Windows 7
Microsoft have released their Windows 7 Beta and also increased the download cap - that was previously set at 2.5 million.
I've got a copy successfully up and running within a Virtual Machine (Virtual Server 2005 SP1), utilising 1GB RAM and 1 core of an AMD Athlon 4000+ Dual Core CPU. The install process took much less time than the old XP/Server 2003 installs and possibly even quicker than a Vista fresh install.
Once up and running it was very quick to get used to the improved GUI. Though I think there will be usability issues, especially with less able users - such that the taskbar items are now reduced to icons, with popup tooltips. But, Windows 7 is a public beta, with plenty of time to improve prior to an official release. Microsoft promises much better performance (compared to Vista) and has said that Windows 7 should run on lightweight hardware very well, for example Intel's Atom CPU.
Hopefully Windows 7 will take the best bits of Vista and mix them with new features and also what we're used to. One thing I'm already pleased about is that Task Manager now shows both the cached RAM and available RAM - whereas Vista only shows the former and XP (et al) displayed only the latter. Small changes like this save a few seconds of human processing power, as we no longer need to perform simple Maths calculations in our heads.
Personally, I'm looking forward to Windows 7's release, as it'll suit our 2 laptops better than Vista - if the performance improvements are rolled out. Hopefully Microsoft aren't 'dumbing' down Vista though, just to please those who complained about Vista's issues.
If you've grabbed all 2.5GB of the beta and have installed it - let me know what your first impressions are too.
Posted: Monday 12th January 2009, 21:09pm
Categories: Computers and Technology, Links
Tags: beta, microsoft, windows-7
OurWedding2009.co.uk
As you all are probably aware, Anneka and I are finally getting married this year, on Saturday May 16th 2009.
To provide our family and guests with as much information as possible, leading up to the big day - we've made OurWedding2009.co.uk!
The site itself uses classic ASP and Microsoft SQL Server (2008, fwiw) for my own CMS, which I suppose is still a beta, possibly even alpha. Let me know if you come across any issues with the site and what you think of my limited design skills!
Posted: Saturday 10th January 2009, 21:09pm
Categories: Slickhouse, Web
Tags:
I've bitten the bullet and have registered for a Twitter account. After a few hours messing around, I've decided to integrate it into the sidebar - so if you move your eyes slightly to the right, you should spot it!
Let me know if you're on Twitter and I'll start following you (like the sheep that I am). If you're not already on the bandwagon, then jump aboard and let me know what you think.
Posted: Friday 9th January 2009, 21:09pm
Categories: Slickhouse, Web
Tags: twitter
New Years resolutions 2009
Traditionally, the beginning of a New Year involves making a few resolutions that you'll stick to throughout the coming 12 months. Although I don't usually make any, or indeed, stick to New Years resolutions - this time around, I'm coming up with the following:
- Get Married - this is 99% on track, as the venue is booked and plans are well under-way
- Lose the Christmas excess - I tried the gym last year (or was it 2007?), but soon gave up, so I plan to lose weight but without spending money on a membership I won't utilise
- Learn ASP.NET - this is more work related, as we're moving to .NET - but I'm still on the 1st of many chapters
- Stick to no magazines - so far so good, but I did slip up a few months back when Anneka bought me a copy of Top Gear
- Get to grips with IIS7 - I've got a virtual Server 2008 machine up and running, and I use IIS7 at work on Vista, but there's so many new features (compared to 6) to master
- Finish my own CMS - I've completed the framework (in Classic ASP/MS SQL), but have much more to implement - who knows, I may even release it by the end of 2009 as Open Source!
- Build up plenty of savings - even during the current credit crunch, this should be possible
- Complete an XBOX 360 game - as odd as it may sound, I'm yet to play a 360 game from start to finish - as my measly 730 gamer points show
- Release a new web project - not as per my usual (blogs, static sites), but a full on public affair, that others can use in their day-to-day Internet browsing - I have some ideas up my sleeve...
- Eat breakfast - over the Christmas break we had a few, but getting up at 7am and sitting down to breakfast every day, with Anneka and Lily is my aim
Let me know if you've got any resolutions!
Posted: Wednesday 7th January 2009, 21:09pm
Categories: General
Tags: new-years-resolutions
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