Comments on: Inside Windows 7's new desktop

It's not in the build handed out at last week's Professional Developers Conference, but CNET News' Ina Fried gets an in-depth look at the taskbar and other new features.

[Jonathan]

Guys. It looks like you are using a product to record the youtube interview as a form of advertisement. I have to say this is the worst audio I've ever hear on ANY video. Don't use that device again. Please.

[Super2online]

Frankly the usablity improvements to the OS to me is not the really big news. That has to go to the fact that it uses FEWER resources to operate in. That is the big story in my book hands down. How many of you caught the brief display of Sinofsky showing the OS running on a "netbook" ? That is impressive!

In fact, a subset of the attending press corp who attended a day long meeting with Sinofsky and team prior to PDC opening were told by Sinofsky that the day to day computer he uses to test the OS is a netbook runing a 1 gigahertz Atom processor and 1 gb of memory! This was to ensure that there was a marked improvement in performance and resource use.

It's a rare bird in deed to see a new OS come out that uses far less resources than the previous version!

[johnqh]

This sounds like a copy of the Mac OSX dock (and added something more).

Unfortunately, bad decision! I prefer to use Mac. However, between Windows and OSX, I like the Explorer UI (Start menu, task bar) much more than the OSX's dock. It is much easier (one click) to go to a web page which I want. It takes several clicks with the dock (and this new Windows UI, from the description).

Sometimes, I think MS doesn't have anyone who understand UI in the whole company. They are trying to copy eye candies without understanding why the eye candies are there and whether it is good for the users.

Among all the problems Windows have, the start menu and task bar is NOT one of them.

[kojacked]

THIS JUST IN...

Microsoft is finally listening to their customers and competitors and throwing in the towel. All product's source code will be released to open source. In addition Micorosoft will port all products to OSX, Linux, BeOS, and the Amiga at their own cost. WinAMP, Firefox, and Thunderbird will be the new default media player, browser, and mail application in Windows 7.

Also just in: Apple, Linux, and open source fanboys alike protest Microsoft's latest moves as predatory and monopolistic...

[Vegaman_Dan]

I find it humorous to see all the comments here claiming that Microsoft has copied OS X... and yet in the same message they go on at length about how great OS X is and how Microsoft would be wise to learn from Apple's interface.

Looks like they did to me, and if they are bringing in similar features that OS X has into a new version of Windows... *HOW* is this a bad thing?

I don't get it. You ask for something and you get it, then you complain about it. Are you complaining about the feature, that Microsoft may do better at it than Apple, or just to complain for the sake of complaining?

[NiallGandy]

the mac os x dock at least looks good
the windows 7 taskbar is ugly

[coryschulz]

agreed

[goodspeed8701]

After all this silly crapple ******* has finished saying the **** that their crapple can only do, Windows 7 will sell more than their Os 10 to 10.5 put together in its first year. just like vista did.

The rest of the world knows that Windows is what they can rely on.

How did the dock originated?

A dock is a user interface feature of a number of operating systems that typically provides a user with a way of launching and switching between applications. An early implementation of a dock was in Acorn Computers's Arthur operating system in 1987, and its successor, RISC OS, included the icon bar; NEXTSTEP and Apple Inc.'s Newton OS have also included a dock, but Mac OS X's dock has been the most commercially successful. There are various third party applications that add dock features to operating systems like Microsoft Windows and Linux. The iPhone OS also shares a similar dock to Mac OS X. The patent on Apple's implementation was applied for in 1999 and granted in October 2008.

So is it a rip of? Fake wapple

[markwitler]

I think Apple has copied windows and most ppl dont realise it at all. Apple dock i would say is a modified version on windows quick launch and for all those who say windows 7 task bar is a rip off of apple dock i'd say think again cos ... quick launch has been in windows for a very long time (much before docks came into apple) and the current windows 7 taskbar is just an enhanced version of the old quick launch bar. as for windows peek or any other feature that apple fans cliam is a rip off by windows .... you know it dosent really matter who copies who (for as long as they do) as end consumers we stand to benefit out of it ..like when apple copied windows / linux on when they introduced right click functionality. as long as windows and apple rip each other off i think we all will have a say and we have more options to decide from.

[iBuzz]

Am I the only one who hates the look of Windows Vista and now Windows 7? I was hoping Microsoft would go with a completely different graphical treatment for Windows 7, but it looks like it's still the same as Vista. First, can they get rid of that aura look with the light beams on the login screens that make me feel like my desktop is being taken over by spirits from the netherworld? Next, lose the blurry glass look on the window borders that makes me feel like my eyes aren't focusing correctly because everything on the periphery is blurry. Third, why is every screen so freaking busy? Geez... every screen and window is overloaded with a vast assortment of clickable right arrows, down arrows, sliders, buttons... enough! Whatever happened to the concept of a menu bar that neatly tucks away the functionality that you don't use very often or the concept of progressive disclosure where you only show the parts of the UI when they are needed? Do I really need a "Burn" button in my face on every window? When's the last time I burned a CD on my computer. Never! Yet Vista is relentless in showing me that button every time I open up a window. Hmmm, it is probably thinking, maybe today will be the day that he finally clicks on it... I know he is just dying to burn those expense report docs to a CD. When do I ever change the size of my icons? Never! Yet I have to stare at those controls on every window too. And can you stop making controls do things that they were never designed to do? Like the column headers on list views... why are they still displayed when you turn off list view display and magically transform themselves into buttons? It's very disconcerting and disorienting, just like the rest of Vista.

The whole interface in Vista is a giant train wreck. Where did the people go who made the UI improvements that Microsoft delivered in Win95 and WinXP? It's obvious they are no longer with the company. Is there any way that Microsoft could get them to come back out of retirement and fix this mess?

[anhtney]

Thats why windows is better than Mac OSX. Its more customizable.

[jeanl]

Microsoft couldn't even resolve the memory ram issue in Vista as well as the memory hogging in many application. What a rip-off.
I am looking for people worldwide join me sue Microsoft for irresponsible and unethical business practice.

the clipped image from my pc as prove [URL=http://img160.imageshack.us/my.php?image=memoryissuele7.png][IMG]http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9002/memoryissuele7.th.png[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php][IMG]http://img160.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif[/IMG][/URL]

[zcline]

Good lord, why did I read even half of these comments...

Pretty much we're talking about two stellar companies producing very usable products. Pick one (or both) and be happy.

[dhavleak]

zcline - I'm with you man. I can't believe the IQ (or lack thereof) of some of the people posting comments.

<rant>
Why does *everything* have to turn into a pointless freaking slugfest between apple and ms supporters?

If you're all about macs and want nothing to do with windows -- why did you read the article? why did you bother to comment?

If you like what you see in Ina's article, post on that -- don't bother responding to the os-x ripoff comments. There's absolutely no point in engaging fanboys. The whole forum ends up with so much unoriginal, uninteresting fanboy posturing, it becomes impossible for anyone with a job/life to take the time to filter out the insightful comments and read them!

</rant>

[Mark_Anderson]

But it's fun.

[tigerkitty2]

Good Work Microsoft!!! you managed to duplicate OSX.
Are you for real? Oh wait. Bill G invested 150 Million in Apple @ 5.43 a share. AAPL closed today @ 106.96 a share.
Now I see where Microsoft is going, they are copying OSX. and everyone knows you don't want the copy, you want the real thing.
I can see it now, AAPL@600.00 a share within 2 years, thanks to Bill G.
w00t!

[anhtney]

bill gates doesn't own Microsoft now. Why can't people get that into their minds

[zinzius]

Posting from Windows 7 build 6801 now,all over the torrents.Gotta say,you Mac folks sound like Christians.They're not objective either.This is not the place for your religious OS debates.That said I think the superbar is good, a step in the right direction.But the main thing I am loving about Windows 7 is speed,ridiculously fast..Windows 7 is what Longhorn/Vista should have been.I'll step aside now and let the Mac zealots climb back onto pulpit.It's too bad you refuse to give Microsoft a chance,I guess the rest of the world will just have to learn to live with your disappointment.

[Sparky650]

Doesn't look too impressive so far.

[AppleSuxLeo]

The experts at TWIT.TV all agree Win 7 is going to be the best Windows ever. The reason the Alpha build is so stable is that each component MSFT adds to it is a "fully-baked" component before it is added. The method MSFT is using to build Win 7 in parallel with Win Server 2008 is a first in the industry and will help this be one awesome OS indeed.
And the multi-touch with gestures is pervasive throughout Windows 7...not like a tacky add-on in OSX that only works in a few areas. "Snowleopard" will melt in comparison...trust me.
One MSFT guy had it on a netbook with ONE GIG of RAM...and it was fast ! It is fully scaleable and coponentized so it will work awesome on any device you can imagine.

[AppleSuxLeo]

http://twit.tv/167
This will explain how awesome it really is ;)

[maverick_nick]

To all the Linux fanboys,

Do you know how we know that Windows is better than Linux? We wouldn't even use Linux if it were give to us for free, which it is.

To all the OSX fanboys,

Do you know how we know that Windows is better than OSX? When given the option to purchase a PC or a Mac, more than 90% said no to Mac, and the 9% who actually bought a Mac never produced a single Nobel Laureate. The other 1% are still trying to get their hands on a cracked version of Windows.

[JuggerNaut]

The vast majority of that percentage (90%) you speak of accounts for the majority of computer users who can barely use a computer, much less make a sound decision in buying one. Most of these folks think that getting on the Internet requires the double-clicking of the blue 'e' (or that the blue 'e' is the Internet). At least Mac (and Linux) users are well educated computer users who can make sound computer buying decisions without having to rely on what their neighbor owns/uses. Let's not forget that most Windows users probably have never used anything but Windows whereas Mac (and Linux) users have experience with both platforms and chose the one based on experience.

What's even funnier, this is the only industry where people (like yourself) actually care about market-share. Who gives a toss about market-share, it's certainly not a serious factor in any other industry in regards to consumers and what they base their buying decisions on.

[coryschulz]

I agree with JuggerNaut. Most of these people have never used a Mac and don't understand PCs in general. They think that defragmenting (which they don't even know what that means) will make their computer run faster. They think a bigger hard drive will help their computer start up faster. To them it makes sense to have different "versions" of Windows (Home, Ultimate). They see that a MacBook costs $1200 and a Dell costs $700 and they think they're getting a better deal when they buy the Dell. But the halo effect is real. People who have used and tried Apple products love them and come back for more. Apple puts a lot of love into their computers, and I do not believe MS has the capacity to love or know what it is.

[winds7]

Ladies and Gentgelmen,

what is OSX? I know very few people who even own it. those who do, do it to show off, don't believe me? than you must be one of those who own mac. it is no doubt that apple computers rock in some instances like design, etc.. but windows do too! the whole The Hulk was made on Dell computers, for example. mac users use what apple developers let them to, with exception to some educated programmers, while windows users are self-taught because of no other choice, so what? i don't know any other proper way around when it comes to memorize tons of info. Windows 7 literally ROCKS! it does! all apps run smoother than ever, boot time 20 sec after couple of reboots, amazing aero, themes change instantly, tons of new feautes and buttons, and lets see the final release yet! this will be second OS after Windows XP that i will purchase without any regret! Brave Microsoft!

[xures]

Am I the only one that finds the statement "The idea is to use social engineering to convince developers to bother the user far less often." quite ironic considering Vista's UAC?