Windows 7 Eleven

Eleven Reasons Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 7


By Kaden Pownall

Hey, was Windows 7 your idea? If it was, you aren’t reading this article as you are retired to some remote tropical island! For the rest of us Windows 7 looks to be the most anticipated product Microsoft has ever released. Here is the short version of what Windows 7 is. Microsoft Windows 7 builds on the good points of Windows Vista and eliminates many of the negatives with Vista. Windows 7 also has added functionality and it comes in a package that demands less resources than Vista. Some of you reading this are upgrading from Vista and some of you are still using XP. Either way these eleven reasons are for you:

1. Windows 7 allows you to get quicker access to all of your stuff. This is done in two ways. The first is with Jump Lists. This allows you to open a file, photo or website you use a lot in just two clicks. Jump Lists keep the most recent things you’ve used handy so you can get to them quicker. The second way is the Pin feature. This works like using a push pin to hold a note to a corkboard. You can pin programs to the task bar and pin files to the Jump Lists. In other words keep the things you need close at hand.

2. Windows 7 allows you to manage your open windows easier by letting you resize and arrange them simply by dragging their borders to the edges of your screen. You can instantly expand them to full screen or you can arrange two windows side by side.

3. Windows 7 allows you to quickly find what you are looking for by using Windows Search. This allows you to find a specific file, program or even an email in just a few seconds. This is located right on the start menu. Simply open the search and type in a word or two and hit enter.

4. Windows 7 allows you to share files and even printers from one Windows 7-based PC to another. You can also share music and photos.

5. Windows 7 has a Windows Media Center that allows you to record TV, watch internet TV and watch DVDs. You can also play your music and watch your videos and slideshows.

6. Windows 7 allows you to easily create and share movies. With the free programs that come with Windows 7, you can share photos, send messages and mail quickly. You can also share the movies you made on YouTube.

7. Windows 7 allows you to easily connect to networks. With this new feature you can view and connect to any available wireless network in just a few clicks. This includes Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, VPN or dial-up networks.

8. Windows 7 allows you to do more and wait less. These upgrades from Vista accelerate sleep and resume and make your PC more responsive. Windows 7 is designed to improve your PC’s performance so it’s faster, more secure and more reliable.

9. Windows 7 has a “No programs left behind” feature. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode. To run Windows XP Mode does require a download.

10. Windows 7 gives your PC better protection. With the upgrade to Windows 7 you can easily configure and schedule regular backups of you important files like photos and financial records. Windows 7 Ultimate Edition also comes with BitLocker data encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.

11. Windows 7 comes with parental controls. For you parents reading this you know how important this is. With Windows 7 you can quickly set up your PC so it helps keep your kids safe. You can keep them from playing the wrong kind of games and set limits for how much time they are on the computer.

There you have it. Eleven reasons to upgrade to Windows 7. This operating system has many other features that you will enjoy as well.

Published 12-26-2009 0:48 by Kaden Pownall
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Comments

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, December 26, 2009 9:49 AM by TVNews

Ok, those are the good parts. Tell me about the bad parts?

I have read several articles outlining draconian DRM built into Windows 7. Slashdot and others wrote about degraded and disabled sound cards when trying to rip music.

This also includes unauthorized holes in the fire wall so friends of Microsoft like Adobe can do their validity checks without your consent or knowledge?

Are those problems still there?

(Original Microsoft complaint post: axcess.me/.../microsoft-is-not-my-conscience.aspx )

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, December 26, 2009 12:06 PM by Kaden Pownall

Well, first of all, TV the article was not meant to be a review of Windows 7.  It was meant to be a quick overview of the benefits of Microsoft's newest Operating System.  You are correct about DRM being embedded in Windows 7, but that is way beyond the scope of this article.  Keep in mind 90% of PC users out there don't even know what DRM is!

Also, DRM has been an issue for many years.  Anything running an Intel CPU has the hooks in it already to cripple the machine.  Reference the following article written back in 2005: www.pcworld.idg.com.au/.../intel_quietly_ships_pentium_d_drm

As for the holes in the firewall, that's been there since Windows XP and before XP Windows didn't ship with a firewall, so no need for holes to be punched in one.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, December 26, 2009 4:43 PM by TVNews

WOW! That article is scary. That part about being able to control the computer at a level below the operating system sounds like a hole just waiting to be exploited.

Getting back to the original post though, have you tried ripping music from CD to MP3? If so, what were your results.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, December 26, 2009 7:43 PM by Kaden Pownall

I have not tried that.  Just for you, however, I will do that and report back.  :)

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, December 26, 2009 11:37 PM by jim®

I have ripped music from CD to MP3 without issue using Windows 7 Beta and RTM both in x86 and x64 versions.  What are you concerned about TV?  Maybe I can help.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Sunday, December 27, 2009 8:18 PM by TVNews

If it works with Audio Grabber, my only other concern will be holes in the fire wall.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 6:08 PM by jim®

I see no reason why it would not work with Audio Grabber.  If it's a compatibility issue with the OS, then you could always run the Windows XP-Mode in Windows 7, which is very fast and works well.

On the issue of firewalls; I would suggest a third party firewall solution anyway.  I like Windows 7's firewall, but it's really only the last step in a much larger series of security layers implemented on my network, which includes software as well as hardware.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 6:16 PM by Kaden Pownall

I agree with Jim, TV.  Windows' built in firewall is better than nothing, but it certainly shouldn't be the be-all of your security measures.. and especially if you don't trust it, simply turn it off and put a third party firewall between them and your PC.

As for Audio Grabber, I keep forgetting to bring a CD from home and try it.  Now that it's on my mind, I'll make a note and try to bring one to the office with me tomorrow and let you know the results.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Thursday, December 31, 2009 5:29 AM by TVNews

One last thing. It MUST work with Nero 8. That is my work around for my audio books.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Thursday, December 31, 2009 4:17 PM by Kaden Pownall

TV, I just ripped CD 1 of Dream Theater's newest album with no problems at all.

A cursory google search leads me to believe that only Nero 9 and above is Win 7 compatible.  However, if you explain exactly what you do with Nero, Jim or I could probably point you in a better direction anyway.  (Excuse me for speaking for you, Jim, but I know that Jim doesn't like Nero and I personally can't stand it.)  I'm sure there are alternatives out there that will do whatever you're looking for at least as well, if not better than Nero,if you're interested, TV

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Saturday, January 02, 2010 5:24 PM by TVNews

It is a long and drawn out tale that involves more then should be discussed here. However, Nero 9 trashed out my computer. Nero 8 will do the trick that I need done. So, if it won't run Nero 8, we go to plan Linux or Apple,

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:38 AM by jim®

I had problems with Nero 8 and Windows 7 Beta, as far as I know it is not compatible with Windows 7.  However, Kaden is correct in that Nero 9 does work with Windows 7.

I like Linux, especially the latest Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic) it has some great features.  As for Apple, all I can say is that if you purchase a newer Mac, then you are running Linux anyway.

Whichever way you decide, let me know, and I will be happy to help.

# re: Windows 7 Eleven

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:23 AM by TVNews

Cool.

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