Windows 7 in action: A smarter way to manage windows

Over the past few months, I’ve snapped hundreds of screenshots of the Windows 7 interface, for use in galleries here at ZDNet (like this one and this one) and in Windows 7 Inside Out. But static screenshots don’t do justice to some of the nuances of actually using a feature. So when ZDNet’s crack video production team offered to help me to produce some screencasts, I jumped at the chance.

You’ve no doubt heard about Aero Snap and Aero Shake. Here’s a chance to see these features in action. (Hint: Click the Full Screen button, in the lower right corner, just to the right of the Menu button, to see the most detail.)

I actually remember the first time I saw this feature demonstrated for me. I was immediately impressed with the idea that simple mouse gestures could make window management so much easier. That’s especially important these days, when 20- and 24-inch monitors are commonplace.

In fact, after using Windows 7 for nearly a full year, I have to confess that I’m spoiled by this feature more than any other. When I use a computer running another operating system—Windows Vista, XP, or even OS X—I really miss the ability to maximize and minimize a window with a flick of the mouse or to snap a window into position on the side of the screen.

This is the first of four Windows 7 demos that I’ve done in this series. Look for the next one next week at this time.

Microsoft Windows Users and iYogi Predict a Surge in Tech Support for Windows 7 Upgrades

Survey Shows That Nearly Half of Consumers Think Upgrading to a New Operating System Will Require Technical Assistance

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 16, 2009 -- iYogi, the on-demand tech services company with a unique global delivery model, announced today the results of a consumer poll regarding support concerns and predictions for the upcoming launch of the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. Based on responses from more than 1,000 Windows XP and Windows Vista users, 52 percent think that moving to a new operating system and moving their data is a hassle, suggesting some real frustrations on the near horizon. Nearly half (47 percent) think upgrading to Microsoft Windows 7 may require a call to technical support - potentially causing a huge backlog of support needs, as up to 40 million copies of Windows 7 are expected to be sold in 2009, according to IDC.

"We predict that more than 40 percent of XP users will generate support calls and inquiries globally this year and even more in 2010 as mass adoption kicks in and people face the prospect of dealing with an entirely new interface," said Vishal Dhar, President Marketing & Co-founder of iYogi. "We estimate twice as many support calls for current Windows XP users than Windows Vista users, since Microsoft Windows XP users will require a 'clean' install including migrating applications, settings and drivers--a potentially arduous, time-intensive task."

Additional survey findings reveal:

58 percent of users think they will or may upgrade to Windows 7, an encouraging number considering some of the backlash surrounding Vista

Only 39 percent of users are aware that Windows 7 is launching soon, suggesting an increased flurry of help questions in the coming months as more people become aware of the upgrade options

iYogi has more has more than 90,000 annual subscribers and provides thousands of single incident sessions every day on a 24/7 basis. Its Global Delivery Platform delivers on the highest customer satisfaction benchmarks in the industry and gets smarter with every customer interaction, building a powerful knowledge base that provides unique customer insights on predictive needs to tech support.

ABOUT IYOGI
iYogi is a global on-demand services company that provides personalized computer support for consumers and small businesses in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. iYogi's unique model, including proprietary technology iMantra and highly qualified technicians, is designed to eliminate computer-related stress and keep millions of digitally dependent consumers and small businesses always protected and productive. Only iYogi -- with its proven global expertise delivery model, intelligent customer insight systems, easy-to-use self-help tools and automated PC optimization and computer support services - offers users a simple yet comprehensive path to digital serenity. iYogi has perfected the remote technical support model to overcome the current limitations of in-store, on-site, or call center services to become the fastest growing provider of support in the industry. Major resellers and technology companies are increasingly turning to iYogi to improve customer satisfaction, reduce return rates, and deliver a compelling new-value added offering to customers. For more information on iYogi and a detailed list of technologies supported, visit: www.iyogi.net.

How to Optimize Your Windows Vista

Run a Virus Check

The moment you notice your PC is running slowly, the first thing to do is to check it for viruses and spy-wares. Viruses have a way of slowing down a computer and makes it run slower than it used to.

Defragmentation can be defined as a process that helps reduce the amount of fragmentation in a file system. Fragmentation makes your hard disk do more work than necessary and this can slow down your computer. A Disk Defragmenter is what you need.

A Disk Defragmenter reorganizes fragmented data and place them close together, so that your hard disk can have more space and perform better. Disk Defragmenter can be found on your windows vista help by going to the ”Start icon” of your computer, click on ”All Programs”, open ”Accessories” , then ”System Tools” and finally click on ”Disk Defragmenter”.

Boost your Computer Memory

Use Windows Ready Boost to boost your computer memory. The Windows Ready Boost enables you to use the storage space on detachable devices, such as flash drives, to increase the speed of your computer. This is a preferable way of increasing your PC memory, than opening the computer hardware.

Uninstall software and programs you never use

Do you know that most of the limited trial editions versions of programs you find in your computer when you bought it can slow your computer down? These trials software use up valuable disk space and memory, so if you do not intend to upgrade to a full version of the program or software, it is advisable to uninstall it from your computer to save you more disk space, memory and even processing power.

Clean up your hard disk

If you want to help your computer run faster, you can also remove unimportant files on your hard disk and empty the Recycling Bin by using the Disk Cleanup. Here is a step-by-step instructions on how to do this.

1. First begin by clicking the ”Start icon”, click on ”All Programs”, then ”Accessories”, open ”System Tools”, and then click on ”Disk Cleanup”.

2. You have the option to choose if you want to clean up your personal files only or all the files in the computer.

3. In the Disk Cleanup Options dialog box If the Drive Selection box comes up, choose the hard disk drive that you want to clean up, and then click on ”OK”.

4. Select the Disk Cleanup tab, and click on boxes of the files you want to remove, then click on ”OK”.

5. Finally click on ”Delete files” to confirm total removal of the unwanted files.

Reduce Start-up programs

When you put on your computer, you notice that some programs loads automatically at start-up, these programs take up disk space and waste memory and also slows down the loading power of your PC. Most of these programs are designed by Software manufacturers to load automatically when Windows starts, some of them even run in the background where you can’t see them, and are only designated by their icons on the notification area on the task-bar of your computer screen. So to help your windows vista PC work faster and be more efficient, delete the ones you don’t use often.

Four Reasons to Love Windows Vista

New graphics system
Windows Vista includes a new graphics system for computer support of Aero. Microsoft has done with vector graphics icons and thumbnails in Windows Explorer. Here you see the real images of the photos in a folder in Windows Vista. Image enhancements include the ability to preview your open tasks along the taskbar DVD playback more stable, and the ability to browse a lot of open tasks using the Tab key plus the Windows key.

Built-in search
Included in all editions of Windows Vista operating system support is the integrated search function and labeling. This allows you to create virtual folders content search. Say you're doing a report on mountains; any file that is keyword-enabled to include "mountains" will be grouped into a virtual folder without physically dragging that file to a new location. The downside is that older files (such as upgrading your system from Windows XP or imported data from an earlier version of Windows) will have to be retroactively met tagged be searchable.

New file system
Although the ambitious new WinFS file system was scrapped from the beginning, Microsoft signs on his future within the functionality of Windows Vista. Gone are the backslashes and directory tree structure. Now you can save your favorite searches in virtual format to create ad hoc collections without dragging and dropping files. You can also make public files to share with others.

Gadgets
Perhaps the first feature you'll notice is the new sidebar on the desktop and the three Gadgets default, the Microsoft version of Apple's Widgets. The default gadgets display the current time, photos of the library, and any Internet Explorer 7, RSS subscription, with the option to add more gadgets to meet your needs.