Web Forum: Internet news

Nov 6 2009 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFTER months of build-up Windows 7 is now available to buy in the shops, but should you take the plunge?

The critics say this is the best version of Windows for years. Windows XP, first released in 2001, suffered security and stability problems.

Its replacement, Windows Vista, didn’t fix them all and introduced new problems of its own.

Finally, though, Windows 7 appears to have sorted everything out.

It’s fast, much more secure and comes with a selection of sexy new features.

The Windows desktop is now much simpler than before and the Start bar contains tiny thumbnail views of minimised windows.

And to keep the desktop free of clutter, it’s now easier to deal with document windows – drag one to the top of the screen to maximise it or to one side to make it fill just half the screen.

And here’s our favourite – click and hold on a window and shake it around and all the other open windows will disappear, automatically minimised so that you can concentrate on the work that needs doing.

Processes such as connecting to a wi-fi network or adding a new printer have been simplified and slimmed down. It’s all a breath of fresh air compared to the niggling, frustrating Windows of old.

So if you can afford it, if your computer will support it and if you want to spend more time using your computer than looking after it, I’d say Windows 7 is well worth buying.

Prices range from £60 for the basic Home Premium version to £170 for the Ultimate alternative.

FACEBOOK AFTERLIFE

What happens to your stuff on the web when you die? The team at Facebook have come up with an interesting solution. They’ve decided to allow memorial accounts. The deceased’s Facebook account will only be visible to friends and family. Their photos will remain and their wall left open for people to leave messages of remembrance. It’s a new idea and no-one knows if it will work, but it’s good to see somebody trying.

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