Windows 7 opinions so far

[klm]

Go into the data centers of the really big companies, see what OS they are running on the revenue producing systems that must be up 24/7/365. These systems can't be rebooted every-time software is updated, they can't be susceptible to every little virus that comes along, most of them can be maintained via a GUI or the command line, whichever you prefer. I'll guarantee you it won't be Windows on the majority of them. Sure Windows is more prevalent on the desktop but that's because most secretaries and a lot of executives and a lot of wannabes like some on this form only feel comfortable with Windows. That is slowly changing as people wise up.

 

[MikePA]

Sure Windows is more prevalent on the desktop but that's because most secretaries and a lot of executives and a lot of wannabes like some on this form only feel comfortable with Windows. That is slowly changing as people wise up.

Arrogance and ignorance (about why people use Windows on the desktop). Beautiful together. If only everyone was as smart as the *nix super race. It never fails, when a*nix weenie loses the argument on the facts, begin insulting. It's time to leave this thread.

 

[BungeeII]

You say "not much else out there"...to do what? be specific

Sorry, should have read:
"accomdate so many users across a such a broad spectrum of expertise. "

 

[BungeeII]

Go into the data centers of the really big companies, see what OS they are running on the revenue producing systems that must be up 24/7/365. These systems can't be rebooted every-time software is updated, they can't be susceptible to every little virus that comes along, most of them can be maintained via a GUI or the command line, whichever you prefer. I'll guarantee you it won't be Windows on the majority of them. Sure Windows is more prevalent on the desktop but that's because most secretaries and a lot of executives and a lot of wannabes like some on this form only feel comfortable with Windows. That is slowly changing as people wise up.

There's no doubt there's room for other OS's. Whether it's proprietary OS's on network appliances or a mainstream OS for the masses. They've all got their niche. It just so happens that Microsofts is larger, as it's more intuitive to more people. Nothing to get excited over. I've played around with lots of other product, but the fact is MS has a near monopoly for some pretty sound reasons. Nothing would make me happier than to switch my small-business over to Linux. Perhaps when there's a mature offering that provides a stable (hardware, application and self-service) platform for the typical small-business, I, and millions of others, will make the switch.

Back to the thread, though. Haven't made the switch to 7. All our machines are XP and will be 'til they die.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

And all this time I thought my PC had a short between the seat and the keyboard....Now I know it must be the windows.

 

[Alan L.]

There are a lot of excuses but no good reason to run any Windows Operating System, anybody who tries to tell you different does not know operating systems. Any issues involving Linux does not approach the problems (and expense) of running Windows. Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

How about needing to run software that only runs under Windows? Seems like a pretty good reason to run it, infortunately.

 

[GPintheMitten]

The Unix/Microsoft debate can go on forever but it is rather ridiculous to argue that only one or the other is the best. People like to have choices and make them. Your choice is a good one for you for your situation. It doesn't mean the other guy is stupid, unwise or unjustified.

It's like a conservative and a progressive arguing with each other. Neither one is going to convince the other to change their stripes.

So why not take the high road and just state which operating system you like and why, and not try to demean someone who choses a different one.

 

[RedDirt]

GPintheMitten I like your attitude and your point.

My preference was XP but my PC fried in a lightening storm last summer so I am limping along on my old laptop w/2000 pro (Which is fine but I hate all the security protocols in just a single user environment). I skipped Vist having heard nothing but horror stories..

Work slow-down, test driving semi-retirement, and pending Win 7 release delayed replacing my PC. So I'm interested in the OP's question. How do you like Win 7 so far?

I am specifically interested to know if any Win 7 users are running AutoCad 2007 Pro and what there experience has been. You can still get a Win7/XP capable machine and I am wondering if I need that in order to keep running Acad'07? The Win7/XP machines are 32 bit (I think) and I'm rather reluctant to pay "extra" for an older type system yet an Acad upgrade is an expensive item to be reckoned with (Acad Pro '07 > '10 about $2800(?)).

Mostly I hate upgrading and try to keep the same OS and software as long as I can and still stay compatible with peers at work. How many of us would like to buy an new car and find the accelerator and brake positions have been reversed? Turning the steering wheel right turns the car left and the old radio knob is now the gear selector! That's what upgrading is like for me. I don't want to have to relearn what I've already become quite proficient at...but some of the foolish upgrades are ridiculous as the new car analogy.

I'll take the added speed and new applications the new upgrades bring but geez, leave the accelerator pedal on the right foot!

Let's get back on topic. How do you like Windows 7?

 

[Scooby074]

GPintheMitten I like your attitude and your point.

My preference was XP but my PC fried in a lightening storm last summer so I am limping along on my old laptop w/2000 pro (Which is fine but I hate all the security protocols in just a single user environment). I skipped Vist having heard nothing but horror stories..

Work slow-down, test driving semi-retirement, and pending Win 7 release delayed replacing my PC. So I'm interested in the OP's question. How do you like Win 7 so far?

I am specifically interested to know if any Win 7 users are running AutoCad 2007 Pro and what there experience has been. You can still get a Win7/XP capable machine and I am wondering if I need that in order to keep running Acad'07? The Win7/XP machines are 32 bit (I think) and I'm rather reluctant to pay "extra" for an older type system yet an Acad upgrade is an expensive item to be reckoned with (Acad Pro '07 > '10 about $2800(?)).

Mostly I hate upgrading and try to keep the same OS and software as long as I can and still stay compatible with peers at work. How many of us would like to buy an new car and find the accelerator and brake positions have been reversed? Turning the steering wheel right turns the car left and the old radio knob is now the gear selector! That's what upgrading is like for me. I don't want to have to relearn what I've already become quite proficient at...but some of the foolish upgrades are ridiculous as the new car analogy.

I'll take the added speed and new applications the new upgrades bring but geez, leave the accelerator pedal on the right foot!

Let's get back on topic. How do you like Windows 7?

If you do have to upgrade your OS, you'll be happy to know that 2010 runs excellent on Win7

 

[/pine]

If only everyone was as smart as the *nix super race. It never fails, when a*nix weenie loses the argument on the facts, begin insulting. It's time to leave this thread.

you mean as compared to a "Win* weenie" ?

And what argument was lost?...I certainly hope you don't think you won any argument presented in this thread...

You mean "making insults" like calling someone arrogant and ignorant?

That's what I thought...

I have said this many times....

If you take two equally inexperienced non-computer users...and you gave one a Windows PC and the other one a Linux PC (both with the latest versions)...The Linux user will learn to do more work, work faster and will understand more of what they are doing hands down ten-fold over the Windows user...

 

[aczlan]

GPintheMitten I like your attitude and your point.

My preference was XP but my PC fried in a lightening storm last summer so I am limping along on my old laptop w/2000 pro (Which is fine but I hate all the security protocols in just a single user environment). I skipped Vist having heard nothing but horror stories..

Work slow-down, test driving semi-retirement, and pending Win 7 release delayed replacing my PC. So I'm interested in the OP's question. How do you like Win 7 so far?

I am specifically interested to know if any Win 7 users are running AutoCad 2007 Pro and what there experience has been. You can still get a Win7/XP capable machine and I am wondering if I need that in order to keep running Acad'07? The Win7/XP machines are 32 bit (I think) and I'm rather reluctant to pay "extra" for an older type system yet an Acad upgrade is an expensive item to be reckoned with (Acad Pro '07 > '10 about $2800(?)).

It looks like Acad 2010 works with 7 and 2007 MAY work, it is only certified to work with XP and 32 Bit Vista

Autodesk - AutoCAD Services & Support - Windows Vista support for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Autodesk - AutoCAD Services & Support - Windows 7 Support for Autodesk Products

Aaron Z

 

[riptides]

The desktop is dead, long live what the clouds will bring us. And it will not be CLI based.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I have windows 7 and it works well. The only disappointment is that the program does not support an e mail carrier. I need suggestions on how to fix this. Maybe a future update will cover this area.

 

[MikePA]

The only disappointment is that the program does not support an e mail carrier.

What do you mean '...the program (Win7?) doesn't support an email carrier'?

 

[Scooby074]

he means it doesnt come bundled with outlook express.


Install office and use office outlook. or thunderbird.

theres lots of email clients out there
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-mail_clients

 

[MikePA]

email carrier = email client software? Okeydokey, never heard it called that. Outlook Express is no longer part of Windows beginning with Windows7. A Google search for 'Outlook Express' shows it's still available, for free, on the Internet.

 

[timswi]

Wow Linux vs Windows argument is a little hotter that it needs to be.

I work for a (very big) Fortune 500 company and I can say that we are 95%+ microsoft in nearly all base applications. There is Linux peppered here and there, but it is mainly task specific.

If you like Linux, use it. If you like apple, use it...Who cares?

Getting rabid of this is kinda silly, no?

 

[/pine]

Outlook Express is no longer part of Windows beginning with Windows7

Actually it started not being included with Vista...FWIW...

Linux vs Windows argument is a little hotter that it needs to be

There is no argument...it doesn't matter if the topic is personal desktop PCs or professional desktop PCs/networked business applications...everyone one is different.

There are some very valid reasons why small businesses would not want to change from Windows to Linux but none of them have anything to do with capability..given said businesses are good candidates to make the change... ...Obviously businesses that have a lot invested in custom software would not make good candidates...

The point is (and proof there is no argument) there are viable alternatives to Windows and Microsoft...that do perform equally or better doing the same tasks etc. equally or better than with compatible (formatting) software alternatives...

Steve Ballmer (CEO) of Microsoft once called Linux a "cancer"...he must have been looking for a word that he thought would scare his audience as much as Linux scares Microsoft...!

The desktop is dead, long live what the clouds will bring us

Sun Micro Systems was about 15 years ahead of cloud technology...remember their slogan "The Network is Your Computer"?

Risk is the biggest factor for a compatible business to switch from a commercial to non-commercial platform...
...How much of your data are you going to risk to a cloud?...it was not that long ago that Microsoft had a big problem with losing thousands of users data when they screwed up something with a Oracle database that was connected to T-mobile's infrastructure...

Cloud will have it's uses but just like migrating from Windows to Linux...there is not going to be any mass exodus from existing platforms and frameworks...

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think this thread is getting way off what the original poster asked about.
Why are we using his question as an opportunity to get on a soap box?

Mods, how about splitting this thread into two -- one for advice and opinions about switching from Vista to Windows 7 and another for the debating the Microsoft vs. Unix and all that goes with that.

 

[/pine]

Why are we using his question as an opportunity to get on a soap box?

Did you have something to add to the discussion or were you just looking to harp?

When you talk about Macs or Linux computers...you are looking at what Microsoft was trying to emulate with Windows 7


So far the biggest problem I have found with Windows 7 is the omission of a mail client...elderly users that have been using Outlook Express for years are going to find it very difficult to adapt to a third party client like thunderbird or Eudora etc...and Outlook has a much more complicated interface than OE...