[nfbcs] Windows XP to Windows 7?

[David Andrews]

Curtis Chong posted this piece to gui-talk concerning differences 
using Windows XP and moving to Windows 7.  I thought some might find it useful.

Dave


>From: "Curtis Chong" <curtischong at earthlink.net>
>To: "'NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List'" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:32:15 -0500



>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

                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
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