TKM #26 - Windows 7 Special

Aditya,

Thank you so much for this podcast.

I have enjoyed listening though with some initial trepidation.

When you announced you have roped in a Microsoft MVP to talk about it, I was apprehensive. What if his talk goes over my grey and weary head?
I was sure you would get a knowledgeable person but didn't expect you would be mobilising a Black Belt in the field, a rare breed that numbers less than 5000 in the entire world!

I needn't have worried. Thanks to Manan Kakkar for a very educative and simple talk which even I (a mere user and a non techie) could appreciate and understand.

I am disappointed to note that Windows 7 is not available off the shelf as on date. When can I expect this? I will wait for this before I get my new laptop.

I was hoping for some indicative pricing.
Not that it matters. I am buying it, whatever it costs.

Thanks for the reassurance that a person with my modest needs can well make do with the Home Premium edition. I will follow this advice. I also hope the savings over an Ultimate edition will be substantial.

However I would like to know upfront, what it is that I won't be able to do with this edition, so that I don't later regret skimping.
Also will it be possible to upgrade to a Professional or Ultimate edition later if circumstances so warrant?

I currently run Windows Vista home edition on a 1GB laptop at home.
Since I am getting a new laptop anyway, I have no plans to upgrade to Windows 7 on this machine. I may perhaps downgrade my present laptop XP for a better performance.

Manan mentioned that "Search" has improved in Windows 7.
This was long overdue.
Pardon my ignorance but as a lay user I have always wondered why Windows takes sometimes as long as 5 minutes to locate just one file on just one hard disk on just one computer (mine) located right on my table, when Google can do that in microseconds, by searching thousands of computers spread all over the world! A software guy once tried to explain this to me by telling me something about "indexing" and all that jazz. I wasn't convinced. If google can index across continents why cant Windows index all the files on just one computer and find it faster.

Any improvement in search speed is welcome. Today, sometimes, I can find a file tucked away in some remote sub folder faster by prodding my memory than Windows takes using the search command.

The device pages looks like a good idea.
Aero also sounds novel. Will I have to forgo it in the Home premium edition?

Installation is no issue for me. I never attempt what I should not.
I am sure some geek can install it for me or my laptop will come with the OS pre-installed. 15 to 20 minutes to install is good. But I am more interested in knowing how fast it will boot and shut down which is a daily and regular affair. Installation speed is no issue as it is done just once.


I couldn't understand why one would want to run XP inside Windows 7.
Perhaps it's okay for those who have upgraded their OS and some software runs reliably in XP and they are not sure what will happen if they run it in Windows 7. The software may perhaps underform or get lost in a new environment.

Networking is no issue for me. I will not be connecting my laptop to any other machine. This is going to be a really "personal" computer.

Also glad to note that several windows goodies are available as free downloads. I am wary of third party stuff that mimic Windows' own built- in goodies.

The free built in antivirus is also welcome.
I am fed up of these Bazaar products. I had used AVG with some success till one particularly vicious virus made me lose faith in it.
For quite a few years I have been using Kaspersky. It is effective but it hogs resources and slows down my system. I will be glad to get rid of all this external protective armour and rely on Windows own thick skin
to combat viruses.

Encrypting of pen drives is also welcome. I carry one with me all the time and it contains just too much personal info and important backups which I am loath to share with the finder if I lose it or the thief who flicks it from me.

Games are of no interest to me. I would much rather go out into the fresh air and walk than amuse myself with video games.

What is this Mac versus PC advt? Can I find it on youtube ? Just curious. Anyway, I am a diehard Windows user. Like a true patriot who proclaims "My country, right or wrong", about Windows to which I have remained wedded all along, I will say aloud "My OS, for better or for worse".

I have noted the tip on 32 bit versus 64 bit. I will remember to check this out when I get my new laptop.

I have also made a note of Manan's blog and will check it out later.

Thanks to both of you for a really listenable, useful and interesting podcast.

I'll sign of with an offer. A friend recently sent me a 12 MB pdf file which is pocket reference for Windows 7. It looks like a scan of some printed manual. I have casually browsed through it but not read it.
I may find this useful later. If you are interested in a copy I will mail it to you. Let me know.
Regards
G Vishwanath, JP Nagar, Bangalore

Thanks for replying.
I'll keep Rs 6799/- ready for spending.
Where are the 3 ads?
You forgot to add the links.

I just had a quick tour of your blog (beingmanan.com)
I will visit it again later at leisure.
Keep writing some light stuff occasionally.
I may not understand most of what you write.

Regards
GV

When's the google wave review?