a113n’s daily dose

I have been using Windows 7 for many weeks now. Some concerns have been placated, which gives me the courage to continue working with the system.

Some major points I have worked out include:

• Quick Launch status and pinned applications
• Default folder configuration

Quick Launch/Pinned Apps

The Quick Launch, though a favorite Windows feature, is on its way out. The idea is to make more efficient use of the commonly-accessed orb/start menu or the new “dock”, which doubles as the list of open programs. My main concern with the loss of the Quick Launch was that my “pinned” applications were not present after the upgrade from Vista. Some were easy to get back, many were not.

One major sore point was an important business file–an Access database to be exact. The file has a system-friendly name, which is not friendly to human readability. A shortcut exists with a human friendly label, but the shortcut cannot be pinned via any manner of right clicking with or without other keys. The actual Access file could be pinned (CTRL+Right Click) but the name is not simple and includes an extension. I have the direct file pinned, but there was no problem pinning the shortcut in Vista.

Google was not helpful this time, but the “Orb”/Start Menu properties had the answer. While viewing properties of an existing pinned application, I found this folder on my computer:
C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned

What I love is that this folder is found within the Quick Launch folder. Imagine that. This folder is hidden of course, but only the top folder. Inside are 3 folders, but only 2 should be modified unless you are a program: StartMenu and TaskBar. The names are clear, but the process not so much. I expected to simply move some of my already existing shortcuts in Quick Launch to the StartMenu folder and have a working system. Not so fast, Microsoft says.

There is some internal switch that gets flipped when applications are “properly” pinned, i.e. via the context menu. I got around this by creating a dummy shortcut inside of my Quick Launch folder that I pin to the StartMenu (or TaskBar). I then open the StartMenu folder and change the properties (target, start in folder, name, icon if necessary) to the correct shortcut properties. This process should be automated, but hopefully such complicated changes will be limited.

In the end, I was able to set my StartMenu and TaskBar up appropriately. You can use your imagination to consider what type of shortcuts would go in TaskBar–say a Show Desktop shortcut to give that full Quick Launch functionality, which would make a good post.

A personal note to Microsoft here. All of my programs were compatible in the upgrade, meaning they work and their shortcuts work. If the Quick Launch must be dropped, why not migrate these shortcuts to this special folder of “pinned” applications? For me, this is a major oversight considering how reliable Quick Launch was.

Default Folder Layout

The folder configuration is a different story. It differs most importantly in that I am not the only it bothers. I might be the only who appreciated the Quick Launch, but the default folder configuration is painfully annoying. Microsoft now assumes we care more about previewing files in Windows Explorer than viewing important details such as file size, modification date, etc. The default view makes only the file name visible; another pane sits on top of the additional details which will preview most files accessed in Windows Explorer. This pane is resizeable, and every time I open a folder, my first instinct is to re-size the pane so that I can see these details.

I am prone to just putting up with a problem until it really bugs the hell out of me. Unless, someone else has the problem and wants help. This problem is not as diluted as the Quick Launch concern, but could escape many common users. The solution lies in a feature that has been present since pre-2K, but I doubt many users have used it even once. Further complicating matters, in Vista and Windows 7, with the new “ribbon” UI and other enhancements, the menu which accesses advanced functionality is now hidden.

To start, open Windows Explorer, where you can see any of your files/folders, like the Computer. With Windows Explorer open, click the ALT key. A small menu will appear near where we would expect to see the “File…” menu option. This menu actually includes “File…“. We will select the Tools menu option, and the item Folder options….

From within the folder options dialog, select the View tab. Under Folder views, two buttons provide advanced folder layout functionality. The Reset Folders is obvious, and the Apply to Folders can alleviate the default folder layout headache. Now my folders open up with a small, unobtrusive preview pane.

• Current Location: cabin
  

So I have just fired up the Windows 7 Enterprise Upgrade from Windows Vista Business (x64 on both). After a painfully-long upgrade process, which was finalized by my 19-month year old daughter during the “configuration” stage the next morning, I have the system up and running. I’d have to say my first impressions are mixed.

Positive

• Most of the applications were compatible (though some odd ones weren’t like iTunes & Windows Mobility Center, both of which can be reinstalled fine)
• Most application settings were maintained, including Firefox/Outlook/Office settings
• Gadgets were retained (but not correctly, see Negatives below)
• Significantly improved boot speed over Vista
• Significantly better memory utility over Vista (40% on startup versus Vista 70% on startup)
• Firefox is more responsive (one extension is significantly faster with no update)
• Personal data was retained without issue
• There seem to be some new Administrative Tools to play with, one for memory diagnostics and one for Powershell, which rocks. Though I’m sure these tools already existed, it’s good to have them in a single location for quick access.

That would seem like many good aspects, but it has not all been good with this upgrade. There are several issues that have emerged within minutes of the first boot.

Negatives

• The upgrade install time took a very long time. I started it last night around 7/8:00 PM, it was still running when I went to bed where it was gathering files–a whole lot of files. I’m sure the upgrade spends time to ensure data integrity, but a several hour install on modern systems is excessive. Perhaps the fresh install will prove to be more reasonable.
• My first “page” of gadgets were removed from the sidebar and placed at the bottom of the desktop–very ugly
• Moving gadgets is not as clean as with Vista, gadgets can be placed on top of one another where Vista would realize that a gadget placed on top of another should either be placed below or above the gadget depending on position
• The quick launch, which I have loved and used daily since it’s introduction is removed; applications are now “pinned” to the taskbar much like “pinning” to the start menu, and there is no separation between pinned applications and open applications, resembling Macs. Making matters worse, since this bar is used for both, I keep thinking IE is open and running, where my gut reaction is to click and close it. Of course, it’s not open and the initial click does open it, so this is a huge waste of my time. A simple vertical rule to separate the two types would fix this; it will be resolved when I get my toolbar configuration back as the quick launch sat along with the address bar at the top of the screen–assuming I can figure out how to move these “pinned” applications as I would the quick launch toolbar.
• I had a long list of applications pinned to the start menu, none were retained; many of these I had placed deep within subfolders in the start menu as I would never need to access them via the Programs menu; now I must find them all
• My custom toolbars were not retained, I must recreate all of them and reposition them correctly
• Though Firefox was maintained as my default browser, it was not available in the “pinned” applications on the task bar, so I had to search for it in Programs and re-pin it–IE was pinned by default along with WMP and an Explorer shortcut
• My wireless notification is now the icon showing signal strength instead of the icon showing activity (I prefer activity)…to make matters worse, it doesn’t show any signal, the bars all all white, but the connection is working
• Upon starting up the computer for the first time, I got a new notification in the taskbar notification area: “Action Center”, which one problem that needed to be solved–Windows Updates. I’d prefer not to have this new notification at all and have not yet found a way to disable it.
• Speaking of the notification area, instead of the left-pointing arrow for hidden notifications or background applications, there is now an up-pointing arrow. As you can guess, instead of simply expanding the notification area, clicking the arrow opens a small popup above the task bar with the remaining, hidden notifications which you must use to configure background services such as virus scanning.
• The Windows Sidebar background process icon in the notification area is gone. This means there is no easy way to turn off the sidebar temporarily. I’ve found myself having to open task manager and stopping the sidebar process, a task that is too advanced for new users since the sidebar is now called “Desktop Gadget Gallery”, regular users may not know to look for sidebar.exe.
• Windows XP naming schemes have returned. For example, in Windows XP, the documents folder was “My Documents”, the pictures folder was “My Pictures”, and so forth. In Vista, the redundant “My” was dropped from these folders, making the documents folder “Documents” and the pictures folder “Pictures”. For some reason, the old convention has returned, causing confusion for those who have already become accustomed to the new naming scheme in Vista. I’m sure this is for Windows XP upgrades, but what was the point in changing the naming scheme then ditching this change? How about a little bit of consistency here?
• The “Documents” menu item, which I use as a menu not a link, now shows two subfolders, “My Documents” and “Public Documents”. I do not see the “Public Documents” being used just as I never used the public folder for sharing. Further, it appears the Documents is a library or catalog of documents, not just a physical storage location.
• The list of open applications in the task bar has an annoying feature when two windows of the same application are open. XP and Vista would group like taskbar items together, but you were presented with a list, not a small popup meant to serve as a screenshot, and it took several items to engage the grouping. Now, we get screenshots that do not help in identifying a window (but I had no problem with the list would would have meaningful information) and more than one window (even though there is lots of taskbar space with the default view of icon-only) is set to group by default. It gets more frustrating the more I use it and wish I could just use one click for switching between windows quickly. I guess I’ll get a lot of use out of CTRL+TAB. This is really going to annoy developers and web designers.

Overall, I am pleased with the upgrade, short of the massive install time. The system that was cumbersome to use in Vista is now more responsive and overall I believe the upgrade will bring many more benefits to be revealed over time. I will do a complete fresh install soon and be back to report how that works out.

• Current Location: Cabin
  
• Daily Task(s):
  • Plastic over windows
  • Rake leaves
  • Prepare for next week work

It’s been a very informative and fun weekend so far, with the conference about half over. Right now I’m waiting for a much-anticipated talk by Steve Rambam.
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• Quote of the Day:
  (after some discussion regarding security and TSA, leading, of course, to Bruce Schneier)
  Guy with Question: Who's Schneier?
  Everyone Else: *gasp* *chuckle*
  Speaker: Wow. You actually had the guts to ask that. Google is your friend.*
  * (I paraphrased)
  
• Current Location: The Last HOPE (Hopper)
  
• Website: http://amd.hope.net
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: Atendee Meta-Data Project for The Last HOPE--a collection of registrant meta information during the conference
  

I lost a great mentor and friend this week, Elbert Johns Jr. He was many years my senior, but I consider him one of the few defining influences in my life. At TheArcLink, he and I handled significant progress in developmental disability programs and applications. We made a perfect duo, building on one anothers strengths. The thought that he will not be there to guide me into the future is indescribably horrifying, but just as indescribable is how grateful I am to have worked under him and gained the insight he passed on to me. I now head the helm of our organization, his vision burned into my mind, and though I know I won’t be handling the reins alone for long, I have no doubts that he laid the groundwork for me to rise to this challenge. You will be always remembered for the man of strong will and kind words Elbert.

I’ve decided Mama Bear and I will follow through with the trip to New York to The Last Hope. I believe Elbert would have wanted me to continue with these plans, it is something I have been looking forward to for a very long time. It is difficult for me as I will miss his memorial, but I will return a great deal smarter and re-energized to handle the new load that weighs upon me. I made no progress today on the various tasks I aim to complete; the day was filled with administrative duties.

No time is a good time to lose someone such as Elbert, but this is about the absolute worst. We were handling most of the registration information on a national conference, SABE 2008, and today was the last day for registrants to get a reduced rate. There are strict policies in place with our organization, as defined by our Board of Directors, that can really handicap someone. I was not even authorized to open mail. The simple things that I always took for granted because they were his duties have been laid in my lap to ensure the highest priority duties are carried out. We were developing a plan to handle his extended absence, but even these details are still in development. Indeed, the road ahead is both uphill and dreary, but I will walk it the same and emerge from a higher vantage point as a result.

I will make HOPE a memorable experience; Mama Bear and myself will enjoy ourselves and take advantage of everything we can in this new experience. Though I know his permanent absence will weigh on me from time to time, his memory makes me optimistic about what the future holds for me, my family, and the organization.

On a lighter note, my 2.0GB SD card with all of my most important passwords and documents got washed in a pair of pants. Though I was sure the SD connections would not work after being washed and dried, I thought the USB connections (I have a SD Plus, the best kind of SD card) would work. The first connection gave me the dreaded “Unknown USB Device”, but I followed the standard device uninstall/reinstall, and VOILA!, the card was recognized. I then copied all the files to the local hard drive for safe keeping and tried the card in the SD slot. It’s still kicking, though I won’t expect it to for very long, but I’m in need of an upgrade anyway.

• Current Location: Couch
  

As a learning exercise and to develop a concise, simple site management tool, I have decided to create my own PowerShell script that interfaces with WMI classes to automate various tedious tasks I perform every time a new website is added to our Windows 2008 server. The general goal of the script is to create a website with standard functionality, including a username to own the website and connect via FTP to manage the site. This site will also receive it’s own application pool to isolate the website from all the other websites currently hosted on the server.
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• Current Location: Office
  
• Website: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: MSDN Library, reference and resource material for Windows application development