The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

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re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

Waethorn — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:43:16 GMT

@all:

Any company that makes a motherboard with "5.1 audio" but only has the 3 phono plugs can accomplish this.

It's called "jack-retasking".

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

gorath — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:35:13 GMT

Using your mic port as a headphone port depends entirely upon the hardware. The same thing has been accomplished in the past by a few manufacturers, as far back as WinXP.

If your soundcard doesn't support this, then there's no way you can do it.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

jakthebomb — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:49:07 GMT

Sorry, Wrong info

I ment to say "Listen" You can connect a ipod or iphone with a 3.5mm Male to Male tip to your Mic Port and Listen to it through your speakers.

The Phone Call Sensing Feature is called "Communications" it will by default reduce the volume by 80%. It is a pain to have on if in a skype call, you can barely hear the other person.

Paul, Hopefully you can use this info for your Windows 7 Secrets Book. (that is if your not tired from writing Windows Vista SP1 Secrets)

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

jakthebomb — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:22:36 GMT

There are 2 Hidden Audio Features in Windows 7 Beta 1.

1. The Ability to use your Mic Port as a Headphone Port.

2. A Phone Call sensing feature that lowers the volume based if you are talking to someone or to yourself!

Problem with #2 Skype. It will lower the other person’s voice.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

animositysomina — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:27:51 GMT

Lol @ secret #29, enjoy the fish indeed! :)))

Yeah, check wikipedia, it's THE BEST secret of Win 7

lol lol lol :)))

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

james3mg — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:39:50 GMT

And just like that, the tip he gave about the middle button (or wheel, usually nowadays) has, I believe, removed my last bit of reluctance to embrace the new taskbar. It's logical even: I've been using that action on IE to open new tabs on links since the beta, and it's a very familiar action now. Should have thought of that. Rather non-discoverable though, don't you think? Almost need a balloon tip from the task's icon the first time (and only the first time) someone uses the jump list to launch a new window on a running app.

Actually there is one more reservation: if someone runs Windows 7 without Aero enabled (which is a REALLY bad experience), you miss out on the features that make the new taskbar acceptable. But in general, I hope that everyone on 7 will have Aero enabled...7 beta is actually an unacceptably bad release without Aero, in my opinion. And hopefully Vista was enough warning to everyone that they'd better pay attention to their video card.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

RaaJ — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:33:54 GMT

@ gorath:

The icon does glow reddish-orange, but unlike the much wider rectangular taskbar window icons of XP/Vista, the smaller rectangle for the application icon in 7 is harder to notice glowing if you are focused on some other window. For me, there is not enough activity in the peripheral vision area that immediately grabs your attention away from your main focus area on the screen.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

techfan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:29:06 GMT

@RaaJ - Re: New messges alert - I don't use WLMessenger (I use YIM, most of my contacts use YIM) but the lack of a message way to alert of new messages in your inbox might not be something related to Windows 7. I'm on XP and after a while, or sometimes not even a lot, WLMessenger doesn't notify me of new messages.

Re: Programs/windows running but not fucosed (active window) - Isn't there a whitish, glass-like square on icons for running program? And a whitish, fill-out box for the active program? I mean, that's what I've seen all over the Web in Win7 screenshots. Non-running/closed programs are just represented by icons.

The second icon from the right is the active window/program: media.arstechnica.com/.../taskbar-multiple-windows.png All but IE on the far left are running but not currently the focused window/program. The icon with the yellow highlight is where the cursor is located.

I think the new "superbar" is a great idea. Yes. It might not be fully thought of, but in it's current implementation, it doesn't look that bad. And I'm sure it behaves well too. I might have a different opinion once I start using Win7 and its taskbar -- you know, I might think this or that action would function better differently but for now, I am really looking forward to using the new "superbar" :-)

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

Xtreem0 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:21:57 GMT

@de Silentio wholy cow that middle button makes my day! now i have

no problems with the taskbar.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

gorath — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:16:25 GMT

That's funny, when i get a new IM, the icon glows orange, That's a pretty clear indication, without being overly distracting.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

RaaJ — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:35:22 GMT

Techfan,

I've been using Win7 since the PDC M3 build 6801, and now with the beta, and Paul is right in his criticism that the taskbar in its current form is not fully baked.The current design is somewhat ugly, in that the icons have a lot of unused space around them, and when you only have the icons displaying, the difference between the active application and an application running out of focus is not very well defined, as are the various notifications and pop-ups in the currently in-focus application and an out-of-focus application not readily apparent.

For instance, when I have an IM session running, there is very little to alert me immediately that a new message has arrived, if I am currently zoned in, looking at a different application. In instances like these, the manic bouncing icons in the OS X dock demanding your attention almost makes sense from a design perspective.

re: The bumper list of Windows 7 secrets

stimshady — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:04:12 GMT

i LOVE the new taskbar!! it's great... loads more options. I agree with @techfan, i think you (Paul) should learn to love it too!

@de Silentio - good tip there, i can use the scroll wheel on my mouse to act as the middle button which does the same :)