Microsoft - Windows Media Player 7

A few weeks ago I thought it was about time I try updating some of my software to the latest downloads - and Media Player just happened to be one of them. It took a total of about 45 mins to download all 9.94Mb of it from Microsoft - which was a little bigger than I had expected it to be - but that's Microsoft for you! Installation ------------ Installation was simple enough and problem free and within about 2 minutes and one reboot it was running. First Time ---------- The most noticeable difference is the look - it's got a far more professional style to it than previous versions. I have to ... more

With the advent of the Internet the whole world suddenly became connected to everywhere. A little after and before (most probably) media formats were developed for computers. These allowed things such as short movies and music to be viewed at home over the Internet with ease. Probably the most famous of these formats has been mp3, which has caused the music industry to re-think how it does business. Also mpeg (a format that allows video as well as sound) has become quire popular and you now get movie trailers over the Internet, this has also been used with the DVD Video format. Anyway enough ... more

I am sick and tired of Microsoft applications that take over your system and write themselves into places that they were never authorized to sit in. Internet Explorer is a great example. Here is another. Media Player 7 is one of the most bloated pieces of software I have seen from their stable - they must have used the thesis why do thigns small and simple like WinAmp when you can take over the entire screen and have lots of whistles and bells like RealPlayer. What was a nice little program that was quick to load and very handy for handling different types of media is now a monster that ... more

Microsoft's software is well know for being bloated, buggy and often slow. Although a 'little' larger than previous versions, WMP7 is actually quite good. Firstly, it does away with the look of the older versions, replacing it with Winamp-style skins. It goes one further, however, by allowing complete rearrangement of the controls rather than just altering the look of them. This leads to some pretty nifty looking designs, such as Toothy - which just has to be seen. Obviously, WMP7 is going to be compared to Winamp (and Sonique, to a lesser extent), and much is personal preference. Winamp is ... more

Have you watched any DVD using XP’s Windows Media Player 8.0 (WMP)? If yes, then Microsoft knows about it!!! Amazing eh? Not very difficult for them, I reckon. But what about us? Why do we have to be all the time so buttoned up when we want to use a Microsoft’s software? The other day I wrote about problems with MSN messengerand that’s why I made some investigation about my WMP 8.0. Sorry for being aggresive a bit about Bill Gate's creatures (or Monsters).I'll be something like the devil's advocate towards Microsoft. #### Look what I found: #### Well, using a packet sniffer I ... more