Vista Learning Curve

[Howard Leighty]

OK, so I just got my first taste of Vista (Ultimate). I was called upon by
an acquaintance to come and help them with their new HP DV9000 laptop (nice
box) loaded with Vista Ultimate. I really disliked what I found in Vista.
Perhaps you may ask why?

The main reason I didn't like it was the Vista GUI. I couldn't find
anything I was looking for. Everything has either moved or changed its name
or both. Nothing is where it has been for at least the last three
generations of Windows.

Oh, yeah, I 'got it' that "Properties" is now "Personalize" but what about
the properties for various objects like individual files, folders, etc. If
I want to know the height and width of a jpg or gif image, I used to be able
to just check the Properties for that object. What now? I don't know yet.

Basically Vista has turned the Windows world on its head, and for no
apparent good reason. I simply cannot understand why Microsoft is so dense
that they cannot understand that many, if not most, veteran users of Windows
are going to find this to be a horrible and confusing experience as did my
friend and as I did also.

Before I get any unhelpful comments, I need to say that I am a very
experienced user and very technically savvy in both hardware and software.
Before I reached age 59 (in 2002) I was employed as an Engineering
Technician III at Intel Corporation where I provided technician support to a
major validation lab and was part of a team of six technicians supporting
about 60 engineers and over 600 computers and about 400 validation
platforms. That was before the big layoff in the Fall of 2002. My
electronics career spans 47 years and I've been heavily involved with
computers ever since 1982 and the days of the original DOS / IBM XT 4.7 MHz
box. I'm the most technically savvy guy that anyone in my circle knows. I
don't even know anyone more technically savvy than me. That's why I am
addressing my question here in this forum where some VERY tech-savvy folks
hang out.

So cutting to the chase --
the question I am asking here is this:
Is there any kind of good book or technical reference out there yet (like
O'Reilly or ...? ) that can help me make the transition from XP to Vista? I
need to understand what's going on "under the hood". For example what
happened to all of the user profile and application data and local settings,
etc. that used to be found under Documents and Settings. And that's just
for starters.

I think everyone here knows what I am talking about and what I am asking.
So I would appreciate any helpful information or suggestions that would aid
my "Vista learning curve".
Thanks.

=Howard Leighty=

Oh, and the email address is my real email address and anyone can send me a
private reply if they wish. I fear no spam because I use MailWasher Pro,
the best email spam defense that I know of.

 

[Neil Harley]

Howard Leighty wrote:

So cutting to the chase --
the question I am asking here is this:
Is there any kind of good book or technical reference out there yet
(like O'Reilly or ...? ) that can help me make the transition from XP
to Vista? I need to understand what's going on "under the hood".
For example what happened to all of the user profile and application
data and local settings, etc. that used to be found under Documents
and Settings. And that's just for starters.

Try Windows Vista Inside Out or Mastering Vista

 

[Alun Harford]

OK, so I just got my first taste of Vista (Ultimate). I was called upon by
an acquaintance to come and help them with their new HP DV9000 laptop (nice
box) loaded with Vista Ultimate. I really disliked what I found in Vista.
Perhaps you may ask why?

The main reason I didn't like it was the Vista GUI. I couldn't find
anything I was looking for. Everything has either moved or changed its name
or both. Nothing is where it has been for at least the last three
generations of Windows.

Oh, yeah, I 'got it' that "Properties" is now "Personalize" but what about
the properties for various objects like individual files, folders, etc. If
I want to know the height and width of a jpg or gif image, I used to be able
to just check the Properties for that object. What now? I don't know yet.

If you select an image file, it shows the dimensions in the panel at the
bottom of the explorer window.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the file, choose "Properties" and
choose "Details"

So cutting to the chase --
the question I am asking here is this:
Is there any kind of good book or technical reference out there yet (like
O'Reilly or ...? ) that can help me make the transition from XP to Vista? I
need to understand what's going on "under the hood". For example what
happened to all of the user profile and application data and local settings,
etc. that used to be found under Documents and Settings.

They're stored in a directory on the system drive, called "Users" by
default.

And that's just
for starters.

I think the best way to deal with these problems is to use the OS for a
little while. Actually, very little (exposed to the user) has changed
(certainly compared to Win3.1->Win95, but also compared to Win2k->WinXP
IMO).

Alun Harford

 

[Richard Urban]

Start | Help and support | Windows Basics and What's New.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[DP]

I, for one, am happy that after you raised several legitimate complaints,
you asked for resources where you can learn more about this OS. That's a
whole lot better than saying it sucks and you're going back to Windows for
Workgroups 3.11 or that everybody should do Linux, etc etc etc.

For what it's worth, I'm slowing making my way through "Windows Vista
Secrets," by Brian Livingston. I don't think there are very many real
secrets in the book, but it's helpful anyway.

Good luck.

(Another FWIW: I'm about 7 years younger than you, but my experience with
computers has been simply as a hobbyist, or as a semi-serious user (word
proc, Quicken, etc). )

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Howard

The Vista Resource Kit is now available. It comes with a DVD that contains
the entire E-book in PDF format.

Barnes & Noble.com - Windows Vista Resource Kit:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780735622838&itm=1

 

[POP]

Just google also... ;-)

One thing about some of the changes... it is not what Microsoft decided,
Users asked for them.

With regards to technical aspects, this is helping software vendors as the
Documents and Settings folder causes issues for installed programs.

But think about it... you want to find where all the user folders are....
You look in Users, makes sense ? Not like XP where you have to look in
documents and settings... ;-)

 

[Dan]

Windows Vista Inside Out is the best I have read so far. It also comes with
a real good companion CD that allows you to use the book in electronic form
with search etc capabilities.

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Vista...3867126?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177790604&sr=8-1

Dan

 

[Howard Leighty]

Thank you for the helpful replies that I received from:

Neil Harley,
DP,
Ronnie Vernon MVP,
Dan

Thank you, gentlemen.

=Howard Leighty=

 

[POP]

Googling isn't helpful then ?

Advising it wasn't all Microsoft doing, doesn't help your understanding

Oh well...

 

[Dan]

If the op is anything like me, nothing beats learning from a book. If I need
a quick answer, google is great, but reading a huge pdf or jumping around
the web to learn about a single subject is not conducive for me to learn any
subject. Call me old fashioned but a well written book is the best way for
me to absorb and learn.

Dan

 

[Kurt Herman]

Old fashioned!

Kurt

 

[Jay Somerset]

There is at least one place where you can specify "classic view" which makes
Vista look a lot more like XP/2000. I have found that this helped ease the
transition to Vista, while I "find" the other things that have
changed/moved.

Example: Startroperties -- click on "Classic Start Menu"

Operating systems are sort of like a pair of shoes -- when they're
new/unfamiliar, they can chafe and raise blisters. When they've been
worn/used for a while, they become much more comfortable. That's one reason
why I resist buying new shoes until the old ones are falling apart.
Same with OS's.

 

[POP]

I agree but one book is just that authors point of view (ok with input from
other sources)

Many a time I've read one book and then another to find other stuff, also
reading a book takes time and in IT we don't have that...

Googling was just being jovial but I was trying to put a point across at his
criticism at Microsoft that its not all down to Microsoft, changes in OS are
down to user input also.

I thought i was being helpful, he might not of heard of google...;-)

 

[Jon]

OK, so I just got my first taste of Vista (Ultimate). I was called upon
by
an acquaintance to come and help them with their new HP DV9000 laptop
(nice
box) loaded with Vista Ultimate. I really disliked what I found in
Vista.
Perhaps you may ask why?

The main reason I didn't like it was the Vista GUI. I couldn't find
anything I was looking for. Everything has either moved or changed its
name
or both. Nothing is where it has been for at least the last three
generations of Windows.

Oh, yeah, I 'got it' that "Properties" is now "Personalize" but what about
the properties for various objects like individual files, folders, etc.
If
I want to know the height and width of a jpg or gif image, I used to be
able
to just check the Properties for that object. What now? I don't know
yet.

Basically Vista has turned the Windows world on its head, and for no
apparent good reason. I simply cannot understand why Microsoft is so
dense
that they cannot understand that many, if not most, veteran users of
Windows
are going to find this to be a horrible and confusing experience as did my
friend and as I did also.

Before I get any unhelpful comments, I need to say that I am a very
experienced user and very technically savvy in both hardware and software.
Before I reached age 59 (in 2002) I was employed as an Engineering
Technician III at Intel Corporation where I provided technician support to
a
major validation lab and was part of a team of six technicians supporting
about 60 engineers and over 600 computers and about 400 validation
platforms. That was before the big layoff in the Fall of 2002. My
electronics career spans 47 years and I've been heavily involved with
computers ever since 1982 and the days of the original DOS / IBM XT 4.7
MHz
box. I'm the most technically savvy guy that anyone in my circle knows. I
don't even know anyone more technically savvy than me. That's why I am
addressing my question here in this forum where some VERY tech-savvy folks
hang out.

So cutting to the chase --
the question I am asking here is this:
Is there any kind of good book or technical reference out there yet (like
O'Reilly or ...? ) that can help me make the transition from XP to Vista?
I
need to understand what's going on "under the hood". For example what
happened to all of the user profile and application data and local
settings,
etc. that used to be found under Documents and Settings. And that's just
for starters.

I think everyone here knows what I am talking about and what I am asking.
So I would appreciate any helpful information or suggestions that would
aid
my "Vista learning curve".
Thanks.

=Howard Leighty=

Oh, and the email address is my real email address and anyone can send me
a
private reply if they wish. I fear no spam because I use MailWasher Pro,
the best email spam defense that I know of.

I used the forgotten ancient art of visiting a local bookshop when I was
debating this question.

As others have said, 'Windows Vista Inside Out' is pretty much essential
reading.

'Windows Vista In A Nutshell' also has some good chapters on new command
line tools in Vista.

 

[Jon]

Operating systems are sort of like a pair of shoes -- when they're
new/unfamiliar, they can chafe and raise blisters. When they've been
worn/used for a while, they become much more comfortable. That's one
reason
why I resist buying new shoes until the old ones are falling apart.
Same with OS's.

If evryone bought shoes only when the old ones wore out, then the world
would be a far better place *sigh*

 

[Dan]

I agree, one source is never enough. I have though in the past found it
sufficient to purchase 2 or three books on a subject and in using what I
have learned from those books gone and expanded my knowledge on my own using
either google, or plain old experimentation. Finding the time to read I
agree is hard to do, that's why I usually read before bed. It gives me some
time to wind down from the day and gives me time to read a chapter or two
before I get too tired to absorb the content. I also am in the industry and
being the owner of a "mom and pop" computer store in a small town in rural
Iowa I have to have knowledge on many subjects, so I do a lot of reading. I
have to be able to do anything from helping an elderly person pick out a
computer and get them going on the basics to installing and configuring a
Cisco based VPN network for a hospital with 4 branches, maintaining a small
town broadband ISP, and everything in between. Keeping up with the new
stuff, advising people on what they need ie not buying more, or less than
they require for the given job, and keeping myself sane is a huge balancing
act. But I enjoy it, and I enjoy technology. Reading, and then getting hands
on is the best way I have found to learn and absorb anything new that I
might venture into. ;-)

In the case of Vista I have read two books and am finishing my 3rd. After
this it will be hands and a search for a quick reference if needed. I have
to be proficient with Vista as I am the go to person for an entire area and
feel that its my responsibility to make sure I know what I am talking about,
and if I don't, where to find the answer quickly.

Dan

 

[Frank]

OK, so I just got my first taste of Vista (Ultimate). I was called upon by
an acquaintance to come and help them with their new HP DV9000 laptop (nice
box) loaded with Vista Ultimate. I really disliked what I found in Vista.
Perhaps you may ask why?

The main reason I didn't like it was the Vista GUI. I couldn't find
anything I was looking for. Everything has either moved or changed its name
or both. Nothing is where it has been for at least the last three
generations of Windows.

Yep...that's one of the main complaints about Vista and the biggest
frustration. Get used to it cause it is what it is.

Oh, yeah, I 'got it' that "Properties" is now "Personalize" but what about
the properties for various objects like individual files, folders, etc. If
I want to know the height and width of a jpg or gif image, I used to be able
to just check the Properties for that object. What now? I don't know yet.

Right click, properties/details. Rather simple.

Basically Vista has turned the Windows world on its head, and for no
apparent good reason. I simply cannot understand why Microsoft is so dense
that they cannot understand that many, if not most, veteran users of Windows
are going to find this to be a horrible and confusing experience as did my
friend and as I did also.

Things always change so that they can remain the same.

Before I get any unhelpful comments, I need to say that I am a very
experienced user and very technically savvy in both hardware and software.
Before I reached age 59 (in 2002) I was employed as an Engineering
Technician III at Intel Corporation where I provided technician support to a
major validation lab and was part of a team of six technicians supporting
about 60 engineers and over 600 computers and about 400 validation
platforms. That was before the big layoff in the Fall of 2002. My
electronics career spans 47 years and I've been heavily involved with
computers ever since 1982 and the days of the original DOS / IBM XT 4.7 MHz
box. I'm the most technically savvy guy that anyone in my circle knows. I
don't even know anyone more technically savvy than me. That's why I am
addressing my question here in this forum where some VERY tech-savvy folks
hang out.

And you mean to say you never used any of the beta (CPP) releases over
the last year or so?
Shame on you!

So cutting to the chase --
the question I am asking here is this:
Is there any kind of good book or technical reference out there yet (like
O'Reilly or ...? ) that can help me make the transition from XP to Vista? I
need to understand what's going on "under the hood". For example what
happened to all of the user profile and application data and local settings,
etc. that used to be found under Documents and Settings. And that's just
for starters.

Tell you what you should do...especially with your "technical"
background. Get a copy of Vista and spend a few hours digging through
it. After that, XP will seen old and forgotten.

I think everyone here knows what I am talking about and what I am asking.
So I would appreciate any helpful information or suggestions that would aid
my "Vista learning curve".
Thanks.

Do exactly what I suggest and you'll be good to go. And guess what...no
need to peak the grid or dip the plate! :-D
Frank

 

[Guest]

We have to learn it the way we have learnt every other operating system;
spend a few sleepless nights using the mouse and keyboard.
You won't learn much here.

 

[Cymbal Man Freq.]

I wonder what the Vista version of the Sxs folder is...??



http://www.tomax7.com/mcse/sxs_folder.htm

I just notice a SXS folder on my computer and inside it has this security
catalog name msxml4.

It provides a mechanism for multiple versions of individual Windows components
to be installed and run "side by side." This helps to address the "DLL hell"
problem by allowing an application written and tested with one version of a
system component to continue to use that version even if an application that
uses a newer version of the same component is installed.

Side by Side (SXS) in XP can be explained on this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpprfeat.mspx


Further discussion:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20759045.html

In upgrading an older system from '98 to XP, I encountered the "sxs.dll syntax
error on I386/asms/msft/gdiplus.man line 4" error. I tried downloading and
replacing the gdiplus.dll file on the target system, but the same error
returned. Then I saw builtright's comment about the video card, and replaced the
old video with a new XP compatible card, and the problem disappeared with a
successful upgrade. I think the real clue was the file name GDIplus.dll