I agree, I'm not sure if it's more fun or more sad to watch the same thing unfold again. It's often so blatantly obvious that people complaining about Windows 7 already hasn't even run it.:S
Microsoft has shown a continued interest in not enforcing subscription services. Even with the move to the Windows Live line of services that many dreaded would open up for subscription enforcements, this has not been the case.
People like you use to, almost without exception, tell that "you just wait and see" though, so I'm not sure it's worth wasting my time in countering your made up arguments.
But isn't Windows 7 just a service pack for Vista?
No. Service packs from Microsoft doesn't come with new features on the scale of new task bar systems, federating search to external data sources via OpenSearch, revised UAC, etc. Even the most extreme service pack thus far, Windows XP SP2, mostly focused just on security and a (too) simplistic firewall to solve urgent trojan problems.
Windows 7 could perhaps be called Windows Vista SE though, if the brand name wasn't as tainted. But I don't think MS would ever do a service pack release on this scale with touches throughout the OS, although many still minor. The normal SP from Microsoft is mostly just security fixes with under-the-hood changes like supporting new standards or hardware.
That's because it is, it's a polished Vista, with lower resource demands and new features scattered throughout the OS, although none major. (well, the taskbar is the most major upgrade since Windows 95, so that could count)
I wonder how far they'll be able to go with that. To me, OS X 10.5 is basically XP requirements with the level of Vista's features already. (and yes, with Windows 7 cutting some cruft and adding a "dock", it's getting even more similar to OS X)
Yes, like a Tiger or Leopard that can run the vast majority of software out there without virtualization. I hear it's pretty nifty as you get lower resource requirements when you run Windows applications. Seriously, that's why it's still a big deal, although they're "catching up" in some areas.
No, MS don't do these kind of changes in service packs to everything from the kernel to the UI. It just doesn't happen. Windows XP SP2 was an extreme case, but not even that SP made changes on the scale of W7 over its predecessor.
TL;DR: vista was killed by bad first impressions that the mass media ran with. windows 7 will succeed because of good first impressions that the mass media is running with.
Yup, and these are things that lead me to believe that the Windows 7 RTM build won't use the same taskbar defaults as the Beta. (it's customizable in the taskbar properties dialog) Maybe they'll just stick with having it look like the Vista taskbar (it can be done in the W7 beta) and be happy with the added visual goodies in the default setting. *shrug* It's happened before at least. This is the reason Windows Vista don't use Virtual Folders, but Saved Searches. Usability testing showing it was too confusing. As you say, it'll be quite interesting to see the response otherwise, if shipped like this.:) *evil laugh at tech support staff* Wait, that's me too! But we won't go W7 anytime soon after its release.
Ahh, I probably misunderstood you...:-p I thought this was about QWERTY layouts adapted by language, not about the frequency distribution of letters in a language. Yes, that varies between e.g. English and some other languages, but still wonder by how much, in that case.
I haven't seen a QWERTY layout radical enough from another one to seemingly make a difference. Remember we're still talking QWERTY layouts, by the way. Often, only about three or four characters varies between the various localized QWERTY layouts.
It's also used here in Sweden by at least one major newspaper.
So yes, they're catching on a trend here. It can be used to cram more content into a limited space. Good if a company is trying to cut costs by not making thicker newspapers. Annoying if you don't want to context switch from reading a newspaper at your leisure, and having to start browsing on a tiny mobile phone.:-p
OK, so wasn't Windows 7 supposed to be usable on netbooks? If it's got the same requirements as Vista, then how the hell is that going to work exactly?
The article generally seems good, but in this case it seemed bad, because W7's specs haven't even been announced yet, and you can also not judge a "Windows 7 Netbook Edition" (or whatever) by the space requirements of "Windows 7 Ultimate Edition", including everything.
Having said that, Windows 7 runs pretty fine on my 1 GB VMware install as long as you just do browsing and general office work, which is also within the constraints of netbook usage.
Windows Vista SP1 shares the Server 2008 kernel code though.
So should this be called Windows Vista SP2? No, I don't think so. Microsoft don't do this kind of wide ranging stuff and feature modifications in service pack. Windows XP SP2 was a freak service pack, really, out of emergency reasons.
This could be called Windows Vista SE though, IMHO. It's so similar to Vista in usage. And MS might perhaps have, if they didn't want to get rid of the tainted Vista brand name. I think that's also why they're reading a new release this soon, although it won't have major feature changes. To get rid of the Vista brand quickly.
Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft will "kill" the beta in August 1, that is, this is the date of expiration / time bomb.
Microsoft will stop distributing the beta in February though, a date that was extended from the previous due to the high demand.
So it runs faster with a fragmented hard drive than a defragger that periodically tries to do background work?
... and it's having lower resource requirements than Windows Vista, even as an unoptimized beta. That's why these articles are popping up lately.
I agree, I'm not sure if it's more fun or more sad to watch the same thing unfold again. It's often so blatantly obvious that people complaining about Windows 7 already hasn't even run it. :S
Microsoft has shown a continued interest in not enforcing subscription services. Even with the move to the Windows Live line of services that many dreaded would open up for subscription enforcements, this has not been the case.
People like you use to, almost without exception, tell that "you just wait and see" though, so I'm not sure it's worth wasting my time in countering your made up arguments.
But isn't Windows 7 just a service pack for Vista?
No. Service packs from Microsoft doesn't come with new features on the scale of new task bar systems, federating search to external data sources via OpenSearch, revised UAC, etc. Even the most extreme service pack thus far, Windows XP SP2, mostly focused just on security and a (too) simplistic firewall to solve urgent trojan problems.
Windows 7 could perhaps be called Windows Vista SE though, if the brand name wasn't as tainted. But I don't think MS would ever do a service pack release on this scale with touches throughout the OS, although many still minor. The normal SP from Microsoft is mostly just security fixes with under-the-hood changes like supporting new standards or hardware.
That's because it is, it's a polished Vista, with lower resource demands and new features scattered throughout the OS, although none major. (well, the taskbar is the most major upgrade since Windows 95, so that could count)
Since when doesn't cleaning things up make an OS leaner? Since it became Microsoft property?
And it's also one of the main features of 10.6.
I wonder how far they'll be able to go with that. To me, OS X 10.5 is basically XP requirements with the level of Vista's features already. (and yes, with Windows 7 cutting some cruft and adding a "dock", it's getting even more similar to OS X)
Back to square one?
Nope, because it's the first time in OS history they've tried to make an OS leaner.
Why shouldn't it be proper to say something is a brick if it can't do anything better unless it's fixed?
Then it's in need of service. You can call it "broken".
Yes, like a Tiger or Leopard that can run the vast majority of software out there without virtualization. I hear it's pretty nifty as you get lower resource requirements when you run Windows applications. Seriously, that's why it's still a big deal, although they're "catching up" in some areas.
* Increased Support for multicore CPUs: A fully managed code, that is designed specifically with parallel processing in mind. *rumor*
Fully "managed code"? This sounds like .NET 4.0 which will do this, but it won't be in W7 AFAIK.
It will however have improved performance in regards of multicore CPU's: http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/Going%20Deep/Mark-Russinovich-Inside-Windows-7/
Since Windows 7 is Vista SP3.
No, MS don't do these kind of changes in service packs to everything from the kernel to the UI. It just doesn't happen. Windows XP SP2 was an extreme case, but not even that SP made changes on the scale of W7 over its predecessor.
TL;DR: vista was killed by bad first impressions that the mass media ran with. windows 7 will succeed because of good first impressions that the mass media is running with.
In other words; the article.
Yup, and these are things that lead me to believe that the Windows 7 RTM build won't use the same taskbar defaults as the Beta. (it's customizable in the taskbar properties dialog) Maybe they'll just stick with having it look like the Vista taskbar (it can be done in the W7 beta) and be happy with the added visual goodies in the default setting. *shrug* It's happened before at least. This is the reason Windows Vista don't use Virtual Folders, but Saved Searches. Usability testing showing it was too confusing. As you say, it'll be quite interesting to see the response otherwise, if shipped like this. :) *evil laugh at tech support staff* Wait, that's me too! But we won't go W7 anytime soon after its release.
Ahh, I probably misunderstood you... :-p I thought this was about QWERTY layouts adapted by language, not about the frequency distribution of letters in a language. Yes, that varies between e.g. English and some other languages, but still wonder by how much, in that case.
It does?
I haven't seen a QWERTY layout radical enough from another one to seemingly make a difference. Remember we're still talking QWERTY layouts, by the way. Often, only about three or four characters varies between the various localized QWERTY layouts.
lol, and of course the evil hat guy had to say that.. I love the attention to detail in that comic. :D
Right, but it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings the Opera.
They do this because they're all cases that would work so poorly in a court for them.
And still get away with it, despite consistent abuse of the legal system like this.
No longer a laughing matter... :-(
And do people still pay much attention to the actual "DiVX" people?
As the article states, I think it can be of some importance for hardware devices.
It's also used here in Sweden by at least one major newspaper.
So yes, they're catching on a trend here. It can be used to cram more content into a limited space. Good if a company is trying to cut costs by not making thicker newspapers. Annoying if you don't want to context switch from reading a newspaper at your leisure, and having to start browsing on a tiny mobile phone. :-p
OK, so wasn't Windows 7 supposed to be usable on netbooks? If it's got the same requirements as Vista, then how the hell is that going to work exactly?
The article generally seems good, but in this case it seemed bad, because W7's specs haven't even been announced yet, and you can also not judge a "Windows 7 Netbook Edition" (or whatever) by the space requirements of "Windows 7 Ultimate Edition", including everything.
Having said that, Windows 7 runs pretty fine on my 1 GB VMware install as long as you just do browsing and general office work, which is also within the constraints of netbook usage.
Windows Vista SP1 shares the Server 2008 kernel code though.
So should this be called Windows Vista SP2? No, I don't think so. Microsoft don't do this kind of wide ranging stuff and feature modifications in service pack. Windows XP SP2 was a freak service pack, really, out of emergency reasons.
This could be called Windows Vista SE though, IMHO. It's so similar to Vista in usage. And MS might perhaps have, if they didn't want to get rid of the tainted Vista brand name. I think that's also why they're reading a new release this soon, although it won't have major feature changes. To get rid of the Vista brand quickly.