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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Here comes Windows 7
By Aaron Barbee
Contributor Published October 17, 2009 Here we go again, another year, another Microsoft operating system. That’s right, Windows 7 is right around the corner, and boy are the hypes hyping! I have not actually put Windows 7 on my test computers yet, so I can’t say first hand how the functionality plays out. I will say that it looks more like Vista than XP. So I’ll stick with my usual, “don’t get it unless you don’t mind learning something totally new” statement.
What’s the biggest message I can send to my readers, customers, and friends? Do NOT feel obligated to get Windows 7, or even Vista for that matter. If you have Windows XP, there’s nothing wrong with staying with it. Windows XP is a perfectly good operating system, and many companies and technicians will still support it. I certainly am. In fact, you’ll get more support out of XP than Windows 7 at least in the first four to six months. Consider Windows 7 in its testing phase until six months from now.
What can you expect from Windows 7? You can expect change, which some people relish. You can also expect all the problems of the first year of Vista, which is normal for any new software just coming out. There will be problems with getting printers, scanners and other devices to work on it because Windows 7 may not know how to operate certain devices yet. The device manufacturers will be working to fix this, but it’ll take months; I estimate at least six months.
Proceed cautiously! Do NOT let sales people force Windows 7 down your throat. If they’re a good honest sales person, they’ll be up front about the potential headaches.
I should say that all those above statements and cautions I made are for the majority of the computer users that don’t care about the latest-and-greatest. I’m really talking to those that just want their computer to work like it always has and without any complications. There are those that like to be on the cutting-edge of technology and those that understand there will be headaches venturing into new territory. If you’re one of those people and you’ve already made your mind up about getting Windows 7, then I think you’ll enjoy learning all the new things about it. Yeah, you’ll have headaches making things work, but that’s what you want. Have fun!
If you are in the majority that wants your computer with Windows XP, give us a call and we’ll help get you a Dell with Windows XP on it. We do this at no charge because we just want to help people get what they want. I know how it is being confused in the computer aisle and staring at 50 computers wondering what to get.
Windows 7 is slated to officially release Oct. 22. As of right now, there are six editions of Windows 7: starter, home basic, home premium, professional, enterprise, and ultimate. The first three are for the house, and the last three are for the office. If you’re a normal home user, you’ll probably want home basic. If you’re a power user, you’ll probably want home premium. As for the office versions, most will get the professional version. The enterprise version is for fancy remote tools that very large corporations may like to take advantage of. Ultimate is just everything, including the kitchen sink!
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.
Contributor Published October 17, 2009 Here we go again, another year, another Microsoft operating system. That’s right, Windows 7 is right around the corner, and boy are the hypes hyping! I have not actually put Windows 7 on my test computers yet, so I can’t say first hand how the functionality plays out. I will say that it looks more like Vista than XP. So I’ll stick with my usual, “don’t get it unless you don’t mind learning something totally new” statement.
What’s the biggest message I can send to my readers, customers, and friends? Do NOT feel obligated to get Windows 7, or even Vista for that matter. If you have Windows XP, there’s nothing wrong with staying with it. Windows XP is a perfectly good operating system, and many companies and technicians will still support it. I certainly am. In fact, you’ll get more support out of XP than Windows 7 at least in the first four to six months. Consider Windows 7 in its testing phase until six months from now.
What can you expect from Windows 7? You can expect change, which some people relish. You can also expect all the problems of the first year of Vista, which is normal for any new software just coming out. There will be problems with getting printers, scanners and other devices to work on it because Windows 7 may not know how to operate certain devices yet. The device manufacturers will be working to fix this, but it’ll take months; I estimate at least six months.
Proceed cautiously! Do NOT let sales people force Windows 7 down your throat. If they’re a good honest sales person, they’ll be up front about the potential headaches.
I should say that all those above statements and cautions I made are for the majority of the computer users that don’t care about the latest-and-greatest. I’m really talking to those that just want their computer to work like it always has and without any complications. There are those that like to be on the cutting-edge of technology and those that understand there will be headaches venturing into new territory. If you’re one of those people and you’ve already made your mind up about getting Windows 7, then I think you’ll enjoy learning all the new things about it. Yeah, you’ll have headaches making things work, but that’s what you want. Have fun!
If you are in the majority that wants your computer with Windows XP, give us a call and we’ll help get you a Dell with Windows XP on it. We do this at no charge because we just want to help people get what they want. I know how it is being confused in the computer aisle and staring at 50 computers wondering what to get.
Windows 7 is slated to officially release Oct. 22. As of right now, there are six editions of Windows 7: starter, home basic, home premium, professional, enterprise, and ultimate. The first three are for the house, and the last three are for the office. If you’re a normal home user, you’ll probably want home basic. If you’re a power user, you’ll probably want home premium. As for the office versions, most will get the professional version. The enterprise version is for fancy remote tools that very large corporations may like to take advantage of. Ultimate is just everything, including the kitchen sink!
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.