Windows 7 Launches

[Mike]

In October 2009 minus IE 8 in Europe.

One slight question. How are we ever going to connect to the internet to download a browser?! As much as I hate the Internet Explorer I don't quite understand how this is a benefit to the consumer.

I also think that the number of versions of Windows 7 is confusing. Which one do you want? According to the article Windows 7 E (without internet explorer), Windows 7 N (without internet explorer and windows media player) are at least two of the offerings. this is before you get into the realms of Professional, Home etc editions. No wonder they are losing money. It was a lot simpler when it was XP Home and XP Professional. Two rankings, two very easy choices.

[BarcelonAl]

One slight question. How are we ever going to connect to the internet to download a browser?! As much as I hate the Internet Explorer I don't quite understand how this is a benefit to the consumer.

It's not a benefit, but it's related to that court case years ago which accused Microsoft of being a monopoly because it bundled it's own browser with it's own operating system. Fecking pointless if you ask me as most people will make their own browser choice and download as they see fit...unless of course you don't have a browser in the first place!

It will be included with Windows 7, but will just be hidden...I give it 4 hours before someone works out how to activate it!

[Mike]

I give it 4 hours before someone works out how to activate it!

I guess that is the time spent finding the right settings box. . . .

I wonder how Apple avoids this issue. They bundle iLife and Safari and iTunes with all their hardware. . . maybe they are a smaller fish to fry?

[johnriley1uk]

What annoys me is that you can have an idea, make it work, make it so almost everyone actually uses it and knows what it's all about, is staggeringly useful the world over and all governments want to do is knock it down because it's too successful.

Personally I'm perfectly happy to use an integrated OS/Web browser. Why not? When I want to use something else it doesn't stop me.

Perhaps what governments don't like is that the web is still largely unregulated and we can all find out what they're up to. Instantly. I think they would love to control it more than the technology allows them to, with every excuse they can think of chipping away constantly at our freedoms.

[mr_e]

Heh, no browser with it. That did raise an eyebrow, but it's going to be up to the manufacturers to install them so I can't see them leaving everyone without a browser.

The point Mike makes about Apple doing the same thing is... interesting. Maybe if/when Apple get a bigger market share the EU will begin asking questions as well. Is there even any competition in the Mac browser market?

John, I don't think the EU are objecting to a successful product, just the way in which it's distributed. Never understood the big deal personally, as it's not like Firefox etc. are difficult to install. At a guess I'd say the EU don't have much faith in some consumers realising that other browsers even exist.

[Mike]

There are a few browsers out there. Chrome and Firefox are the big ones. Internet Explorer 5.5 was the last version to be released for a Mac. They decided to drop support to (I guess) nibble the browser.

[Mike]

Windows 7 Launch Party planning advice and tips from Microsoft.You Tube Video too.

This is for all those poeple who are so unbelievably sad and lonely that they need to have a (lecture) party for Windows 7 as a centre piece of a party. The video is so utterly cringeworthy that I am amazed that anyone thought it would be a good idea. I am pretty into all things Apple but I know I would ever go this far. . . .

Ouch.

[johnriley1uk]

Well.....as parties go that looks pretty boring. Maybe the bonus activities are more exciting, as long as you have the right equipment!

[BarcelonAl]

I give up! Microsoft have no clue how to do this kind of stuff...utter rubbish! Launch parties ffs!

I love the fact that they got all the token stereotypes in there: Geek, Silver-Surfer, Pretty Blonde, African-American...well done!

Frankly I don't care as long as when I install it, it works faster and better than Vistyawn!

[Mike]

If you pretend that they are organising an orgy it is much more entertaining!

[johnriley1uk]

True, Mike, but before we discuss that sort of thing let me tell you about these wonderful new Windows 7 features.....

[Mike]

I like Stephen Fry's comment on twitter. It ends thusly - *vomits quietly in a bucket*

[Mike]

Charie Brooker has an amazing rant at both Microsoft and Apple in his blog post. Hillarious! I especially liked the following quotes (I have tried to keep them brief!).

Recently I sat in a room trying to write something on a Sony Vaio PC laptop which seemed to be running a special slow-motion edition of Windows Vista specifically designed to infuriate human beings as much as possible. Trying to get it to do anything was like issuing instructions to a depressed employee over a sluggish satellite feed. When I clicked on an application it spent a small eternity contemplating the philosophical implications of opening it, begrudgingly complying with my request several months later. It drove me up the wall. I called it a bastard and worse. At one point I punched a table.

This drew the attention of two nearby Mac owners. They hovered over and stood beside me, like placid monks.

"Ah: the delights of Vista," said one.

"It really is time you got a Mac," said the other.

"They're just better," sang monk number one.

"You won't regret it," whispered the second.

Remind you of anyone?! That should be converted into a Get a Mac advert spoof.

[Mike]

You can buy a 'Steve Ballmer' edition of Windows 7. It is available exclusively to the people who are throwing Windows 7 Launch parties. I wonder how many sales it will get.

[mr_e]

I shudder at the thought of launch parties for software like that. OMG... that YouTube video is... yeah. Maybe if everyone gets wasted at the start then you show Windows 7?

That said, one of the guys in the house is using the release candidate of Windows 7 and says it's better than Vista by a long way.