Windows 7

I’ve had so many emails hit my inbox overnight about a story over on ComputerWorld citing data collected by Devil Mountain Software’s community-based XPnet claiming that some 86% of Windows 7 machines being monitored are regularly consuming 90-95% of the system RAM that I’m forced from silence to comment. Continue reading »

Microsoft have launched the compatibility centre for Windows 7.  A website simply containing a database of software and hardware that is known to work fine with their new operating system. Continue reading »

With all of the excitement surrounding the testing and launch of Windows 7, it seems that one demographic of PC users have been left out…the gamers. While I have read a few articles on gaming in the new OS, very little has been said as to how Windows 7 will improve this experience. This is also one of the few areas that pertains to users of both PC and Mac users, because whether Mac users like to admit it or not, they probably use Windows for PC gaming. Many will contest that the PC gaming market is dying, but that’s perception of the few. There are a few popular titles that will probably never be written for a console, not to mention, a PC is able to constantly push the threshold of graphics because graphics cards are developed and upgraded more often than gaming consoles. So, what are the advantages of gaming in Windows 7 versus Vista or XP?

DirectX 11 – DirectX 11 is perhaps the largest improvement in WIndows 7 gaming. PC game developers have already begun taking advantage of the improvements that DirectX 11 will allow. Stage Select claims that, “The power of DirectX 11 also claims to improve in-game details without sacrificing gameplay”. Continue reading »

If you’re holding back from testing your copy of Windows 7 because you’re not sure what to do as far as device drivers are concerned, there is something you ought to know (if for some reason you didn’t until this point). Under the hood, Windows 7 is essentially the same as Windows Vista and as such Vista drivers will work just fine a majority of the time.

So, head to your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers available for Windows Vista.

After downloading the drivers, run the installation setup and follow the prompts as if you would any other time. If you are presented with any errors due to compatibility, cancel the installation, right click the on the install package’s .exe and choose “Troubleshoot Compatibility”. Continue reading »

One of the biggest hardware online shops in the United States, Newegg, has revealed Windows 7 OEM pricing on their website. OEM, which stands for Original equipment manufacturer, are usually handed out to system builders. They are usually cheaper than the retail or upgrade editions but come with several severe disadvantages that include no upgrade option (only clean installs), no Microsoft support, no boxed version of the operating system and no option to transfer to another PC.

The Windows 7 OEM editions are sold at Newegg (prices are likely to be similar at other retailers) for $110 for a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM license, $140 for a Windows 7 Professional license and $190 for a Windows 7 Ultimate license. See the chart below for an overview of the different options.

The Windows 7 OEM versions have the lowest price tag of all available versions. There is however on exception to that. The Windows 7 Family Pack will retail on October 22 for $150. It comes with three Windows 7 licenses just like the 3-license Home Premium OEM offer. The price tag of the family pack on the other hand is less than half of the OEM pack. It is on the other hand a limited offer.

What do you usually buy? OEM, upgrade or retail and why? What was your experience with OEM editions if you purchased them before?

We’ve already mentioned the new Jump Lists feature in Windows 7 as one of our favorite features of the burgeoning operating system, and today we’re taking a closer look at how you can use them to save time.

For those of you that haven’t yet tried out Windows 7, when you right-click on a taskbar button in Windows 7, a menu slides out with recent documents and application tasks. You can even access it with the left mouse button if you choose. Here’s a rundown of our favorite Jump List boosters. Continue reading »

After discovering how easily WEP can be cracked and creating a long, secure WPA2 key, you’ve probably noticed it’s a pain to get friends connected to your Wi-Fi network when they stop by. Windows 7 makes this process easy. Continue reading »

What is The Problem With Search Engines?

The standard search engines setup crawlers that index websites and create a database of information that are then used to provide results for a search.

The problem is that the crawlers, originally called spiders (web) only index standard websites. But there is another level, called the deep web, that crawlers do not index. This is the deep web also called deepnet, the invisible web, or the hidden web. Continue reading »

Folders allow users to add many files to one location for organizational purposes. However, many folders, by default contain files that support applications or software. Such folders like system folders are for Operating system support. Other folders, like pictures and music are created so that the user can have a special storage location. Enter libraries, Windows 7 organizational feature for content.

The Libraries are tailored to specific content types. By default, there are four kinds of libraries (in Windows 7 Ultimate) documents, music, pictures, and video. Each Library presents its content in a style that’s most appropriate for that library type. But users are able to create their own libraries. It is also very easy to use. Continue reading »

A few days ago we looked at the improvements in Windows 7 Paint. Today, I want to pay some attention to one of the other long-standing applications in Microsoft’s operating system, the venerable Wordpad. Doomed to forever straddle the line between Notepad and Microsoft Word, Wordpad has been upgraded in some useful ways, though in others it remains frustratingly limited. Continue reading »