Test of Windows Live Functionality.

I got a new hard drive and Windows 7 today. It’s super functional!!

I’ve not got a 500gb drive split between Windows 7, Ubuntu, Arch, Some mystery system I have yet to decide on, and a nice meaty FAT32 partition to hold shared filed between Windows and Linux. The whole thing is like having a new computer. This makes me feel all warm and snugly like installing operating systems back in the 90s.

The program I’m using currently is called Windows Live Writer. I got is as a part of the live essentials, programs that are not included with the computer, but easily downloadable once things are installed. It connects to the blog API in drupal and allows me to write and preview blog posts from my desktop.

I’ve also been playing with Windows Mail, a program also not included, but easy to install. It’s pretty neat as well. Everything looks great, everything is all frosted glass and slick lighting. The preview functions are gorgeous, and the taskbar/startbar is actually excellent. I wasn’t too keen on the pinning function at first, but I’m starting to realize that it provides an excellent way to maximize taskbar use, organize applications, and use quick launch functionality. I tried to use as many Microsoft apps as possible to see what a fresh “Windows Experience” was like. Since I’ve been using XP since 2001, and therefore a proponent of third party and open source programs for a long time and especially during the broadband expansion of computing, it’s been interesting to see Apple advocate this sort of centralized set of programs that everyone needs and that make computing a one stop shop at the Operating System. I’ve been watching Microsoft put this sort of platform together for a few years now, and the end result is pretty fantastic.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Linux, but this is the best Windows yet!