It's weird because it's a Panavision screen, which is maybe useful if I'm going to watch movies in VistaVision or Proctoscope all day, but I'm not. It seems like wasted space.
It's also got Windows 7, and for someone like me who uses the keyboard to do just about EVERYTHING instead of the mouse, it's enough of a pain that I installed a program to revert it back to the old interface.
In fact, to me it was like having an overly-polished, overly-sexy veneer put over the system. It reminded me of that old CGI commercial that still looks impressive:
Impressive, but I wouldn't want to live that way! I've been doing everything I can to tone down the polished and molded edges and corners, the etched-glass-brick transparencies, the swooshy pastels. My desktop is black and my color scheme is dark and low(ish)-contrast. The IT guy often half-complains about it when working on my computer.
I've adapted to Windows 7 without much trouble. It's easy to turn off the bells and whistles, but one thing I absolutely HATE HATE HATE is how Windows Explorer is set up now where it's a pain just to determine how much space is being taken up by files in various folders, and it's sluggish when opening folders with a lot of video files. I know there are programs to get that will make it like the old Windows Explorer, but I shouldn't have to do that and it's hard to know which programs are good and safe and which ones are crap that put a bug in your PC's bung. Microsoft said they've gotten rid of features that "average users" don't need. Whatever. Pfft.
I like the modern widescreen monitors. My current 24-incher isn't much taller than my old monitor (now blinking in and out intermittenly, crawling along the desert to its last breath), but the width does seem to make things easier to see and maneuver through. Maybe. I don't watch movies on my computer (never will), so whoopty-doo, but the widescreen high-def is nice for online video files, trailers, etc.
I don't watch movies on my computer (never will), so whoopty-doo, but the widescreen high-def is nice for online video files, trailers, etc.
I just love that my computer screen is the only screen I have (I don't count the tiny laptop screen). It allows me to have some leeway despite the limited space in my apartment. I haven't had a standalone TV set since 2001 (my old TV's tube gave up then).
Oh, and I love to use the mouse as seldom as possible, too. So much quicker and more effortless with just a short cut on the keyboard.
Oh, and I love to use the mouse as seldom as possible, too. So much quicker and more effortless with just a short cut on the keyboard.
And so much more accurate.
If you have a PC, Handstand, you might eventually want to try the enabling the "StickyKey" function. It cuts down on the strain of holding down 2 keys for stuff.
Ex: if you hold control, the hit C for copy, you have to keep the fingers tensed.
With StickyKeys you touch control and release, then touch C and release to do the same thing. My hands have thanked me.
The majority of folks and students that I work with (I'd say 93.9%?) started out with Vista, and then adopted Windows 7...and the feedback was fairly positive.
The majority of folks and students that I work with (I'd say 93.9%?) started out with Vista, and then adopted Windows 7...and the feedback was fairly positive.
For me, a 17" Win7 laptop with an i5 processor and 16:9 display is the best PC ever. I will never buy or build another desktop machine again.
things I've done with my 'new' laptop - run Pianoteq s/w with midi keyboard for a virtual piano, using the stereo speakers. A+ - watched youtube content on HD TV via the HDMI port. A- - listened to LOTS of film music via youtube with laptop cabled to stereo. A+ - become a bit of a game addict again due to graphics processor. A+ (I suppose
Regarding youtube and music, I've bought about a dozen+ CDs after multiple listens off the net... way more than I have in the last decade.
but one thing I absolutely HATE HATE HATE is how Windows Explorer is set up now where it's a pain just to determine how much space is being taken up by files in various folders, and it's sluggish when opening folders with a lot of video files.
Agreed, it sucks and I have no idea what Win7 is wasting time on for somthing so simple as displaying a folder's or device's contents. The general interface is better than XP, but there are some controls that I miss (or can't find). -g-
It's funny. Every time I'm in my favorite PC shop and the conversation turns to Vista, the techs STILL roll their eyes.
Four years ago (count 'em, four!) I cherry-picked the components for my current system and had the guys build it for me, and it's still a monster. My kid is a bit of a gamer and he marvels at some of the things that it shouldn't be able to play smoothly, but it does. In an industry where getting a lemon seems to be the statistical norm, I got a peach. Nothing fancy, but sweeeet.
...but one thing I absolutely HATE HATE HATE is how Windows Explorer is set up now where it's a pain just to determine how much space is being taken up by files in various folders...
Give this utility a whirl - Windirstat. It's free, and you'll never go back to anything else!
It's funny. Every time I'm in my favorite PC shop and the conversation turns to Vista, the techs STILL roll their eyes.
Bwah hahahaha! I hear that...
In fact, my beloved Quarter Horse laptop (Aka: Fred) still runs XP vs. Vista and Windows 7. (Not that he has the horsepower [LOL!] to run either Vista or W7...)
Regardless, as much as I do prefer Windows 7 over Vista...I still love XP to a fault...regardless of the bugs and what not.
Just like my old skool NES...old habits and love interests die hard
I hope no one thought I was taking a shot at any Vista fans that may be out there. What I was trying to say was that I felt the techs were in an impossible position when Vista came out. Even though they were obligated to sell the product, they probably tried to keep their endorsement of it to a minimum-hoping to forestall the difficulties that users would have with it. By all accounts, fresh installs were much more hassle-free than upgrades. For those that never had problems... hey, good stuff.
At the time Vista came out, my missus bought a couple of laptops and I begged her to decline the Vista OS's that the store tacked onto the units. But she listened to the hype (stupid "big-box" stores) and, well...
I see that we are running into questions of faith here, which I respect.
As far as I’m concerned, I still work and test regularly with computers running either Windows XP, Vista, or 7. Microsoft has softened a few of Vista’s edges for Windows 7 (some of that is in the Vista patches too), but for most practical purposes, I fail to notice any major differences between the latter two. My only explanation for Vista’s overpoweringly bad rap (as opposed to Windows 7) could be some then-immature third-party drivers; otherwise I’m at a loss.
I have been using Apple computers since 1993, and yet I have never been an Apple worshipper. I still find it hilarious how the "early adopter" kids were all crying foul when Apple cut the iPhone price by 200$ just a few weeks after its launch. That was priceless. I see no use in the iPad as it is now and I'm not tempted to buy a MacBook (though that is mainly because I'm fed up with the fragility of all laptop computers).
You can use a Mac and still keep your brains. It is possible.
DeeBee, how do you implement this Sticky Keys function? Sounds handy. Is it something I have to download?
Volde-dyce, I could have told you how to do it under XP very easily, but W7 has placed it in some far-fetched place. It'll take me a moment to unearth it.
Let's see...
Okay in W7 look under Control Panel, then under the hyper-cool new name of "Ease of Access Center" (sounds like someplace where the receptionist offers you an iced drink while you wait in the lobby. It used to be "Accessibility Options.")
Choose "Make the Keyboard Easier to Use"
Check "Turn on StickyKeys"
I recommend going into "Set Up StickyKeys" to do the following:
--Check "lock modifier keys when pressed twice in a row*", "display StickyKeys in the taskbar" and decide if you want "make a sound when turning a setting on or off" (having it on drove me bananas).
Click Apply, then OK.
*This means if, for instance, you are going to do Ctrl-DownArrow to turn down the volume in RealPlayer, you can press Ctrl twice to "lock it down", then press DownArrrow until you get the volume right, then press Ctrl again to "unlock" the Ctrl function. (It does take practice, but it is worth it to take the stress off my fingers.)
Windows 7 is way-totally Microsoft's attempt to look and act more like a Macintosh!
Seriously, the functions, the look, the way stuff swoops around and fades in and out. It is totally like the Mac I worked on about 3 years ago. Maybe Vista was the same way (I've never seen a Vista interface).
