Have mercy on the Less experienced!

[cbleman]

Things are missing in Vista and Win 7 that were in XP....

The arrow Icon that brings you up 1 directory. Bread crumbs is....ok.... but why should it be the only way to do things? THe arrow is easy, intuitive, and you don't need to have a command of directory structure to use it! There was an outcry when it disapeared, and it's still not back.

Networking is missing from the list on the right side of the start menu. Yes.... I can add a Networking Icon to my desktop. Yes... It's under control panel. But to the less informed, you HID IT! I tried to pin a shortcut there but can't. I pinned it to the start menu, but this isn't about a fix, or workaround. I'm wondering why it was removed.

Networking again. The default network name was changed. Why? Can't things be easy, and play well with others? Other network settings have been changed, removed or should be there. what if I don't want a password on my network except for a WEP key? Why do people have to relearn things? If it works well, and there is no reason to change it, why change it?

There is no way anyone can say some of these changes are improvements. It's frustrating.

These are only a couple of things I have noticed that bother me... Please listen..... I know the operating system is big already, and the kitchen sink cannot go in. I see other usability requests out there that have been removed for one reason or other, that don't sound out of line to be put back.

If it's something people like and use, why remove it?!! Not everyone is an expert. It was there before... There is plenty of room..... I know the people who design the system know whats going on, and wonder why people need certain things? PLEASE! can you have mercy on the less experienced and put some things back?

Some people might see this as a rant.... I'm not trying to throw rocks, or be negative. I'm just asking a few questions that come to mind. If you know the answers to any of these questions, I really would like an answer.

Make it work - Make it easy - Keep the re-learning curve down. - Unless it's a fix, why make things hard?

 

[septprince]

This is the reasons why microsoft releases beta versions, so that we could observe the transitions and can test it know it.

 

[Captain Zero]

Your points are valid but 'they' are not trying to confuse you, 'they' are trying to have you advance as a user, as 'they' advance as a provider.

PRO TIP: 'Backspace' key, faster than the 'up arrow' click.

 

[Uber Philf]

Captain Zero is right, the more you learn from new things, the better, and besides, the positives changes to Vista/W7 are too good, to just drop this OS because of a few changes here and there. Don't take this the wrong way, but get used to it, and use Captain Zero's "Pro Tip", trust me, youll see W7 like us enthusiasts do.

 

[garbanzo]

explorer is an extremely limited file manager. if you want something that is actually useful, get a 3rd party app like Directory Opus. 90% of its GUI is customizable, and it will give you full control over how you operate. plus, it offers hundreds more features than explorer.

it's not cheap, but like they say, you get what you pay for...

 

[Uber Philf]

@ Garbanzo, got any free file managers in mind? id like to take a look down that way, just to see what its like. Thanks.

 

[garbanzo]

have a look here:

Best Free File Manager
http://www.portablefreeware.com/?sc=9

 

[cbleman]

Thank you all for your input. I'm not suggesting anyone drop the OS because of a few minor things. (Although I did drop Vista. The crashes and frustration were just to much for me to overcome.) Thanks for the backspace tip. That was something I didn't know, and you're right! it is faster and easier! Looks like a good and valid reason to drop the up Icon. I wonder how many people (Like me) still don't know about it. It was a great answer to one of my questions.
I still would like things to play well together. I like easy. Who dosn't! If it's an upgrade, technical improvment, or there seems to be a good and valid reaon I AM willing to grow as a user. This is also what these forums are for. Answers to questions. Thank you all. When the outcry to return the Up Icon went out. I don't remember seeing that simple (Backspace) answer. The one I did see was; here is bread crumbs. It's better (For who?). get used to it. I loved the short and simple backspace answer. Thank you again! Getting the word out about changes and revisions is important. I wish I had a good answer for how to do that. Windows has always been poorly documented, but how many users would actualy read the documentation if it was put out? Finding the "Hidden" changes is important. there are still changes that I feel did not improve anything and just caused confusion.

Was there also a reason to change the default network name? It made things more difficult when the next OS did not play well with the previous. Not just for me... Cross OS networks became common as hardware vendors denied downgrades and threatened loss of waranty if you did it yourself. Now, if the network name gets changed again, the new OS will not play well with Vista. I just wondered why it was changed to begin with. I wanted to bring this up with the hope the developers will keep things like this in mind when they make changes. I wish I could help others more. Unfortunatly at my stage in this evalution, I have more questions than answers. Thank you all again for YOUR answers.

On the positive side... This is one of the BEST beata tests I have EVER seen. It's open to everyone. not just a select group. It also has been more broadcasted(?), and has encouraged a broader user base than ever before. It also appears that Microsoft is not only listening, but is responding. In previous Beatas, I felt ignored. If things get revised/fixed (And it looks like they will), this WILL be the best. I'm looking forward to the final version.

Make it work - Make it easy - Keep the re-learning curve down. - Unless it's a fix, or improvment, why make things hard?

 

[Generator]

PRO TIP: 'Backspace' key, faster than the 'up arrow' click.

Could also invest in a 5 button mouse, the side buttons default to 'Back' & 'Forward'.

 

[cbleman]

Could also invest in a 5 button mouse, the side buttons default to 'Back' & 'Forward'.

Not part of the OS, but Thats a good tip too. thanx

 

[Generator]

But neither is the backspace key!

Edit: What use is the Up arrow without a keyboard or mouse? (or touchscreen lol!)

 

[cbleman]

But neither is the backspace key!

Edit: What use is the Up arrow without a keyboard or mouse? (or touchscreen lol!)

hehehe.. 2 true.... 2 true.... Good point. Still 2 good answers.

 

[Uber Philf]

haha, well we can assure you windows 7 will be more "reliable" maybe? i havent had a crash in so long with W7, but with Vista, formatting was a regular occurrence.

 

[cbleman]

haha, well we can assure you windows 7 will be more "reliable" maybe? i havent had a crash in so long with W7, but with Vista, formatting was a regular occurrence.

I guess I'll find out when I upgrade. So far all my other concerns have been answered. So far my only concern comes from HP not the OS. I contacted them about the built in mike not working on my HP iq804. It works in vista, but not in Win 7. (I switched back to the primary partition to be sure.) They told me they have not developed drivers for WIN 7. I wonder why it works in Vista but not 7. The drivers should be pretty much the same. They also are not forthcomminmg about getting their touchsmart software so I can evaluate that on Win 7. I know it's not part of this thread, but if anyone has any Ideas about that; I could use the input.

 

[SIW2]

with Vista, formatting was a regular occurrence.

I never have that with Vista.


Surf file manager is interesting :

SurF - Free, Open Source File Manager for Windows 7, Vista and XP

 

[Uber Philf]

was always with drivers, theyd klill it, and cuz i turn system restore off, yeah, FORMAT! @ cbleman : Are you talking about the quickplay buttons?

 

[Charles Kane]

Funny how something like backspace in file browsers is something I don't talk about. I'm just so used to it - been using it for years (and years?) that I don't even think about it as anything.
But really it is one of THE most useful and used keystroke I have.

BTW I love the enhanced breadcrumb tool - a whole tree (nearly) in one line. And although I've always used 3rd party file browsers (xplorer2 - free esp) I find I hardly ever do so in 7.

 

[antt]

nah he's talking about the touchsmart software that was put on vista to make use of the multitouch - it was a music player, photo viewer and other stuff. If you can't find it on the hp support site for your computer, or on the dvd that came with your computer, i'd imagine that there might be a torrent available of it. Shame they don't provide it freely.

 

[cbleman]

antt is correct... It is the HP touchsmart software.

reformating: There are still a lot of people that have no problrm with Vista. If all you do is go on the internet, get your mail, and perhaps create a few documents or use a couple of proven programs, you will not have a problem. It will do everything you want it to. there is no problem. If you realy want to USE the system to it's fullest extent (Networking, advanced user, Heavy multimedia and streaming), the blue screen of death starts showing up often. Advanced file management can mess things up so bad you may feel that reformating (And I feel this way too) is far easier than the hours it would take to fix it. I have talked earlier in this forum about Vista not playing well with others. This is sometimes so bad it has almost made me screem in frustration; and there are other people that feel the same way. Vista is NOT all bad. The way I (and others) want ot use it however, is not worth putting up with the instability/Incompatability/frustration to keep the good things. (and I don't feel that I'm all that advanced.) I don't even want to THINK about what the realy advanced people go through. The bottom line is, If you like Vista and have no problems I'm very happy for you. You don't need to worry about what people like me say. Please don't change the way you use your computer because you feel you're missing out on something. You're not. Who knows.... Maybe it's me messing up....

 

[Uber Philf]

Cbleman, well said, i couldn't agree more, and me, being one of the "full extent" users, formatting was the simplest way out.