Meanwhile, Long Zheng has compiled a list of new style “Totally My Idea” Windows ads. They’re still very unnerving to me, almost as unnerving as those personal launch party ads we wrote about.

Anyway, what’s with Windows 7? Is it any good?

There’s a resounding “Yes”, but it’s sort of deafeningly silent. Windows 7 RC has been on the web, downloadable for sooo long and even a month or two ago, enclosed in freebie DVDs that come with mags. It can run inside a .vhd so we didn’t even need to hack our partitions or creak out the Virtualisation Machine to give it a try. It just ran, it just worked. It’s even worked on 512Mb PCs. Check the Upgrade Advisor.

Word Veteran Woody Leonhard (is he still sunning himself in Thailand?) wrote on the pros and cons of switching to Windows 7 in the regular Windows Secrets that “Windows 7 is easier on the eyes”. And it is. I first noticed it in the V thing (sshussh, don’t mention the V word!) – finally those spanking new slim, energy efficient LCD monitors now have something to shine for – Windows 7 in screen rendition of fonts, icons, everything, looks heaps sharper and clearer for those baby boomer, multi-focal-wearing eyes.

“Hew Mech Is It?”, you say? Well, uh, not cheap. Did you expect it to be? C’mon! This is Microsoft, not some pansy Linux holding hands in a circle party. RRP is AUD 199 for Home Premium Upgrade, AUD 399 for Pro Upgrade. Hanging out for Ultimate? What comes in that box again? Uh. Like the previous V Ultimate? Uh. Ok.

But you can take the attitude of “Ve don’t pay RRP”. There are several approaches.

New machines usually have discounted OEM Windows, at lower than RRP price. And with the global financial crisis (one retailer staffer was heard saying that notebooks and stuff was so un-exciting compared to say, digital cameras, mobile phones and GPS units) and the urge by Notebook companies to fill volume, you might even get a good deal on last year’s model notebook, with free Windows 7 upgrade option at a bargain.

There’s the student and teacher option. Staff at Australian Universities and TAFEs who have a university email address can buy a downloadable Windows 7 (optionally with CD) for AUD 49.95 (extra for the CD) from It’s Not Cheating – a Digital River online shopping cart selling Microsoft product.

And then, there’s the Technet and MSDN subscriptions.

Just don’t expect to get Windows 7 RRP for the Aussie equivalent of 399 yuan – oh wait, the Google conversion says that is AUD 63…. Wonder what the European price will be? Knowing them, they would want to pay more and be spanked as well by taking out the big blue E from the pack.

Anyways, if you’re one of those who’re already converted, maybe you can just relax and get some Very Bright kids to whip up something for you using that mysterious thing called the Windows API Code Pack for Microsoft .NET Framework. And tell them not to dwadle and hurry up. I mean, if they don’t hurry up Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 will be upon us.

For bits and pieces on Windows 7 as we find out, keep an eye on our Forum – the kind regulars are always there to help.