6 replies to this topic

[James (Jim) Hillier]

For the most part it seems the migration from XP/Vista to Windows 7 via upgrade has gone quite smoothly. There have, however, been a few minor issues; the most common of which is that the ‘Games’ appear to have gone missing.

If that has happened, or does happen, to you…don’t fret, they are still there, they just need to be ‘activated’.

Here’s how:

1) Navigate to Start\Control Panel\Programs (in category view)\Programs and Features.
2) Select Turn Windows features on or off (from the left pane).
3) Place a checkmark in the box next to Games and then click OK.

The games will now be accessible from within the Start menu as usual.

[marko]

Well done on finding that one Jim, still not sure about the move to Windows 7 myself, I've been playing with Ubuntu and Linix - every year or so I seem determined to move completely to one of these open source operating systems but the familiarity just isn't there for me but you never know, one day!

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Marko - I am not prepared to leave Vista completely at this time...I'm going to dual boot Windows 7/Vista for a while and see how it goes. I already have my Windows 7 disc and shall clean install to second internal HDD, I haven't done that yet coz I suffer from extreme laziness.....LOL

At the risk of upsetting some devout fans I am going to relay some observations re Linux:

I have extensively tried and tested quite a few flavours; Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Fedora among them. In my opinion Linux is not yet ready for the masses....it may never be!!

Firstly, there are far too many distros to choose from (currently well over 200). Most of them have some very strong/good points but also some real weaknesses....not to mention how that huge number turns the process of selection into an absolute nightmare for first time users. I can't understand why all the Linux people do not get their heads together and, collectively, take the best from the best and amalgamate all those features into one almighty OS. They could also assemble several 'add-on' packs for more advanced/specialist use which could be installed separately as/if required.

The major stumbling block to Linux gaining general acceptance is the need for command line input, even to perform the simplest of operations. Yes, they are improving but they are still a long, long way off achieving the almost 100% GUI which Windows employs. Even if you can get past that and accept it, try and locate a full definitive list of user commands....I have tried and failed, to the best of my knowledge none exist. Which leaves you with yet another a visit to one of the forums. I don't wish to upset anyone or get into a debate but my experience on those forums has been nothing short of diabolical.

Hardware support has also improved markedly but still falls way short of expectations. The average user is not going to stick with an OS which will not recognise his/her new beaut printer, wireless connection, whatever!!

I am going to add just one more comment to preempt the usual claims of enhanced safety...."no need for AV, AS and other security programs with Linux" is the norm.

Yes there is some truth in that statement, as there is with Mac machines but not for the reasons often put forward. Linux Distros (and Mac OS) are no more secure, do not include less vulnerabilities and are not less susceptible to attacks than Windows. This fact was proven only very recently when a known hacker cracked a Mac machine in under 10 seconds and a Linux machine in under 7 seconds!!!

The simple truth of the matter is; those OS's share such a tiny portion of the total market they are just not worth the hackers time and bother.

It's all a shame, the idea behind Linux is great but it will not enjoy any major market share until; all the fragmentation of distros is overcome, almost all day to day operations are available via GUI and the hardware manufacturers automatically include Linux support in their bundled software.

I close by saying, I am not anti Linux, in fact I am very much pro Linux (hence my experiences with it) but it just doesn't compare to Windows for ease of use and just working right out of the box. Until it manages that, IMO, it shall remain a minor player only.

Cheers....JIM

[marko]

Agree 100% Jim, and for those very reasons I haven't managed to bring myself over the open source platform.  Although these systems are much faster and in all probability more powerful it does depend on a great deal of expertise from the end user and a knowledge of the shell which is, as you rightly say, is the difference between these systems and Windows.   Microsoft have created a standard and uniform platform which has been adopted worldwide, it's familiar, it's easy and it's convenient which is it's plus points.   As for vulnerabilities, again you're right that Linux, etc doesn't suffer as bad but I would be inclined to say this is purely because those platforms are not as popular as Windows, if they were it would presumably be a different story although I certainly wouldn't expect to see any platform without some form of antivirus protection, open source or Windows.

I've posted before regarding Linix, Ubuntu and the likes, and the fact that they are letting themselves down somewhat by not providing an easier more familiar experience for the end user and where open source operating systems work well for some, unfortunately it won't work for most.   On the upside to open source, I am actually excited that Google are near completion of their own OS, obviously the excitement may be short lives depending on the security implications (which google are known for) but on the face of it this looks like it could change the face of operating systems as we know it with all data and applications being online meaning you could potentially hop from one machine to another with virtually no change and have instant access to your data and programs.   This is somewhat similar to a corporate domain environment which employs roaming profiles, but I for one will be keeping a firm eye on Google and their plans for the operating system!.

Cheers
Marko

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Hey Marko - Yes, I too am looking forward to hearing more about the new Google OS. At this stage they are keeping details very close to the chest.

Speculation is rife with some 'experts' anticipating a Linux kernel based OS, others are predicting a completely new and different approach...only one thing is certain and that is, nobody really knows....except the Google people of course.

I am with you mate...I expect it to be based around the Chrome browser, a sort of expanded browser with most, if not all, necessary applications accessible online. Very much a 'cloud' OS.

Only time will tell, release date is anticipated to be late 2010 but, hopefully, we well get more detailed information well before that.

Cheers now.....JIM

[James (Jim) Hillier]

Marko - It appears more information/details about the new Google OS have come to light earlier than I expected. According to the 'Make Tech Easier' website, the new OS will indeed be Linux based and, as I predicted, will also revolve entirely around the Chrome browser.

Have a look here:  http://maketecheasier.com/first-look-at-th...+Tech+Easier%29

  Cheers....JIM

[marko]

Yep, looks like the source code is already available too Jim, but I'll hold off until they have some form of installer available as a beta tester or something, looking forward to it's release but would potentially expect some teething issues and so better left to the pro's me thinks until the bugs are ironed out

Think a lot of people will be keeping an eye on this one
Cheers
Marko