Lessfeet

If your still using the Windows XP or Windows 7 RC  (time is running out for the RC – release candidate) you might want to be thinking about installing your Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade that you preordered back in the summer of 2009 for $49. Didn’t catch that deal? I’m sorry.

There are several methods for upgrading. If you’re current using Windows Vista then the upgrade path is obvious. First make a backup of all of your data. While your computer is ON put in the Windows 7 disk. A setup screen will start. Just follow the prompts. Do not install the new OS over the vista install. You’ll want to start over with a clean install. After install is complete get all of the update then activate your Win7 installation. This is the easiest install. If your installing from Windows XP, Windows 7 RC or from a clean hard-drive gets more complicated. Here’s instructions from Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows.

I was discussing last night with someone about upgrading Ubuntu to a new version. I said I did not know much about it because I was alway trying new distros and I never keep a version long enough to upgrade. I also said I thought it was very simple. Just a few clicks and that it is done with little worry that it would break anything. I looked at the Ubuntu instructions for upgrading. It was just as I thought it is all done with no commandline or recompiling the kernel. I don’t know about it breaking stuff. I guess it’s like anything else. Some things could break.

You can setup a dual boot Windows-Ubuntu Linux system  no muss, no fuss. You hardly need any technical skills at all to this with WUBI (Windows Ubuntu Installer). There is a WUBI installer on all Ubuntu Disk but you have to have some skill to create the disk or boot to the disk but you can just download the WUBI directly. Once you have downloaded the executable file just double click on the file inside of Windows and follow the prompts. WUBI will prompt you to restart your computer and take out the disk then you’ll see the computer will ask you what operating system you want to boot. Choose Ubuntu and hit enter. Login and there you have it, Linux. No repartitioning required!  It’s very easy!

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala is here and I’ve only been using it for a few days even though its been out since September. Sorry I’ve been busy with Windows 7. Ubuntu 9.10 is a fantastic operating system. There is everything you could want here. Easy install, nice looking and friendly user interface. It is very easy to install new software from the Ubuntu Software Center. It has a lot of the most popular open source software like Firefox, GIMP and Open Office pre-installed. After install and a brief update I enabled the wireless driver and put in the security key and it worked with no other configuration. This OS makes me wish this was not a Microsoft world.

As you may know there is a new version of Windows (Windows 7) coming out October 22. What you don’t know is there are already books on the subject. One of these is Windows 7 Secrets by Paul Thurrott (co-host of the Windows Weekly poadcast on the TWIT network and creator of the Supersite for Windows). Windows 7 Secrets is one thousand pages of instruction, tip, tricks and (Can you believe it?) secrets. This is a great book for anyone that wants to learn all they can about Windows 7 or anyone who just needs a quick reference book.

Here’s a great Windows 7 tip from Veronica at Techzilla.

It has been reported by ZDNet and Computer World that a multi-licence of Windows 7 upgrade will be available. It can be installed on 3 computers and will cost between $135 and $159.

What Microsoft is doing with Windows 7 is great. The OS is terrific! These deals are good! MS just seems to be heading the right direction. Now if we could just get rid of the crazy activation process.

I’ve heard many rumors about the pricing of the new Window 7 operating system. (Should be released in the fall.) Rumored is anywhere from $49.99 for an upgrade from Windows Vista only and upgrade from XP for $99 which I believe is a fair price. (I believe the price will not be that low.) I have not heard much about non-upgrades till today. ARS Technica has reported that the rumored price for non-upgrades will be $259 for Windows 7 Home Premium. I consider this to be an extraordinary blunder. I may be forced to buy the upgrade because I have so many customers and friends that use Windows but I will continue my campaign for them to use Linux (Ubuntu).

Here are some pretty good Windows Vista video tutorials. I learned some Vista features that I did not know about.