[gui-talk] Windows XP to Windows 7?

[Mike Freeman]

Thanks.  Appreciate it.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Curtis Chong" <curtischong at earthlink.net>
To: "'NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List'" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2010 10:32 AM
Subject: [gui-talk] Windows XP to Windows 7?


> Mike:
>
> Here are some radnom thoughts that I can share with you regarding my
> transition to Windows 7 from Windows XP.  I hope they will provide you 
> with
> some helpful information.
>
> 1. In Windows 7, you will notice some differences in the behavior of
> Windows Explorer.  For one thing, the title bar will not, by default, show
> you the full file path.  If you want to find out which folder you are in,
> the best way to do this is to press ALT+D to move your focus to the 
> address
> box.  Then, you'll have to hit Shift Tab Twice to get back to the list of
> files and folders.  In Windows Explorer, you will notice some things like
> the "name split" button.  Don't press it unless you intend to have your
> files sorted in a difference sequence<smile>.  There is an advantage to
> using the new Windows Explorer.  If you are looking at a list of files, 
> you
> can press the right arrow key to move between columns.  This way, you can
> quickly jump to a column showing when the file was created, when it was
> modified, and how big it is.  In my opinion, this different and better 
> than
> the Windows Explorer that runs under Windows XP.
>
> 2. The Start Menu is vastly different.  When you press the Windows Key,
> you are put into a search box.  Many people seem to like the Search box,
> because from there, you can type what you are looking for, and Windows 
> will
> quickly try to find it.  For example, if you are trying to start Word, 
> just
> type Word, and entries in the Start menu containing Word will show up 
> fairly
> quickly.  I myself don't like this as much because I have this crazy 
> notion
> that I like to know where in the menu structures programs and files are
> located before I actually start to use them<smile>.
>
> 3. Avoid 64-bit processors.  I find that the transition to Windows 7 is
> made much simpler if you can avoid buying a computer with a 64-bit
> processor.  Alas, the default in most big box stores is the 64-bit 
> computer.
> So, you'll have to go to some lengths to get a 32-bit machine.  What, you
> say, is the problem?  Mostly, not much if you are tech savvy.  You have to
> be sure to use the right version of JAWS, you have to get the correct
> drivers for scanners, Braille displays, and the like, and you have to be
> sure that your security software (i.e., antivirus and anti-spyware 
> programs)
> support 64-bit processors.  If you can do all of that, then perhaps the
> 64-bit processor will not be that much of a problem for you.  The cool 
> thing
> from a technical perspective is that with a 64-bit processor, Windows will
> be able to take advantage of all 4 gigabytes and more of available memory.
>
> 4. At work, I am running Office 2010 and Windows 7.  I noticed right
> away that the "My Documents" folder has gone away.  Windows 7 now likes to
> use libraries which are essentially collections of pointers to files and
> folders.  Beware of the library if you like to know where things are 
> located
> on your hard drive or on a network drive.  I find myself doing more 
> copying
> and pasting of paths in Windows 7 than in previous versions because of the
> absence of the My Documents shortcut.
>
> 5. In Windows 7, Outlook Express no longer exists.  If you are already
> using Microsoft Outlook or some other non-Microsoft email client, then 
> this
> should not be a problem for you.  If, however, you have been using Outlook
> Express, you will have to decide whether you want to switch to Outlook, 
> use
> Windows Live Mail, or get another email program.  Since I was already 
> using
> Outlook both at work and at home, this was not an issue for me, but I can
> understand why it would be an issue for those people who have been using
> Outlook Express.  Alas, I do not have much personal acquaintance with the
> replacement to Outlook Express.
>
> 6. Shutting down Windows in Windows 7 is a snap.  Just press the
> Windows key, press Right Arrow once, and then press Enter.  It's reqlly
> quite simple<smile>.
>
> Well, that's pretty much all I can share at this point.  Bear in mind that 
> I
> have had only three weeks of experience with Windows 7 and Office 2010.  I
> am sure that over time, I will learn a lot more.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Curtis Chong
>
>
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