Install all your apps at once with Ninite!
Got a new computer? Installed Windows 7 for the first time? Reinstalled Windows? Need all your apps downloaded and installed easily and quickly? All you need is Ninite!
Select the applications you want to install from the list (such as Firefox, iTunes, Pidgin, AntiVir, OpenOffice, Flash, etc), download the Ninite tool and Ninite will download and install the latest version of the software you want!
Get Your Apps Fast!
Enable Windows 7 features for Firefox 3.6
Yesterday, Firefox 3.6 came out, and I posted my review. I have been using 3.6 for a few days now, on my Windows 7 PC. One thing which struck me as strange with Firefox 3.6, was the lack of Windows 7 specific features such as 'Jump Lists'.
After a bit of searching the Internet I came across an article from CNET. It explained how you can enable Windows 7 specific features via about:config. Its strange their not enabled by default. Enable the following commands:
browser.ctrlTab.previews
browser.allTab.previews (These two commands show you preview windows of your tabs)
browser.taskbar.previews.enable (Windows 7 taskbar preview of tabs)
Tabs shown in Taskbar (click to enlarge)
ctrl + tab OR ctrl + shift + tab (click to enlarge)
Vista’s failings has made Windows 7 a certain success
(Originally posted on 22 Oct 2009)
Today is the Windows 7 Launch. Much hype surrounds today, because this could be Microsoft's best OS since XP. Vista was critical hated, and still is today. However, after 3 years since its release, I dont believe it deserves all the abuse it still gets. Though the failing of Vista, will certainly help Windows 7's certain success.
Before the Vista launch, the release had mixed reactions. The OS itself was shaping up to be a huge improvement over the aging Windows XP. Shiny new interface and tons of new features. Although, the OS looked solid, support from vendors and pressure to release Vista on time was likely to hinder the launch. Delays to fix and fine tune Vista was the start of the problems. Microsoft wanted Vista out of the door before Christmas, a lot of pressure was applied to make sure this happened. Vista was rushed out of the Redmond doors before it was stable. Not enough time was given for Hardware vendors to get drivers sorted for the new OS.
When Vista was released in January, there were 3 main problems:
- Terrible Hardware/Software Support – Vendors had not been given enough time to support the new OS. Hardware and Software failed to work with Vista, and if they did, not very well.
- Unstable – Vista was rushed to be released, was fully tested.
- High System Requirements – Vista was a big jump from XP, most people's computers could not run it.
These main problems plagued Vista for many months. Most of these problems were solved, but sadly no one forgot about them. Critics still criticise the OS, Businesses and Home users have not bothered to try it again and Apple has done extremely well exploiting the issues with Vista.
People mentioning how bad Vista is today, tick me off. Windows Vista is a great OS. I personally really like the look of the OS, has many great features and in some areas, it does perform quicker than XP (some games, can utilise more RAM and Dual/Quad Core). People who complain about Vista, should stop living in 2007 and look at Vista in 2009. Hardware/Software issues were fixed by vendors releasing new drivers and updates. Vista has had two service packs which have made Vista more stable and quicker. People have now purchased newer computers. The problems of Vista are now solved, people can enjoy using a good OS.
Now, with the release of Windows 7, which is shaping up to be one of Microsoft's best products. Windows Vista will go down in history as being one of Microsoft's worst. I believe it was Windows Vista's failings which has helped Windows 7 become a success. Two reasons I believe this. First, Microsoft have had a wake up call, and realised that they can't release another product unstable again. They made excellent decisions by having a long testing process and releasing Windows 7 beta & RC to the public. Secondly, Windows 7 has the same problems as Windows Vista! The difference is that these problems have been fixed, thanks to Windows Vista.
- Hardware/Software Support – Windows XP hardware drivers and applications wont run in Windows 7, like with Vista. The difference, this time round, is that vendors have released updates which will allow hardware/software to work with Windows Vista & 7.
- Stability – Windows 7 has been in testing, really since the development of Windows Vista. All the bugs and crashes found in Vista will not happen in 7, because they have been fixed in Vista. Windows 7 is made up of Vista with all the fixes and a few more.
- High System Requirements – Windows 7 suffers from the same high requirements as Vista. Though actually, 7's system requirements are higher. Windows 7 requires 1GB RAM, while Vista only needs 512MB. The difference this time, is that people now have newer computers, they will not suffer the same problems as they did with the XP to Vista upgrade.
Essentially, think it like this. If Windows 7 was released in January 2007, it will go down in history as Microsoft's worst OS.
My Thoughts of Windows 7
(Originally post on 27 Oct 2009)
The latest Microsoft OS, Windows 7, has been out for a few days now. I have spent good amount of time with 7 for me to be able to give you my thoughts on the OS.
It was important Microsoft got their next OS right this time round. Windows Vista was a good OS, but due to issues with hardware support and instability, it never took off. A result of this meant that Windows XP still had a high market share of 80%, user decided to switch to Mac OS X or Linux. Thankfully this time round, Microsoft has cracked it. Windows 7 is an excellent Operating System, hopefully it will encourage business and home users to make the move from XP to 7.
For me, there are two key areas where Microsoft have improved over Windows Vista. Firstly, the User Interface. Its a refreshing change to see a different task bar. The task bar has not changed much since Windows 95, finally Microsoft has done
New way to manage open windows
something about it. There is no point me telling what they have done, since most of you will have seen it and tried it, so I will just tell you what I think. I really like the new way of managing your open windows. It can be confusing first time round, seeing how your quick launch icons become active windows, and how active windows become quick launch icons. However, it does add some consistence to the task bar, since all the icons look the same and work in the same way. We have seen grouping applications together before, but the way it is presented in Windows 7 is finally properly utilised. Given quick previews of your open windows, and perform fancy effects when moving your mouse of each window. There a two small issues about the new task bar. If you right click on a window/quick launch icon, it gives you a small context menu. For example in IE, it has a list of most viewed websites. The issue is that it only works for Microsoft only apps at the moment. Second issue, the system tray, if the are two many icons in the tray it creates a small box for them, bad UI design, very clunky. Window management is excellent in Windows 7, I do like the ability to move windows to the top to maximise and to the side to have the ability to view two windows at once. However, not so keen on the shake to minimise windows, whats the point when you have the show desktop icon. Personally, I see Windows 7 just being a UI improvement over Vista. There are no key new features over Vista, it is essential the same OS. If your moving up from XP to Vista, like most people, there are tons of new features to look forward to. Such as instant search, a much improved Windows Explorer and DX10/11. One disappointment of Windows 7 is the removal of Windows Mail and Calender from the OS. It was an excellent feature of Windows Vista, both programs were well polished and incredible useful.
The second key area of improvement in Windows 7 is speed. The OS is quick and less memory hungry. Everything about the OS is quick over Windows Vista. Boot time and Suspend is better, sadly in my tests shut down is just as slow. Memory usage, Windows 7 will use less memory when booting to the desktop, but as soon as you start loading up the applications it soon fills. A few days ago, you may have seen my post about installing Windows 7 on a 1.4Ghz processor with 512mb RAM, it ran very well. Just shows you how scalable Windows 7 can be. If your upgrading to 7 from XP, you may have a few complaints about the speed. Its not as quick as XP and it will use more of your memory, but you have to expect since XP is nearly 10 years old and is designed for old slow hardware.
I'm not going to talk about how much better driver support Windows 7 has over Windows Vista, and how it won't crash all the time. It is very stable, and most of your hardware should work fine. Windows Vista is very stable now and has good hardware support. The difference this time is, that on launch day Windows 7 is stable, unlike Vista which took about a year. However, the same problems will arise if your upgrading from Windows XP to 7, like it was if you upgraded from Windows XP to Vista. Your old XP hardware may not work in Windows 7, it uses the same driver support as Vista. Your old XP computer may not be powerful enough to run Windows 7. Again, like I said in a previous post Windows 7 has the same problems Windows Vista had.
To quickly summarise, Windows 7 is an excellent Operating System. The UI is excellent and enjoyable to use, plus Windows 7 is quick and stable! If you have Vista, upgrade to 7! You will able to run Windows 7 and all your hardware should work fine. If your on Windows XP, upgrade because you are getting a new OS, which takes advantage of all the new advancements in the computing world. Its not 2001 any more, upgrade to an OS for 2009! Just be careful of System requirements and that your hardware has Windows Vista/7 drivers.
Me!
Ed Hewitt, 19, Studying @ - Brilliant match, no way I was expecting a 4 - 0 result. Nice to see Neville.
- Nice to see the older players back in the united side.
- Playing Doom 3 on Linux, will have to review this for FCM36!
