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Windows 7 BETAAt a Glance
A User Experience Article
Anand Bambhania 2/15/2009
Windows 7 BETA- At a Glance 1. The Desktop:
The Desktop of Windows 7 BETAis really very simple and sexy. This will be the first thing you’ll notice. The taskbar is somewhat larger than the Vista and XP. Now no more magnifing glass are required, as the icons are big enough so even can be seen by our granny also!
The Simple but clear Desktop. One more good thing about the taskbar is it’s really fuzz free with the windows explorer included in it, so that all the explorer files are group within the single icon which can be seen by just hovering the mouse over. The preview windows are now with improved resolution.
Improved Windows Previews
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Moreover, a really great option of Show Desktop in the extreme right of the taskbar makes all opened windows transparent just by hovering the mouse over.
Working with multiple windows is so easy!
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The Glass Windows! We can also add gadgets on the desktop but there is no sidebar this time which makes it more natural. Windows 7 supports all the gadgets available for the Windows Vista.
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2. The Explorer:
Windows Explorer
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Windows 7 also supports Flip 3D like vista if Aero theme is enabled. Just press WinKey+TAB.
As mentioned earlier, the windows explorer tab is integrated with the taskbar, so all windows explorer windows are grouped under that tab.
The searching and indexing options are similar to Windows Vista.
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3. The Start Menu:
The Start Menu resembles that of the Windows Vista. But a new feature it suppots is Jump Lists, which are like Recent Items, but now grouped program wise. It makes acess easy to frequently used files.
There are also options for pinning and unpinning particular items from the list. You will find some new never before seen programs in this version. 1. XPS Viewer: This might be the first version of Windows which gives XPS Viewer integrated. XPS is the file which is saved in the XML form. Microsoft Office 2007 has an add-on that can allow us to save a file in XPS file format . 2. Snipping Tool:
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Just drag the region to Snip it!
Save the Snip! 3. Sticky Notes: It’s used to make rough notes. It was previously provided as a gadget in Vista.
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4. Windows PowerShell: Under Accessories, you will find Windows PowerShell. It’s a powerful Windows commandline shell designed for system administrators; somewhat like shells provided with Linux and Unix. However, Microsoft claims that this Shell is quite different from the existing and uses new scripting language rather than using existing.
Else Maintenance and Administrative Tools remains same as Windows Vista. Some common tools (Such as Windows DVD Maker, Windows Picture Viewer etc.) and new versions of Internet Explorer (IE 8), Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player Paint and Calculator are provided.
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5. The Control Panel:
Simple View is shown when you visit it for the first time. Just Click on “All Control Panel Items” to get the entire list. The simple view resembles that of Windows Vista but All Items contains many new options.
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Some New Options in Control Panel:
A. Action Center: Stop thinking, it’s time for some action!
No more Warning balloons to make you panic! The Action Center manages all Security and Maintenance related problems. B. BioMetric Devices:
Windows 7 Ultimate has dedicated options for Biometric Devices.
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C. Credential Manager:
Use Credential Manager to save credentials, Such as user names and passwords!
Now no more forgot password requests to the mail servers!
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D. ClearType text tuner: It is same as setting the ClearType fonts in Windows XP or Vista but now as a special option and more precise about the display experience with native resolution check and four different text samples to choose the best visual experience.
Everything seems crystal clear! E. Default Location:
When location sensor is not available, Use default location settings.
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F. BitLocker Drive Encryption:
Now there is no need of Third Party software to encrypt your drives!
G. Personalization:
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There are four colourful themes to choose from, you can even modify them! Theme downloads also available!
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Many cool backgrounds are available!
Add colours to life and make them transparent!
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6. New Versions of Windows Programs: (IE 8 not included in list)
1. Windows Media Center:
Windows Media Center Gadget
When you will play the music, you’ll just love it! Really killer Interface with all album arts as background!
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The more you use it, the more you love it!
Play slideshows while listening to music!
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Easily maintain just everything!
Easily view and manage pics!
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There are so many things!
Setting up media files was never been so easy!
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Play and manage videos easily, MP4 also supported!
Video playback and seeking became easier!
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Manage extras with extras library!
Easy sorting and viewing options!
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Slideshows made more beautiful and easy!
View picture details or print it!
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Give little touch up to you pics!
Crop pictures easily!
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View preview show before saving it! 2. Windows Media Player 12: Windows Media Player has undergone small changes and now there are two modes: Library Mode and Now Playing mode.
Manage songs and videos with Library Mode!
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Play Songs and Videos in Now playing mode
Still don’t expect more regarding visualisations!
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3. Paint:
The New, Office Styled Look of Paint- Painting made simple!
Home Menu
New Brushes available!
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Easy Access Menu- Like Microsoft Office 2007
Set an image directly as background!
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4. Calculator: Calculator got four modes: One for everyone!
Standard Calculator
Statistician’s Calculator
Scientific Calculator
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Programmer’s Calculator 5. Games:
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There are three new games: Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers and Internet Spades (Not Still Rated)- All three are online games.
7. Applications Support:
However, I haven’t tried for many applications, but I have installed Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Reader 2009 and Firefox 3. They all are working smoothly with Windows 7 Ultimate. However, I wasn’t able to install Norton Antivirus 2009. However, I was unable to install graphics driver for my 32-bit Intel 945 GMA (Of Vista of course!) as it was unable to recognize the OS. Sound and Network drivers were successfully installed. As I am not a BETA tester so that I can’t tell more about application support. Please refer more resources for detail.
8. Performance:
As per my experience with my Compaq V3137TU laptop with 1.5 GB RAM, Pentium Duo processor, 766 MHz speed; I found it’s working somewhat faster and smoother then Windows Vista. However, running other applications which are taking more loads with Windows Media Center can slow down the PC which may result in restarting the Explorer.
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Pay more to gain more!
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Disclaimer:
THIS IS JUST A REVIEW WHICH I MADE FOR HOBBY PURPOSE ONLY SO THAT I CAN’T GUARANTEE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS 100% ERROR FREE. THEY ARE JUST MY OPINIONS AS AN END-USER. AS I AM NOT A SOFTWARE TESTER SO THAT I DON’T CLAIM THAT MY OPINIONS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT. IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A REFERENCE IN A PROCESS INVOLVING TIME OR MONEY. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY GAIN/LOSS OR DAMAGES. ALL THE COMPANY NAMES SPECIFIED HERE MAY BE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND/OR IN OTHER TERRITORIES. ALL THE SONGS, VIDEOS AND PICTURES SHOWN FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSE ONLY. THEY MAY COME UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ACT. THE VIDEO FORMATS SPECIFIED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE TRADEMARKS IN US AND OTHER COUNTRIES. FEEL FREE TO SEND YOUR WINDOWS 7 EXPERIENCE AND OPINIONS TO ME AT: AMBIOINFO@YAHOO.CO.UK. THANKING YOU, YOUR FRIEND, ANAND M. BAMBHANIA
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