Windows 7: 5 reasons why not
p2pnet news view | Products:- It’s here! It’s here! Release the balloons!
Or, “Ding dong, Windows Vista is dead!” – as PC World puts it, going on, “Perhaps that is a bit premature. Windows 7 hasn’t been officially released for 24 hours yet, so its understandable if the jury is still deliberating. There are certainly those who think Windows 7 is nothing more than Windows Vista with an extra bell or whistle thrown in for eye candy.”
And, “Microsoft Corp launched Windows 7 on Thursday, its most important release in more than a decade, aiming to win back customers disappointed by Vista and strengthen its grip on the PC market,” says Reuters.
“The world’s largest software company, which powers more than 90 percent of personal computers, has received good reviews for the new operating system, which it hopes will grab back the impetus in new technology from rivals Apple Inc and Google Inc.”
When your thingy is installed on 90 percent of PCs whether buyers like it or not, how can you fail?
Meanwhile, “just to play devil’s advocate, let’s take a look at 5 ways Windows 7 could become another Vista,” says PC World, to wit »»»
- UAC still there. UAC– the bane of Windows Vista– hasn’t gone away.
- Hardware and Drivers. Windows Vista stumbled and fell right out of the blocks as a result of lagging hardware and device driver support.
- Performance improvement minor. A lot of fuss has been made about performance tweaks that ostensibly make Windows 7 faster than Windows Vista or Windows XP.
- Expensive. Face it. Windows 7 is not cheap.
- No direct upgrade from XP.
Now you know.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
PC World – Five Ways Windows 7 Could Become another Vista, October 22, 2009
Reuters – Microsoft launches Windows 7, eyes PC sales rebound, October 22, 2009
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October 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
“Windows 7 faster than Windows Vista or Windows XP.”
^ Faster than XP? .. FWIW .. slower in nearly all tests done in reports i’ve seen. But yes a bit faster than vista
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
Here’s why I think PCWorld is wrong on ALL their statements:
1. UAC is a LOT less intrusive, and can be disabled without a reboot
2. Drivers are now running great and VERY stably, since harware makers have now had 3 FREAKING YEARS to build Vista compatible drivers that WILL work on 7!!!
3. Yes, the Performance improvement is minor, but its FEELS a LOT faster when in use (I have a Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz Penryn (45nm) with 4GB of RAM, so I know what I’m talking about)
4. Its cheaper than Vista was, and the Product Editions are a LOT simpler now than before so there’s less chance of you choosing a wrong version
5. Well, upgrades of WHICHEVER Windows system has never been a good idea (as its always lower and messier than a clean install). I clean format every 3 months MAX just because my computer gets slow with all the random apps/games I install on it.
Also, Google hasn’t got any market share for its OS, further lowering PCWorld’s article quality
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
“Windows 7 faster than Windows Vista or Windows XP.”
Faster than Vista: yes. (Vista is a total piece of crap!)
Faster than XP: No way! It still take forever to boot! I bet you that if I installed Window 7 on one of my older system the thing will crawl.
Once again Window 7 doesn’t no do anything more than XP or 2K. Only new hardware and software will be supported on 7 not XP or 2k but it does not have to be that’s way.
All of these version of window are still slow compare to all the Linux version particularly at boot time.
The only significant upgrade where Windows 95, Windows 2k.
The massive failure where Windows Me, windows Vista.
At this time and Frankly I don’t believe it would be worth it to upgrade past windows 2K if the OS was not made artificially obsolete by the lake of support.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
“I clean format every 3 months MAX just because my computer gets slow with all the random apps/games I install on it.”
You must suck at using Windows. But it’s not all your fault. Windows and 3rd party software has always been problematic with no centralised packaging system. Setups can be of any form (grab a zip file and run the exe; run the setup (InstallShield, NSIS, EA’s, so many more to name). Store preferences where? My Documents/Documents, Application Data/AppData, INI files in the program files directory, INI files in the Windows directory, or the registry? So many choices for developers, the last 2 being the worse.
Apple is a little more ahead, setting standards and keeping with them, and with the iPhone they are VERY strict about what programs can and cannot do if they wish to be sold in the App Store. Microsoft places no restrictions, and probably will not for their own App Store for Windows Mobile 6.5 or 7.
This is where Linux and BSD are far more ahead. Global settings are in /etc, default settings are in /usr/share/, header files for development are in /usr/include, almost all app binaries are in /usr/bin, library files are in /usr/lib. ALL user preferences are in their home directory (normally /home//.appname). Not only that, but the only directories writeable without root-level access are your home directory and any others you have assigned to you (which must be done with root-level access). Yes, this standard system layout is over 40 years old (in comparison to Windows’ 15-year old layout, which has changed a bit since 95), BUT IT WORKS! Windows applications can write anything they want anywhere typically, and many apps do not get detected by UAC, therefore they do get away with writing to the Windows directory, etc. You generally have “root-level” access on Windows to everything, and if you want to do anything without feeling restricted.
Did I mention no spyware/viruses/exploits to worry about on Linux and Mac OS X as doing damage will require root-level access? This means you have to type your password. On Windows Vista+ this is possible to enable but most users have it set so they just click Yes/Allow. There has NOT been any reduction in the amount of attacks/viruses/spyware on Windows since the release of Vista. XP was bad (Blaster worm) and it got well-fixed with SP2, but still every computer shipped comes with crappy Antivirus software (McAfee or Norton). Generally, antivirus/antispyware/antimalware apps are COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY on Linux/OS X/BSD.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
The biggest upgrade to your computer is not the OS, it’s the hardware. In particular, upgrades of the disk subsystem can be felt even on slower CPUs.
Here is a very good article on Solid State Drives:
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’ve been running the rc of 7 since it was released, unfortunately being in IT I kinda have to subject myself to the new windows stuff that comes out. Sadly, i have actually grown to like alot of the features in 7. Sure it has its bad points, its windows what do you expect, but overall, i’ve found it rather effective. My main desktop is no where near what it should be (amd 3700+ single core, 2 gigs ram, ati x800 gt is what my main rig is) but the fresh install did boot faster to desktop than vista by a long shot, and in some ways out performs my xp install (yes i dual boot) in quite a few ways, mostly user interface. I think my main complaint is drivers, the cut off for support is way to low in my opinion, no proper ati drivers (since the last time i checked a couple of months ago, could be different now) my onboard soundcard midi has no drivers for it wich is essential to me even tho my m-audio card works fine. Sure the core is a fixed version of vista, but its looking like they are finally putting some usefulness in the interface. Built in screen snipping tools, cleaner taskbar, systray a popup icon instead of a long string of icons, overall the whole thing is cleaner. Yes it sucks my resource meters are pretty high for my liking, but i am sure going up to a dual core would seriously improve that. by far its not a bad os, just a hungry one. and honestly, i think it does have potential to be a proper replacement for xp. Granted it should be a big ole service pack to vista, but hey its microsoft, like anything semi-decent they do is free.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Several years ago when I started using P2P filesharing networks, I was eager to get rid of Windows 9x (95/98/me) at the first available opportunity because:
1. 9x’s networking stack could not handle (and was never designed for) the multiple connections that many P2P protocols such as Bittorrent and ed2k required.
2. Even on 1st generation (i.e., non-multisource) P2Ps, Win9x’s inherent instability meant near-daily crashes, causing queue slots to be lost.
3. Many newer software applications (from 2002 onward) did not even run on Win9x, even two-year-old versions of WinME.
Basically, Windows 95/98/me was deplorably inadequate, especially for P2P use, forcing my upgrade (though I still kept a HDD partition of Win98SE for legacy stuff)
However, I can’t find a single issue with Windows XP (or even Win2000) that puts it in the “unfit for service” category. Xp is stable, runs P2P applications well, is still supported by most software application developers, and is –currently– compatible with much more software and hardware than Vista/Win7.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Did you guys know that if you have a virtualization program from Microsoft (free download), you can boot into a virtual hard drive?
Once a PC is restarted, a new option to boot into the VHD will show up.
I saw it on Tuesday during W7 presentation in Manhattan. Also got my free copy Windows 7 Ultimate (thanks, uncle Bill!!!).
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Windows 7 has some extra bells and whistles, but there are often 3rd-party applications that add even greater functionality. HyperOS might be considered a “virtual hard drive” – it’s a neat program that greatly extends the functions of Windows operating system.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:19 am
I’ve been running W7 for the last 2 months and I can’t stand it. I had driver issues I had to fix, then some software would not run which I still have issues with. It’s a piece of crap I’ve had it the first chance I have next week I’m going back to XP. Come spring I’m replacing my last 2 PC’s a laptop and desktop with Mac’s.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I can’t help wondering why this new & improved, and supposedly faster version of Windows, still needs a top of the line computer system to run at full efficiency. Why is it that every new version of Windows needs a much faster system than the one before it? A computer OS is supposed to support the hardware. When it gets to the point where the hardware needs to support the OS, something is very wrong…
October 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
” I can’t help wondering why this new & improved, and supposedly faster version of Windows, still needs a top of the line computer system to run at full efficiency. Why is it that every new version of Windows needs a much faster system than the one before it? A computer OS is supposed to support the hardware. When it gets to the point where the hardware needs to support the OS, something is very wrong ”
A point that is mentioned far less often than it needs to be.
Why should one core of a dual processor system need to be nearly totally devoted to the OS ?
October 25th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Went back to XP because of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista
October 26th, 2009 at 6:55 am
The only people giving positive reviews are beta testers who are already rabid MS fanboys. If I remember correctly, the beta testers on vista gave that a glowing review, and we know how that turned out. This is all MS hype and a campaign by fanboys to promote the latest epic fail of the windows incarnation. Oo, I can shake a title bar with my mouse and make all clear the desktop, amazing; that’s worth £150 eh? lol. There’s been a button on most linux desktops to clear the desktop since time immemorial.
I’ve also heard reports of windows 7 booting even slower than vista (if that’s possible). And increasing a massive 330% as the system gets used. I recommend to either stick with XP or switch to Ubuntu. Linux is far superior to windows in every area.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:38 am
# ZeDestructor Says:
#October 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
#Here’s why I think PCWorld is wrong on ALL their statements:
#1. UAC is a LOT less intrusive, and can be disabled without a reboot
And that’s a reason to shell out £150? They got it wrong in vista and now expect users to foot the repair bill for sp2?
#2. Drivers are now running great and VERY stably, since harware makers have now had 3 FREAKING YEARS to build Vista compatible
The instability was caused by MS changing the driver model. It’s easy to blame manufacturers though eh? I have also heard reports of driver problems in 7 as well.
#drivers that WILL work on 7!!!
Do you offer a money back guarantee? You seem to be claiming things without any evidence.
#3. Yes, the Performance improvement is minor, but its FEELS a LOT faster when in use (I have a Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz Penryn (45nm) with
#4GB of RAM, so I know what I’m talking about)
And how many people are going to be running a system like that? I’d call that a top end system. 4gb of ram is excessive for most needs, unless of course you’re running vista/7 which uses an exorbitant amount just for the base OS. I’m running Ubuntu with 2gb, and I’m lucky if I use half of it.
#4. Its cheaper than Vista was, and the Product Editions are a LOT simpler now than before so there’s less chance of you choosing a wrong #version
Let me see. Starter, home, professional, ultimate. Which one is right for who? Quite silly really. Why can’t they just make one version? Oh I forgot, they want to charge extra to generate additional revenue!
#5. Well, upgrades of WHICHEVER Windows system has never been a good idea (as its always lower and messier than a clean install). I #clean format every 3 months MAX just because my computer gets slow with all the random apps/games I install on it.
Ubuntu upgrades to a new version automatically every 6 months without hassle. OS X is also hassle free. Windows gets slower after a week, then after a month runs like a dog, 6 months and it’s unusable. Neither Linux nor OS X slow down at all. Windows is just a POS, and this illustrates why perfectly.
#Also, Google hasn’t got any market share for its OS, further lowering PCWorld’s article quality
Chrome OS wont be released until 2010! lol. Considering Linux has a 20% marketshare on netbooks (the fastest growing market in computers), Chrome OS will likely make a huge splash there. Acer are already shipping android on their netbooks.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Cheers for all the helpful comments here I can see XP is going to stay on my system for the forseeable future, I dont have umpteen cores and wads of ram so its prety obvious this “downgrade” will require a whole new system for me and whats the rush to do that ?
Only reason I can think of for MS throwing this app about so cheaply is to get folks on to their bios lock-in system that ships with all new motherboards, Linux will be my next upgrade if things get down to redundancy levels.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Just wondering… how can u hate win7 ?? it is good and much better than XP [XP is so crappy that it could not handle my ATI Radeon HD4350... ] one more thing – win7 is running better than XP even on 1GB ram, geforce 5200 fx and pentium 4 3GHz…
for guy from IT – there are very good drivers for ATI on win7…
and one more thing – vista is too crapy to use it.. [curently using it but ony because I had legal vista with my laptop... soon changing to win7x64] … and if u didnt use rc2 then stop speaking nonsenses…
October 26th, 2009 at 11:19 am
unfortunately my username didn’t come thru on my first post for some reason. (it was the one that started with “I’ve been running the rc of 7 since it was released”) anyways…
to ben: no where near a microsoft fan boy, i prefer ubuntu to any version of microsoft with the only exception being wine is not compatible with my music production software.
darkestkhan: last time i looked the driver cutoff for windows 7 was somewhere above the ati x800 i own, and i really have no need to get a new video card since i don’t game with the exception of EVE and eve looks hot enough on the x800