Topic: Windows 7 Beta

[WhistleHeat]

I've been using Windows 7 Beta almost exclusively since it came out. There was a couple days that I went back to Vista as I switched from Win7x86 to Win7x64. I love it. I'm a big fan of Windows Vista (sometimes a lonely thing) and Windows 7 is similar but better. Those pundits who have described it as Windows Vista Done Right are close to correct (I take exception with the implication that Windows Vista was fatally flawed).

Windows 7 has a level of polish across the entire OS that is simply stunning. Many features that have been part of Windows since the 90s have been changed, sometimes very minutely, but with the net effect of incredible maturity. The new feature from Vista have their second release and it clearly shows. Many of Vista's awesome new features (desktop search, UAC, Aero, etc.) bugged XP users in their first iteration, but now they have changed into solid features that Vista and XP users alike will appreciate. Lastly, Windows 7 had several new features, though small by themselves, which add up to a much friendlier OS. The new taskbar (it might take a few days to get used to), libraries (very well done, powerful but not confusing), action center (protection from annoying utilities), jump lists (needs standardization improvement and third-party support) all help make Windows 7 the best Windows yet. And it's only in Beta as yet.

We have yet to see what issues arrive in the public beta, but I am very impressed so far. The one exception is the included IE8 beta: it totally stinks, period. I tried to test it for those poor ignorant users who will probably end up using it, but I couldn't take it, too broken, so I'm back on FireFox 3.

I have not not tossed my Vista x86 Ultimate install yet. I have two backups of my data in case of a big beta meltdown. But I'm planning to use Windows 7 x64 as my primary OS from here on out.

If any of you want to try Windows 7, Microsoft will be handing out beta keys until Saturday, January 24th. Get one now if you think you might want to try in the future. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

[DAwG]

I like it so far, I got a 64 GB SSD the other day so I stuck it on that, it's very fast.  I had to switch back to Vista for a second to find a working driver for my wireless adapter, I like the taskbar. I thought there was going to be some quicklaunch thing in the middle of my screen like I saw in some screenshots.  I do like the desktop of the Beta, it looks just like my Beta.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/54/l_92d7a4f97cbadc47bfffffd1af2cef89.jpg

[DAwG]

How many versions in and Windows Update still can't find drivers for devices that are missing them?  I am flabergasted.

[WhistleHeat]

I had to go back to Vista one day because I couldn't find a virtual CD drive program that would work with Win7. Virtual CloneDrive didn't work, and I didn't have time to play with it. Other than that, Win7 Beta has been perfect.

Except for the retarded IE8 Beta which is totally broken and I promptly ditched. Sorry Microsoft, I tried to test it for you but it was too painful!

[DAwG]

I prefer magic disc

[WhistleHeat]

Update: I had tried Virtual CloneDisk with plain Windows 7 64-bit and with Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode. Neither worked. That thought occurred to me to try it with Vista compatibility mode since it 'almost' ran in 7 and because 7 is very similar to Vista under the hood. Tada! It worked! So that problem is solved.

Now I just need to see if I can get Steam working. Although that seems to be more of a proxy/firewall issue I'm having with the school network. I'm going to try Vista mode and hope for the best. Otherwise, I've got some heavy tweaking ahead.

[dj]

Has anyone had trouble burning an mp3 CD using Windows Media Player?

[DAwG]

Haven't been tempted to try, ancient technology

[mephisto_kur]

Haven't tried, Dj.  Next time I'm on that partition I'll give it a go.