Since I have nothing much to post recently, maybe I should turn to tech topics just for a while. This one is for the layman, though, so don't worry about technical jargons and stuff like that.
So recently, I've been completing my father's company website, so it's now around 90% complete. The website can be found here, so if you're interested, give it a spin. If you do encounter problems viewing the site (i.e. page errors, broken links, missing images, etc.), please do tell me. Internet Explorer 6 is definitely not supported. For those who are lazy, here are 3 quick screenshots:
And more recently (just yesterday!) I've taken a little time to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (beta, i.e. testing version) :D For those of you who are not aware, Windows 7 is the next Windows after Windows Vista (yes, it is definitely newer). The upgrade experience was close to seamless, although it took roughly 2 hours (that's long :/))
The general look and feel isn't much difference to Vista. The most noticeable part of it all is probably the new taskbar, and that the sidebar is already gone! D: But fear not - for all your gadgets are still around.
Okay, more screenshots.
Also included in Windows 7 Beta 1 is the "Superbar", a completely revamped version of what we know as the taskbar. Windows from the same program (i.e. multiple Firefox windows) are now grouped as one. As you can see in the screenshot, the Windows Live Messenger windows are grouped as one.
Perhaps the most prominent feature in the new "Superbar" are what Microsoft calls the "Jump Lists". Basically, jump lists are a list of items allowing you to quickly perform tasks. To open the jump lists, just right click on the icon of a running program. The screenshots above shows the jump list of Windows Live Messenger 2009. Also notice how the Messenger icon changes color upon changing my status.
The Start Menu, as always, has also undergone changes. The Start button now appears to have a glistening effect. Jump lists also work well in the Start Menu.
The right click menu on the Desktop has also seen more useful additions.
Customization in Windows 7 has also improved substantially. Windows now gives you the choice to shuffle your wallpaper (for example, every 30 seconds) with a nice subtle fading effect. For Mac and Fedora 10 users, this is nothing new (:
There is also a new Display Settings Control Panel.
You can also tap Windows+P to extend your screen to a projector (very convenient and useful for presentation purposes). There are 4 modes in total.
Also new in Windows 7 is "Aero Peek". It allows you to see items on the desktop without minimizing all the windows (sort of like Windows+D, but better). Aero Peek is activated by moving the mouse cursor to the "Show Desktop" button at the bottom right corner of the screen. Clicking the "Show Desktop" button is equivalent to Windows+D.
Application switching has also improved dramatically. When hovering over thumbnails in the superbar, all other windows are minimized, showing only the highlighted window.
EDIT: There's also a new "Device Stage" on Windows 7, which was able to recognize my phone rather quickly!
Overall, Windows 7 is turning into a rather polished release. This is really "Windows Vista done right". Performance wise, everything just feels much snappier than Windows Vista (as aside, Windows 7 consumes only 500 MB of RAM on startup on my laptop). Hope you have enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing it (:
So recently, I've been completing my father's company website, so it's now around 90% complete. The website can be found here, so if you're interested, give it a spin. If you do encounter problems viewing the site (i.e. page errors, broken links, missing images, etc.), please do tell me. Internet Explorer 6 is definitely not supported. For those who are lazy, here are 3 quick screenshots:
And more recently (just yesterday!) I've taken a little time to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (beta, i.e. testing version) :D For those of you who are not aware, Windows 7 is the next Windows after Windows Vista (yes, it is definitely newer). The upgrade experience was close to seamless, although it took roughly 2 hours (that's long :/))
Windows 7 Beta 1, in its full glory
The general look and feel isn't much difference to Vista. The most noticeable part of it all is probably the new taskbar, and that the sidebar is already gone! D: But fear not - for all your gadgets are still around.
Okay, more screenshots.
Also included in Windows 7 Beta 1 is the "Superbar", a completely revamped version of what we know as the taskbar. Windows from the same program (i.e. multiple Firefox windows) are now grouped as one. As you can see in the screenshot, the Windows Live Messenger windows are grouped as one.
Windows 7 "Jump Lists"
Perhaps the most prominent feature in the new "Superbar" are what Microsoft calls the "Jump Lists". Basically, jump lists are a list of items allowing you to quickly perform tasks. To open the jump lists, just right click on the icon of a running program. The screenshots above shows the jump list of Windows Live Messenger 2009. Also notice how the Messenger icon changes color upon changing my status.
Repolished Start Menu
The Start Menu, as always, has also undergone changes. The Start button now appears to have a glistening effect. Jump lists also work well in the Start Menu.
The right click menu on the Desktop has also seen more useful additions.
Repolished Start Menu
Changes in Personalization
Customization in Windows 7 has also improved substantially. Windows now gives you the choice to shuffle your wallpaper (for example, every 30 seconds) with a nice subtle fading effect. For Mac and Fedora 10 users, this is nothing new (:
There is also a new Display Settings Control Panel.
Projector Options
You can also tap Windows+P to extend your screen to a projector (very convenient and useful for presentation purposes). There are 4 modes in total.
Also new in Windows 7 is "Aero Peek". It allows you to see items on the desktop without minimizing all the windows (sort of like Windows+D, but better). Aero Peek is activated by moving the mouse cursor to the "Show Desktop" button at the bottom right corner of the screen. Clicking the "Show Desktop" button is equivalent to Windows+D.
Application switching has also improved dramatically. When hovering over thumbnails in the superbar, all other windows are minimized, showing only the highlighted window.
EDIT: There's also a new "Device Stage" on Windows 7, which was able to recognize my phone rather quickly!
Overall, Windows 7 is turning into a rather polished release. This is really "Windows Vista done right". Performance wise, everything just feels much snappier than Windows Vista (as aside, Windows 7 consumes only 500 MB of RAM on startup on my laptop). Hope you have enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing it (:
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