stacks

One of my favorite features of many launchers is Stacks, an arrangement of multiple shortcuts but vertically. Windows 7’s variation on the taskbar with it’s ability to pin applications to it is very nice but there is just not enough room for all the applications that are needed.

StandaloneStack makes enough room and adds Stacks to both Windows Vista and the Windows 7 taskbars. A little tweaking is needed to get it to work correctly but once it is up and running it works perfectly. You can choose from the standard Stacks or a grid style that places them all in a single window.

As is with any application there are ways that it could be made better but there are things you can easily do on your own. One thing I disliked was the low grade icon that is used for the shortcut. Thankfully this is easily fixed by right clicking on the shortcut, selecting Properties and click on “Change Icon”. There is a virtually identical icon located in %SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll.

Check It Out> StandaloneStack, Top 10 Application Launchers for Windows

windows-7-change-login

When it comes to changing the login background of a Windows operating system it has always been a little bit difficult and risky. It was too easy to have problems with altered digital signatures for the all too critical login files and then have negative consequences as a result. With Windows 7 that has all changed.

Microsoft has loosened their grip concerning the login images and are making it easier for computer manufactures to alter them to suit their nefarious purposes. By doing this however they have also made it easier for the tweaker to do. While it is easier to do manually nothing is easier than the Tweaks.com Logon Changer.

The application is so incredibly easy to use and has limited options because none are really needed. You select the picture that you want to use and if it is not the correct size the program automatically changes it for you. And just in case you decide that you love the default screen, just select Revert To Default Logon Screen.

Check It Out> Tweaks.com Logon Changer

windows-7-logo

Why did Microsoft make Windows 7?  Did they just need to correct things that people complained about with Windows Vista?  Why would an organization upgrade to Vista right now instead of Windows 7?

Microsoft waited too long to make Windows Vista and as a result people expected it to be something that would move the sun, moon, and stars with it’s awesomeness. When it was just an operating system, and a normal one at that, people were disappointed and only purchased it when it came with a new computer.

What the average consumer fails to realize is that Windows 7 is Windows Vista but with a modified shell (explorer.exe) and a few tweaks under the hood. Some of those tweaks included a loosening security settings (User Account Control etc.) and adding more eye-candy.

Those of you that keep up on the latest operating system news have read about how the U.S. Army is going to be upgrading to Windows Vista and NOT Windows 7. Most people’s gut reaction is simply to ask “Why not Windows 7?”. This comes from all of the hype around Windows 7 and how much better it is compared to Vista but when it comes down to it the U.S. military is making the correct choice.

For any operating system to be rolled out to a large organization it takes a lot of time to plan and upgrade older hardware. If they delay and wait for Windows 7 it will add another year to the process and possibly cause even more delays once it was approved. Windows Vista however is so similar that by them choosing to go with it first it will drastically reduce costs in the long run when they do upgrade to Windows 7 or even 8.

Long Zeng posted a while ago about the change with UAC in Windows 7 that essentially makes it less secure than Windows Vista. Rafael of Within Windows then posted about applications that have been White Listed and are automatically elevated to the highest UAC level. Windows 7 is new and there are bound to be flaws found in it. Vista however has now been out for 3 years and has been highly criticized for being overly secure.

If you were in charge of the military’s operating system choice would you choose “overly secure” or “new and untested”? Personally I think they are making the correct decision to go with Vista first. It might not be the greatest consumer level operating system but then again, neither is Windows 7.

Thankfully the two operating systems are very similar and if your organization is using Windows Vista there is very little that you will need to make the move to Windows 7. In the long run this means that financially there will be less impact and there will fewer growing pains after the initial transition.

Microsoft does have a good product in Windows 7 but they still do not understand the concept of simplicity. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) is a very foreign thing to the Redmond team and is something they will have to confront sooner rather than later.

beta-date-correction

The above notice is pretty self explanatory, Microsoft has sent out a correction notice that the expiration for the Windows 7 Release Candidate is July 1, 2010.

windows-7-expiration

The Windows 7 beta has made it’s way into more users hands than any previous operating system beta.  As a result of this it is important that beta users are aware of their versions expiration date.

Windows 7 Pre 7100 Builds: August 1, 2009
Windows 7 Build 7100 and Later: July 1, 2010

While these are expiration dates the betas will begin shutting down after 2 hours of usage when the expiration date begins to approach.  For example the the Pre 7100 builds will start to reboot after 2 hours of usage beginning on June 1 2009.  That only leaves one more week until it starts to cause problems for some users.

If you have not downloaded the Windows 7 Release Candidate yet to replace your older beta build, don’t wait.  It will be available until the end of June 2009 for those that have not yet downloaded it.

Check It Out> Download Page