Windows 7 Beta

Started using the new Beta for Windows 7 yesterday. Though it is too early to form an opinion about this latest release by Microsoft, I have to admit that I am certainly impressed by the wow factor of the OS. Particularly of note is absence of the sidebar, with the move of gadgets to the main desktop. I find that more to my liking as in Vista my gadgets littered the desktop and the sidebar felt kind of useless.

Another interesting change is the revised taskbar. I find it very organic or quiet. Its very compressed and utilitarian in approach. Haven’t had time to try out the Media Center features and see how it works with the Media Extender in my Xbox but I am enjoying the changes to Windows Media Player. The Media Player, though not as cool as the Zune player is still fresh in its approach. Much appreciated is the inclusion of codecs for Xvid, x264 etc. Still had to install CCCP for some of my more obscure videos to work but it was nice to see that kind of support finally make it into Windows my default.

I hope to try out the simplified media sharing and networking soon but other than that, so far so good.

Overall, this is feels like major step in a very right direction by Microsoft.