Technically Speaking

Technology changes everyday, much like people (even if they dislike change).  Sure there are routines that everyone has, get up –> brush teeth –> breakfast –> work –> home –> etc, but there are things that cause people to change and see change all the time.

My wife and I took a crack at the Flat Belly Diet (and are still on again off again in process).  The first four days, which are to be the hardest as they allow the fewest calories per day and the least amount of wiggle room per participant, are pretty brutal.  The intent being to reduce bloating and such (similar to the reason some Linux and other open sourcers don’t like Windows – bloat).

The diet will continue, although I have gone slightly off the wagon and had subway for lunch, and I am sure once we use the recipes included, it won’t be so bad.

My point in going into this detail about the diet that seems to be from hell is that I had to be willing to try it to know if it was good or bad.  Same thing is true of new opportunities, no matter where they appear.

When Microsoft pushes Windows 7 to general availability there will be companies small and large waiting near the shelf to get their hands on it.  Some are after it already using MVLS and adoption is beginning already.  Users may want to change or be proponents of change when sitting in a meeting discussing possibilities, but when the time comes to move them to Windows 7 the song may not remain the same.

How will they know if they like Windows 7 or not unless they try it?  They won’t, but mass upgrade over the weekend and first use on a Monday is not quite what I had in mind.

My advice to all those out there looking to jump ship from XP (or Vista) to Windows 7 would be pilot groups.  For example, I have an old laptop that we use for meetings and presentations that needs to be flattened and just retuned.  I was considering going with XP and being up and running today, but decided I would put Windows 7 business on it and use it as the beginning demo.  This way some of the users of the computer might inquire about it and volunteer to pilot. 

I am not going to hold my breath about volunteers as that is tough to get, but the hope exists that maybe being in the early adopter camp will help with change in other areas in my company.

How is your organization planning to deal with the change coming when upgrading to Windows 7?

The Windows 7 RTM has finally made it to a web server near you.  For some.  TechNet Plus and MSDN Subscribers can go out and get the bits for the latest complete Windows Operating System Right Now!

The general availability date is still October 22, which is when the box copies and all things Windows 7 will be available to everyone who might want them. 

If you have the subscription(s) and access to the bits, Windows 7 is very worth it (and I am still on RC).  Go out there and get the bits, you’ll be glad you did.

I am looking forward to getting this installed and starting fresh very soon.  I would be interested to see how the final release works for you.  Let me know in the comments.

So the scheduled goal provided at Tech Ed 2009 in Los Angeles last month of Holiday 2009 shipment for Windows 7 is more than doable, or at least that’s the latest info leaked form announced by Microsoft.

October 22 2009 is the date Microsoft wants the new OS to be out in the wild for customers to purchase either in a box or on a box.

This should be a good plan for consumers and IT shops everywhere, OEM boxes shipping just in time for the 2010 budgeting season (at least where I work). 

As much as I am looking forward to Windows 7 being on every desktop imaginable (and even some Macs) I have to wonder just how many businesses will make the jump to Win 7 and how many will hold off based on the fun we all had with Windows Vista (or didn’t have).

I am going to push very hard to pilot Windows 7 in my organization and hopefully build enough user adoption to quickly show the benefits and begin a rollout.

Features like

Problem steps recorder – the screen capture tool for end users

Direct Access – access to corporate resources without a VPN from any connection

Better resource usage -  better memory management and longer lasting hardware

These are all reasons that Windows 7 will be good for business.  Pilot with a small group of users from all over the spectrum, those who love, like, and loathe technology to get a feeling for what supporting 7 will entail.  I think it will be a good experience for everyone.

Click here for more details from the Windows 7 team blog.

Booting from virtual hard disks (VHDs) can save time in both provisioning and operational costs, but how do you boot from a VHD?  In this article at Experts-Exchange.com I cover the boot from VHD scenario with Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2.