Windows Operating System

(add horiz Ad Sense)

The operating system of your computer is not like application software. It is the language that the computer understands. It does the math, it translates the language. It makes the screen show you images or text and it put sounds through the speakers. It tells the printer what to print. If it doesn't work, nothing does.
"If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

The oldest computers right now may still have Windows 98, or Windows ME on them.. most have Windows XP, some have Windows Vista, and now, the new ones have Windows 7... Why must the operating systems change?

It's a leapfrog.. We want our computers to do MORE... the hardware gets better, so the software must be re-written to use the new capabilities.. To sell more computers, the hardware has to keep getting better, and the new software must be written. The more computers are sold.. hopefully, the prices will come down so more people can afford them.. that part is much slower!

Windows XP has been around for 10 years or so...and with every "patch" and "fix", it became better, more reliable until we trust it so much, that it's actually scary for some to consider giving it up and switching to the new Win 7.
It's a good idea to realize that the operating system version you can use is really determined by the hardware in the computer.

Those using Vista now can upgrade to Win 7 rather easily. But for XP users, Win 7 will require a complete "clean" installation, which means you back up your documents, photos, music and program downloads to an external hard drive, then take everything off except Windows XP (a great time to get rid of what you don't need.) As I understand it, then you can install the Upgrade you need. When that's working right, then you have to re-load all of your "stuff". You can use Windows Easy Transfer, but you'll need to search online for it, and download it.

Want to know more?? Microsoft has put it all into a chart, so you know exactly what you need. I refer you to this link: Windows Upgrade Chart

If you can't upgrade your old one, by adding more memory, a faster processor, etc.. then it will not be compatible with Win 7, but you can certainly continue to use XP for as long as you're satisfied with it.

To be able to get the most out of it, Win 7 really needs the capability of new hardware,.. i.e., a new computer, if you can.
Thus, the economy is boosted by new computer sales ... but we benefit from tremendous new features of the operating system. The ability to have a screen that is responsive to your touch is revolutionary this year.. makes you wonder what computers will be like in another 10 years! Will we even need a monitor screen?? or will it all just be displayed holographically in front of our eyes?

I like the new IPad from Apple, because it combines the ease of reading any of thousands of books, on one appliance that is lighter and more convenient than the Kindle reader, I think.(Not owning either, I really don't know for sure.,, yet!) What makes it different is that it still can use most of the other application capabilities, as well. It still needs some improvements, though, I hear.

Which brings me to the other kind of software: Applications, or we used to call them "programs". See, I have been around quite a while.
Applications used to fit neatly into just a few niches.. Accounting, Word Processing, Graphics, Presentations and Utilities.
The creative minds of programmers have blurred all the edges and invented so many new things to do, fitting them into classifications is getting harder all the time.

We can buy them in a box at a retail store, or download them from the Web, either as a free trial, or purchase. We can even subscribe to use them on the web, and never have them on our computer at all! The choices are overwhelming.. so I use every free trial I can, to discover just what each one can and cannot do, and how easy it is to learn. Be assured, though, to get the best tool for the job, eventually you will have to pay.

Time for some recommendations:
Free trials are available from CNET Download.com, Tucows.com, as well as the home site of each product.
I have always had good prices, service, and dependability from these retailers: NewEgg.com., TigerDirect.com and Amazon.com

Would you like to leave a comment or question?

If this site is helpful to you, please refer it to a friend, or you can help support it by clicking on any ad that interests you.
Thank you.

Return to top