So, what about Windows 7 Enterprise?

Midway between Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate is Windows 7 Enterprise (I know, is a lot of similar names). You may think, and rightfully so, that Ultimate is the most appropriate version for your company, but it's actually the Enterprise version that makes the cut. To name a few features: DirectAccess, BranchCache, Federated Search, BitLocker, AppLocker, Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and licensing rights to four virtual operating systems. Last, but not least, a subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA)that can be used to compile and run POSIX applications in Windows. In addition, Windows 7 Ultimate has its drawbacks in the Enterprise like no volume licensing, the inclusion of consumer features, like Media Center, not easily managed using Group Policy and support is limited to only 5 years as opposed to a 10-year support with Windows 7 Enterprise. To know more jump to this page. Also, get a 90-day trial version of Windows 7 Enterprise.

Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)

This is but one of the many nice and useful features of Windows 7. The Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE), which is a new Windows command-line shell designed especially for system administrators. And that's in addition to the Powershell that replaces the old black window console (from the times of DOS). The Windows PowerShell ISE enables IT professionals to develop scripts without installing additional tools. To know more and give it a try yourself visit, for example, this blog entry: Windows PowerShell ISE Color Objects.

iomega StorCenter: nice hardware, poor software performance

How many times did anybody see this or a similar message?!

This is one of those products that overpromise and underdeliver. After trying to make work the iomega StorCenter ix2-200 network storage (that only recently is advertised as "cloud edition") flawlessly for two weeks I quit and returned it for a full refund. To be truthful, it worked but intermittently: sometimes yes, sometimes no. The most common fault was a "network path not found" and that happened both in Windows 7 and Windows Vista systems, let alone the time it took me to make it "discoverable" in my LAN. In other words, the connection between the StorCenter and the computer(s) will always be interrupted in the middle of a backup operation. Let alone all the inconsistencies in the user interface AND the on-screen messages, from the very moment of the installation, where two setup programs start running almost simultaneously (!). Another example is one of the software products included with this NAS system: Retrospect Express edition which has a clumsy interface that is neither Windows, nor Apple, nor Linux. It's a shame that such a beautiful iomega product (hardware-wise) comes with substandard software. My verdict: stay away from this product, at least in Windows Vista and Windows 7 environments. I have plenty of screenshots to prove my point.

Keep your sanity: create a system repair disc

I cannot stress enough the importance of having that magic CD labeled "System Repair Disc" (Windows 7 64-bit, in my case) readily available. This bootable CD will save you a big headache if something goes wrong with your system. Create one right now. Here's how:  click on the Start button (or simply press the Windows key), then type "system repair" and click on "Create a System Repair Disc". You will be asked for your system administrator password if you have UAC enabled (you'd better do). Insert a blank CD and follow the prompts. That's all there is to it. Extremely useful, a lifesaver. The beauty of it is that you can use the same CD to "rescue" another PC, but it has to have the same operating system. Caveat: this repair disc is only for the operating system, not for your data or personal settings. However, it is most likely that your data is safe and what needs fixing is the operating system.

Now my default browser is Internet Explorer 9

Finally, after the release of its final version, a week ago, I decided to make Internet Explorer 9 my default browser. I had dropped almost completely this browser, for Firefox, which I still like, but after sporadically using IE 7 and IE 8 and the previous IE 9 beta versions, and noticing their potential I was just waiting for the RTM version, download it, test it and make my decision. IE 9 is faster, leaner, more secure, full of features, compliant with the latest and, I would say, future Web standards, and definitely a perfect match for Windows 7. Learn more about it and get it here. The other browser I like is Opera, neat and fast, as well.

When your laptop needs a hard drive upgrade

In order to run all the virtual machines I carry in my laptop and to have more space for the host operating system (Windows 7) partition I needed more space so I went from a 320 GB to a 500 GB hard drive and I did everything manually. Obviously I always have partitioned the hard drive, as the best choice for organizing your data, your system and your upgrades. I could have created an image of the partition but instead I decided that re-installing the OS was a better idea, and I was right. My laptop, with the same programs I had before, now boots, runs and shuts down faster. The way Windows 7 was intended to be. Since I always put all my important data (documents, pictures, web sites, development, reference material, logs, etc.) in a single partition (it was A:\ before) other than C:\ I copied through my wired LAN all the data partitions and did not mind about "system images", e-mail profiles, etc. Everything is recreated later without a problem. HARD DRIVE: I went for the Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB, which is not entirely a solid state drive but uses some of this technology, after doing my homework. PARTITIONING: I didn't allow the OS setup disc to take care of partitioning the new hard drive but rather let Seagate DiscWizard, powered by Acronis, take care of the job. Excellent. SYSTEM SETUP: the OS setup disc took care of it. Caveat: even having an OEM setup disc (Dell) I had to reinstall all the drivers and utilities manually. It does not do it for you. That's probably the hardest part. This is my list, first to last, of what you should install once Windows 7 is fired up for the first time in the new hard drive.

RECOMMENDED ORDER (just my suggestion):

1. Dell (or your manufacturer) Wireless driver (Wireless WAN, WWAN)
2. Intel Gigabit and then Intel Centrino  (or the corresponding network devices)
3. NVidia drivers (or corresponding)
4. Go immediately online and install all Windows 7 updates (50, in my case) or if possible go for the SP1 at once
5. Devices and printers (I assigned my PC to download directly from Internet 'realistic' icons and corresponding drivers)
6. Other drivers: touchpad, sensors, etc.
7. Now you are ready to start installing your applications: Office, Adobe CS, Microsoft development tools (which will take care of the .NET Framework), etc.

Your system performance should be by now even better than before with the added bonus of extra hard drive space.

Do you care about your data? Use BitLocker To Go

You probably carry important documents in a USB Flash drive, care-free, assuming it's not likely it could get lost. But when it happens anyone can take hold of your precious documents. Fortunately you can encrypt your flash drive with Windows 7 Bitlocker To Go technology. Nobody except you and whoever knows the password you assign to the encrypted drive can get access to it. There are some caveats, though. In Windows XP and Windows Vista it will have read-only access and if you forget your password and did not create a "recovery key" your only choice is to reformat the flash drive. You can also use it in external storage and certainly in the internal hard drive your system is running on. Watch this very educational video on the subject.  I lost a 4GB flash drive... I learned my lesson.

Service Pack 1: a safer and more reliable Windows 7

Two weeks ago, today, Service Pack 1 RTM (release to manufacturing or final version) for Windows 7 (and for Windows Server 2008 R2) was available to the general public after the beta version had circulated for several months. KB 976932 reported then that "SP1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update." Learn how to get and install SP1 and if you are more into the tech side see the Deployment Guide for both operating systems. I had previously tested the beta version in a Windows 7 Enterprise version running in a virtual machine and was just expecting for this final release to install it in my Windows 7 Ultimate machine. So far, everything all right.