What is it about operating system launches that get computer geeks so
riled up? Judging from the early reviews, at least, Microsoft’s Windows
7 appears headed for a successful debut — promising to erase from our
collective memory all those problems we had just getting our printers
to work with Vista.

But rather than waiting for Oct. 22 to try Windows 7 and judge for
themselves, some of the popular Apple enthusiast blogs are taking a
hard line and looking for every opportunity to declare Microsoft’s new
OS a disaster even before it hits store shelves.

Last week Mac Daily News picked apart a favorable but evenhanded Windows 7 review by the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg. And today Mac Observer is spotlighting a Microsoft video tutorial that explains how to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

“We’ll be honest, it could take a couple hours,” concedes Kellie
Eickmeyer, a Windows senior program manager, at the outset of the video.

The problem, as we’ve documented in the past,
is that the upgrade from Windows XP requires a clean install, backing
up data and applications and then reinstalling them after Windows 7 is
on the machine. The shift from the newer Windows Vista to Windows 7 can
be done “in place,” sidestepping that hassle.

As Mossberg pointed out in his WSJ review last week, “It’s tedious
and painful to upgrade an existing computer from XP to 7, and the
variety of editions in which Windows 7 is offered is confusing.”

But at least Microsoft is being up front about it. And don’t forget
that Windows XP is almost 8 years old. Given the underlying changes in
computers since then, some level of difficulty is to be expected.

Yes, it’s Microsoft’s fault that so many people are still using the
ancient operating system. Many of them are terrified about upgrading to
Vista, given all the problems the OS has experienced with device and
application compatibility. Apple, in contrast, deserves credit for
steady advances and regular releases of Mac OS X.

But we’d challenge even the most expert Mac user to make the upgrade
to Snow Leopard from Mac OS X 10.1 “Puma” — released around the same
time as Windows XP — in less than two hours.

Oh wait, that’s right, Puma ran on PowerPC machines, and Snow
Leopard requires Intel processors. In other words, we’d challenge the
most expert Mac user to make that upgrade at all.

Read more of Todd Bishop’s posts at TechFlash.com, and follow him on Twitter @toddbishop

Amazon.com has just announced that it will be retailing a selection of branded basic electronics accessories, dubbed "AmazonBasics".  Starting with blank CDs/DVDs and audio/video cables, AmazonBasics will be a growing line of accessory products that combine quality and value.

From the press release:

SEATTLE

–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep. 19, 2009–

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced the launch of
AmazonBasics (www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics),
a new private-label collection of consumer electronic “basics” created
for customers who want exceptional value. The AmazonBasics line
currently includes audio video cables and blank DVD media, with
additional accessories and other items to be added in the coming months.

“We saw an opportunity to create a line of consumer electronics basics
that combine quality and low prices for an overall focus on value,” said

Paul Ryder

, vice president of Consumer Electronics for

Amazon.com

. “We
drew on our history of developing other private-label brands and
combined that with our mission to give customers the ultimate in
selection and value. AmazonBasics is the result. We will continue to
gather input from customers and evaluate opportunities for new products
under the AmazonBasics brand. We aim to offer our customers as wide a
selection as possible, and we think AmazonBasics makes a great addition
to the brands we already carry.”

The AmazonBasics
line currently features a growing assortment of blank DVD media, cables
and accessories, which are available now in the U.S. on www.amazon.com,
with plans to introduce the line on Amazon’s international sites over
the coming months.

All AmazonBasics products ship in Amazon.com’s Frustration-Free
Packaging (www.amazon.com/frustration-free),
which is easy-to-open and made from recyclable cardboard, alleviating
plastic clamshells, wire ties and excessive packaging. AmazonBasics
products are eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping or

FREE Two-Day
Shipping

with Amazon Prime (www.amazon.com/prime).
Like all products sold on

Amazon.com

, customers can compare prices, do
research, read customer reviews and see what other customers have
purchased after viewing these products. AmazonBasics products include a
one-year warranty.

Read the full press release here, or browse our AmazonBasics Store.



–Aric A.