Project Blog

The lucky number 7. Seven days of creation, seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and of course, a Windows Operating System called 7, which is not actually the 7th version of Windows. On October 22nd, 2009, Microsoft released the highly anticipated seventh edition in the Windows Operating System family, appropriately titled Windows 7. Windows 7 is basically meant to heal our broken hearts from what I like to call “The Microsoft Blues” caused by its evil predecessor who goes by the name “Vista.” I have recently had the chance to download and take part in experiencing Windows 7 mania, and come up with seven new features and highlights for all of you to enjoy.

• Start Up. Frankly, I was a little nervous about loading the software onto my computer, just because of all the hassles I have experienced with other Windows systems. Windows 7 was really easy to load and pretty much did everything for you. It probably took about 30 minutes from start to finish, which is pretty good in my option. The only downfall I saw with startup was the fact that my wireless driver was not recognized, which I kind of expected, but regardless was annoying to deal with. The best part of startup was the fact that the preloaded, unnecessary applications, like AOL 30 day free trial, were pleasantly missing from the Desktop. Actual start up time on a daily basis has also highly improved. With Vista, it would take me at least four minutes to startup. Windows 7, one minute or less. Overall, fast and easy.
  
  
• You Pin, You Remove. A new feature allows you to right click a program such as MS Word, and “pin this application to the tas bar.” This is basically means you as the user have the ability to tack on your favorite or most used programs to the taskbar for quick access. I have found this feature extremely helpful with reducing clutter and allowing me to only see the applications I want to see. Removing applications from the task bar is also as easy as right clicking the icon and selecting “unpin this program from the taskbar.” Simplicity at its finest.
  
  
• Hover and View. Windows has enhanced the feature introduced in Vista that allows you to hover over an application on the taskbar and view a single screenshot. In Windows 7, the software lets you hover over an application and view multiple files within the same application. The hovered over file will then be displayed in full screen. The user can either select to stay on the specific file or hover their way to another application. There is also an addition to the very right of the taskbar; a skinny, vertical black bar that gives you the option hover over, which automatically accesses the Desktop screen. Easy Navigable and highly useful.
  
  
• Jump Lists. What are Jump Lists you ask?? Well, have you ever wanted the capability to access recently used files without opening the actual software, like a document in MS Word you have been working on for days? Jump lists allow you to open the start menu and hover over an application such as Word, which then displays an arrow to recent files. Pretty time saving if you ask me.
  
  
• Customizable System Tray. The system tray, or the thing at the right of the taskbar that contains all of the information like calendar, wireless network and sharing center, and battery power, has received an image makeover as well as been improved to allow for more user control. In Windows 7, there is an option you can select in the system tray which is literally called “customize.” When selected, you are directed to a screen with a list of “Icons” and corresponding “Behavior” options. You can select from a drop down menu how you want specific icons to be displayed in the system tray, if at all. Customizable is always better in my book.
  
  
• Themes. One feature I really like on Windows 7 is the customization of the desktop background. Windows has implemented a concept of “themes” to the desktop background, which consist of categories like nature and architecture. These themes contain about six or seven pictures that relate to these themes which have the option of changing every 30 minutes. You can also download themes from the Microsoft website or create your own themes by adding pictures to a folder and simply selecting the folder that contains the pictures you want displayed.
  
  
• Minor Additions, Major Ease. Windows has added easy capability to “connect to a projector,” which is sure to be a hit in classrooms and business meetings. There is also a new feature called “sticky notes,” which I am already finding very useful. Basically set up as the same concept of a Post-It note, the sticky note feature lets you write multiple notes down and stick them on the desktop. I have pinned mine to the taskbar for even easier access. The last minor addition I have come across is called “snipping tool.” This feature takes a screen shot of what you are working on and allows you to drag the curser around the area of what you want to capture. No need to copy or paste anything. Simple, yet genius.
  
  

Although I have only been working with Windows 7 for a few days now, these days have been headache and hassle free. There is no more irritating Windows Media Center application popping up out of nowhere, no unused desktop icon notification appearing every 10 minutes, no clutter on my taskbar, superior speed, and honestly, really easy and intuitive to use. I believe Windows 7 is a great step forward for Microsoft and PC users everywhere. We can finally get excited about something again.