Since announcing last month that its Windows 7 Starter edition would have severe limitations, Microsoft executives have changed their minds, promising to remove crucial application limits.
Most notably, Windows 7 Starter — designed for netbooks and other low-powered devices — originally would have limited only three programs to run at a single time, with consumers forced to pay for an upgrade if they want to use the OS normally.
"There of course will also be Windows 7 Starter edition, but based on the feedback we’ve received from partners and customers asking us to enable a richer small notebook PC experience with Windows 7 Starter, we’ve decided to make some changes compared to previous Starter editions," Microsoft’s Paul Thurrott said in a Windows 7 Team Blog. "For the first time, we will be making Windows 7 Starter available worldwide on small notebook PCs. We are also going to enable Windows 7 Starter customers the ability to run as many applications simultaneously as they would like, instead of being constricted to the 3 application limit that the previous Starter editions included."
I was unsure why Microsoft would potentially shoot themselves in the foot among netbook shoppers, and am glad the company is reversing the original decision. If you were on the market for a new netbook and could purchase one that didn’t have an application limit, would you now consider purchasing a Windows 7-powered device?
Microsoft has struggled with the netbook sector, as the company’s XP OS has been extremely popular, though revenue isn’t nearly as high as it’d be if Vista was being offered. Early reviews indicate Windows 7 could put Microsoft back on track, and its success on netbooks will be crucial, analysts believe.
27 Comments
The reason those boneheads at Microsoft are struggling is because netbook hardware is dictating leaner operating system requirements which can't be met with their bloated Vista and Windows 7 junk. For too long Microsoft has forced people to upgrade their hardware to run a new OS - Netbooks have changed all that. Non-Microsoft alternatives are looking better all the time. I use openSUSE 11.1 and it blows away all that windows junk and works the way I want.
well... that was a quick and wise move from M$... WHAT THE HELL where they thinking limiting the number of simutaneously running programs? If I wan to buy a device that limits the number of apps I'm running at once, then I'll buy a Gameboy!!!
Ahah, it seemed obvious that they would have to remove the stupid 3 applications limit. Now, for the next big question: will Win 7 work any good on a netbook? Stay tuned.
And what will happen to the big screen netbooks? They can't run the cheaper Win 7 Starter, because MS doesn't allow it? What will they run? Nothing? Linux? Interesting times ahead...
And what will happen to the big screen netbooks? They can't run the cheaper Win 7 Starter, because MS doesn't allow it? What will they run? Nothing? Linux? Interesting times ahead...
I'll take that windows junk over command lines just to open a folder anytime :-)
Are you talking about Linux, in this case, OpenSuse? If so, are you serious? If you are, please note that you are being nonsensical.
Windows doesn't hold any obvious advantage over Linux, except number of applications available and drivers for some hardware, for which, usually, there are alternatives.
Windows doesn't hold any obvious advantage over Linux, except number of applications available and drivers for some hardware, for which, usually, there are alternatives.
I hope you're kidding Hemi, you haven't had to command line in Linux to open a folder for a couple of years. Well, as long as you get a decent distro anyway.
One stupid limitation gone, one stupid limitation remaining:
"Windows 7 Starter does not include:
...
So still no Windows 7 Starter Edition for me, thanks.
"Windows 7 Starter does not include:
...
- Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes."
So still no Windows 7 Starter Edition for me, thanks.
I was only being cynical, given the fact that it was like that a few years back.. other than that, just to get used to the new interface, the new way of thinking, the new way of executing files, the new ways to make do what i wanna do, and find the alternatives, it will take me a long time, which will eventually cost much more that the 300E i need to do things efficiently just the way i do now.
If i were back in my university days, when time was plenty, and linux were as friendly as it is now (and not as it was back in 1996) then i would have given it a try again http://www.cdfreaks.com/jochem/../im...es/2/smile.gif
If i were back in my university days, when time was plenty, and linux were as friendly as it is now (and not as it was back in 1996) then i would have given it a try again http://www.cdfreaks.com/jochem/../im...es/2/smile.gif
You are so outdated on the current state of Linux distros. Seriously. There's very little difference, GUI and user-experience wise, between most common Linux distros and, say, Windows XP. Things are done mostly the same way. Of course Linux gives you plenty more choices because there are tons of distros, geared to different audiences. But, if what you want is an experience similar to XP GUI, you can find it.
I am a dinosaur and very hesitant to try Linux based OS's....is it really all propaganda from MS as to the very LARGE numbers of netbooks being returned with linux based os's? I want to replace my laptop with a netbook, but I'm gonna wait and see what shakes from the tree when W7 is actually released on the world How much will it actually cost?, will it be bloatware?, and as much as I hate it, will MS allow some upgrade path (extra $$ yuck) to a 'Pro" version of the os for a netbook. Lastly can't seem to get my head around why netbook mfgrs won't allow more than 2gb of memory.....does more memory really eat up battery time? or what?
I can't get my head around why you would need over 2GB of memory for checking email and surfing the internet.
I myself am a Windows junkie and truely don't know why the move to Linux is such a terrible thing to do?
There are a multitude of Linux Live CD operating systems that are run from your DVD/CD not changing anything on your Windows computer to allow those of us who might be swayed to take the leap to free open source .
I don't plan on upgrading to vista or win7,so I hopeXP lasts awhile or I get over my fear of using Linux.
I have heard that Ubuntu Linux is similiar to the experience of running windows?
Open Source Software vs. Commercial Software:
Migration from Windows to Linux
An IT Professional's Testimonial
There are a multitude of Linux Live CD operating systems that are run from your DVD/CD not changing anything on your Windows computer to allow those of us who might be swayed to take the leap to free open source .
I don't plan on upgrading to vista or win7,so I hopeXP lasts awhile or I get over my fear of using Linux.
I have heard that Ubuntu Linux is similiar to the experience of running windows?
Open Source Software vs. Commercial Software:
Migration from Windows to Linux
An IT Professional's Testimonial
No. Ubuntu is not similar to running XP. However a branch of it, named Linux Mint, is similar and competitive to Windows.
What's a "Distro"? Imagine having to learn a whole new language. Forget it. I know everyone hates M$ but when you think about it, for the price of the software and considering you can spend $2000 on a decent CAD program, my point is that some of the programs should be able to run on a computer without using an O.S. I use Rhino3d, a great CAD Modeling program, with all the bells and whistles Rhino could easily run up to $3000 with all the plug-ins. For that price, it should be able to run on a computer that is blank. Stick in the DVD and run, no OS except what came with the program. That would be something. A couple of button pushes to get to the program you want which is completely separated from every other program on your computer. Bottom line, for the $100 bucks you spend on a program that ties it all together, it really isn't all that much.
I don't think that M$ will make everyone happy till they can masturbate you with the click of a mouse button.
I don't think that M$ will make everyone happy till they can masturbate you with the click of a mouse button.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
I don't think that M$ will make everyone happy till they can masturbate you with the click of a mouse button. |
I imagine any USB Mouse would be compatible, or USB Gerbil for others.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
What's a "Distro"? Imagine having to learn a whole new language. Forget it. I know everyone hates M$ but when you think about it, for the price of the software and considering you can spend $2000 on a decent CAD program, my point is that some of the programs should be able to run on a computer without using an O.S. I use Rhino3d, a great CAD Modeling program, with all the bells and whistles Rhino could easily run up to $3000 with all the plug-ins. For that price, it should be able to run on a computer that is blank. Stick in the DVD and run, no OS except what came with the program. That would be something. A couple of button pushes to get to the program you want which is completely separated from every other program on your computer. Bottom line, for the $100 bucks you spend on a program that ties it all together, it really isn't all that much.
I don't think that M$ will make everyone happy till they can masturbate you with the click of a mouse button. |
Apart from games and specialist programs, most people could just as easily use a linux distro, and forget that Microsoft ever existed
The server world has
Quote:
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Originally Posted by DrageMester
One stupid limitation gone, one stupid limitation remaining:
"Windows 7 Starter does not include: ...
|
Given microsoft the difference between the various versions will probably be one stupid dll file or something ... again...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
For that price, it should be able to run on a computer that is blank.
|
When you have that, you only need a method to push those assembly commands to the cpu and you're done.
Pro: Your program will be insanely fast, i can safely assume 1500% faster than now.
Con: Debugging the product is not a bitch,.. it's gonna be the most evil dangerous hellspawn creature you ever can fathom multiplied by a million.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. Belvedere
Tell the programmers of your product to program their tool only in the assembly language plus write their complete own library on how to handle things like a mouse, a usb writer and every other piece of hardware (in assembly only of course).
When you have that, you only need a method to push those assembly commands to the cpu and you're done. Pro: Your program will be insanely fast, i can safely assume 1500% faster than now. Con: Debugging the product is not a bitch,.. it's gonna be the most evil dangerous hellspawn creature you ever can fathom multiplied by a million. |
I have download window 7 and added to my desktop it is excellent. I have now preordered a copy.
I have also added windows 7 to my netbook, the ultimate rc version. It works better than windows xp.
Unfortunately I can only use this version until early next year or buy another copy of w7
Steve
I have also added windows 7 to my netbook, the ultimate rc version. It works better than windows xp.
Unfortunately I can only use this version until early next year or buy another copy of w7
Steve
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
So, then you agree, $100 dollars isn't that bad, considering how it ties all these programs together?
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The less you pay the less (support) you get though. I'd gladly pay $300 if it would mean getting excellent 24/7 support from Microsoft.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. Belvedere
It isn't that bad, but they still can't force me to buy it
The less you pay the less (support) you get though. I'd gladly pay $300 if it would mean getting excellent 24/7 support from Microsoft. |
(Though I don't know about the 24/7 support, They might not really know how it works.) Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
Agreed!!
(Though I don't know about the 24/7 support, They might not really know how it works.) |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. Belvedere
That's why i wrote the word 'excellent' as well. Excellent is not "outsourcing your helpdesk call to some phone company in India who hasn't got a clue what your problem might be because it isn't printen on their cue-cards".
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Sometimes, you have to take advantage of the language/intellectual barrier, I figure it was the price THEY paid for having such a stupid EULA.
Prema sudha barasavo. (May loves dewsdrops fall on you). That got me the activation.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zathros
Sometimes, you have to take advantage of the language/intellectual barrier
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He also tested it to sms (which is limited to 160 characters) and found some very strange translation results.
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