Windows 7: "Groovy" - but Looks Good Anyway

"First Look: Windows 7 Shapes Up as Microsoft's Best OS Yet"
Gadget Lab, Wired (August 14, 2009)

"Good news, everyone! If you've been stuck in a time loop using Windows XP, which is nearing eight years old, or Windows Vista, which is just annoying, you can finally break free: Windows 7 is almost here. Microsoft delivers a slickly designed, vastly improved OS that will warp you to the world of today. This upgrade is big, and it's hugely recommended for Microsoft users.

"When we say big, we mean really BIG — so we're not going to bombard you with an epic overview covering every single aspect. Rather, today we’ll guide you through an early look at some major new features and enhancements we tested in the almost-final version released last week. And in the weeks leading up to the Oct. 22 launch of Windows 7, we’ll continue posting our impressions, testing more features of the OS on various types of hardware.

"We'll start with interface, move on to performance and usability, and then we'll conclude with the 'funner' stuff. Let's begin exploring, shall we?..."

To the credit of the writer, this article stops short of saying that Windows 7 is the best thing since sliced bread. On the other hand, you'll find words and phrases like "groovy" and "kind of lame" in the article. Apart from that, though, it's the bee's knees and the cat's meow.

I don't think I'm a purist, but I prefer that phrases from another era 23-skidoo from a final draft: unless there's a reason for using 'period' phrases. Like, you know, calling software 'far out, man.'

Back to the Article

The article's headings are "Revamped Interface With Improved Presentation", "Performance and Usability" " 'Funner' Stuff" and "More to Come".

The Wired article is fairly brief, and is the first of a series.

Judging from this sample, it'll be worth following the rest of this review of Windows 7. Provided that you plan to use it, or are thinking of doing so. My son has pre-ordered Windows 7 - getting it at half-price - and has been quite impressed with it. He's been working with the beta version.

The improved performance impressed me. What I don't know is whether I'd need a more powerful computer than the one I've got to take advantage of Windows 7. My experience from computers of decades gone by is that putting a 'new and improved' operating system in an existing machine can result in unexpected consequences.

Still, Windows 7 sounds "groovy".