Windows 7 experiences

I have been a fan of Apple Mac OS ( both Tiger and Leopard) ever since I got my first Macbook. Back then, the only other computer I used was my trusty Windows Vista laptop that I lugged around for work all over the country (as my job as a management consultant).

When I first used Vista, I was amazed at how things just worked. There was no random bloat ware out of the box with the Mac. It came with just the kind of programs I needed. Ironically, the only program I bought was a copy of Microsoft Office 97 for Mac; for all its good looks, I still needed to do some work, every now and then on my shiny little machine.

Then I started business school at Columbia. And they needed Windows OS – to run a number of business apps. I had the option of installing Windows on my Mac – but I decided against it; contaminating my Macbook with Windows was not something I was willing to do – and got myself an HP Pavilion laptop with Vista on it.

Wont spend time or real estate talking about how I hated Vista – there are a number of forums about it on the internet – and yes, I hated it.

And then Windows 7 came out – and the reason for my post. You know, for a business user like me, an OS should be just that – an OS. It should work, be stable, boot up and shut down fast and most importantly, stay in the background when it needs to. Also, at times, I do decide to manage my music and my photos on the computer, it should offer me intuitive programs and a pleasant look and feel.

Which, to Windows Vista was apparently too much. And then I got Windows 7.

I have used it for about a month now. And its been nothing but an absolute pleasure to use. I hesitate when I say this, but almost as much pleasure as Leopard. As a matter of fact, the taskbar previews, windows resizing and some aspects of file management like Libraries are so much better than Leopard. And, its pleasing to the eye. Very pleasing. I love the concept of the Theme (though the Windows page could have some more themes).

I still need to discover all of its new features. But I did want to put something out there. For those who are in two minds to upgrade, go for it. For Vista users, it is entirely worth it – just for the stability.

Expect updates as and when I have time and I use it a little bit more. But for now, highly recommended.

Climate Change and global politics

So, with China now unilaterally committing to a 40% reduction in emissions in conjunction with President Obama’s intent of going to Copenhagen with hard emission cut proposals for the the United States, India is facing heat to comply.

The foreign office and the environment ministry seem caught a little unawares – and there are different proclamations from different parts of the government, as is often wont of any Indian government.

The author feels that its a good thing – its something the Indian government has to come terms to – that we live in a very networked world and such actions need to have a little more foresight than Indian governments are typically used to.

Most importantly, its time the Indian political class came to terms with the fact that global warming, if left uncontrolled will have much more catastrophic implications for India ( with its low and receding water tables and huge population) than a number of other countries.

That being said, it is difficult not being sympathetic to the BRIC objections to binding emission controls. Per Capita emissions of the United States and the rest of the western world is significantly higher than that of India, China and Brazil. And the western world has primarily been responsible for all the damage to the environment.

However, this being the only planet we have – solutions need to be worked out. This could include technology transfer from the west, credit markets being made available for re-tooling that would be inevitably required in India’s (and China’s and Brazil’s) industries and energy sources.

Readers of the forum are aware that the author is not a big fan of the authoritarian Chinese government – however, for a nation so dependant on heavy industries and export to commit to unilateral emission control is commendable.

And finally, before we all get carried away, the very next day, there was a report on how India, China and Brazil have decided to stage a common walkout of Copenhagen in the event that the Western countries tried to push their agenda through (which, unfortunately, they have been all too guilty off, just too many times; just that they cant get away with it anymore).

Lets hope that sanity prevails. For the sake of the Earth. And all of us.

Updating after a while

Haven’t had time to update the blog for a while now. With the constant travel to Denver and the exhausting level of work and then school to boot every other week, just have had no breathing space, let alone any kind of writer’s inspiration.

So today, heading back home from 25 B, thought this might be as good a time as any to write. The Blackberry helps – no booting of the laptop and a keyboard that actually conducive to typing. Am in love with the little device.

Have nothing specific to update here. Normally, I would use this forum to talk and write about things I felt strongly about. Now a days, I rarely feel strongly about anything at all. Probably because I don’t think about what’s going on in the world, technology trends or political events that much anymore. It will come back. After the MBA is done. But for now, nothing much to report at all.

On the passion of my life – wireless technologies, nothing specific to report. Was in India recently. Startled by the number of wireless operators we have now. And because spectrum in India is handed out by regional circles, there are a ton of regional operators. With the urban market fairly saturated and the rural markets only producing marginal ARPU – it is difficult to see how massive consolidation in the industry is not imminent.

In the US, finally ATT is getting it from all quarters about the quality of their voice and data coverage. The latest to fire that salvo is Verizon Wireless – with a series of advertisements comparing their data coverage and services.

Anyways, enough for today. Cheerio!