MS Windows 7

[adolescent]

I got the download, but need to get a key.  So far things look really great.  

[adolescent]

@trekiej

It's supposed to.  I only have a lowly Pentium 4 550 with 2GB RAM and it's looking really snappy.  I still need to load it up to see if it stays that way but I'm waiting to get a real key before I do that.  (Don't want to have to re-install, or be limited to 30 day eval...)

[adolescent]

The beta download is "Ultimate" which AFAIK, has an 1GHz CPU, 1GB RAM requirement (plus dedicated video to use Aero).

But, who expects to run a modern operating system on a 10+ year old hardware?  

[adolescent]

gaula92 wrote:
You guys are bored...
Instead of trying new bloatwareOS, try HAIKU if you need a new OS on your X86 machine. It boots directly in my eeebox:

http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=15104

Yep.  Haiku isn't hindered by bloat like...  working network, sound, or chipset drivers.  :roll:

[adolescent]

HopperJF wrote:

adolescent wrote:
But, who expects to run a modern operating system on a 10+ year old hardware?  

Me!
An OS should be the foundation not the resource-hog M$ have made it out to be

1Gb just to run an OS is unjustifiable.

Then you really shouldn't upgrade.

1GB RAM is <$10 these days.  Plus, we're not talking AmigaOS here.  It's not just the "OS" that is running on the 1GB of RAM (think extras that you add to the OS like networking, USB stacks, filesystems, etc.).  If you want to see what a stripped down Windows OS really needs look at XP FLP, or XPE.  

Plus, 1GB RAM is <$10 these days.  Seriously?

[adolescent]

Oliver wrote:

adolescent wrote:
...need to get a key...

What is the arrangement with real keys for this beta? I had expected that this wouldn't be a full software offer, so I wasn't going to bother with it.

I am going to buy a new PC sometime soon (probably buying components), so wouldn't mind grabbing a freeby Win OS for it.

The public beta keys are only good until August 1.  So, it isn't really a full free copy.  Registered beta sites probably get a full copy after the beta is done.  (Although, I haven't been beta since Windows 2000 so this may have changed).

[adolescent]

@Fransexy_

Since you gave me the :roll:, how about an example of ANY 10+ year old hardware running a modern OS (usably).  Can't be done on Windows and Mac for sure.  Maybe a BSD/Linux might get close, but even the major distros have gotten bloated.

[adolescent]

bloodline wrote:
I expect you could use Xpostfacto, to install Leopard on a top of the Line 1998 Mac... Wouldn't be my idea of fun though :-D

Nope.  

1) XpostFacto only supports up to Tiger.
2) In 1998 the top of the line was the "Beige" G3 running at a mind-blowing 333MHz!  (Even if we go to 1999 the fastest was a G4/350 which is far less than the minimum required for Leopard)

BTW, I had Panther on my G3/400 and it ran okay...  Until you opened an app.  :lol:   Same machine absolutely flies with OS9.

[adolescent]

zylesea wrote:
Tell me how to get 1 GB Ram for $10 for e.g. my 7 years old PIII laptop which still is fine and running?

True, antique memory is more expensive, which is why I said "these days".  Chances are A) your system maxes at or below 1GB of memory, B) your system doesn't meet the other requirements, and C) you wouldn't be updating to a newer operating system anyway.  

Like I said... "Then you really shouldn't upgrade."

Don't tell me about cheap prices, Lucky me has enough funds to purchase all this stuff. But I don't like to. It is just a resource wasting. It's exactly that attitude which is driving the global ecologic crisis.

Huh?  Newer, more power efficient computers are causing global warming.  :lol:

Furthermore I'd like to point out that e.g. MorphOS runs quite well on my 400 MHz/128MB RAM Efika (and tell me how to get 1 GB for that for $10). It starts usb stack, network, 3d accelerated gfx, some file systems and a lot of other stuff. And since many of you don't consider an Amigaish system as a serious system, let me tell you that my QNX setup also requires very low resources.
The way to compensate for bad system design by increasing hardware power is not curing the prob, but dealing with its symptoms. And that is simply not sustainable nor a smart way.

Efika isn't a 10+ year old system, nor is it a candidate for Windows 7 installation, which was what the argument was about.  (Read the rest of the thread if you will...)

That said, I know that QNX, Xubuntu, etc. are really thin, and might run well on old hardware.  But, the user experience is usually not on par with what OS 10 or Windows delivers.

[adolescent]

stefcep2 wrote:

zylesea wrote:
The way to compensate for bad system design by increasing hardware power is not curing the prob, but dealing with its symptoms. And that is simply not sustainable nor a smart way.

But it IS the microsoft way..

I don't think that's quite fair.  Are you saying that software makers should not use available CPU resources?  Even in the Amiga world people who want the newest OS are expected to upgrade.  (AmigaOS 4.1 on an A500/512k chip only machine?  No!?  Lazy programmers!  :crazy:)

[adolescent]

Back on topic.

Windows 7 is very nice.  I've got a couple of apps; A/V, Firefox, etc. and all my drivers installed and it feels just as fast as my XP install (and much faster than the Vista install I had last year).  

My system is nowhere near cutting edge (think "$100 PC" here).  IIRC, it scored a 4.4 on the Windows Experience Index when I had a 6600GT in it.  I think with the Intel GMA it would be about a 3.5.  :-D

Pentium 4 550 (3.4GHz)
Intel 915GM chipset
2GB DDR-400 RAM
500GB WD

If the speed and compatibility keep up, then I think Microsoft might win back some customers that left because of Vista's teething problems.

[adolescent]

One more observation.  I have my case open right now (Shuttle XPC, SB83G5) and I notice Windows 7 pages less than even XP did.  I haven't even needed to put in my ReadyBoost USB key in yet.

[adolescent]

@LoadWB

Classic theme is there in the "Ease of Access Themes".  Looks just like Windows 2000, except with the new taskbar.

ClearType can be turned off.  Keep in mind you also have to switch from the Calibri font to something non-aliased like Tahoma (or use the Windows Classic theme).  

Sidebar is gone.  You can now put gadgets anywhere on the desktop.



Edit: Added full size link for thumbnail.

[adolescent]

@DonnyEMU

Libraries are my favorite new feature.  I've used Picassa as my picture library for a couple of years now, now I can do it for all my files and media.

The new taskbar takes a little getting used to, but so far it's a welcome change from the traditional bar.

[adolescent]

LoadWB wrote:

Ah, thank both of you.  "Ease of Access" eh?  heheheh  So, are they trying to imply that I am "special need" if I want the Classic Theme?  I feel discriminated against.  Anyone for a class-action?  :crazy:

Yep.  You're a retard for wanting to use the classic theme on Windows 7.  (Actually, I think they're just there for quick presets, because the Windows 7 Basic theme and a couple high-contrast themes are there too.)

BTW, to correct some information in the thread.  Windows NT 3.5x had the same interface as Windows 3.x, not the newer Windows 95/NT4 "Explorer".  And, Windows 2000 theme WAS different than 95/NT4, it had gradiant colors in the title bars.  :-P