Windows 7 RC for download (5-May)

[felix.reichardt]

Here's the trick to get the preview thumbs on the task bar to display immediately and without the standard delay:

open the registry and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_USER | Control Panel | Mouse
and then change the mousehovertime from 400 to 0.

Why does MS not make this a standard value I think the setting requires a restart to have an effect, but not 100% sure.

[SyCo]

You can't claim to be a normal PC user then say you have requirements for specific specialist software. A normal uses normal programs to do normal things. A 'run of the mill' computer user surfs the internet, sends email and IMs, stores and organizes files, performs light editing and watches/listens to media files. Windows, Linux and Mac are pretty much on level pegging for that, except when you see the deals made by corporations. One of them, Digital Rights Management aka DRM, is dying a death and exclusive Windows users can take none of the glory of that victory! It was the use of non Microsoft devices and operating systems that caused digital suppliers to to review their DRM policies.

I am constantly asked to help 'normal' users installing and using programs and hardware. My point in mentioning the Dell jukebox MP3 player is those issues are in Windows and Linux. The process described to get it working in Windows is way beyond the normal user. So who wins that one? You've always had problems in Windows but fixing them is just something you do. When people are expected to fix a problem in Linux, they balk at the concept and throw a hissey fit. To say "You still have to be a power user in order to really use the OS" makes no sense. To 'really' use the OS? What does 'really use it' mean? Do you mean use it like a power user, you have to be a power user? Oh well, err, what?

Just using Windows as it was designed leads to it slowly grinding to a halt. Vista slowly eats disk space and there seems to be no way to stop it short of reinstalling. How about the registry these days? Has vista sorted out it's grinding to a halt problem that previous Windows version had? I've had to re-install Vista at work already after about 2 years of normal use. I would expect Windows 7 to address that. I would expect software I buy to work well, and do the job I bought it to do. Once I have my computer set up I want to just use it. I don't expect it to fall apart in normal use. I hate to break it to you but out but a fully patched Windows system might still get a virus. If you install closed source software you run the risk of installing a virus or shareware unintentionally. If this isn't the case why am I nagged constantly if my anti virus is removed from Windows. Either I do need it, according to Microsoft, or I dont, according to some dude on the internet.

No there isn't a device manager in Linux. If you want to apply your hard learned Windows hacks and fixes to Linux then, yea you're going to find yourself frustrated. But then I found switching to driving on the right a bit tricky when I moved to the US. I tried doing it the other way, the way I was familiar with but it proved to be more difficult than just learning how to do it the new way. In the end everyone is happier I drive on the right now. I'm so into it now, I'm thinking of doing it when I go home!

Gandhi said 'Be the change you want to see in the world'. I would like to see more people discover how nice using Ubuntu is. Call me an idealist if you will, but I like the freedom that comes with choice. Microsoft is in the business of reducing choice. That's how they have become soo big. They kill or purchase their competition. $24,000,000 dollars for a name that sounded similar to Windows. WTF! If only Bill Gates was as good at writing software as he is at business. "I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kind of freedoms that they're interested in." - Bill Gates. Maybe Bill is a secret Ubuntu user? But then he also said "If you can't make it good, at least make it look good." Umm, Vista pretty.

BTW I've bought Windows in the past preloaded on a PC, my current copy was given to me. I have a copy of Vista Ultimate lying in a draw too I got for free from a Microsoft event. They gave me an apple as part of my free lunch, that made me laugh pretty hard. Not only an apple but a lemon too.

The big corps are working together to keep their cash flowing in, or rather to keep your cash flowing to their shareholders and executives. I don't want to give them my money unless I have to. Microsoft uses it's might to squash it's competition, stifling growth, freedom and choice. You can be part of that problem or part of the solution.

You do have a choice.

[cadmium]

I think this thread is getting a bit off-topic with Windows vs Linux rather than a discussion of Windows 7.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by cadmium

I think this thread is getting a bit off-topic with Windows vs Linux rather than a discussion of Windows 7.

Just a tad!