“7 Days to Windows 7,” A NetPass Blog Series Day 1: First Impressions

It’s been said that first impressions are everything. While we as a firm believe it’s more important to judge the whole rather than the individual parts, on the topic of Windows 7, Microsoft’s much anticipated new operating system (OS) set for general release Thursday, October 22, 2009, we tend to agree. Oh sure, there’s plenty more than just a new face here (much of which we’ll touch on over the coming days as part of this series), but since the first thing you’ll see with Windows 7 is, well… what you’ll see, we begin our 7 day series discussing how the Windows 7 visual environment will vary from the current standards – Windows Vista & XP.

It’s important to note that if you are a Windows Vista user, you’re going to recognize much of the Windows 7 environment whereas XP users will notice a few more variances (see figure 1a). On installation, one of the first things we noted was the overall improvements in desktop real estate utilization and task management options.

Let’s talk for a moment about the Windows 7 enhanced taskbar. For those of you unfamiliar with the location of the taskbar, see figure 1b below. Windows 7 displays icon-only taskbar tabs which allows the user to keep more files and programs open without cluttering the taskbar to the point of rendering the purpose of the taskbar (which is to allow quicker access to open files and programs) useless. Users can also “pin” applications to the taskbar as well as “pin” specific documents, files, etc. to a specific application’s “jump list” (discussed later in this post) within the task bar. This makes application and file access even easier. For those of you like us who need access to many files and programs throughout the day, these are all truly welcomed changes.

One of the interface elements we were hoping would be addressed is window management. We were not disappointed. The folks at Microsoft have incorporated some pretty snappy new window management features – not the least of which allows one to drag an open window to the left or right of the screen and dock it 50% which then allows the user to effectively work in a dual-screen environment off one monitor (see figure 2). Let’s say you’re revising a contract from a previous version. In Windows 7, you’ll be able to drag the original to the right or left then start or open the revised version right next to the original enabling side-by-side editing.

Another nifty window management tool new to the Windows environment in 7 is the inclusion of jump lists. Most applications like Word™ already allow users to locate and open recently worked on files via one link somewhere in the main application navigation. Windows 7 takes this concept one step further by making available “jump lists” which can be accessed by right clicking any application icon on the start menu or in the taskbar (see figure 3). This action opens a quick pull-down menu off the application icon featuring a listing of files that have been “pinned” to or recently worked on in that application. This gives the user direct single-click access to a file of interest.

All of the aforementioned feature additions and enhancements make little things like finding files, documents, and applications quicker and easier, and we like that… a lot! But there’s so much more to an operating system than what you see. Tomorrow, Day 2 of our blog series “7 Days to Windows 7” continues where we’ll address what normally is a sensitive topic when discussing Windows products… Software and Hardware Compatibility. So tune in again tomorrow and thanks for visiting http://blog.netpass.com.

NetPass, LLC is an Interactive Advertising and Multimedia Agency located in Central Florida. Information contained in this post has been researched and reported individually by the author. Any statements, opinions, or views expressed herein are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of NetPass, LLC or its ownership. NetPass, LLC is not affiliated with or contracted by Microsoft or any of its affiliates, wholesalers or distributors for the purposes of this series.