Well, about the superbar, here my opinion:
I used to be a XP fan, I liked the SO and it's stability... about taskbar? well... the same as all versions of windows, just that it combined buttons when full, but even configuring that via TuneUp Utilities, was a bit confusing (for me) to navigate through windows, since the names were cut off and you had to guess sometimes which was the one you were needing. I never upgraded to Vista since I saw some performance issues.
Then Windows 7 came, and decided to try since I saw that performance in some machines was seriously improved. And I got a great surprise. Besides the new Aero enhacements, the new taskbar was overhauled completely:
- You can now stick shortcuts (programs) in the taskbar, even more faster program execution (almost at a finger touch) without messing with toolbars (I never used quick launch because of that... it was a bit frustrating to use)
- The previews now are interactive and you can easily switch windows with this new feature, and even getting windows previews without clicky-clicky like before.
- You got a new quick task menu over the programs (at least, with the ones that are taking advantage of the new W7 capabilities) wich enables real quick acces to common tasks using that programs.
- Aero Peek lets you see your desktop without clicky-clicky, you see what you have on your desktop (for example if you just downloaded a program to it)
- Start Menu with search enhacements, yeah, it was on Vista, but here is faster and more precise than ever!!!
With this and great performance I find Windows 7 the EASIEST version I ever used, I can find every program faster than before. Is the new taskbar confusing? Yes, but just at the beginning, when you use it you discover that there is a difference between sticked programs and the other buttons generated by other programs and windows in the taskbar, when you understand this, everything goes easier. Even with the new window layout I was confused because no menubar was enabled... but now, What for? the only thing I need from it is the "Search and folder options" that is located in the "Organize" button... I'm complete with that, the other options are not needed anymore since you can use them from context menus in the windows.
For those that complain about this features so hardly (no offense) I invite you to use and take advantage of this features, you will discover that Windows 7 offers a great user interaction envirnment, be patience, MS-DOS was even more frustrating since it had NO GUI... take your time to test and judge.
As extra info, Microsoft said that the new Aero and Taskbar functions were concerned into the touchpad screens that some people use, so, with your finger you can get even faster access to all your stuff, so, this that you see right now as a pain in the ***, will after be the best way to go using touch screens with W7.
Just my oppinion though.
See ya!!
