3 years had been a long wait for all those who loved Windows. With the introduction of Vista, the invincibility of Microsoft had been under question. Problems over problems, some real, some exaggerated, some overlooked, Vista was a failure of its own beauty and style. Upgrading of computers for an operating system was never ever thought of. Windows XP had made the tech world go for sleekness and style. It had everything one could imagine of and was a sure success. But the discontinuing of XP for a high end OS was never expected by the faithful customers of Microsoft and Linux got the roots firm on ground with this mistake of the former. However, conclusions when kept aside Windows Vista was still popular among users due to the fact that it was an alternative and no other alternative existed. If anyone had bought it during the release, the real trouble of having Vista would be understood. But later it improved a lot.

What’s great of Windows 7?

Aeropeek: When you are juggling with lots of windows at a time, you can select aside the one of your choice and keep all other in outline translucent view. Through the window one can clearly see the desktop.

Aeroshake: Just give a vigorous shake after grabbing the taskbar and all your windows would get minimized.

Aerosnap: Click and drag features cannot be more interesting and useful. Dragging to top would maximize a window. Dragging to one of the sides will make that half fully occupied by the window. Thus you can compare contents in two of the windows. Copy paste would not be easier than this.

Quick display switching: Windows+P and manage how all the windows should appear about.

Modern taskbar: The icon view seems a bit weird but it is good when lots of windows are open and it automatically gets grouped. Now just bring the arrow over the minimized icon and the different windows of the same group can be seen as a thumbshot.

Windows Media Centre: With enhanced features its easier with all bugs removed and sleek look. It extends its support to Xbox and 3^rd party boxes.

Windows Explorer: It is smarter in finding the file types and acts accordingly. Just have a look at the snap of the Windows Explorer window.

Security: You won’t be frequently haunted by security boxes and do not have to press the OK button each time. But security seems not to be on the downside.

Compatibility: It works well with almost any plug in devices and the automatic detection feature is much enhanced.

Hardware specs: The greatest advantage of 7 is not that the hardware requirements are same compared to Vista. But that the functionality is better with the same requirements.

What it is not about?

Install/boot times/ Startup time: It seems similar to Vista. Just as it is, it takes too much time after installing hardware and with lots of media on your hard drive. Complaints of the OS becoming unstable over time have been found, but the start up restore function is beneficial.

Price: Well, it is difficult to decide on which edition and which upgrade you would have to choose. The $120 upgrade from Vista is too much for the disappointment of the unfortunate Vista users. In the long run, it seems better to choose a pre-installed system than selecting the OS alone. The proposed $50 upgrade was never kept up.

	FROM XP / VISTA	FROM WIN7 STARTER	FROM WIN7 HOME PREMIUM	FROM WIN7 PRO	FULL PRICE
HOME PREMIUM	$119.99*	$79.99	N/A	N/A	$199.99
PRO	$199.99	$114.99	$89.99	N/A	$299.99
ULTIMATE	$219.99	$164.99	$139.99	$129.99	$319.99

Internet Explorer: It is still the mess as it is. Who would use it when Firefox, Chrome and Safari are available free over the net. Working over the security is not all, speed is what matters.

App omissions: Moviemaker, Windows Mail, Live Photo gallery are all omitted in this edition. They were not worth for the low end customers, but for those who have been using them it is a great blow.

Control Panel: You open the control panel and see a mess of icons within which you would unable to find what you need. It may be worked upon sooner or later.

Windows Media Player: Though extended codec support has been made part of, it lacks the easiness of KM Player or VLC player.

Networking and Sharing: It is still the old confusing and no novice can get through it easily. One hs to get to the technical aspects and know some of the difficult phrases to get connected to your other home computers and Wifi network.

Surprises: Windows 7, apart from the wallpapers lack any surprises and is a quite-a-good-look OS. Nothing special was introduced and nothing much changed. Moreover, this is what we expect from Microsoft.

Windows Vista had actually brought about a revolution- a revolution in the price of OS. And once increased, it never changes. It has been growing with the Windows 7. But since this has an ‘everything for everybody’ approach, it would be well appreciated. The broad functionality and wide compatibility is all it counts for the success of the 7 Windows.

The laptop business is ever booming. If you want to buy a laptop at low price without compromising on quality, I would surely recommend Dell. Dell hosts in online shop at www.dell.com where from you can select an all new branded laptop.

Select your model: You can very well choose your laptop which may be included in any of these categories- Home & Home Office, Small & Medium Business, Government & Large Business.

Custom built: The most important feature is that you can create a custom made specification for your laptop and check the prices

Compare: This feature allows you to compare all laptops of a series and select your unique model.

Order status: With this facility you can track down your order and assess the status.

Ideastorm: This is the place where you can contribute to improve Dell and I think they are constantly working on it.

It has a pretty good returns policy too, with payment of cost exempting shipping charges. The more detailed information on complete purchase scheme is available at this link. There are also desktops, projector and monitors for you to shop over.

But when I had been searching for a photo of the laptop to be included in this blog I found many a disheartening scenes. There are many pictures of the laptop exploding or catching fire spontaneously. I haven't personally come across any such situations and so the security is in your hands.

Walmart has announced reduction in prices of products progressively, so that shoppers can get the lowest by the Christmas season. Well, according to a recent report from Economizer, you can get the answer to be Yes or No.


Yes, when it comes to the fact that it may be the lowest of the Walmart prices as it has conceded the fact that low prices are what attracts customers to Walmart. You can surely expect some fantastic bargains and deals this holiday season.


But why does Walmart has to publicise it soon enough and give details to all media parties? It is just the marketing trick. It is a fact that other retailers like McMillan, Doolittle etc can beat Walmart prices or at least match them. They actually try to make everything at least $1 cheaper than Walmart.


So the moral behind the story is that someone is just screaming from the roof tops.

Australian online shoppers are pretty aware of and appreciative of emart, their sole online shopping site. A subsidiary of Apex Pacific, it stands tall when it comes to Google search results for various products.

Any merchant to sell products can easily open shops here. It is still easy for the buyers to get the quality products they opt for. It is similar in all ways to the other online shopping giants. But the products would mainly cater Australia and nearby areas though worldwide shipping of individual products are available based on the seller’s discretion. Check it out at emart.com.au

Are you an obsessive shopaholic? Want to ease your tension shopping online. Here is an option without losing your money. Get online and go to one of those cyberlife sites like Secondlife,IMVU, There and get into the shopping spree. Buy anything with all the credits you have got. But when it is finished, there is nothing left buy pay money to get more Lindenbucks (10000 Lindenbucks=$40). This would keep your real life fashion and shopping budget at a low level.

According to reports from New York Times, the spending online in such sites is on the rise and previous shopaholics are getting hands on this safe method. There are even TV shows featuring new fashion statements of Avatars. And the products range from Montblanc to Gucci to Rolls Royce and you choose with much more ease.

Wonder what? Obsession to cyber-shopping unlike e-commerce, will ultimately make your pockets much lighter without gaining anything at hand.

Unsatisfied with the image and lighting quality, field depth and focus of your camera? It is high time you get upgraded to a DSLR camera. Unlike expected the costs of these high tech gadgets have well fell below the unexpected making it affordable to anyone with a craze for photography. You may better consider the following facts before you get to the shop or try one of those online shopping sites.

1. Price: Choose your budget as SLRs come in all ranges as already told from the expected to the unexpected. But it is very well known that low end could be better than some of those professional end gadgets. Price comparison shopping and checking reviews over Amazon or Ebay would be a good option. Some of the impartial reviews are available at Digital Photography School by Darren Rowse. Always do try the official website of the company and you can get good bargains by talking over the phone.
2. Size: Available in all range of sizes, it is better to consider your choice before you go in for shopping, otherwise you may have to get home and do the homeworks again. Consider your use whether it is for travel when bulky, heavy ones are not apt or professional sports photography where it would be more useful.
3. Use: Having mentioned both price and size the next question you would encounter is the purpose of use. Choose from any of the option like travel, sports, life, low light, nature etc where the choice seems to be altogether different
4. Gears: Consider whether or not to have any of the accessories and gears. You could use your previous gears if it seems fitting.

   • Lens: Previous lens of SLR would seem sufficient for you new DSLR. And if there is any option for upgrading from the already provided lens, better consider it too.
   • Battery: Travel, nature photographers would need spare batteries otherwise a good one is enough.
   • Memory cards: They are available at all sizes and it is better to consider one above 1GB (check the maximum capacity of your camera). Old memory cards are sufficient. If you are trying for a new one consider a known brand and one with warranty.
   • Filters:Outdoor photographers require UV filters if it does not come with the DSLR.
   • Camera bag: A good option is not to buy the free camera bag with your purchase. Get money instead of it and bargain would fetch you a great deal (if buying online consider calling the helpline which has been found useful).
   • Extended warrantee: It is a thing you can consider at the time of buying based on your budget.

5. Resolution: Megapixels are of importance only if you consider print enlargements for hoardings, posters or large size photographs. Otherwise it is well enough to choose an optimum quality based on your needs and use. Always consider the fact that more is not always the good. The seller may entice you into believing that it is otherwise but at a great cost and deficiency in other qualities.
6. Upgrades: It is always better to consider buying a DSLR with good and up to date features. As you gain in experience and expertise, the better of yesterday would seem worse and defective. Always ask the question whether the product is upgradable. This is an important reason why you should always select a product with good brand name and service options.
7. Flash: Though entry-level DSLRs include a flash, professional ones require a separate one.
8. Auto mode: Professional DSLRs lack the semi-auto modes like Night, sports, macro etc and if you are used to it change your options
9. Image sensor dust protection: It is a feature of the new generation DSLRs which has proved to be beneficial. Consider it, but of course for a greater price range.
10. Maximum shutter speed & Burst mode: This is necessary only if you are going in for professional sports or nature photography. Burst mode means just by pressing on to the shutter release, bursts of photographs are taken.
11. LCD Size: Although it may be considered obsolete, it has a large impact on the field and quality of your photography. Choose something in the range of 2.5 inches.
12. ISO settings: Low light photographers may require improved ISO settings to adjust to the light settings which is of considerable importance in their professional life.

Just 26% of products in the online sales list are available for open customer reviewing. But the fact is that the major portion of sales is from this category. Many including myself have either fell in for false positive reviews and at times discarded a product reading the warnings and negative reviews of some disgruntled people. I have found a few ways to overcome this mistake. Perhaps you could add more to this list.

1. Check for mixed reviews: Check whether your online shops have all mixed reviews, including both 5-star and 1-star ratings. But most of the forums get polarised and there would be only reviews standing at the two extremes which are better considered wrong.
2. Read the review: (I wont say carefully) but the grammar and spelling mistakes as well as local slangs may give you a clue of whether its a real person who had been over it. But, the marketeers can be too clever and easily mimic such a review.
3. Never trust a 5-star (also a 1-star): It may be the manufacturers and marketeers of the business who may be behind the hi5 ratings. On the other hand disgruntled employees and competitors may be the miserly ones. But its generally found that people go in for 4-star ratings than a perfect 5 (another market trick, beware!)
4. Negative reviews: They are not the ones which make you turn away from your products. They should be take as the precautions you should take when you buy the thing. Though negative reviews help assess the product better, always take time to read the positive ones too.
5. Average ratings: If the ratings stand in the middle chunk, make sure that its not the result of a large number of reviews. As the number of reviews increase the ratings usually tend to the medial line.

And always keep in mind that those marketing executives know all these beforehand. You may be forced to believe them or over the other way. So keep adding your suggestions.