Microsoft has unveiled some of the changes it will make to Windows 7 when it
moves from the popular public beta to its first release candidate.
From
the start, Microsoft has openly admitted that some features are not included in
the beta that will make the final version; and on the Engineering Windows 7
blog, the software giant has noted some of the changes it will make following
feedback.
It suggests that the 36 changes listed are just a sample of
some of the changes it will have integrated into the first release candidate of
Windows 7, when it finally arrives.
Tweaks and shifts
Some of the changes, listed by Chaitanya Sareen, are relatively minor,
including tweaks to the desktop experience like Windows Flip (Alt + Tab) with
Aero Peek, and more shortcuts using the Windows key.
Interestingly,
Microsoft has also indicated it will switch back to a more obvious 'needy
window' alert - when a program that needs attention flashed on the taskbar -
because the first iteration in Windows 7 was too subtle.
"Since the
'90s, the taskbar has always provided some type of visualisation to alert the
customer to this state such as by flashing the button," says Sareen.
"A
careful balance must be struck between providing information and not irritating
the customer.
Too subtle
"With the new taskbar,
we received feedback that Outlook reminders or a Messenger chat sometimes went
unnoticed because needy windows were too subtle," Sareen adds
"We've
made three changes that should address the issue. First, we changed the flashing
animation curve to make it more noticeable (from a sine to a sawtooth wave).
"Second, we used a bolder orange colour. Finally, we wanted to double
the number of flashes which is currently set to three. As a nod to Windows 7, we
decided to go with seven flashes instead."
The extensive changes are
detailed on the Engineering Windows 7 blog – so if you want to know what to
expect in RC1 then check out the full change list.
By Patrick Goss
[via techradar.com]
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