patndoris TechnoGeek

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...a flashing neon sign (well not really) but the glaringly bright orange label slapped dutifully on the box reading "do not sell before January..." From there I tuned out. I knew instantly I was not going to find the much prayed for XP on this laptop! The specs had been unclear as to what O/S was going to be shipped so I crossed my fingers and hoped desperately it would be XP. I even had Plan B (contingency plan for downgrading to XP) all worked out in my head. The label screamed it all....this laptop had Windows Vista (Home Premium.)

I unpacked all the accessories...checked out the laptop bag, the notebook surge suppressor...finally when there was nothing else to explore (about 5 minutes after opening the box) I had to dive into the "Vista Experience". I did take time to read the label on the carton (delay tactic to avoid actually opening it) and found it came with integrated web cam and microphone. Woo hoo! A bonus I hadn't expected! Hours upon hours later, and with only AVG, Ad-aware and Spybot having been loaded on, I was totally and utterly frustrated. Techno OCD though I may be, I left my brand new toy on the dining room table and made my escape for freedom (out to dinner.)

Not only had I been subjected to Vista, but also IE7 and the noticeably different "feel" of the keyboard as well. Now I'm all for new software programs - but I don't really like it when I used to know what I was doing and all of a sudden feel like I don't anymore. I mean how hard is this supposed to be? I faced obstacle after obstacle. When I managed to reach the control panel, not only have they added a zillion new icons, they changed the names of the old ones! Add/Remove programs is now "Programs and Features". Display settings are now under "Personalization". I'm convinced some guy slaving in a too small cubicle somewhere in Microsoft's headquarters dreamed this all up as a cruel cruel joke. He's sitting there now getting a kick out of knowing XP users around the world are at this very moment carefully studying each and every icon, analyzing where oh where do they (fill in the blank with whatever task you want... most any simple task will do here since nothing feels simple anymore.)

I'm pretty sure the odds of finding the right place to do what you want on the first try are...say...about the same as hitting it big on the slot machines. Well maybe not quite...but still it's been quite an experience. Here I sit, 3 days later, and I'm actually feeling a wee bit better about it all. I'm still struggling to understand where stuff is - but it is starting to grow on me. It will undoubtedly take me months to feel completely comfortable with it, but I have revised my attitude to include the possibility I may actually like it one day in the not too distant future. The sidebar gagets are my favorite part so far - very nice addition!