Windows 7 vs XP

Sharon Brown asked about upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7, since Vista was such a disappointment to so many. Sharon also wants to buy a laptop, to be used mostly for genealogy, and asked if WinXP would be suitable.

Well, I upgraded to Vista, and later to Win7, mainly for researching answers to readers' questions. Personally, however, I prefer WinXP and use it for 90% of my work. I have yet to discover anything in Vista or Win7 that I can't do more comfortably with WinXP. Furthermore, I have some very useful WinXP-compatible programs that won't run on any but the most expensive versions of Vista or Win7.

Admittedly, Microsoft wants to phase out XP and currently restricts its sale to netbooks and a few other PCs. However, PC users are not tethered to Microsoft as in days of old, what with Linux and upcoming operating systems by Google and others on the horizon.

Compatibility Issues among Various Versions of Word

Dennis Nelson, who uses Word 2007 at Palomar College and Word 2003 at home, wrote that he's having compatibility problems between the two programs. The solution is for everyone using Word 2007 or Word 2010 to always choose "Word 97-2000 Document (*.doc)" in the "Save as Type:" field. This makes the files compatible with all earlier versions of Word, as well as with WordPerfect and the text processor in Microsoft Works. Saving documents in 2007/2010's default DOCX format limits their compatibility considerably.

What Happens to Deleted Files?

Jeff Fastnow asked if "deleted" files are truly erased from his hard drive. Well, files that have been purged from the Recycle Bin should be gone forever, but they aren't - at least not immediately. Their names have been altered so they can't be found via normal search procedures, but they continue to exist for an indefinite time period until they are completely overwritten. Meanwhile, they may be recoverable by technicians with special software.

Killdisk (free from Killdisk.com) offers a free program for wiping a hard drive totally clean, something that should be done before donating or otherwise disposing of an old computer.

Various Video Formats & Players

Mairi Maxwell wrote that her digital camera outputs videos in the MOV format, which plays via Apple's QuickTime, and asked what other media player could be used. Well, the VLC player (free from VLCmediaplayer.org) works with MOV and most other media formats, such as MP3, WMA and WAV.

QuickTime is free from Apple.com and also plays other media types. However, it tries to take over all the media functions on my computer. The same is true for the free RealPlayer, which nags me to buy an "upgraded" version. I've found that VLC and Windows Media Player play all my music and video files without coercing me in any way.

Hopscotching Cursor

A reader wrote that when typing on her new laptop the cursor periodically jumps from one place to another within the text. This is usually caused by unknowingly brushing the computer's touch pad with the palm of one's hand while typing. I cover my touch pad with a small comb held in place with masking tape and mouse with a USB-connected device instead.
    Regarding the unstable cursor problem, Harriet Egertson just sent me the link to a downloadable program that disables one's touchpad when text is being typed. It's called TouchpadPal 1.1 and can be downloaded here:  TouchpadPal
    I find that it works very well and wonder why this isn't an option that's built into all laptop computers.  Thank you, Harriet!
A collection of useful free programs can be found here: Free Programs & Services.

A huge collection of downloadable music can be found here: Musical Favorites of the 20th Century.
    Speaking of music, gospel singer Christy Lane wrote asking if we had access to a song called 'Beautiful Wings,' a song which has special meaning to her. 
      (First 4 lines of the chorus)
      Beautiful Wings Mother Must Wear
      For I know she's with Angels somewhere up above
      Great White Wings, with a hallow do fair
      I know she' in glory Dear Mother Sweet Love

    Well, Mary found it had been recorded a long time ago by Porter Waggoner, but, sadly, could not find a source for buying the recording or downloading a digital version.  I'm mentioning it here in hopes that someone can help Christy find this song.  Please let us know if you have any information.  Thank you!

    © Donald Ray Edrington – All Rights Reserved

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Don Edrington - Computer Columnist for The Californian and San Diego's North County Times

Senior Computer Tutor
Don Edrington

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