switched there is no reason to even look at this OS. The fundamental flaws won't go away. Ever.
Now, even if you don't think about the price which is IMO ridiculously high... There is no LiveCD's for me to test my hardware: some of it isn't officially supported and the need to re-partition my HDD (and the need to repair GRUB afterwards) just to see how it works and whether it works at all... It's just too much hassle. Neither can I install the OS on an USB stick. Hell, I boot Linux from an ExpressCard SSD right now, overall speed increase is astronomical, but Win7 won't even install there. On top of this, I have to pay for a copy in order to test (yeah, I have missed the "free" RC1, now what?).
Software is still has to be installed one-by-one and you either have to upgrade all the pieces one-by-one too or deal with dozens of independent updaters. Not to mention the dire need for extra protection resulting in more software one has to install manually.
As for usability (something that could be fixed) -- where the hell are my goddamn virtual desktops?! Text copy on select so I can paste with a middle mouse button?
Last but not least -- Alt-dragging/resizing a window. A killer feature if you are using a touchpad (which I am). It's not there.
No, you won't return to Windows land because of 7 if you're using something else.
How long before your dumbass litany gets modded troll: holding alt and moving the windows around, it's just as easy as in Doze if you're not too stupidly set in your ways. PEBKAC.
Why is this marked flamebait? It seems like parent is trying to determine the issue GP experienced. Only way to solve it is if people can see what's causing the issue.
His message is propaganda! If you know that this Farhad Manjoo has a history of flacking for Microsoft, it shows that his viewpoint is NOT objective. If Steve Jobs tells you that Apple makes great products, does the message count more than the messenger? No! Unless you're an idiot, you ALWAYS consider who the messenger is. That information is important because it reveals the messenger's bias. This guy is a Microsoft Poodle and his opinion is NOT objective. What you just said is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. ALWAYS consider the source.