SimpleClix Studio

When we design websites, it’s always interesting to know how the web browsers perform. According to a “lab research”, we found out that Windows 7 RTM really enhanced a lot comparing to Windows Vista. However, it still can’t beat its “elder brother” Windows XP, especially when with XP SP3. According to this index, on average testing for web browsers, XP SP3 is 13% faster than Windows 7 RTM and 29% faster than Windows Vista SP2. The gap between Microsoft’s new system and XP is obviously smaller, but will some day they can win the battle with the competitor that was born in 2001?

On the other hand, it’s not surprised that Microsoft’s two latest internet browsers, IE 7 and IE8, are the two slowest browsers, on their OWN platforms. Overall in all these, Google Chrome, in version 2 or 3, have the best performance in all 3 systems.

(Source: http://www.winandmac.com/news/7-seems-improved-windows-web-browsers-are-tested-under-windows-7-vista-and-xp/)

Walt Mossberg released an official chart on upgrade to Windows 7 yesterday and here it is for those who is planning to upgrade to the Seven.

All of the others, denoted by blue boxes, will require what Microsoft calls a “Custom Install,” also known as a “clean install” — a procedure Microsoft doesn’t even refer to as an “upgrade.” For most average, non-techie consumers whose PCs have a single hard disk, that will require a tedious, painful process with the following steps: temporarily relocating your personal files to an external drive or other computer, wiping your hard drive clean, then installing Windows 7, then moving your personal files back, then re-installing all of your programs from their original disks or download files, then reinstalling all of their updates and patches that may have been issued since the original installation files were released.

Microsoft will provide a free “Easy Transfer” program to assist in this process, but this software won’t transfer your programs, only your personal files and settings.

http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/20090804/deciphering-windows-7-upgrades-the-official-chart/

I think it’s not a big deal to transfer personal files, but if we need to install all the programs again, that’s a bit troublesome. According to Walt, MS will provide a free software to help, but you will need to completely re-install all the softwares.

Just got this email today. Seems like the Windows 7 final version is coming very soon. At the mean time, I can tell you that I received a final debug version of Snow Leopard as well. However, due tho the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) agreement, I couldn’t post it here. We will see a big combat between Windows and Macintosh this October probably. Nice job Microsoft and Apple!

Windows 7 Release Candidate Announcement

Thank you very much for your help in testing the Windows 7 Beta. Your feedback is invaluable in helping make Windows 7 a high quality operating system. With your help, we have reached the next major milestone on the journey to Windows 7: the Release Candidate (RC).

It looks like microsoft will be launching a markus fenix gears of war version of the 120gb zune. It is due to release on the same launch date as the video game. Pictures are to come!

Once in a while, you may have to repair your Windows due to system file corruptions. Windows repair is useful in some cases where you are stuck in a login loop or you receive some error messages at startup. Windows repair is done by booting from the Windows installation disc and choosing Repair after the installation process searches for existing OS on your hard drive.

IE Shortcut Duplicates IE Shortcut

However, after repairing Windows, you may experience difficulty starting up Internet Explorer from the shortcut icon on the desktop. When you double click on it, it will simply creates another shortcut icon instead of launching Internet Explorer. This problem is probably due to the installation of different version of IE during the repair process. Before the repair, you may have already updated your IE to version 7. When you repair Windows, it is IE 6 that overwrites it. This will give you the problem mentioned above.

To resolve this, you can manually download Internet Explorer 7 from Microsoft’s website and reinstall it. Once it’s done, you should be able to fire up Internet Explorer from you desktop again. You can download Internet Explorer from the link below:

Download Internet Explorer 7

We’ve got the picture to confirm that there will be a Microsoft Zune coming out in Blue. For us Canadians, it is said that the Blue Zune will go exclusive to Best Buy Canada. Specs are pretty much the same as the 2nd Gen Zune coming in 8GB.

Blue 8GB Zune

Today, it’s not hard to see this “Google Chrome” on most IT websites. Well, if you have not yet taken a look, click this site:

Google Chrome, Google? Browser Project

My first thought was, OH NO. Does that mean as a web designer, I have to take care of one more browser since tomorrow? Right now, Microsoft’s IE has 79% of the market, FF 12%, Apple’s Safari 6% and Opera 3%. Chrome is said to be the browser that Google pushes out to fight against Microsoft’s IE. Will that happen? Who knows. There is no doubt that Google is very successful online; but, don’t forget Google has failed a lot too.

When I took a deeper look at the brief descriptions and the comic of Google Chrome. I found the interface very interesting as well as some unique features.

I will definitely try it out when Google releases this new baby for the digital world.