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10.27.2009 — Wow, that was one crazy Windows 7 Launch Party! I just finished wiping the cake off my chandelier.

Nine wild and crazy CE pros met at my house this morning for our monthly get-together. Once I tamed the rambunctious group, I treated them to a run-through of Windows Media Center, the Win 7 version.

It didn't really matter that it was Win 7. None of these dealers, reps and distributors had even experienced the original XP and Vista versions.

So instead of showing them some of the latest Media Center features, I had to start from the beginning: Look, you press this green button here, and you have a TV guide here, and you can even view your photos and manage your music library! All from the TV!

Even so, I ran the gang through some of the new goodies -- most of which I defined after my Win 7 sneak preview last year -- and some of the disappointments.

On the up side …
  • Turboscroll. Instead of having to tap-tap-tap your way through the TV guide, the navigation turbocharges when you press and hold. Weeks worth of programming just fly by.
  • Build-your-own channel guide. This feature was available with Vista TV Pack, but since no one really installed TV Pack, it's as good as new. You can have a different guide for every member of the household.
  • Netflix integration. Again, this was available with Vista, but the interface is slightly improved with Win 7. I think only Media Center had a Netflix TV interface that lets users take advantage of the full Netflix browsing options … until Insignia just came along with its $99 combo Blu-ray player/Netflix streamer.
On the down side (besides the totally lame Launch Party Pack) … you'll have to wait for my forthcoming blog: 10 ways Win 7 Media Center disappoints.

In the end, my party guests thought Win 7 Media Center was nice.

After that five-minute discussion, we all focused on whether or not to shift our productivity PCs to the new OS.

Man, are these guys geeks or what?

Microsoft Windows 7
 
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Windows 7 will lead to more competition, more integration with A/V components, more automation functionality, more system design options and more revenue.
Windows 7 Launch Party: CE Pros Gone Wild
With all that hootin' and hollerin' over Windows 7, we wonder how these guys can call themselves pros!
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Julie Jacobson, Editor-at-large, CE Pro
As a co-founder of EH Publishing in 1994, Julie has edited and contributed to all of the company's publications at one time or another. An authority on home automation, networking, integration, digital convergence and the CE pro channel, Julie speaks often about these subjects at industry events. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan, and received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Julie is a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player.
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Comments

Posted by SecurityGuy  on  10/27  at  05:16 PM

I do not know this woman. OK, maybe I do but I can pretend.

Posted by Paul  on  10/27  at  05:18 PM

And to think I gave up a trip to Minnesota for that. If I had known how wild it was going to be, I definitely would have come!

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/27  at  06:10 PM

Paul, the thing they most marveled at was how quiet and cool my big S1Digital Media Center runs.  They even touched it (gasp)

Posted by Grant  on  10/28  at  05:45 AM

Did you make them change out of their biker jackets and ironic hipster t-shirts and into their geek outfits just for this?

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/28  at  05:53 AM

Yes, Grant, how did you know?! I asked them please to cover their tattoos for the event. It was in the “How to throw a launch party” handbook.

Posted by Jason Knott  on  10/28  at  06:13 AM

How many attendees were in the marching band or A/V club in high school?

Posted by SecurityGuy  on  10/28  at  06:31 AM

That would be Glee Club

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/28  at  06:36 AM

1 here for debate.

Others??

Posted by Ranger Home  on  10/28  at  06:56 AM

How big of geeks can they be if they never used xp or vista? What where they using? dos? lol

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/28  at  06:58 AM

Oh, Ranger! Of course they use XP & Vista, just not using Media Center app.

Posted by Ranger Home  on  10/28  at  07:09 AM

AH, ok. me be confuzed. smile

Posted by bob archer  on  10/28  at  07:38 AM

Maybe they like avoiding the Blue Screen of Death and are dedicated OSX users.

Posted by bob archer  on  10/28  at  07:48 AM

Sorry Julie, you can take your shots at Snow Leopard.


Bob

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/28  at  08:03 AM

Actually, Jim Wohlford of Sanus strolled in during the demo: “Sorry I’m late, but I brought my computer,” he said, toting his Apple laptop.

Posted by Dave Stevens  on  10/28  at  09:08 AM

Either I’m experiencing Deja Vu, or I saw this party on an episode of ABC’s, “To Catch A Predator,” with Stone Phillips.

Posted by Julie Jacobson  on  10/28  at  09:47 AM

Dave - perhaps Big Bang Theory? (I’m the pretty neighbor)

Posted by Dave Stevens  on  10/28  at  11:07 AM

Julie,
Did you guys play “Pin The Tail On The Rhoomba” while it was knocking things over?

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