Connect with us

Software

Ed Bott: XP Users Will Face Some Challenges With Windows 7

Published

on

Ed Bott, our good friend over at Zdnet.com, has a great article on comparing feature changes between Windows XP and the upcoming Windows 7. He says, and I agree with Ed, that Windows XP users will initially struggle with Windows 7 new UI features, but should give it some time to appreciate the productivity gains:

The real problem most XP users will have when migrating to the Windows 7 interface is that they need to unlearn those old navigation models. The longer you’ve been using PCs, the more likely you are to reflexively assume that the solution is to pull down a menu or double-click an icon. Those techniques worked fine back in the 1990s, but today, with instant search available just about everywhere in the Windows UI, those old techniques are as dated as a pair of Dockers.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Sumocat

    01/01/2009 at 7:58 pm

    Hmm, I wear three styles of Dockers that are great for carrying gadgets.

  2. Gavin Miller

    01/02/2009 at 6:34 am

    Well, from what I can see you can still do many tasks the XP way, but yes, instant search is the biggest change to me in the way I use Windows, and I think works fantastically well.

  3. Frank

    01/02/2009 at 7:23 am

    You mean that I have to use a keyboard more often now and type in what I want to open, like in Mac OS or in XP with Search Desktop? If that’s the case, then I don’t understand where’s there an improvement. I don’t say that I like the XP way, that you have to click and search with the mouse the programs you search but to type something in, that’s a joke. 1. you don’t always know the name for the thing you search and 2. newer devices use touch screens, don’t have a keyboard any longer, the keyboard is dying. I don’t get it.

  4. Mark (K0LO)

    01/02/2009 at 7:26 am

    When I first read of plans to incorporate Desktop Search into operating systems I thought “Who needs it? I’m organized and can find things on my own, thank you”. But I have to agree with Gavin. Vista search works incredibly well and has become one of my top three favorite Vista features. It has changed the way that I interact with Windows and I would not want to return to the old way of doing things.

  5. Feydaykyn

    01/03/2009 at 1:44 am

    This article is focused on the ability of ‘type to find’, and i shiver to the thought i’ll have to do that on my le1600… Is all-typing so great in seven with a TIP? Show us!

    • Rob Bushway

      01/03/2009 at 1:58 am

      we’ve demoed the ink features in the m3 build of Windows 7. Not much has changed in the text boxes, search, etc. We’ll definitely re-examine when the next beta is released.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.