Re: Should I upgrade to Windows 7?

**Acreo Aeneas** · 08-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

It's kinda funny how many of Nathrael's arguments apply to Linux.

Yep, got quite a chuckle reading your reply.

In that case, I'll consider Windows 7 for my rig then depending on which version my school's MSNDAA is going to offer. Otherwise, if it's going to be Business (like with Vista), I'll see what I can scramble for the OEM copy of Windows 7.

Thanks for all of your feedback guys.

**FooFighter** · 08-12-2009, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

It's kinda funny how many of Nathrael's arguments apply to Linux.

Oh? Well, I've yet to hear about a Linux distribution that is almost guaranteed to become part of a botnet if you don't install third-party-software, or that allows commercial software to phone home via stealth exceptions to your firewall. I don't know about any distro prone to crashes either - and NO Linux distro prevents you from using the files on your hard disk. Compability...haha.

The only of my arguments that also applies to Linux (as a whole) is comfort. Using a Linux distro *is* more complicated than using Windows, that's true, and it's likely also the main reason why Linux isn't really a mainstream desktop OS yet. I'm not saying that there aren't things you can criticize about Linux, but research your facts if you do so.

Shame on me for taking the bait.

**Dick Blonov** · 08-12-2009, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Nathrael

Using a Linux distro *is* more complicated than using Windows, that's true, and it's likely also the main reason why Linux isn't really a mainstream desktop OS yet.[/SIZE]

XP FTW!

(I'm such a tease)

DB

**Acreo Aeneas** · 08-12-2009, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dick Blonov

XP FTW!

(I'm such a tease)

DB

I'm glad I belong to three of those markets: XP, Vista, and Linux.

**Hurtz** · 08-12-2009, 06:49 PM

I've been using Windows 7 RC for a few weeks now and I really like it. There are still driver compatibility issues at the moment specifically with the sound drivers. I had a hard time getting my xfi titanium card working over SPDIF. Finally found a modded driver for it and it's working now. I use the onboard sound for comms and couldn't find any driver that worked for that until I found another 3rd party beta driver. Once it gets closer to release we should have fully working windows 7 driver from most manufactures. Beside these sound issues I've had windows 7 seems a lot more stable then vista ever did and the games seem to have a little more resouces available and run smoother.

**ScratchMonkey** · 08-15-2009, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Nathrael

Shame on me for taking the bait.

I'm guessing someone told you how much I "hate" Linux?

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/hardwar...tml#post730647

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/hardwar...tml#post983915

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/sandbox...standards.html

**Greyed** · 08-15-2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

It's kinda funny how many of Nathrael's arguments apply to Linux.

Which arguments, those for XP or against Vista?

TBH the only thing keeping any flavor of Windows on my machine are the games. The only reason I am eying Win7 is because I now have a 64bit machine and if I max out its RAM XP can't address it all.

However one of these days I'm going to perform a test. I'm going to drop 64bit KUbuntu 9.04 (or 9.10 since it is coming up), throw VirtualBox v3.x PEUL on it, load up XP inside VB and see how well their DX support works. Sounds like a 'round about way of doing it but if games are the only reason Windows remains on my PC and if said games will run acceptably in a VB Guest at near native speeds (which on my rig means no difference) then why not shift the paradigm and just keep a gaming VM around and make the 64bit hop to a free and open OS?

**ScratchMonkey** · 08-15-2009, 09:46 AM

I have to run some flavor of Windows because I develop on it. Has anyone used Visual Studio in a Linux VM? This would actually be a win if it works well, as I'll soon be doing some embedded Linux development and having a native Linux system would be nice. Although I could also just install 2 new drives in the system, put Win7 on one, and some Linux distro on the other. (My current Vista drive would get mounted in an external carrier for safe-keeping.)

The other problem with VMs is, as you mention, DirectX support. I'm playing mostly WoW and some very old games, so I currently don't need the latest DirectX features. I do wish OpenGL would catch up and pass DirectX. (Even though it's something of a misnomer to think of it as "open". Linux can implement OpenGL only through a loophole in the license, ie. not officially using the OpenGL brand name.)

**Greyed** · 08-15-2009, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

I have to run some flavor of Windows because I develop on it. Has anyone used Visual Studio in a Linux VM?

To the guest the host shouldn't matter. If you want to see how Visual Studio reacts to the guest OS go nab VirtualBox PEUL for a Windows Host, make a Windows VM and try it out. If it works there, it will work on the Linux side as well (barring the random bug, of course)

This would actually be a win if it works well, as I'll soon be doing some embedded Linux development and having a native Linux system would be nice. Although I could also just install 2 new drives in the system, put Win7 on one, and some Linux distro on the other. (My current Vista drive would get mounted in an external carrier for safe-keeping.)

Or do what I did about a decade ago. 2 partitions. One Windows, one Linux. Both have the virtualizing software. At the time it was VMWare but VirtualBox would be my choice now. Boot into Windows, open a guest that boots the Linux partition. Boot into Linux, have a guest that boots the Windows partition. No matter which OS I booted I had direct access to both. And that was on a PIII-667 w/256Mb RAM. Today's multi-Gb, multi-core, paravirtualizing machines make that a dream.

The other problem with VMs is, as you mention, DirectX support. I'm playing mostly WoW and some very old games, so I currently don't need the latest DirectX features. I do wish OpenGL would catch up and pass DirectX.

Eh, even if it did most devs wouldn't switch to it. iD was the only major developer that really pushed OpenGL when it was head and shoulders above DirectX. Now with so much inertia behind it I just don't see it happening. Which is sad.

But as I said, VBox has DirectX support fur the Guest OS now, not just OpenGL. I haven't tested on this machine (that's for tomorrow) but other reports are putting it at near native speeds.

(Even though it's something of a misnomer to think of it as "open". Linux can implement OpenGL only through a loophole in the license, ie. not officially using the OpenGL brand name.)

Er, wha now? The only restriction is the use of the logo. Not the name, the logo. Even then open source projects are given a free license to use the logo if they so choose. This is less restrictive than Mozilla's license on the Firefox brand and I doubt anyone would call Firefox anything but open source.

http://www.sgi.com/products/software...l/license.html

**ScratchMonkey** · 08-18-2009, 10:16 AM

Now I can't find where I'd read the issue with the term "open". I did find this change in the license, but it doesn't seem to match the issue I'd read about:

http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/148339

**snooggums** · 08-18-2009, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Greyed

TBH the only thing keeping any flavor of Windows on my machine are the games. The only reason I am eying Win7 is because I now have a 64bit machine and if I max out its RAM XP can't address it all.

However one of these days I'm going to perform a test. I'm going to drop 64bit KUbuntu 9.04 (or 9.10 since it is coming up), throw VirtualBox v3.x PEUL on it, load up XP inside VB and see how well their DX support works. Sounds like a 'round about way of doing it but if games are the only reason Windows remains on my PC and if said games will run acceptably in a VB Guest at near native speeds (which on my rig means no difference) then why not shift the paradigm and just keep a gaming VM around and make the 64bit hop to a free and open OS?

Sounds like you need to find a copy of XP64 Professional: "Windows XP x64 is limited to 128 GB of physical memory and 8 terabytes of virtual memory per process". I've had it for several years and had no driver issues other than HP printer drivers which still error out on a regular XP Professional install anyway.

**Polska** · 08-18-2009, 03:15 PM

I am personally not making the switch. I have had no problems with Vista for 2 years. Been using Win 7 for a couple months, and while I like it, it is not a huge departure from Vista, at least not enough for me to shell out cash for the upgrade. If I score a free copy (like I did with Vista) I will not hesitate to switch. Otherwise staying with Vista.

**Reaperassault** · 08-18-2009, 03:26 PM

although I don't like it all that much because of some minor details this is a pretty decent reworking of the superbar for XP and Vista

http://lee-soft.com/viglance/

just needs more polishing in my opinion

**Acreo Aeneas** · 09-15-2009, 01:07 AM

Reviving my thread...

Okay, so now that DePaul has Windows 7 Professional (both x86 and x64), I'm really wanting to upgrade this week. I'll be backing up some important files to my backup HDD before I do so.

So with that said, am I to assume with the OEM version I will only be able to perform a clean install and not upgrade?

Also what programs or games would I not expect to work on Win7 currently?

To name a few of what I have:
- Office 2007
- Photoshop CS3, CS4
- After Effects CS3
- Flash Professional CS3
- Autodesk Maya 9
- Firefox 3.5.3
- Chrome
- Opera 10 Beta 2
- Exact Audio Copy
- VLC Media Player
- ImgBurn
- InfraRecorder
- MediaMonkey
- Battlefield 2142
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, Vegas
- Grand Theft Auto IV
- Sins of a Solar Empire
- ArmA 1
- Skype
- Ventrilo
- Teamspeak

**jmaker** · 09-15-2009, 08:35 AM

Your games should all work fine. As for apps I'm pretty sure they also should run ok. If they ran fine on Vista, they should run fine on Win 7.

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