Richard Urban said:
For the "average" user I would not recommend using Windows 7 RC. Until it
is released for sale it is to be considered a temporary operating system.
The "average" user will plow ahead, regardless of his computer being able
to utilize Windows 7.
The "average" user (I have 3 very adult brothers who are in this group)
would not be able to handle returning their system to either Windows XP,
Windows 2000 or Windows Vista. I can see them all losing their personal
files in trying.
Come June 1, 2010 they would panic and my phone would be ringing off the
hook.
When, and if, the average person decides they want to make an investment,
both time and money, that is the time for them to upgrade to Windows 7 or
buy a new computer that comes with.
Remember, the "average" user (and some very advanced users) know nothing
about backups or imaging techniques - either yours or mine. They are not,
and will not be prepared to possibly roll back or restore their computer
come 06/01/2010.
I have already gotten 2 calls from people who hosed their computers and
are facing big problems.
I am just suggesting that we not use a blanket statement and suggest
people install Windows 7. Doing so may end up being as irresponsible as
telling users to install Linux to solve their problems.
--
Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience
________________________
I have another slant than Richard. On the plus side for the user, and I've
tested this thoroughly in every build with features that are under the hood
and will be obvious, as has Richard, Win 7 is faster and its most valuable
behavior for the average user although it may not be a charismatic
advertising premise for end users, is that it is considerably more CPU
stable than Vista. That means, more programs can run, including more memory
intensive programs, and more browser windows can be open without memory
leak which is palpable at a certain point in Vista. It has a recovery
mechanism for IE pages that crash, although people getting interim builds
may be getting a more bug prone IE than IE actually has gotten to at this
point, and they aren't allowed to download a "separate IE" right now.
MSFT wants people like Richard's brothers to checkout Win 7, Report Bugs and
Problems and Suggestions about it, and wants badly to know their upgrade
experience from Vista. They have plenty of data from TAP, MVPs and Tech
Beta. The reason they swing wide are to get reaction representing their end
user audiences as well as to get the public aware of the new OS.
MSFT is going out of its way, to me, to make learning materials available
for Win 7, if you compare Vista at this point in time, and even on its
first download page are tabs for backing up, installing etc. that Richard's
brothers could easily follow.
Some links people might find helpful for resources for Win 7 if they are
interested in using RC1 and providing feedback:
Download, FAQ, How to Install, How to Backup
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx
FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/faq.aspx
Download Now
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-rc-32/enus/
Installation Instructions
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-rc-32/enus/
Release Notes Win 7 RC1
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/dd367847.aspx?ITPID=carepgm
PKs
https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-rc-32/enus/
How to Backup a PC
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/pc-backup.aspx
IT Pro Download and Resources
http://technet.microsoft.com/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc
Technet Springboard
http://technet.microsoft.com/windows/dd361745.aspx?ITPID=carepgm
Windows Team Blog
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/MainFeed.aspx
Engineering Win 7 (Blog by Different Teams and Steve Sinofsky)
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/
CH