Warning, this review isn’t written with techno-geek jargon. 99% of end users wouldn’t understand that sort of rambling. Thus, I want Ma and Pa User to understand exactly what I think of Windows 7 in terms they can relate too. Besides, if you are an uber-geek, you already know how cool Windows 7 is, and don’t really need to hear my praises.

Back in the pre-Vista days, I tried out the beta and was smitten by it’s cool glassy looks. But all the polish in the world wasn’t going to shine up what was to become the second biggest pile of feces that Microsoft ever produced for an operating system (OS). I was so taken by it at the time, that I ponied up $200 hard earned dollars for that OS when it came out. Sadly, within my first 30 days of use, I couldn’t take the pain of it’s memory hogging, warning pop-up (UAC) annoying experience. Thus it was ‘shelved’, and sat in wait until about 2 months ago when I thought to give it a try again. Only to be let down before the end of the day. Thus leaving me to go scurrying back to my beloved XP.

Needless to say, when Windows 7 Beta came out, I only tried it out for a couple of days. It looked so much like Vista, I didn’t really give it a chance. Though when Windows 7 RC had hit the streets, I had so many friends telling me that it was worth the try. So I first tried it on my laptop.

It not only installed perfectly on my Acer 5620z Laptop, it also setup all the fancy button functions. Negating the need for any 3rd party crapware from the manufacturer to control said buttons. Running so efficiently, that I can still play my Guild Wars and Runes of Magic games on my laptop while using Ventrilo to voice chat with my friends. Is there anything this OS can’t do?

Now on to my baby, my desktop where I spend nearly the entirety of my evenings battling mythical creatures and socializing with my friends. Just as with my laptop, the OS did everything it should without flaw and even recognized my RAID 1 setup without the need for a driver. Is there anything this OS can’t do?

Not only does it look pretty (which yes Aesthetics are important), but it uses far less memory than XP did. How they managed that is a mystery to me. It’s fast, clean and a load of fun. Sure I could throw 100 technical terms out there and detail all the info. But Joe Average isn’t going to understand. Thus, in short I’ll say this OS simply kicks ass!

Well OK, it’s not perfect. Though I did finally get my Installer program to work. Now I’m just waiting for the author to give it official Windows 7 support so I can update my packages for my users. Other than that though, I haven’t had any issues. It runs like magic and takes less resources than Windows XP did.

A wonderful thing I would really like to see in software, is something to relieve the cluttered All Programs menu. I realize this has nothing to do with the OS itself, but software producers/developers. There needs to be a consortium to come up with standards of organizing the start menu (see Clipboard 9). Software either wants to be installed in the All Programs directly or in their own Company / Software folder. Within a few titles, it makes the All Programs list grow and grow. Until it’s nearly impossible to navigate. I would rather see a tree system done by Category, then Software. So when a software gets installed, it auto organizes based on what category their software falls into keeping the All Programs menu neat and organized.

Example:

Graphics

• Paint.net
• MS Paint
• Adobe Photoshop

Internet

• Internet Explorer
• Skype
• Pidgin
• Firefox
• Thunderbird

and so on… But I digress and go on to my review of Windows 7.

Sharing files is also very handy with Windows 7 and their new Homegroup (visit link for more info) system. Extremely clever idea. Also, my current shared folders can now have the requirement for username/password turned off. (hooray!!!) That’s all the tech speak you’re gonna get here.

Though one thing does concern me greatly about this OS. The price. With the economy in the shape it’s in, will I be able to afford to buy it for my computers? If Microsoft is listening, hopefully they introduce this great OS with an early bird savings or something that will drive it up. It really is a great product thus far.

This is probably the first Windows OS I’ve been excited about in years. As they say at Mickey D’s “I’m lovin’ it!!”

Screenshots (Click for Larger Images)

My first 24 hours with Windows 7 Release Candidate has been a so far, so good experience.  I’m not sure I like the new way the task bar is setup, then again, perhaps I’m thinking more traditionally than innovation.  It is incredibly faster than Vista, and it seems more stable.  Though, I’m not going to set those words in stone yet.  Only had 1 application refuse to install, and I’m sure since it’s a private project, the programmer is hard at work fixing it.  (especially since he writes install making programs   I do thoroughly love the Desktop Slideshow feature (something Linux and Mac has had for years… thanks for catching up Microsoft….)  This way I can view all my sexual perversions in a day

Screenshots (Click for Larger Images)