Windows 7 Language: A global approach

Since its anticipation Microsoft has always targeted for global customer base. Achieving such a goal is not an easy task. You have to put a lot of efforts to manage the Global Customer. The most prominent topic is to localized Windows 7 Language into different languages used across the world. Building global software is a team work.

Fonts

Language and writing are at the core of any culture and thus support for fonts is essential to supporting international users. Windows 7 Language have wide range and quality of fonts it has added fifty more fonts in it.
Windows 7 will be the first version of Windows to ship with more fonts for non-Latin scripts than for Latin-based scripts. One major area of improvement is for the languages of India.

Its always tricky to amend any change in fonts because of backwards compatibility issues. For example, if a character changes width or position, it may cause existing documents to reflow (repaginate), which is unacceptable.

Therefore after creating any change in font, its essential to run extensive verification tests against the changes to ensure the font metrics and other tables are unchanged. The font team worked closely with the international application compatibility team to ensure that changes we made did not affect the order of glyphs within the font, thus providing backward compatibility.

The Definitive Windows 7 vs Vista Performance Comparison

The official launch of Windows 7 is upon us, and there has never been so much hype for a new Microsoft OS since XP was first revealed. To most people, Vista is either a complete piece of junk, or a necessary evil, although I think that is somewhat unfair. To me, Vista is an improvement over XP in every conceivable way, and I really can’t think of any good reason for someone to be using XP in the last 3 years. Many people do though, and Microsoft wasted no time in working on a replacement for Vista.

The result of dozens of hours of benchmarking and over a hundred charts will answer quite a few questions:

1) If performance is improved, will it be due to improved multitasking and/or multithreading?
2) Can users of old systems (and single-threaded Netbooks) expect a performance increase as well?
3) Will gaming improve on an older CPU with a newer graphics card?
4) Will any gaming improvements be related to driver software (Nvidia vs AMD)?

And probably a lot more!

The system specs were as follows:

Core i7 965 Athlon II X2 550 Athlon 64 3000+
Motherboard Intel DX58SO (X58, DDR3) Asus M3A78-T (790GX, DDR2) Asus M3A78-T (790GX, DDR2)
Memory 4GB Corsair Dominator
DDR3-1333 @ 7-7-7-20 4GB OCZ Blade
DDR2-1066 @ 5-5-5-18 4GB OCZ Blade
DDR2-1066 @ 5-5-5-18
Video Card ATI Radeon HD4890 1GB, Catalyst 9.8
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB, Forceware 190.38
Audio Disabled
HDD Hitachi DeskStar 250GB 7200 RPM SATAII (reviewed here)
OS Windows 7 Ultimate Edition x64 RTM
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition x64 SP2

All benchmarks will be shown in this order: Core i7 (red), Athlon II (orange), Athlon 64 (blue). You can hover each image if you lose track (sorry, I’m not used to posting 3 sets of data in my articles, and the charts aren’t labelled optimally).

Windows Xp vs Vista vs 7

Windows is without a doubt the most popular operating system out there today. With the release of Windows 7 just around the corner I thought why not compare all three operating systems to each other.

I’ll start off with the specs of my system for you.
CPU: Intel Q9650 (3ghz)
RAM: 8gigs OCZ Fatal1ty PC2-6400
Motherboard: EVGA NF-680i
Video Card: Sparkle Nvidia GTX260 (896mb ram) –Main Monitor 22” 1680×1050 Res
Video Card2: EVGA 8600GTS (for PhysX)
Video Card2: ECS Nvidia GTS250 –Dual 20” 1680×1050 Res
The operating systems are:
Vista Ultimate 64bit
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Windows XP 32bit
We’ll start the testing off with Crystalmark 2004R3

I like to use Crystalmark because it basically tests all aspects of the system and then also gives you an overall Mark or Score for your system that you can then compare to others.

Processor Cache and Memory
Benchmark the processors’ caches and memory access (transfer speed).

Results Interpretation:
Cache/Memory Bandwidth (MB/s) – higher results are better, i.e. faster memory bandwidth.

Speed Factor (MB/s) – lower results are better, i.e. less difference between processor cache speed and memory speed.

Combined Index: is a composite figure representing the overall performance rating of the entire Cache-Memory performance in terms of MB/s. The value is the logarithmic average of all the results for the entire address space. (Higher is better, i.e. better performance)

Multi-Core Efficiency
Benchmark the multi-core efficiency of the processors.

The ability of the cores to process data blocks and pass them to another core for processing (producer-consumer paradigm) of different sizes and different chain sizes is measured. The efficiency of the inter-connect between cores is thus benchmarked; however, the number of cores (and processors) also counts as more data buffers can be processed simultaneously (aka "in flight").

Windows 7 review: like Vista, but good

The first thing you'll notice about Windows 7 is that it looks like Vista. It also works like Vista, in the sense that it has the same plumbing underneath, except for a very welcome graphics upgrade to DX11. However, it works much better than Vista, and most of Vista's annoyances have either been removed, or (mostly) can be changed so the system works the way you like. It takes personalisation to extremes.

Sharing is an important part of Windows 7. It has a HomeGroup feature that makes it very easy to set up a home network and share things. It only works with Windows 7 machines, which I expect will sell a few family packs of Windows 7 (three copies of Home Premium for £149.99).

Right-click a photo, for example, select Share, and this gives you four options: Nobody, HomeGroup (Read), HomeGroup (Read/Write) and Specific People. "Plays to" lets you display a video, for example, on a different PC.

If you dig into Windows 7 you will, of course, find numerous relics from the past, going right back through Windows 95 to DOS.

There are lots of inconsistencies that still need cleaning up.

Windows 7 is a long way from being perfect, and it's not an essential upgrade if you're happy with XP. But nor is there a real reason to avoid it. Windows 7 is simply the best version of Windows you can get.

Windows 7 It’s like Vista, only less annoying

Today, Microsoft will start official downloads of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. It's the last-planned release of Windows 7 before Microsoft sends the polished code to OEMs and starts boxing up the bits as product.

Installation was smooth on a Dell M1330 laptop loaned by Microsoft for Windows 7 testing. So it should be - this machine has 3GB RAM - but a common complaint in Windows Vista's early days was that even powerful machines became slow and unresponsive. Windows 7 really is faster. For example, a post on Microsoft's Engineering Windows 7 blog explains how synchronous calls in the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) can cause "a frozen desktop anywhere from 100msec to several seconds".

A better Vista: welcome to Windows 7

Jump Lists, which appear when you right-click a taskbar icon, are now more useful because more applications support them. Control Panel, for example, now has ten jump list shortcuts.

An online ID links your windows account with an online provider, which currently means Windows Live but could be extended. You can then stream media over the Internet to roaming home group members. Spotify strikes me as easier and more reliable.

Under the Hood, Windows 7 is Vistas's twin

At Microsoft's recent Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles, the air crackled with anticipation. On the heels of Vista, arguably the biggest disaster in Microsoft's history, Windows 7 was about to be revealed. A blast of fanfare, and Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie took the stage to pull the wraps off the new desktop operating system--which would deliver better performance, an improved user experience, and some nifty media-sharing features. The crowd salivated at the chance to play with Microsoft's latest and greatest.

Note: For a look at some of PC World's Windows 7 coverage to date, see:

•"A Tour of Windows 7 Beta" (video)
•"Windows 7 First Look: A Big Fix for Vista"
•"OS X Snow Leopard vs. Windows 7"
•"Microsoft Redefines the OS: Azure and Windows 7 Explained"
•"Microsoft Plans a Stripped-Down Windows 7"
As Windows desktop blogger for InfoWorld (a sister publication of PC World), I was drooling, too. When I got my hands on the Windows 7 "pre-beta," distributed right there at the show, I immediately installed it and began running tests. For PC World, I did an analysis of the changes (or lack of them) that consumers might see. For a deeper dive into my Windows 7 tests, check out Windows 7 unmasked on the InfoWorld site. The more I dug into Windows 7, the more I became convinced that I was dealing with an OS that was a slightly tweaked, nearly baked revision of Windows Vista.

Bottom line: So far, Windows 7 looks, behaves, and performs almost exactly like Windows Vista. And it breaks all sorts of things that used to work just fine under Vista. In other words, Microsoft's follow-up to its most unpopular OS release since Windows Me threatens to deliver zero measurable performance benefits while introducing new and potentially crippling compatibility issues.

In fact, the kernel in each major new version of the Windows OS has spawned a different, typically higher number of threads. So when I examined Windows 7 and found a nearly identical thread count (97 to 100) for the System process, I knew right away that I was dealing with a minor point-type of release, as opposed to a major update or rewrite.

Windows 7 beta 1 performance - How does the OS compare to Vista and XP?

How does Windows 7 beta 1 compare to Vista and XP in terms of performance? That’s a question that’s been hitting my inbox regularly over the past few weeks. Let’s see if we can’t answer it!

Important note: Before I go any further I feel I need to make a point, and make it clear. The build I’m testing of Windows 7 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) is a beta build, and as a rule beta builds are usually more geared towards stability than performance. That said, the performance of this build should give us a clue as to how the OS is coming along.

Rather than publish a series of benchmark results for the three operating systems (something which Microsoft frowns upon for beta builds, not to mention the fact that the final numbers only really matter for the release candidate and RTM builds), I’ve decided to put Windows 7, Vista and XP head-to-head in a series of real-world tests to find out which OS comes out top.

The tests

There are 23 tests in all, most of which are self explanatory:

1.Install OS - Time it takes to install the OS
2.Boot up - Average boot time to usable desktop
3.Shut down - Average shut down time
4.Move 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another
5.Move 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another
6.Network transfer 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device
7.Network transfer 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device
8.Move 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
9.Move 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file
10.Network transfer 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
11.Network transfer 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file
12.Compress 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
13.Compress 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
14.Extract 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
15.Extract 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression
16.Install Office 2007 - Ultimate version, from DVD
17.Open 10 page Word doc - Text only
18.Open 100 page Word doc - Text and images only
19.Open simple Excel doc - Basic formatting
20.Open complex Excel doc - Including formula and charts
21.Burn DVD - Win 7 beta 1 .ISO to disc using CDBurnerXP
22.Open 10 page PDF - Text only, using latest Adobe Reader 8
23.Open 100 page PDF - Text and images, using latest Adobe Reader 8
These series of tests will pitch Windows 7 build 7000 32-bit against Windows Vista SP1 32-bit and Windows XP SP3 32-bit. The scoring for each of the tests is simple. The winning OS scores 1, the runner up 2 and the loser scores a 3. The scores are added up and the OS with the lowest score at the end wins.

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

Windows 7 Guide- 5 Tricks You Must Know

If you belive that you know everything about Windows 7 then think twice. Windows 7 is latest operating system there are still few things that you must know to enhance your knowledge.

Pin your folder to Windows 7 Taskbar: Most of the users want to access folders quickly on desktop. In Windows 7 users can add the computer menu as a folder on the taskbar for the quickest access to their folders.

● In order to add a folder to the taskbar, just right-click on the taskbar and choose the Toolbars menu, and then click on New Toolbar.

● Locate the folder that you want. Now you can see your folder right there on the taskbar.

How to Prevent Windows update from automatically restarting your Windows 7 computer?: As we all know that Windows always prompts to restart computer whenever it detects any changes. There's a couple of ways that we can this behavior. However, you'll still get the prompts, but it won't force you to shut down or restart.

● Open up regedit.exe through the start menu search box or run dialog, and navigate down to the following key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

● Create a new 32-bit DWORD value named NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and give it a value of 1 to prevent automatic reboot while users are logged on. Delete the value to put things back to the way they were.

How to Log On Automatically in Windows 7?: If you are the only single person using your computer at home or office, then save your precious time while login. There is one way to make sure that Windows doesn't prompt you for a password when you log on.

● Type in netplwiz into the start menu search box, press Enter.

● On next screen uncheck the box that says "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer", and then hit Apply. You'll see a username and password box. Enter in the appropriate information here and click OK.

Turn on Remote Desktop on Windows 7 computer: This tool is not available with all editions of Windows 7. By default, you can access it if you have Windows 7 Ultimate, Pro, or Business editions.

STEP 1: You can either right-click the Computer icon and choose properties, or you can type in system into the start menu search box, and then find the entry for System.

STEP 2: Click the Remote Settings link and enable this option.

Add an additional clock: Windows 7 provides a new feature that allows you to set different time zones on a single computer. You can add one or two additional clocks to the Windows Taskbar. It would help you while contacting people, who stay in different cities or countries.

Steps to perform this task:

1. Click on the Taskbar clock and click “Change date and time settings”

2. On Next screen click the “Additional Clocks” tab.

3. Click “Show this clock” next to the first clock.

4. Next, click on the “Select time zone” pull-down to choose the desired time zone for the clock.

5. Next, “Enter display name”, give a name for your clock that will appear when you navigate your mouse over the Taskbar clock or click the Taskbar clock to show the larger clocks.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the second clock if you wish to add a second clock to the Windows 7 Taskbar.

7. Click “OK” to close the dialog box.