[gui-talk] Windows XP to Windows 7?

Sun Oct 31 19:14:51 UTC 2010

Mike,

I have been using Windows 7 on my new netbook for six weeks or so and have pretty much had the same experiences that Curtis has described.  I think, 
though, that I could get used to just searching for programs from the Start Menu search box.  Also, I probably will use the desktop more than I did under XP 
and there are ways of attaching programs to the Task Bar that I have not used.  These are all things that may change your mode of operating but are more 
a change in habbit rather than steep learning curves.  The control panel is a good deal different, and you will find more cases where you have to explore 
with the arrow keys because the arrow keys will find buttons that are not in the TAB order.

Regarding 64-bit machines, I have to replace another computer within the next few days and am trying to decide what to do.  Like you, I tend to use a 
computer for a long time, so I am leaning toward biting the bullet and going with a 64-bit machine rather than regretting that I bought a 32-bit machine for the 
next five years or more.  I am finding it very hard to find anything but 64-bit computers except in the Netbook class.  I suspect the negative aspects of a 64-
bit machine will go away fairly soon unless, of course, you have an old piece of hardware that you can't live without but is no longer supported.  This would 
then have to be a consideration.  If you need to, you can use Microsoft's Security Essentials for virus protection which is free until you decide what you will 
do in the long run.  Anyway, good luck.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:18:45 -0700, Mike Freeman wrote:

>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
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> gui-talk mailing list
>> gui-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gui-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> gui-talk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/gui-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com 

>_______________________________________________
>gui-talk mailing list
>gui-talk at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gui-talk_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for gui-talk:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/gui-talk_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40visi.com