A Plug for Windows 7

Here's a plug for Windows 7 and why I won't ever have a computer with Windows Vista:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10167432-17.html?tag=rtcol;pop

Very interesting.

Fay

Just catching up on reading the board. I have been beta testing Win7 for a while and I have to say that this will probably be my choice of Windows OS for a while. I still prefer Fedora (cause I'm cheap ) but it's difficult to operate without a Windows OS entirely.

I loaded up the release candidate a couple of days ago and it installs smoothly and only has issues with a couple of my hardware items that are easily resolved with the driver disks. There is a learning curve involved, as with anything new, but it is about as close to XP as one could get and still incorporate the additional security and features. Like Vista it demands permission for every application that makes changes to the drive or registry. If one stays awake and doesn't shut off the security it should practically eliminate malware. The main security feature of any system, unfortunately, is still the biological interface (the part between the chair and the keyboard).

how do i test windows 7 is it free?

wwe9112 wrote:

how do i test windows 7 is it free?

I believe the open availability for the release candidate began today. You can go to MS Technet and sign up. Expect slow downloading now that it's open to the general public. The kill date on the OS will likely be a bit shorter than for MS testers.

This software is far from finished, so don't commit to it if you only have one machine. Also be aware that when the test period ends you will be given limited time to convert to a purchased copy after which you could lose any data you accumulate that isn't well backed up. There is no limit to the number of product keys as there was in Vista, so take your time and read all you can find about the experience of those who have tested it for a bit longer. My personal life kept me from diving into it full steam as I might otherwise and there are many others who would have more to relate.

NOTE!!!!

If you read this before I edited it you have the wrong link. I gave the IT pro subscriber link and you will not be able to download from there without paying for a $350-$500 subscription. This addy is correct for the freebee download. Your OS will be good until March 2010. It sometimes pays to have friends in low places.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

novice61 wrote:

wwe9112 wrote:

how do i test windows 7 is it free?

I believe the open availability for the release candidate began today. You can go to MS Technet and sign up. Expect slow downloading now that it's open to the general public. The kill date on the OS will likely be a bit shorter than for MS testers.

This software is far from finished, so don't commit to it if you only have one machine. Also be aware that when the test period ends you will be given limited time to convert to a purchased copy after which you could lose any data you accumulate that isn't well backed up. There is no limit to the number of product keys as there was in Vista, so take your time and read all you can find about the experience of those who have tested it for a bit longer. My personal life kept me from diving into it full steam as I might otherwise and there are many others who would have more to relate.

NOTE!!!!

If you read this before I edited it you have the wrong link. I gave the IT pro subscriber link and you will not be able to download from there without paying for a $350-$500 subscription. This addy is correct for the freebee download. Your OS will be good until March 2010. It sometimes pays to have friends in low places.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

um; ha i'd love to test it but i guess after all that work i'll pass lol; think i could do a duel boot once the full program is out?

wwe9112 wrote:

um; ha i'd love to test it but i guess after all that work i'll pass lol; think i could do a duel boot once the full program is out?

I am dual booting Win7 with XP on my test system now. The install will set up the boot manager for you as long as you have another MS system present at install. I would strongly suggest using a second drive for the test if you can't dedicate a system to it. Since I test various OS's frequently I keep my system files separate from my data files on partitions. Once I have a system partition configured with programs and utilities I take an ISO snapshot of the partition and burn it to a bootable DVD.

If my system crashes beyond repair I can just expand the ISO image back onto the partition and almost everything will work. It's a good idea to make backup ISO images at least once a week. On my raid server I do daily burns plus the raid backup is redundant on two drives of the five.