Microsoft Leaks Windows 7 RC Date — Before May 5 321
CWmike writes "Microsoft will deliver a release candidate of Windows 7 in about two weeks, the company's Web site revealed Saturday. According to a page posted on Microsoft's partner program site, Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) may be available to paying subscribers to Microsoft's developer and IT services before May 5. Partners will be allowed to download the release candidate on that date, the first Tuesday of the month. 'Partners: If you have a subscription to MSDN or TechNet, you can download Windows 7 RC now,' the page read Saturday afternoon. 'Otherwise, you can download Windows 7 RC starting May 5, 2009.' The link to the download, however, shunted users to the TechNet download page, which did not list Windows 7 RC as one of the available files. This is the second time in just over three weeks that Microsoft's Web site has leaked information about Windows 7 RC. Accidental, or buzz-builder?"
Windows 7 synopsis (Score:5, Interesting)
* Windows 7 is a lot like Vista
* next desktop background feature is kind of cool but i saw it in kde4
* new task bar - makes it easier to switch to mac and more annoying to actually switch tasks using a mouse
* control panel still in the new harder to deal with style but not sure if it still loads piecemeal like Vista
* Libraries are introduced as another way to segment your data in an annoying and OS-locked-in way.
You're a laugh riot (Score:2, Interesting)
Since when is a press release a "leak"? What, is this British intelligence trying to sex it up a little?
Of course you know, this means war
rsync for Windows? (Score:2, Interesting)
I've been considering using Windows 7 when I buy a new laptop later this year, but I have a serious question:
How the hell do Windows users backup their files?
I haven't used Windows properly since I was a kid, and I didn't care about backups back then. Nowadays I use rsync every day to mirror files onto an external USB drive and over the network. Once a week I do an incremental backup with rdiff-backup.
Are there any basic, robust tools like these for Windows?
Also, what's the new "Power Shell" like? Is it like bash? Can you run curses programs yet, like mutt? Or would I have to learn a GUI like Thunderbird?
I've been on Linux for so long, I'm actually finding it harder than I imagined to see how I can work with Windows again. I tried Vista and it was actually kinda slick, so I wouldn't mind it on my laptop. It seems like a Macbook would be easier though.
Re:rsync for Windows? (Score:5, Interesting)
I've actually been running Vista as a primary desktop OS for about a month, after 14 years of Unix type OS as a primary desktop system (Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OSX, even Solaris)
Why? It's a change. I was too comfortable with all of the Linuxes, the others weren't a good fit for an ultralight Thinkpad. If you don't force yourself to be uncomfortable now and then, you stagnate. (I do still have Fedora in a VM for quite a few things - I'm trying to make myself learn, not be a masochist)
The specific OS is Vista Business 32-bit, because that's what I had a license for (bought it with the laptop "just in case"). If I were to reinstall, I would go with a 64-bit version.
For backups, I am currently using Acronis TrueImage. Based on a test "full image restore", it works. It's primarily an image backup utility, not rsync or similar. I'm just doing routine backups to an external hard drive.
What you're asking for is actually pretty difficult under Windows, as far as I can tell; it' s far easier on Linux or OSX. On the other hand, there is something to be said for a full native Excel 2007 (sorry OOo fans, but calc is nowhere remotely close to a usable Excel replacement, including fundamental design flaws in the solver that have been there since at least 1.1)
Hope They Fix The Installer Bug (Score:3, Interesting)
Let's hope they fix the bug in the Program Compatibility Assistance that installers that don't affect certain registry keys in add/remove to have an error. It basically kills off lots of updaters, plugin installers and PortableApps.com Installers:
http://portableapps.com/node/18540 [portableapps.com]
Re:Any word on free legal upgrade for Vista owners (Score:2, Interesting)
But the first OSX made Vista's problems look like first day of school jitters.
As a user of both, I assure you: no it didn't.
Re:Temper the virtiol & the hope (Score:3, Interesting)
because everyone i've seen with a new pc has vista
And they're all miserable, right? I've seen people come into work who have been suckered into buying these leviathan laptops with Vista, and they are constantly having problems, and regret the purchase.
It's probably the people who have actually bought Vista who would be most tempted to switch, rather than those still on XP. Of course, having just bought their white elephant laptop, they might not have the funds to do so yet.
Re:Temper the virtiol & the hope (Score:3, Interesting)
What we see is dependent on our circles of living. Many people are trying to avoid having to buy a new PC right now because Microsoft have refused to allow them to buy XP with it. They will hold off if they can until Windows 7, or if they need a new PC before then, they will look at alternatives. To my knowledge the XP downgrade racket was only offered to corporations, not regular home users. Even this is uncertain with cut off dates followed by extensions and exceptions. Even those who are desperate enough to pay extra for an old model to avoid the current one will still be listed as a Vista sale, even if it leaves the store with XP installed.
Yes Microsoft still have a HUGE monopoly on desktops which they will abuse to cut out any competition but they Vista has cost them.
Re:Windows 7 synopsis (Score:3, Interesting)
So enlighten us. What exactly has Windows 7, or for that matter Windows Vista, done to prevent you from composing and using your own music or anyone else's music?
I do a lot of composing, editing and playing of my own music and that of others and have never come across any kind of hurdle as you are so clearly fabricating.
release date around jun/jul/aug (Score:3, Interesting)
estimate 1: nt4 (900 days), 2000 (1200 days) and xp (600 days), at around 1000 days of development. windows 7 started around oct 2006. that puts rtm at jun-09. (vista was about 2000 days, but lets overlook that)
estimate 2: xp and vista both had about 2-3 months from rc to rtm. that puts rtm at jul/aug.