Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Windows seven

I'm in the process of migrating my computer to Windows 7. It's a long and nerve-wracking process since my computer is about seven years old now. The installation has required me to reinstall most of my programs and that's time consuming. There are some issues with my graphics card (I may need a new one) but most things are going smoothly. Except that I forgot to back up my internet bookmarks (d'oh!) and had to use a year-old backup. Not the end of the world.

Windows... hehehe... get it? I washed these last week; glad I didn't have to re-install them.

I've also updated to Office 2010. It's taking some getting used to. I am very habit-oriented and when my buttons are not where I'm used to them being, or the colors are different, I get frustrated easily. The frustration won't last long as I can adapt. It's just the abrupt change to something unfamiliar that jars me.

I'll also be upgrading to a new version of Photoshop. This one's in English (the one I've been using was in French), so I'll have to learn all the English commands that I've spent years working with in French.

I was awake at about four this morning, just lying there thinking about all of this. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up around 4:30 and turned on the computer. But I did get Money installed and actually balanced my checkbook, so it's been a productive morning. And the sun's not even up yet.

Change is my friend.

15 comments:

  1. I felt the same frustration when I switched to Windows 7 and MS 2010. Luckily, they came with the new laptop I bought in October 2009, so I didn't need to go through the time-consuming re-installing process. Good Luck!

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  2. Change is my friend also; but paper money is my bosom buddy. Jack Benny?

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  3. You're more forgiving than I am. I get intensely irritated when software makers hide the important things behind window dressing. I would much rather programs look the same but work better so I could continue working the same way I always did.

    I always liken it to a car maker deciding that on the new model they will put the steering wheel in the back seat and the brake pedal in front of the passenger seat. If the manufacturers of the 1001horsepower $1.7million 431kmh Bugatti Veyron, and the 4horsepower 45kmh €9990 Aixam city can agree on where the pedals go, why can't Adobe Photoshop keep the buttons in the same place for two versions running?

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  4. I've just gone to 7 Walt as you know although via a new Dell rather than an upgrade. I need to get used to 7, it all looks a bit strange to me at the moment. Like you I also went to office 2010 and have the same reservations... it looks and feels different!

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  5. I know nothing about Windows 7. I just turn on my computer and hope it works. Much like when I go to the ATM and assume that cash will come out of it. But I'm loving those windows going to your patio. I would be washing them 24/7 just cause they are so pretty.
    m.

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  6. I love these windows...the only thing that would make them nicer is if you could see me through them, on the patio sipping wine.

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  7. I like my Windows 7. It probably helps that I haven't a clue what I'm doing and don't question anything. I just do as I'm told and learn it all as I go along.

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  8. I upgraded my tabletop to W7, but my laptop came with it. There are some differences but I'm not sure why. Which browser do you use? I have IE9, Firefox4, and Chrome10. I use Chrome almost exclusively. I had Opera and I really liked some of the features, but there are some things Opera can't run.

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  9. I'm with Simon.

    >>Change is my friend.
    Watch out, you're getting brainwashed.

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  10. I hear ya, Walt. As a GUI designer, it's those little things that drive me crazy about software. For example, you are required to input your password to continue, yet the cursor is not positioned on the password entry field. What were they thinking?

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  11. Pardon my IT innocence but how do you back up your bookmarks?

    I intend buying a new notebook soon and was dreading establishing my favourite bookmarks on the new unit.

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  12. OMIGOD RICK! MAC! MAC! MAC! I left Windows after my last computer crash with my year old Dell. The crash was caused by trying to install my Palm Pilot software on Vista. IT CRASHED MY COMPUTER! My friends had been urging me to leave Mr. Softee and all his incompatibility problems behind and when my computer crashed, that's just what I did. I bought a 27 inch screen iMac and I haven't had any problems since! There is a learning curve but that is quickly overcome because Mac products are so intuitive. And the support from Apple is the best! You get an American within the third ring and they know what they're talking about. No more trying to understand an Indian from Mumbai reading from a script. Go Apple and leave Windows behind. You'll be MUCH HAPPIER!

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  13. martine, it's been pretty ok so far.

    bill, LOL!

    simon, yup.

    craig, I think I'm getting used to it. It doesn't take long. It's just the initial shock. ;)

    mark, drop by any time. I have all the tools you need to clean the windows. Really. Any time.

    sean, you're welcome any time. You can supervise mark while he cleans them.

    jean, your computer probably likes you a lot. It was cool that Nick dropped by yesterday!

    starman, I use firefox exclusively.

    chris, sarcasm. ;)

    cheryl, my current favorite: "You don't have permission to perform this task." Then I click "ok" and it goes ahead and performs the task.

    victor, in Firefox, you go to bookmarks/show all bookmarks/import and backup/export HTML.

    ron, WALT. I'm Walt! :) I've been using pc's since the mid 1980s. Old dog, new tricks, and all that.

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  14. Walt.. I just think you are hilarious and I love your picture captions. I laughed a lot at the windows.. hee hee hee hee
    :-)

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