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

[newtowindows]

Hi, so I just bought a new computer from the store and I believe it has Windows Seven on it. It's alright and I haven't run into many issues, although the interface is kind of confusing and new to me.

Anyway, I noticed that there's no Software Center like in Ubuntu, and I had to look online to get some Windows installers. I don't know if this is the right way to do it- it seems very unsafe. If someone could point me to the Windows software manager that'd be great, because I can't find it. I think it's hidden in the Control Panel somewhere?

Anyway, a lot of the programs I used to use, like Pidgin, GIMP, OpenOffice, Skype, and Hulu seem to have been ported to Windows, which is nice! But not all of them seem to work. Like Rhythmbox- I use Rhythmbox to buy music from the Ubuntu One music store, and I have a fairly large collection. I managed to move the files over manually from my old computer very easily, since there's no DRM or anything, but I'd like to be able to use my music player again. Even Banshee would be a relief to have.

Also, compiz is really slow in Windows Seven for some reason, and it's hard to customize. I can't find any compiz settings manager anywhere, but I guess Windows might have a different name for it, since it has a different name for the Home folder, too. It's all very confusing to me, and I was hoping people could point me in the right direction.

Anyway, sorry, I'm a bit frustrated and jumbled in my thoughts, but Windows Seven seems okay even though it's a bit slow right now I'm sure that can be fixed. I probably just set things up wrong or something. But yeah, is there anything like Wine for Windows? Like, you can run Windows games in Ubuntu with Wine, and since Ubuntu is open source there's probably a really simple way to install all the Ubuntu programs on Windows already, I just don't know what it's called.

I've never installed Ubuntu before, and I'm kind of afraid to, since I don't think DELL will support it on this new Acer with Windows Seven. I heard it's really easy and simple, but I'm used to installing like in the software center where you just click install and enter your secure password to install more things for a few minutes.

Windows is really confusing with clicking next, and I see ads in Internet Explorer and Firefox, so I got Chrome which has also been ported from Linux. I'm glad there are some familiar apps.

So yeah, I just really need my applications back. I can't really go without them, or maybe there are some alternatives on Windows that are similar? I don't know, I don't want to be close minded, but I'm sure Windows has programs for similar tasks.

So I guess what I'm asking is how I can get Rhythmbox, Tomboy, Gloobus, Transmission, Shotwell, Openshot, Brasero, and Blender in Ubuntu. I'm really grateful in advance for everyone who's willing to help me out, I don't know how big the Windows Seven community is but I see commercials so I'm sure it's big enough to handle this small issue. Any help or pointers you can show me would be very appreciated.

 

[newtowindows]

Sorry for double posting, but I can't get some of my Windows games to work, either. Soldat and Darwinia worked just fine in Wine, but I can't get the compatibility right in Windows Seven? Which mode do I use? Again, sorry for the lengthy post, I'm just really frustrated right now.

 

[Tepid]

1.) Windows is not Linux and vice versa

2.) There is no such thing as a software manager in windows such as there is in Linux Ubuntu.
You install software from the downloaded file (installer). You uninstall it from the uninstaller file (located under Start Orb / All Prgrams / The app folder there) or from the Programs and Features icon in Control Panel

3.) Rhythmbox does not seem to be a Windows compatible software (Linux Only)

4.) Compiz to the best of my knowledge is Linux Only. If someone can make it work on Windows, would be HUGE.

5.) Linux Programs are not compatible to Windows unless someone makes a windows version.

6.) Practically every game on the planet is Windows compatible, it just depends on if it was developed for Windows 7. Not all older games will work in 7, and my guess is those games just are not compatible. There is no Wine equivalent for Windows.

You will need to find the Windows version of those software, or find an alternative.

 

[josef613]

well, windows doesn't really have a package manager like ubuntu unfortunately. You mostly search for it on the internet and download it. You have to be careful though, but those programs should be free.
You should be able to install ubuntu if the laptop supports windows 7.
Some games won't work in windows 7, mostly games released before windows xp. If those are old games, they probably are 16 bit, and are incompatible.
Windows 7 has Windows media player, and you can download utorrent in place of transmission.
Windows can burn cd's, but a free burning suite you could try would be ashampoo burning studio 6, found here:Ashampoo Burning Studio Free - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
hope this helps!
<update> I see Tepis beat me to some of this stuff

 

[newtowindows]

Oh, I hope I didn't upset anyone. I guess I'm just not used to things being so... disorganized and all the compatibility issues. Maybe I should try a different version of Windows that those programs were made for? I don't think Windows would have Wine since it's Windows in the first place, but maybe it could use a bit of it, lol!

Yeah, I found some alternatives, like Winamp. It's okay, but it's really different. Also, my computer takes forever to boot up, like almost 40 seconds. The person at the store said this computer was faster than my older one, but it's slower in every way. I even defragmented as someone commented, since he said it speeds up Windows. I don't even know what it means, I hope it's not damaging anything.

I'm very surprised that Windows doesn't have a software manager. It seems a bit odd. And I just found out from my friend that Windows Seven actually costs extra money to go with the computer. Does that mean I could get a refund? My friend might come over and just get Ubuntu for me, since this is really hectic, and it's really hard to get help for Windows.

Thanks so much for responding. I just don't think it's worth my time to deal with these compatibility issues, the slowness, the rigid interface, slow start ups, downloading all of my programs one by one, double clicking them, clicking next, and my programs doing weird things I don't tell them to. It's just all over the place. And the Start orb looks cool but the organization doesn't make much sense- it's all alphabetical instead of categories, and there are tons of Readmes and stuff. I really feel like I just set things up wrong.

I'm really sorry, I don't mean to be negative, but I'm not having a very good first experience with Windows. I don't assume this is the way it's like for everyone, though. I really don't want to be close minded, but for me Ubuntu just seems better. Hopefully it's not the computer that's making it malfunction, or I may just have to return it, but it doesn't seem to be the case. I've never ran into this kind of difficulty with computers.

I wish it were just simple like Ubuntu. I know it's something new, but it's got so many problems just from my first night with it. Why should I go out of my way to get it to work? And why do I have to pay for something that's so slow and confusing? It just sounds so farfetched. I want an expert, someone who actually knows Windows, since I'm not convinced I'm getting the whole story.

Maybe I'll call Windows tomorrow and ask.

But really, I'm sorry, I don't mean to be offensive. I just need to be calm and try to take a chance on something new. Maybe I'll like it. I mean, maybe the slowness is just something I could get used to, or there's a speed tweak- there must be a good reason for all the commercials and excitement about Windows 7. I've just gotta' find out what it is.

What are some good Windows programs I should try out to get a taste of what it's like? I'm gonna' turn around and make this a learning experience, I think. Again, sorry for the unpleasantness. I'll probably still call Windows when I can, but I don't want to set a bad precedent if I become part of this community, too. I don't need a lot of suggestions, just a place to start and see what good media players, notes applications, CD Burners- simple things like that- there are.

Thanks again for helping such a newbie. ^^; It's kind of embarrassing, I don't mean to be close-minded or anything.

 

[josef613]

well, if you post your system specs (user CP then system specs), we might be able to help you with your slowness problem.

 

[newtowindows]

Hmm.. Windows Media Player does the job okay, but it hides a lot of the options. It's shiny, though! XD

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.

uTorrent is really nice. Oh, Soldat is a Windows XP game. I really hope I can get it working, I found a good tutorial on it online. Looks like I just have to put a tiny bit of extra work in to get my stuff working, but now it feels like things are really coming together.

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.

Sorry for all the long posts, I just really need to get grounded.

 

[newtowindows]

It says on my laptop case it's an AMD processor, 64-bit, 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB hard drive, and DVDRW+- drive. Is that what you were looking for? There's probably a place in control panel to see that stuff too, huh? When I type specs into the Start Orb's search bar it doesn't come up with anything along those lines.

Edit: Oh User CP is the Control Panel, now I see. It says it's 2.6 Ghz and a 64-bit Operating System here, too. I hope that's enough info?

 

[josef613]

can you tell me the model of your laptop?

 

[josef613]

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.

A codec is an additional plugin that you need to download. Here's one from Vorbis: Directshow Filters for Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Theora and FLAC: Home

 

[ZaLiTH]

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.

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.

 

[newtowindows]

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.

 

[josef613]

have you edited your startup programs? (start button>type msconfig>go to startup) what programs do you have listed?

 

[newtowindows]

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.

 

[josef613]

you can change the theme by right clicking on the desktop, then clicking personalize, then theme. you can fiddle with the themes to find one you like

 

[newtowindows]

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?

 

[josef613]

i think you misunderstood.
Go to start, then in the search box, type "msconfig".
No quotes.

 

[newtowindows]

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?

 

[josef613]

you can get more themes online, i think by clicking get more themes. That might not be accurate because i am not at my windows 7 machine, it's down for maintenance.

 

[newtowindows]

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.