Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

subzerohitman721 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:36:48 GMT

gorath said:

Sorry, subzero, but that's an uneducated use of EQ, at best. If you really want to be precise enough to be able to pick out individual notes or chords, then you're really looking at something along the lines of a parametric, or paragraphic EQ. They're pretty specialised, and aren;t likely of making into the default load-out of any consumer oriented playback device soon, or ever, ideally.

My Comments:

You know, I think you might be right. Its just that a lot of public school bands don't get state funding and are limited to what they can fund raise. They are also stuck with what they get from the school district. I just have seen that frustration from those teachers and anything that can help them out I am all for.

Peace.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

Waethorn — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:00:33 GMT

" I could see getting Ultimate for laptops now that there are good ways of managing keys but stil don't see it for the majority of business desktops."

See, that's my point. The majority of business desktops will be connected to a managed server-based environment. Once connected, Ultimate can be locked down.

For non-server based unmanaged environments, having Bitlocker installed on an OEM version of Windows in a workplace is a necessity. Unmanaged networks still need to have those options, and I would say that the majority of unmanaged networks would do better with Ultimate than with Home Premium, since it offers features only available via a volume license agreement to get Enterprise. Remember that Windows licenses in volume license agreements are only UPGRADES, not full versions, although you pay MUCH more for them than OEM versions cost (albeit ON TOP OF the price of the bundled OEM version you get with a PC), so if a company still doesn't manage their network, they're likely small enough that they don't have a volume license agreement. Getting an OEM copy of Ultimate makes perfect business sense to them because the investment is much more economical, and they'll still get access to features only available in Enterprise.

Also, if you have mobile workers that don't VPN into the workplace (remember - this is UNmanaged environments we're talking about here), they'll often have all of their business data on the local hard drive. This is the argument for having Bitlocker.

The best option for small businesses that already have a server/AD-DC is to use Vista Business+SA-on-OEM. If they don't have a server, it's Ultimate w/ optional SA-on-OEM.

As a note: Even when using SBS, Microsoft still recommends using OneCare on client workstations. I haven't tried OneCare for Server on SBS 08 yet, so I don't know what happens to the "OneCare Circle" micro-management that you normally have on PC's when installing it at home. SBS has always had simplified user folder redirection to the server, so I also don't know how client backups are done, but supposedly it is still done on the server end. The normal SBS backup would back up the entire server anyway, so I don't know what else OneCare for Server does about backup, besides monitoring it.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

tayme — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:08:02 GMT

@jp - "I only question whether talking Windows 7 now will reinforce the sense that MS is anxious to turn the page on Vista."

And if they do want to turn the page on Vista, is that really a problem? Apple was very ready to turn the page on the first AppleTV and the iPhone, right?

--tayme

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

mikegalos@msn.com — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:34:35 GMT

Waethorn

And for users like you, Ultimate is the obvious choice.

The real question is how many businesses want their average employee desktop to have:

DVD Playback

Media Center

HD support for Movie Maker

Parental Controls

Bitlocker

Multilanguage UI

Subsystem for Unix-based Applications

Out of these, I could see Bitlocker for laptops and Unix app support in some specialty cases. I could see getting Ultimate for laptops now that there are good ways of managing keys but stil don't see it for the majority of business desktops.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

Waethorn — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:18:21 GMT

"Home Premium pretty much is the best choice for anyone not on a managed corporate network. It gives a good discount in exchange for deleting features most home users would never want."

I disagree. I find the Ultimate is the best choice for an unmanaged corporate network, since it offers Bitlocker, as well as the usual Vista Business features such as remote desktop support.

Many users on an unmanaged network will use the same PC for home, so having the multimedia features is a bonus.

In a managed network, obviously those options need to be locked down, but Ultimate would be a smarter investment in the event that the network in question is upgraded later with a server. Otherwise the company would have to upgrade user systems to Business/Enterprise, and if the network isn't server-based yet, a startup company would find a volume license agreement with Software Assurance (in order to get Vista Enterprise) a fairly hefty investment. With Ultimate already loaded on a machine here or there, there is no additional investment required. Ultimate OEM is also cheaper than Business OEM + SA. If Bitlocker were one of the primary purchase reasons, I'd have to recommend Ultimate. SA offers other benefits, I know, but for smaller companies that don't have central management, I'd say Ultimate is the smarter choice overall.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

gorath — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:13:00 GMT

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

subzerohitman721 — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:36:45 GMT

@gorath,

Because if you're a music teacher, preparing for a contest, you might want to turn up or down different sections of your band recordings. Many of my high school and college teachers did so, to find chords that might not sound correct. I'm sure there are other reasons, thats one of the few that I can practially state.

Especially since high schools and colleges play some stuff thats very unusual for performances. For the Texas region, the UIL contest usually demand strong performances.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

gorath — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:08:48 GMT

@ subzerohitman721

The sound output from your computer will depend very heavily on the eventual digital-analogue converter that is used, whether that be on a crappy SoundBlaster card, or on an Apogee or Prism D/A.

I can verify that if you play stereo audio through a high-end audio mastering workstation, ad then play it in media player, the sound is identical.

And, no disrespect, but I have to have a little giggle at an "audiophile" who claims that the EQ in media player is flawed.

Why do you need an EQ if you want to hear the music as intended?

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

gorath — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:04:58 GMT

@ mike, whilst I agree that in practice, there aren;t that many versions of Vista I still think having them all around can cause confusion to people.

I do honestly believe it would have been better to scrap the home basic version, and have at most only 3 avaialbe, namely, home premium, business, and ultimate.

What I'd like to see however, is simply ultimate, or business.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

mikegalos@msn.com — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:42:55 GMT

Shark

There really aren't many versions. Essentially, we've got the Full Product (Ultimate) and several versions that have features removed that are likely to not be used by their target group and are discounted to reflect that.

First, let's strip out the specialty ones (The "N" versions for EU compliance that nobody buys) and Enterprise since that's not sold at retail.

What we end up with are: Business, Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate

Home Basic really should be called "Vista trimmed back to run on that old computer you really should have replaced" but that's awfully hard to put on a label.

So really there are two versions that are optimized and discounted: Home (Premium) and Business along with one version that has everything and goes for full price.

Home Premium pretty much is the best choice for anyone not on a managed corporate network. It gives a good discount in exchange for deleting features most home users would never want.

Business pretty much is the best choice for anyone on a managed corporate network. It gives a good discount in exchange for deleting features most business users would never want.

If the discounted packages don't fit your needs (and no package will be perfect for everyone) then you can always buy Ultimate at full price.

What I've found is that people complaining about the versions really mean this:

I'm a computer hobbiest and I want Vista Ultimate (not that I really need the corporate stuff but I like having everything) but I still want the "Home" discount.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

shark47 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:46:00 GMT

While MS had the right idea with the Vista versions, it clearly backfired. First of all, as Paul has mentioned on numerous occasions, some of the differences between versions were arbitrary. (That said, I don't agree with Paul that business users don't need WMP and other media components.) Secondly, Vista Home Basic is terrible. That said, I really don't know what they can do about it. They definitely cannot come up with a "one size fits all" solution like OS X.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

Waethorn — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:34:52 GMT

"a good music recording app native in Windows would be appreciated"

I usually recommend either these:

www.sonycreativesoftware.com/.../acidfamily.asp

or for more advanced home users (on a budget), looking to get into the industry, I recommend this:

www.cakewalk.com/.../default.asp

Both are extremely good, although the Cakewalk software has a higher learning curve. As a note: I've used Steinberg's Cubase before, and I absolutely hate it with a passion. Reason is also a pretty decent platform, but I wouldn't rely on it as a primary music application.

"Also I know for certain that the WMP equalizer and presets are garbage and needs an overhaul."

Most sound chips/cards have their own EQ settings that are better. Each codec chip has a slightly different way of presenting baseline audio, so the WMP options aren't the best option to choose. For example, on notebooks with Realtek HD audio codecs, usually the "Powerful" option in the Windows Vista EQ settings is the best balance of bass and treble for underpowered notebook speakers. Of course, it's all up to the individual's preference too.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

subzerohitman721 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:35:59 GMT

@gorath

I'm aware of the dolby digital certified audio cards. However, something doesn't sound right even with good speakers. (I'm a former music major with the hearing ability known as perfect pitch. I'm usually not wrong but something doesn't sound right with those cards.) I am also aware of the THX certification. Most Bose computer speakers are THX certified and the THX group does do assist people with the certification process. I know THX is a costly business but there are some audiophiles like me who are willing to pay for it.

I just think there needs to be more native API's in Windows to better render sound. Also a good music recording app native in Windows would be appreciated. What I mean is something as good if not better than GarageBand. Also I know for certain that the WMP equalizer and presets are garbage and needs an overhaul.

Peace.

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

mikegalos@msn.com — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:56:44 GMT

runner7775

OK, here's the quick version of the boot in Win 95 as I remember it (It's been a decade or so since I worked on it so it's almost certain I'm missing something):

Power comes on

The processor starts in Real Mode (all x86 chips start in real mode since the 80286)

Check for CONFIG.SYS

If present

- load MS-DOS minimal system

- load real mode device drivers identified with DEVICE=*.SYS entry

Check for AUTOEXEC.BAT

If present

- load MS-DOS minimal system if not already loaded

- execute statements in AUTOEXEC.BAT

Switch processor to 386Protect Mode

If MS-DOS minimal system exists

- use MS-DOS minimal system if present as template of System VM

Begin Windows OS init in System VM

Load SYSTEM.INI if present and process entries (generally a stub)

Load WIN.INI if present and process entries (generally a stub)

Load registry Local Machine hive and process entries

Init GDI graphics engine

Init Window manager

Process logon

Load registry Local User hive and process entries

Create Desktop

Again, that's from memory and simplifies some details. Let me know if that isn't clear or I missed some detail you care about.

If you really want the details, I'd suggest a copy of "Microsoft Windows 95 Training: Hands-On, Shelf-Paced Training for Supporting Windows 95 (Training Kit) (Paperback)" available at Amazon for under a dollar. Note that it IS 1200 pages of training material and shipping might be a bit high.

The URL for the book is www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_3

re: Microsoft launches Windows 7 blog

mikegalos@msn.com — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:39:04 GMT

Ocean

Hating the registry is a popular meme but the only specific complaints I've seen are that some apps don't write clean uninstalls and leave stuff in the registry.

The benefits of a registry over the myriad text config files that used to be used in Windows 1-3.x and are still used in Unix style operating systems are (among others):

Security granularity at any level down to the individual entry.

Ease of remote management.

Ease of writing generic management apps vs a standard API that works for all files