Windows 7 - Versions

From Home Basic to Ultimate

Windows 7 will be available in six versions, in reality for most users it will be a choice of two and those with any sense just one. My reasoning being that Home Premium is the version that offers the best deal and the pricier Ultimate offers so few extras that buying Home Premium and, if you wish, manually add the missing extras; namely BitLocker Drive Encryption.

The six Windows 7 versions are:

• Windows 7 Home Basic
• Windows 7 Starter
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Enterprise
• Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows Home Basic

Home Basic is not intended for Microsoft’s main markets therefore it will only be available in countries that come under the underdeveloped category.

Windows 7 Starter

At the bottom end of the Windows 7 spectrum that will be available is Windows 7 Starter, which, to my knowledge will be pre-installed on Netbooks and appear on some low-end computers.

What you get is the basic Windows 7 interface minus the good bits. The ‘good bits’ being the Aero and preview effects which will be covered in detail later. It does include such features as the Action Center, Windows Search, Windows Firewall, Windows Media Player (not Windows Media Center), Windows Gadgets and the usual games and accessories (Paint, WordPad Etc.). Unless you buy a Netbook with Windows 7 pre-installed you can place it safely on the ‘don’t touch with a barge-pole’ list. The unnecessary restrictions on things like changing the desktop image and the absence of the visual effects make it unattractive.

Windows 7 Home Premium

Have a good look at Windows Home Premium because for the next few years this is what you are going to be using. I will cover the features included with Windows 7 Home Premium and other versions in the next post.

Windows 7 Professional

If you need to handle up to 192 gigabytes of ram (in 64 bit version) as opposed to 16 gigabytes and you also need a virtual PC that runs Window XP (licensed version of Windows XP service pack 3 included) for the remaining compatibility issues that will linger, then Windows 7 Professional is for you. Network backup and EFS (Encrypting File System) support are also included.

Windows 7 Enterprise

Like Windows 7 Home Basic there is not much to be said about a product that will not be available. Windows 7 Enterprise contains all the features of Windows 7 Ultimate but is aimed at Microsoft’s corporate customers and is not available for purchase by individuals.

Windows 7 Ultimate

Top of the range is Windows 7 Ultimate which will contain all Windows 7 components, including BitLocker Drive Encryption is the choice for someone who has to have everything. Unfortunately for those who have to have everything is that the ‘everything’ not included in Windows 7 Home Premium can be downloaded from third party software makers.

Try them all

When you buy a Windows 7 disc (any version) and try to install it, it will install the version you bought, obvious really. But if you like playing around with things like that then you will discover that all versions are contained on the disc. To access the other versions and try the 30 day trials for them you need to rip the disc and delete the ei.cfg file. After creating an ISO image (minus the deleted file) and burning it to a new disc the next time you insert the disc there will be a ‘Select the operating system you want to install’ screen showing all versions except Windows 7 Enterprise.

Windows 7

Windows 7 - 30 day trial (or more?)

October 22 is the release date for Windows 7 and, although I have used the Release Candidate (Evaluation Copy) Build 7100 for some months now, it was my intention to start the 30 day trial period of the RTM version in the run-up to the release date.

Sometime last week a story appeared on the web about a bug in Windows 7 which allows you to extend the 30 day trial period, or as Microsoft call it 'Rearm' it, for another 30 days. The process can be repeated three times in all giving four months (approximately) or 120 days of free use before deciding to buy.

At the moment there are no actual discs available for Windows 7, only downloads, but when they do become available, regardless of which version you buy, you will have access to all versions including a 30 day trial period to try it.

To get the extension to the trial period is simple and is already in built into the system. I would not advise experimenting with it until it is close to expiring because it will reset the clock on the trial regardless of how many days left you have.

The easiest way to check how long is left on the trial is to right-click on Computer from the Start menu and select Properties. At the bottom of the page is Windows activation showing the number of days left before activation is needed.

The Bug

The thing I like about 'The Bug' is that it was built into the system by Microsoft so it is not some hack or crack found on a forum that could screw up your system and/or complicate your license agreement.

Before reaching the end of your trial period (Windows 7 any version) go to the Start menu and in Accessories right-click on the Command Prompt selecting 'Run as administrator'. In the Command Prompt type 'slmgr -rearm' (without quotes) and hit Return. Restart windows and check the properties page which will now show 30 days before activation is required.

Windows Software Licensing Management Tool

Usage: slmgr.vbs [MachineName [User Password]]

MachineName: Name of remote machine (default is local machine)

User: Account with required privilege on remote machine

Password: password for previous account

Global Options:

/ipk

Install product key (replaces existing key)

/ato [Activation ID]

Activate Windows

/dli [Activation ID | All]

Display license information (default: current license)

/dlv [Activation ID | All]

Display detailed license information (default: current license)

/xpr [Activation ID]

Expiration date for current license state

Avanced Options

/cpky

Clear product key from the registry (prevents diclosure attacks)

/ilc

Install license

/rilc

Re-install system license files

/rearm

Reset the licensing status of the machine

/upk [Activation ID]

Uninstall product key

/dti [Activation ID]

Display Intallation ID for offline activation

/atp [Activation ID]

Activate product with user-provided Confirmation ID

Volume Licensing: Key Management Service (KMS) Client Options

/skms [Activation ID] [Activation ID]

Set the name and/or the port for the KMS computer this machine will use. IPv6 address must be specified in the format [hostname]:port

/ckms [Activation ID]

Clear name of KMS computer used (sets the port to the default)

/skhc

Enable KMS host caching

/ckhc

Disable KMS host caching

Volume Licensing: Token-based Activation Options:

/lil

List installed Token-based Activation Issuance Licenses

/ril

Remove installed Token-based Activation Issuance License

/ctao

Clear Token-based Activation Only flag (default)

/stao

Set Token-based Activation Only flag

/ltc

List Token-based Activation Certificates

/fta []

Force Token-based Activation

Volume Licensing: Key Management Service (KMS) Options

/sprt

Set TCP port KMS will use to communicate with clients

/sai

Set interval (minutes) for unactivated clients to attempt KMS connection. The activation interval must be between 15 minutes (min) and 30 days (max) although the default (2 hours) is recommended.

/sri

Set renewal interval (minutes) for activated clients to attempt KMS connection. The renewal interval must be between 15 minutes (min) and 30 days (max) although the default (7 days) is recommended.

/sdns

Enable DNS publishing by KMS (default)

/cdns

Disable DNS publishing by KMS

/spri

Set KMS priority to normal (default)

/cpri

Set KMS priority to low

Office 2010 - Office Tools

Office Tools 2010

• Digital Certificate for VBA Projects
• Microsoft Clip Organiser
• Microsoft Office Language Preferences
• Microsoft Office Picture Manager
• Microsoft Office Send-a-Smile
• Microsoft Office Synchronisation Center

Digital Certificate for VBA Projects

“Microsoft® maintains a list of trusted third-party commercial certificate authorities to enable secure and usable e-commerce for Microsoft® Windows® users. These certificate authorities validate the identity and entitlement of an applicant, and as an output of this process, issue the applicant a digital certificate.

Digital certificates can be used to prove the identity of a remote person or resource, since not all certificate authorities follow the same operational practices. Microsoft uses an independent third-party audit (WebTrust for Certificate Authorities) along with other technical requirements to ensure our customers are have access to trustworthy CAs.

For information on Microsoft Root Certificate Program requirements, see the Microsoft TechNet Web site.”

Microsoft Office Language Preferences

Microsoft Clip Organiser

Microsoft Office Picture Manager

Microsoft Office Send-a-Smile

Microsoft Office Send-a-Frown

Feedback is always a great thing to have though I’m not sure where the Send-a-Smile & Send-a-Frown are leading. I mean imagine being assigned to the Send-a-Frown desk! I suppose our first ‘Frown’ to Microsoft will be; if MS-Paint and Word Pad (in Windows 7) can have Ribbons then why not the Clip Organiser and Picture Manager in Office 2010? As for sending a ‘Smile’ I think I’ll reserve judgment until I see the pricing of Office 2010.

Microsoft Office Synchronisation Center

Thanks to Gleanie for letting me use her photo.

SharePoint Workspace 2010

SharePoint Workspace (Groove)

SharePoint Workspace (successor to Groove 2007) is Microsoft’s collaboration application for individuals and groups to share project information. The collaborative areas are called Workspaces that allow automatic synchronisation from anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Microsoft acquired Groove Networks in 2005 which had been originally developed by the creator of Lotus Notes Ray Ozzie.

You're either invited to join a Workspace or you invite.

After setting up your account the program starts with the Launchbar, an interface from which to launch Workspaces. The two Tabs on the Launchbar are:

Home:

• Workspaces
• Actions

View:

• View

The Workspace Tabs and their Groups are:

Home:

• New
• Clipboard
• Documents
• Track
• Go To

Workspace:

• Tools
• Invite
• Communicate

View:

• Show/Hide
• Sort
• Arrange
• Window

I call it the Office Button, some are calling it Backstage (Either way it’s the old File Menu).

The Office (SharePoint Workspace) Button

Info

New

Print

Share

SharePoint Workspace Options

Groove Options (That's what they're called!)

General:

General options for working with SharePoint Workspace.

• User Interface Options
• SharePoint Workspace Options

Language:

Set the Office Language Preferences.

• Choose editing languages
• Choose display and Help languages

Customise Ribbon:

Customise the Ribbon.

• Choose commands from:
• Customise the Ribbon:
• New Tab
• New Group
• Rename
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Quick Access Toolbar:

Customise the Quick Access Toolbar.

• Choose commands from:
• Customise Quick Access Toolbar:
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Trust Center:

Help keep your documents safe and your computer secure and healthy.

• Protecting your privacy
• Security & more
• Microsoft SharePoint Workspace Trust Center
• Trust Center Settings

Windows 7

Widows 7 - Promo video

As a Windows 7 user, for some time now, I will be covering it either on this page or on another page closer to its release date (22 October).

Web Browsers, continued...

Google Chrome

The Google Chrome Web Browser was September 2008 in beta version. Of the five main browsers in use it is fourth on the table of most popular browsers, Internet Explorer being first and Opera last. Its share of the market is just under 2% compared with Microsoft’s share of 65%. When I see Google Chrome using the Vista/Windows 7 Aero effect I wonder if Google deliberately designed it for this platform.

Of all five browsers it looks the most integrated with Windows 7, apart from one significant feature, there’s no thumbnail preview of individual Tabs; missing also in Firefox and Opera, but available in Safari’s ‘Open in Tabs’.

The Google Chrome interface is nothing short of spectacular, especially for someone like me who wants less of everything. Less of everything that gets in the way that is, I do prefer a ‘hands-on’ approach to advanced setting and options, which Google Chrome lacks.

The user interface has nothing more than back, forward, refresh and Favorites buttons, apparently you can add a homepage button too if you really need one. Combining the search box and address bar is unusual at first but, in my opinion, the way to go.

Google announced last week its intention to release the Google Chrome operating system for netbooks. Although they claim it will be an open source project they haven’t released the code yet. Plans are towards the end of 2009.

If Google Chrome were fully integrated with Windows 7 and had a few more advanced setting then I could stop using Internet Explorer altogether. Until now it hasn’t and I didn’t.

Internet Explorer 8

Regardless of who you are, where you are or what you do, everybody has used Internet Explorer. Since taking over from Netscape Navigator in the mid-90’s it established itself, even controversially, has The Browser with at least 95% usage during its version 5 and 6 days.

The security vulnerabilities that affect all browsers tend to affect Internet Explorer more for the simple fact that it is more widely used so makers of adware, spyware and viruses will have a larger target if they aim specifically at Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer 8 is slightly slower than other browsers, but we’re talking milliseconds and its integration with Windows 7 (Release Candidate) makes it a must for windows users. There are plans to release a version of Windows 7 (possibly called Windows 7 EU) with no browser?! This is due to the E.U.’s anti-trust regulations and continuing cases between Microsoft and the Opera makers.

It is my understanding that the manufacturers of new computers will be able to pre-install any browser they choose with Windows 7. If you live in Norway then the chances are your new pc will probably come with Opera pre-installed which originates from, let me think... Oh yes, Norway.

I have no way of accurately measuring my browser use in percentages, if I was to make a guess I’d say about 70-30 between Internet Explorer 8 and Google Chrome, though, that may vary due to odd facts like CNN’s live pop-up window is resizable in Google Chrome whilst not with Internet Explorer 8. I have to say that having discovered Safari’s nine news pages simultaneously, which made me laugh when I discovered it, its share could grow from a percentage close to zero to a ‘bit’.

Office 2010 - The Movie

Trailer for Office 2010

I try and keep the contents of this page original and first hand. That said, I know my limitations when it comes to video! The official trailer site here.

Office 2010 - Publisher II

Office Publisher 2010

To demonstrate how Publisher 2010 works I’ve decided to take a piece of text of three short paragraphs in length, use a landscape page layout with three columns. Half of the last column will be used for an image and the top of the first two columns will contain a title. The problem to be resolved is to fit the text perfectly into the remaining space.

The text I will use it taken from the Microsoft Security Essentials home page. There are several reasons for returning to the page (it’s the same page used in PowerPoint IV). Firstly, the program, when it is released, will be free so there is no issue with advertising it. Secondly, the page has lived its short life, it appeared on June 23 to launch the limited (I think it was 75,000 downloads) beta version which in turn was limited to 3 specific countries. And lastly, I have the page bookmarked for later reference.

Open Publisher, the program opens on the New Tab from the Office Button. I will use a landscape format but, for now, I will open the Blank A4 (Portrait). Go to the Page Design Tab > Page Setup > Orientation and select Landscape.

Still on the Page Setup Group, click Margins, at the bottom of the list select Custom Margins.

On the Layout Guides select the Grid Guides Tab > Column Guides > Columns and increase the number to 3, leave the Spacing at 0.5cm, Rows at 1 click and close.

We now have thin blue lines (Guides) separating the columns. Select Insert > Text > Draw Text Box. Drawing objects, in this case a text box, between the guides is quick and easy. Place the cursor anywhere near the blue line and the box will snap to the guides. Insert three boxes using the full size of the columns.

Reduce the height of the first two boxes by about 1.5cm using the side ruler has a guide. Shorten the size of the third column by half, leaving a space at the bottom. We now need to connect the boxes so the text will flow from one to the other.

With box one (left) selected, from the Text Box Tools > Format Tab > Linking, click Create Link, click on the Text Box you want to link to (middle). A pointer will appear on the left of the middle box pointing to the box it is linked to, and vice versa. Click on the middle box, to select it and repeat the process linking it to the box to its right. The reason for linking the boxes is that when we paste the text into box one the overflow will appear in boxes two and three.

I will now go back to the Microsoft website, copy the three paragraphs and paste them into text box one. The text has filled column one and part of column two.

Unfortunately, Publisher has used hyphenation (added hyphens "-", on the ends of lines). With the text highlighted go to Text Box Tools > Format > Text > Hyphenation, in the dialogue box deselect 'Automatically hyphenate this story'.

Returning to box one, highlight the heading ‘Collection and use of your personal information’. Change the size and type of font in the Home Tab to Times New Roman, 26pt bold, highlight the rest of the text and change its size to 12pt and justify the text (excluding the heading).

The intention is to fill the third box fully without adding anymore txt. Highlight the ‘W’ from ‘When’, the first letter of the first sentence, Text Box Tools > Format > Typography > Drop Cap. Click Drop Cap > Custom Drop Cap > Dropped > Size of letters: 4. Repeat the process for the first letter of the other two paragraphs changing the Size of letters: 2. Change the font of the three letters, W, E & M to Times New Roman and their colour to Accent 3 from the Scheme colours Home > Font > Font Colour.

With all three paragraphs highlighted, including the heading, go to the Home Tab > Font > Character Spacing > More Spacing. From the dialogue box Character Spacing > Kerning > Use this option to fine-tune the spacing between two characters. Expand: By this amount: 1.6pt (sometimes you have to play around with it until you get the right size). The text will now have filled the third column.

From the Insert Tab add an image, Insert > Illustrations > Picture, drag the image to the space in the bottom right, resizing if necessary. Insert a text box for the title, Insert > Draw Text Box and type in the title. With the title highlighted set the font size to 36pt. In Drawing Tools > Format > Shape Styles choose an appropriate style, in this case Linear Up Gradient - Accent 1.

See how it looks

Office 2010 - Publisher

Office Publisher 2010

Microsoft Office Publisher 2010 is a Desktop Publishing software (DTP). By nature DTPs have always been very expensive and, although Microsoft’s Publisher is well known, it has to be said that it is at the low end of the market, a professional publisher is more likely to use a product like Adobe InDesign (and pay the price, Amazon has just informed me that for a mere £637.76 I can be the proud owner of InDesign CS4).

What Microsoft Office Publisher does is put high quality desktop publishing software in the hands of small businesses and ordinary people producing posters, business cards, newsletters and a countless list of other media (actually the list isn’t endless so I’ll be showing a complete list of Publisher templates later). I won’t be using a template for the example that will follow after an overview of the program.

The Ribbon Tabs and their Groups

Home:

• Clipboard
• Font
• Paragraph
• Styles
• Objects
• Editing

Insert:

• Pages
• Tables
• Illustrations
• Building Blocks
• Text
• Links
• Header & Footer

In Office Publisher 2007, which didn’t have the Ribbon, Design Gallery Objects were/are accessible from the Insert menu, Insert > Design Gallery Object > Design Gallery. Office Publisher 2010, on the Insert Tab, has the Group Building Blocks. The categories of Building Blocks (Design Objects) are:

Building Blocks Library

• Advertisements
• Business Information
• Calendars
• Design Accents
• Page Parts

Page Design:

• Template
• Page Setup
• Layout
• Pages
• Schemes
• Page Background

Mailings:

• Start
• Write & Insert Fields
• Preview Results
• Finish

View:

• Views
• Layout
• Show
• Zoom
• Window

When a Placeholder (textbox) is selected the Drawing Tools and Text Box Tools Format Tabs are available.

Drawing Tools

Format:

• Insert Shapes
• Shape Styles
• Shadow Effects
• 3-D Effects
• Arrange
• Size

Text Box Tools

Format:

• Text
• Alignment
• Linking
• Effects
• Typography

In addition, when a picture is added, the Picture Tools Format Tab is available. Its Groups are:

Picture Tools

Format:

• Adjust
• Swap
• Picture Styles
• Shadow Effects
• Arrange
• Size

The Office (Publisher) Button

Info

The Save As options:

• Publisher Files
• Publisher Template
• Publisher 98 Files
• Publisher 2000 Files
• Unicode Text Files
• PostScript
• PDF
• XPS Document
• Plain Text
• Single File Web Page
• Web Page, Filtered
• Rich Text Format
• Works 6.0 – 9.0
• Word 2007 Macro-enabled Document
• Works 6 – 9 Document
• Word 2007 Document
• Word 97-2003 Document
• GIF Graphics Interchange Format
• JPEG File Interchange Format
• Tag Image File Format
• PNG Portable Network Graphics Format
• Device Independent Bitmap
• Windows Metafile
• Enhanced Metafile

Recent

New

These are the ‘out of the box’ Templates included in Office Publisher 2010:

• Advertisements
• Award Certificates
• Banners
• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Business Forms
• Calendars
• Catalogs
• E-mail
• Envelopes
• Flyers
• Gift Certificates
• Greetings Cards
• Import Word Documents
• Invitation Cards
• Labels
• Letterhead
• Menus
• Newsletters
• Paper Folding Projects
• Postcards
• Programs
• Quick Publications
• Resumes
• Signs With Compliments Cards

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Publisher Options

Options

General:

Change the most Popular options in Publisher.

• Top options for working with Publisher
• Personalise your copy of Microsoft Office

Proofing:

Change how Publisher corrects and formats text.

• AutoCorrect options
• When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs
• When correcting spelling in Publisher

Language:

Set the Office Language Preferences.

• Choose editing languages
• Choose display land Help languages
• Choose ScreenTip Language

Save:

Customise how documents are saved.

• Save documents

Advanced:

Advanced options for working with Publisher.

• Editing options
• Display
• General
• Print

Customise Ribbon:

Customise the Ribbon.

• Choose commands from:
• Customise the Ribbon:
• New Tab
• New Group
• Rename
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Quick Access Toolbar:

Customise the Quick Access Toolbar.

• Choose commands from:
• Quick Access Toolbar:
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Add-Ins:

View and manage Microsoft Office add-ins

• Add-ins

Trust Center:

Help keep your documents safe and your computer secure and healthy.

• Protecting your privacy
• Security & more
• Microsoft Office Publisher Trust CenterTrust Center Settings

Next, Publisher II