Although, I did enjoy Taskbar Shuffle, I’d be a lying dog if I said I wasn’t a little bit relieved to be able to rid myself of yet another application that has to run at startup. Still, it was a well-designed, well-coded app that served me quite well and I definitely recommend it for Windows XP/Vista users.
What about you? Are there any other applications on which you depend on a daily basis that may become obsolete with Windows 7?
I use Remote Desktop fairly frequently so I couldn’t help but be excited when I heard that Remote Desktop within Windows 7 would soon support dual-screen functionality. That’s a reality now with the new Windows 7 beta. Under the “Display” tab of the initial RDC screen (type “remote” in your start menu and it should be the first result), you’ll find a check box labeled “Use all my monitors for the remote session.”
This really will be a miracle tool and, who knows, perhaps the next version of Windows will allow you to specify which monitors to use (if you’re using more than two) for a remote desktop connection.
In addition, RDC within Windows 7 also supports the functionality that was recently announced for Windows Server 2008 R2: Remote Desktop Services [Bink.nu] including support for the new Remote Desktop Gateway service.
What is the Remote Desktop Gateway? Basically, the port used to create a connection between your computer and a remote computer (port 3389) isn’t as secure as you might think. The Remote Desktop Gateway enables you to use port 443 (SSL) for remote desktop connections coming into your facility.
From the Windows 7 help file on the subject:
A Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) server is a type of gateway that enables authorized users to connect to remote computers on a corporate network from any computer with an Internet connection. RD Gateway uses the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) along with the HTTPS protocol to help create a more secure, encrypted connection.
In earlier versions of Remote Desktop Connection, people couldn’t connect to remote computers across firewalls and network address translators because port 3389—the port used for Remote Desktop connections—is typically blocked to enhance network security. However, an RD Gateway server uses port 443, which transmits data through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) tunnel.
The Bink.nu article to which I linked a few paragraphs ago has a fantastic overview of the new Remote Desktop Services.
[Update] If you’re in the enterprise environment (or even if you’re not) and you’re interested in tinkering with the new Remote Desktop Services functionality, you can download the new Windows Server 2008 beta (also introduced on Friday) or read more about the R2 beta release on Microsoft’s TechNet site. [/update]
If you’ve managed to get your grubby little hands on the recently-launched Windows 7 beta, there’s a good chance you’re pretty anxious to give it a test run. In my opinion, one of the best ways to test is through either Virtual PC or VMWare. If, however, you want to want to test it on genuine hardware but aren’t quite ready to reformat your hard drive, you can always try dual-booting. It’s really pretty easy.
First, you’ll want to create a new partition (research it… know the risks) onto which we would install the new operating system. Then, boot off of the disc as usual and install it onto your new partition (again, know the risks.)
There are a few ways to accomplish that first task… creating a new partition. My preferred method (mainly because it’s easier, not because it’s safer… yeah, I’m one of those people) is using a free utility by the name of EASEUS Partition Manager. Below is a quick video tutorial (no audio so feel free to play immediately) guiding you through the extremely quick process of using EASEUS to create your new partition.
BE SURE TO BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROCESS. I’ve personally used this tool twice with no problems but I’m also using both Mozy and Syncplicity to backup every last bit of my data.
If you can’t see the above video, just follow these directions:
install EASEUS
select an existing partition from which you’d like to take available space; resize said partition
select the new unallocated space and click “create” to create a new partition
name it and then click “apply” to finish (restart is necessary)
That’s it! Less than five steps. Again, you’ll want to make sure your data is backed up before attempting this procedure.
Once we’ve got your new partition, slap the Windows 7 installation disc you’ve created into your CD/DVD tray and restart. Once the installation loads, just tell Windows 7 to install into your newly created partition. A half-hour or more later, Windows 7 will be installed alongside your existing Windows installation.
Upon booting up your PC from here on out, you’ll be greeted with a new boot option from which you can select your new or existing Windows installation.
It’s pretty easy, actually. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a line in the comments and if I’m unable to answer your question, some of the other readers of this site might be able to. Best of luck!
Microsoft, just a short while ago, dropped a press release announcing the availability of the Windows 7 beta program. In the release, Ballmer states that the beta program will open up to the public on Friday and users can download a test version of Microsoft’s next OS at that time. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can allegedly download immediately.
And so it begins…
[Update] I just verified the availability of en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x86_x15-29073.iso on TechNet Plus and I’m downloading now. Looks as though Microsoft’s servers aren’t being hammered just quite yet. (Although, I have to admit, they did a remarkable job keeping everything up-and-running for the Vista beta program.)
Not every new feature in the next release of the Windows operating system will be behind-the-scenes (like those much-needed performanceenhancements that are in the works.) Stephen over at UX Evangelist has been fortunate enough to get his hands on the M3 (Milestone 3) release of the forthcoming Windows release and reports that the old classics, including Paint, WordPad and Calcuator, have been enhanced and sport a fancy new user interface.
As you can see to the left, the Office 2007 Ribbon UI has been added to MSPaint. I’m not seeing too many new options for drawing, editing, etc. but the new interface does make this old program, that we’ve all come to know and love, a little easier to work with. This is the first noteworthy update to Paint’s interface since its release in 1995.
As for WordPad, Stephen offers the following: “Basically, imagine Microsoft taking Office 2007 Word, slimming it down, tweaking the ribbon bar UI a bit, and calling it WordPad.”
Overall, it sounds like these tools will remain pretty simple but it sure will be alot easier to work in them with the new interface.
Got any ideas for software or web apps you'd like us to highlight? Let us know... drop us a tip: fansoftech [at] gmail.com.
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Not every new feature in the next release of the Windows operating system will be behind-the-scenes (like those much-needed 
