Does anyone actually LIKE Windows 7? (CD, laptops, desktop, Linux)

[f_m]

Originally Posted by karibear

.... I can't just drive to the nearest city because I'm legally blind and can't drive anymore.

Well, I think it does have better accessibility functions like voice recognition, narrator, etc... You might find them useful.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by karibear

After losing my second computer in 2 months to viruses, I bought a new one yesterday with Windows 7 preloaded. It either refuses to let me install programs that worked just fine in XP-HE and XP Pro, or if it does allow them to install, it won't let them work. If I could, I'd drop kick it to the moon.

Nor do I want their blasted little buttons all over the place to take me to their choice of websites. That's what a favorites list on the browser is for, for MY favorites, not theirs.

Just color me frustrated and feeling extremely negative about Microsoft.

That's part of the problem with peoples perceptions, they are many times wrong. The blame for all the crap on your laptop lies with the mfg, not Microsoft. Most apps can be made to work with a bit of effort.

[zenone]

If Win XP was so good, how did you end up getting 2 viruses (I should say virii) on it? Trust me, there is a LOT more praise out there for Windows 7 than for XP - you just need to look in any regular computing forum to see that. Windows 7 is faster than XP and looks more streamlined and smooth - when I use XP now I just think it looks outdated and clunky. So some people think it was 'broke' and they decided to move with the times and make an upgrade - that's life. Maybe it would be better to move too and upgrade than to expect everyone to use the same outdated looking software. And don't forget to use some anti-virus software this time (although the one that comes included with Windows 7 is actually pretty good - but if you'd rather not use it because it didn't come with XP...).

Btw, I just looked, and Lotus Organiser 6.1 is now out: IBM time management software – Lotus Organizer . And WordPerfect 10 is totally compatible with Windows 7 (Will WordPerfect 10 which works with Windows XP be compatible with Windows 7?). So adapt and use the internet to figure out where you're going wrong.

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by karibear

After losing my second computer in 2 months to viruses, I bought a new one yesterday with Windows 7 preloaded. It either refuses to let me install programs that worked just fine in XP-HE and XP Pro, or if it does allow them to install, it won't let them work. If I could, I'd drop kick it to the moon.

Nor do I want their blasted little buttons all over the place to take me to their choice of websites. That's what a favorites list on the browser is for, for MY favorites, not theirs.

Just color me frustrated and feeling extremely negative about Microsoft.

You sound like the perfect candidate to switch to a Mac. All the frustrations you laid out will not bother you on a Mac. Give it some serious thought, mate.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

You sound like the perfect candidate to switch to a Mac. All the frustrations you laid out will not bother you on a Mac. Give it some serious thought, mate.

If she can't manage the transition from XP to Win7, switching to a completely different OS doesn't sound like a good idea. I find most people who moan at how hard Windows is would rather just blame the OS for everything. I've had people tell me that Windows sucks and they should buy a Mac (because they've heard they're easier to use) when their real problem is that they can't figure out how to operate Yahoo mail.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by zenone

And don't forget to use some anti-virus software this time (although the one that comes included with Windows 7 is actually pretty good - but if you'd rather not use it because it didn't come with XP...).

Quick correction: Neither XP, Vista, nor Win7 come with an antivirus. Vista did come with Windows Defender (supposedly anti-spyware I guess) but it was useless. However, Microsoft Security Essentials can be downloaded for free from Microsoft for all three operating systems.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Quick correction: Neither XP, Vista, nor Win7 come with an antivirus. Vista did come with Windows Defender (supposedly anti-spyware I guess) but it was useless. However, Microsoft Security Essentials can be downloaded for free from Microsoft for all three operating systems.

Windows 7 also includes Defender, just as useless as it was in Vista.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by NHDave

Windows 7 also includes Defender, just as useless as it was in Vista.

Ahh, I hadn't noticed it since the first thing I install on every new Win7 box I touch is MSSE which of course disables Defender.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by zenone

If Win XP was so good, how did you end up getting 2 viruses (I should say virii) on it? Trust me, there is a LOT more praise out there for Windows 7 than for XP - you just need to look in any regular computing forum to see that. Windows 7 is faster than XP and looks more streamlined and smooth - when I use XP now I just think it looks outdated and clunky. So some people think it was 'broke' and they decided to move with the times and make an upgrade - that's life. Maybe it would be better to move too and upgrade than to expect everyone to use the same outdated looking software. And don't forget to use some anti-virus software this time (although the one that comes included with Windows 7 is actually pretty good - but if you'd rather not use it because it didn't come with XP...).

Btw, I just looked, and Lotus Organiser 6.1 is now out: IBM time management software – Lotus Organizer . And WordPerfect 10 is totally compatible with Windows 7 (Will WordPerfect 10 which works with Windows XP be compatible with Windows 7?). So adapt and use the internet to figure out where you're going wrong.

The viruses both got through AVG, which were up to date and scanning daily. The first one I assumed came through on an infected email, but I only use webmail now, so there isn't much chance of that happening. Also, the pop up blocker is in place, any time I want to download something - very rare indeed - I have to give it permission to do so. And the only thing I downloaded on that second computer was a user's manual for an LG cell phone directly from the LG help site, and it was supposedly virus clear.

Umm.... while Lotus Organizer 2.0 was indeed an old program predating Lotus Suite, the particular version I had I bought less than a year ago, and it was rewritten for Windows XP.

I like and prefer what I like and prefer. I think of it more as a personal preference, like prefering a Dodge or a Chevy over a Ford. If you've driven and loved a '95 Chevy pick up with 4 on the floor, why would you think a '96 Ford sedan automatic is superior just because it's newer? It's not better, it's different, and it shouldn't be replacing what other people want, just filling it's own niche.

As for speed, this latest one has 4 gigs of memory with a 750 gig hard drive. It is far from being as fast as either of the last two, one of which had 500-something kb of memory and the oldest one had 186 kb of memory (I've been told it shouldn't even have booted up, with all the programs I had on it) - the 'free trial' version of Norton has turned it into a wallowing pig.

And for what it's worth, I don't think I've said anything critical about anyone else's preferences - I just happen to like the look of XP in whichever version, and I don't like the looks - or so far - the ease of use for me, of Windows 7.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

If she can't manage the transition from XP to Win7, switching to a completely different OS doesn't sound like a good idea. I find most people who moan at how hard Windows is would rather just blame the OS for everything. I've had people tell me that Windows sucks and they should buy a Mac (because they've heard they're easier to use) when their real problem is that they can't figure out how to operate Yahoo mail.

If I ever switch to a mac, it will be because the vast majority of viruses are aimed at Microsoft, not for any other reason.

There is also a very large difference between not wanting to make a transition and not being able to make that same transition. It's not that I can't, I don't WANT to. Do you get that?