My first time using Windows, need help running applications! Help!

newtowindows said:

I just ran into another little problem. Windows Media Player doesn't seem to play some of my music. It plays the mp3s just fine, but my oggs I ripped from my CD collection say it needs a 'codec'. I guess that's some kind of jargon you guys might understand? I'm a Windows newbie, so I don't understand a lot of this techy stuff, I don't mean to get you guys to explain this all to me. I'm sure a friend can help.

I've been using the KLite Codec pack (link) for the last few years on Windows 98, Windows XP and now Windows 7 with no problems at all... It also installs Media Player Classic, which I've come to like more than any of the standard Windows Media Players. It doesn't have a media library (like WMP does), it's just a player, but it doesn't overwrite WMP so you'll still have both available.

I'd suggest you download the 'Mega' codec pack and install with the default options, you hardly ever need to go into the advanced configurations anyway.

newtowindows said:

If I get the right apps, I'm sure I can deal without a package manager for a while, even though I like testing new programs. Is Download.com a good place to find programs, or would another place have more/be safer? I'm kinda' paranoid of just installing packages without any kind of verification system.

Why don't you try looking at AlternativeTo (link) and searching for programs you used to use on Linux, from there you should get a couple alternative programs and be able to find a Windows equivelent for programs you're used to.

Cool- thanks, it works now. You're a lifesaver. It's an AS7540-1734 I ordered to the store with an online discount. I customized it to have a webcam included and some accessories like bluetooth.

That alternatives site seems pretty cool, but a lot of the stuff it's suggesting is Linux stuff. For both Rhythmbox and Tomboy it just gives me a bunch of GTK stuff, which I believe is Gnome based. I'm no expert, but the themes for Gnome say GTK in the name, so I think they're related somehow.

But yeah, I'll keep looking. I searched around, and I found this program called iTunes that has a store, kinda' like Rhythmbox. It looks a bit more familiar, too, so I might use it. But Windows Media Player is shiny, and Winamp seems to have some cool themes going for it.

Oh, that reminds me- are there any ways to change the glass theme to something else? I mean, it looks nice mostly, but the window buttons look a little old school. I'm just wondering, since it's only letting me change the colors. Again, sorry for barraging you with questions, I'm really curious to this new world of Windows.

I can't seem to find a Startup Programs menu entry for some reason.

EDIT: I pressed enter and it opened a box and in Startup it says Microsoft Corporation Explorer, NvCplDaemon, AcrSynptc, and nwiz. It doesn't seem to be a lot, I think it's just stuff for my NVIDIA card. I'm not sure what the Microsoft Corporation thing is supposed to be, I didn't buy any Microsoft Explorer software online?

Huh, the themes don't seem to be anything too special. They just change the texture and colors of the border, I wonder if you can download more online from a central website? Something like gnome-look.org, but for Windows Aero?

Oh, alright- there are many more entries, now!

There's Logitec SetPoint, Microsoft Security Essentials, Java(TM), HD Audio Control, Windows Live, and something from NVidia. Is that too much stuff? I usually never start things up with my computer, so I might want to disable all of these.