Complete Windows 7 Guide Part 2 – Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7
Although Windows XP users cannot upgrade directly to Windows 7, Microsoft provides the Windows Easy Transfer utility, which allows you to easily transfer your computer’s settings and files to the new Windows 7.
To launch the Windows Easy Transfer utility, log in to Windows XP, insert the Windows 7 installation disc, and navigate to the \support\migwiz folder. Double-click migwiz.exe to launch the Windows Easy Transfer utility (see Figure 1-1). Follow the instructions on the screen to save the settings to another computer via a cable or network, or save them to a hard disk or USB drive. When Windows 7 has been installed, you can run the Windows Easy Transfer utility via Start?All Programs?Accessories?System Tools?Windows Easy Transfer. Follow the online instructions to copy the saved settings onto the new Windows 7 installation.
Complete Windows 7 Guide : Part 1 – About and Version
Windows 7 is Microsoft’s latest version of its Windows operating system. Unlike its predecessor, Vista, Windows 7 offers incremental upgrades and is aimed at ensuring maximum compatibility with applications and hardware already supported in Vista. As mentioned in the Preface, Microsoft’s key agenda regarding Windows 7 is to lure back many of the Windows XP users who skipped Vista. Windows 7 offers significant performance improvements over its predecessors—most notably Windows Vista and Windows XP. It is still based on the Vista kernel, but comes
with substantial performance improvements and a redesigned Windows shell, a new taskbar, and a less-annoying User Account Control (UAC) system.
There are also improvements in networking, in particular the introduction of a home network system known as HomeGroup. This chapter walks you through the different versions of Windows 7 available, followed by an overview of the installation process. We will then take a look at some of the new features in Windows 7 before we get into them in detail in subsequent
chapters.
Versions of Windows 7
With Windows Vista, Microsoft released multiple editions of its operating system with the intention of targeting different segments of its user base with different features at different price points. However, this approach wasn’t well received, as it confused the market; many users urged Microsoft to come up with one simple, all-encompassing version of the operating system.
With Windows 7, Microsoft still has many editions. However, Microsoft is expected to focus its marketing effort on just two editions—Home Premium and Professional— just as it did with Windows XP. Here is a list of the available editions, in ascending order, from least to most advanced:
Starter Edition
A lightweight edition for netbook computers. Netbooks are low-powered computers specifically designed for lightweight tasks such as web browsing and emailing. In this edition, Windows 7 will lack more advanced features such as Media Center, Aero Glass, fast user switching, multiple-monitor support, DVD playback, and multitouch support. This edition is geared toward replacing Windows XP on inexpensive computers such as netbooks, a market that is currently dominated by Windows XP. This edition will likely be available only as a preinstallation by OEMs.
Home Basic
This edition is designated for emerging markets only; it is for customers who are looking for an inexpensive entry-level Windows experience (limited Aero support, no features such as Windows Media Center or multitouch support).
Home Premium
This edition is designed for home users and will include features like Media Center, multitouch support, the Aero Glass UI, and so on.
Professional
This edition is designed for home workers and small businesses, and will include features like advanced network backup and the Encrypting File System.
Enterprise
Includes everything that Professional includes and adds BitLocker protection. It will have the option to encrypt USB flash drives and external hard disks. It also includes DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to access a company network securely without using a VPN, and federated search.
Ultimate
Includes all the features available in Windows 7.
See the Pics Below for Full Comparison of Windows 7 Version
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Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts for Productivity
Windows Key + Spacebar Aero desktop peek, just like that small rectangle at the right bottom corner next to the time display.
Windows Key + Home = minimize/maximize all inactive windows
Windows Key + P = projector options
Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer is launched.
Windows Key + R = Run Command is launched.
Windows Key + F = Search (which is there in previous Windows versions too)
Windows Key + X = Mobility Center
Windows Key + T = Cycle Super Taskbar Items
Windows Key + S = OneNote Screen Clipping Tool [requires OneNote]
Windows Key + M = Minimize All Windows
Windows Key + D = Show/Hide Desktop
Windows Key + L = Lock Computer (It is there from the earlier versions as well)
Windows Key + U = Ease of Access
Windows Key + G = show desktop gadgets
Windows Key + Any number [0,1, 2, .., 9] = open the corresponding taskbar pinned program
Windows Key+ Left Arrow = toggle docking to half the screen starting by the left half
Windows Key + Right Arrow = toggle docking to half the screen starting by the right half
Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow = move the window one monitor left in a multi-monitor display
Windows Key + Shift + Right Arrow = move the window one monitor right in a multi-monitor display
Windows Key + Up Arrow = maximize the active window
Windows Key + Down Arrow = minimize the active window
Shift + Click = a pinned taskbar icon to run a new instance of the program
Windows Key + Tab = Aero [press Tab to cycle between Windows]
Windows Key + # = Quicklaunch
Windows Key + = = Magnifier
Several Bike on Work
Several people where I work ride motorcycles. Some of them are what I call "Fair Weather Riders", they ride their bikes only when the weather is nice. A few, like myself, ride rain or shine. Either way they ride, and their motorcycles are all sharp. The bikes are a mix of all brands and styles and as unique as their personalities. I thought I would share some photos of some of the different motorcycles:
’94 Gold Wing. He just added chrome mirror trim rings with turn signals built in. He also has a ’76 Gold Wing named, "Old Yeller", because of the bright yellow color. Old Yeller has a matching trailer as well.
2004 Suzuki Hayabusa: 4 into 1 Yashimura Exhaust, Yoshi Program, TRE System, Custom Paint, Frame Sliders, Billit & Chrome Accessories, Mini Stalk Rear Blinkers, BMC Air-filter, BMC High Performance Coils, Blue Neon Light Kit, Steel Braided Brake Lines
Honda VTX 1800N: Cobra Exhaust, Power Commander, Blue light Kit, Riding Lights, Windshield, and more coming…
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT. His wife rides a Honda Shadow.
’08 Honda VTX 1800T: Cobra Exhaust, Blue Light Kit, Lindby Engine Guards
My ’03 V-Star 1100 Classic, "Mistress":
Canon EOS 1000D
Though Canon does have a very strong foothold in the DSLR market in India, there has been a gap that Canon hadn’t catered to yet — the ultra-budget DSLR segment.
But the EOS seems more than a cut-short budget camera. For one its build is just about the same as its big brother, the EOS 450D at 126 x 98 x 62 mm. With its weight of merely 502 g, it’s definitely the lightest DSLR camera body we’ve tested till date. Lighter DSLRs may not be a big deal for hardcore enthusiasts, but for a beginner or a casual user who doesn’t own a giant camera bag, it’s a great asset.
Unfortunately the light weight comes at a slight cost. The camera’s body is completely built of bland, mat-finished plastic, which gives it a pretty dull look. Moreover, even the handgrip lacks that high-friction rubber coating, which makes the camera easy to use for hours at a stretch. Now that too wouldn’t be just a big issue if the grip had the right contours on it for easy finger placement or even a slightly bigger, more comfortable size. I may sound overtly harsh here, but being a camera user with particularly large hands, I do take my comfort over extended use seriously.
The button layout at the back is exactly the same as the EOS 450D, which would make a Canon user feel right at home. The 2.5-inch screen with 230,000 colors supports Live-view, which seems to have become a norm in DSLR cameras these days. Casual users, however may need to up their game to be able to use this feature as it works only in manual modes. Still I’m pleasantly surprised that Canon added this nifty feature in their lowest-end DSLR model.