Windows 7 Review

I have been a active user of Windows 7 for more than three months now(both at work and home). Here is my (a humble novice user's) review about it.

Likes

1. Awesome Aero themes
   Once I installed windows 7 on my personal laptop, this was the first feature which caught my eye. With superb built in wallpapers, automatic wall paper change and multiple wallpaper support; I almost instantly fell in love with it! Even though it took me some time to get to know about all the new options in themes.
2. Searchable start menus
   I do not know if this feature was copied from an open source tool called "Launchy" but as far as I know this feature is a true helper for regular windows users. I had been using Launchy in my XP box which provided decent interface and start menu searchability options. Since the launch of win 7, Launchy is off my list of must install applications. :)
3. Boot time
   Within a few days of installed the OS this was the next feature I started noticing. My machine was starting in remarkable 45 to 80 seconds, I do not know if this is because I had very minimal applications installed on my machine, I always prefer going for portable apps in case its available rather than getting it installed on my laptop.
4. Windows Media player
   I still remember in my college days I always used a thing called "Winamp" for playing mp3s. The main reason for using winamp was its playlist management and equalizer options. Winamp has now become a blotted elephant and takes a heck of a time to start. Now that all these features are available in media player right out of the box with exceptional quality, my personal preference right now is media player. I loved excellent sound and video playback capabilities. Its simply mind blowing! I know that media player does not support all codecs but its fantastic with what it can play. Anyway we have VLC for whatever it can't play :)
5. Inline expansion of start menu items
   Start menu directories no more open up in separate dialogs, which is clumsy and not user friendly incase start menu has lots of installed applications. Instead they now open up inline saving lots of space on screen there by increasing user convenience.

Dislikes

1. Start and Task menu bar
   I do not know why, but Microsoft doesn't want move away from this silly button called "Start" button. I think its time to move on and find something impressive. I guess giving more options for customizing start menu and task bar makes more sense.
2. Internet explorer
   Even though internet explorer now sports new look and supports multiple tabs, it doesn't impress me with what either Chrome or Firefox provides in terms of speed and extensions. AFIK writing extensions for IE is simply pain in ass! :)

Will post more if I find anything.