I know that a lot of people have joined in and either upgraded to Windows 7 or bought a new PC with Windows 7. Well, Gizmodo has a few things that you should do to get started and customize your new install.

1. Take a Spin Around the New Interface: Still glassy, glossy and damn near glittery, the Windows 7 interface is actually a major progression for Microsoft: It’s not just easy to use, it’s a whole new paradigm with the revamped taskbar and Aero Peek making multitasking with multiple windows more natural than ever.

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So, the choice of the year for netbooks seems to come down to Windows XP or Windows 7 (for the Windows side. I really like the Ubuntu Netbook interface for a quick and easy look) according to MSNBC. But, which one to choose? They detail the pros and cons of each choice. And if you don’t like Windows 7 Starter, you can always upgrade to a better version and get a few more features that you are looking for. Although, with the Netbooks, one of the major concerns is battery life. Windows Aero uses more battery power (by using more GPU resources), which can be a concern for some. But, for a simple interface, I see no reason NOT to go with Windows 7. Windows XP is great, but it lacks in a lot of things. Newer Netbooks are powerful enough, come with enough RAM (2 GB, if it comes with 1 GB, you should upgrade anyway!), and a big enough hard drive to run Windows 7 fast and smooth. So, what does MSNBC have to say on the matter?

He believes there are “several key advantages” to using Windows 7 Starter vs. XP Home on netbooks. Among them: “The user interface, while largely a carryover from Windows Vista, holds some significant improvements over Windows XP,” especially with improved “Wi-Fi connection management” that is easier than XP’s.

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Ouch. For those that don’t know, Microsoft faced a lawsuit for their implementation of an XML in their Word program. Well, they filed an appeal, and today it was denied. Not good. Word 2010 doesn’t have the infringing code, however. So, that makes a good case for getting that release out the door ASAP.

The technology in question involves “any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or DOCM files (XML files) containing custom XML,” according to a copy of the injunction released in August. I4i’s Owen said at the time that his company wasn’t out to force a halt in sales of one of Microsoft’s most profitable products, and it doesn’t appear that will happen.

Microsoft Office 2010 has a new sandbox feature for those times when you download a questionable file from someone. This is supposed to greatly reduce malware infections through a commonly used exploit in Office applications. Great job, Microsoft for finally trying to put a stop to those that are using Office files to spread their malware.

The feature, called “Office file validation,” checks to see if a binary file used by Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel (with .DOC, .PPT and .XLS extensions) is a trusted document or stored in a trusted location. If not, the file will get protected in a sandbox, or “protected view,” which will limit the file’s access to system resources, according to David B. Heise, a member of Microsoft’s Office security team, in a Wednesday blog post.

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Microsoft has said that they have had fewer phone calls into their technical support since the release of Windows 7 than before. While it sounds great, it is in part due to Microsoft putting some of the burden on the Microsoft Answers website and their own Twitter. They have also put it on to a few of us website owners, as well. With more sites doing free support for Windows (I do, to an extent!), it just makes it easier to find and get support for small issues.

The drop in calls isn’t just due to the fact that Windows 7 appears less problem-plagued than its predecessor, though. In the weeks leading up to and following the operating system’s release, Microsoft also added two new ways to get help–through an online forum called Microsoft Answers and via the Microsoft Helps feed on Twitter.

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Well, here is a story that’s not too positive for Microsoft. Apparently, in India, Microsoft has went to suing pirates of their software. Unfortunately, they filed the lawsuits in the capital of the country, forcing the pirates to drive hundreds of miles from their towns of residence to battle the piracy claims. Well, the court claims that it isn’t right. While, I’m don’t agree with piracy, I don’t think that two wrongs equal a right. There is a right way to go after pirates… And that wasn’t it.

According to the Court, Microsoft is needlessly abusing its unlimited cash flow as a power tool to financially hurt the defendants, who will have to travel all across the country in order to defend themselves. This abuse of