7 Ways Windows 7 Will Change Your Life
Are you a MAC or a PC? Are reading this list you’ll surely be a PC:
1. Get Productive
Get things done quicker and easier with new features like HomeGroup, Jump Lists, the all new TaskBar, and reduced interruptions from those pesky Windows Update pop-up boxes. Jump Lists are a quick way to access files you’ve recently used, just right-click any icon in your taskbar. Jump Lists help you access what you need quick but HomeGroup will surely save you hours of time espeially if you have multiple computers in your home. Essentially HomeGroup is sharing files across the PCs and other devices (like printers or scanners) just as if they all shared the same hard drive. To only will it be easier to print from any computer with HomeGroups you won’t have to worry about an external hard drive or searching through multiple computers for what you need. 2. Embrace the Cool Factor
Many of the interface features that have many people in love with Apple products are coming to Windows 7. Not only is there a large Task Bar (mentioned above) you’ll also fall in love with Windows Touch which is like your iPod Touch or iPhone but larger.
Need I say more?
3. Create Ambiance
Okay not exactly HGTV but you can create an ambiance with Windows 7 by using your media (audio, video, or images) and literally stream them to any device in you home using Windows Media Player. You can also use Microsoft’s cool new ‘Play To’ feature to select what device you want music to play to. Say I am on my laptop listening to one of my playlists on shuffle and…”Oh snap that’s my…” you know you gotta play it louder than those little laptop speakers will go, just select ‘Play To’ and select the device (your home entertainment system or XBox360 for instance). I’m sure you can see how this will not only change your life but your whole experience on your PC, by far the best feature from the new release.
4. Keep your Browsing Activity Private
In Private browsing is a cool new feature that allows you turn off any record of your browsing history from Internet Explorer 8. You can access it form the security settings within the browser and it can be turned on and off easily. While the video on Microsoft’s site uses the example of someone looking for a birthday gift I imagine many people will want to hide more than just that.
5. Clear The Desktop
f there are too many windows on the desktop, you can clear it by shaking a window from left to right and all others will minimize. To restore the other windows you have to shake the active one again. Sweet.
6. Web Searches From Your Desktop
Windows 7 lets you search for online resources, by adding a connector that can be downloaded for free. A great example is using the Flickr Connector (if can be downloaded here) to give you the ability to see Flickr Search in your searches folder. This can all be done from your desktop without going to Flickr’s site at all.
7. Your Browsing Experience Beefed-up
nternet Explorer has a slew of new features including In-private browsing which I mentioned above. Two more features you won’t want to overlook are Web Slices and Accelerators. Web Slices are and easy way to track information, instead of subscribing to an RSS feed of an item you’d like to track you can create a Web Slice. When that item is updated you’ll see it in your Favorites Bar. Accelerators make it easy to use various web services like mapping. If you were to highlight a street address on the web from within Internet Explorer all you’d need to do is right click and the Live Maps Accelerator will show a map preview of the address right there. Other Accelerators include e-mailing, blogging, searching, translating, sharing information, even Facebook and Ebay.
If by now you’re itching to get you hands on a copy of Windows 7 it isn’t exactly out yet but you can get the release candidate (think beta) here. Be sure to back-up you PC first kids!
