Find your way around Windows 7
If you’re planning to upgrade to Windows 7 and you are currently a Windows XP user, you’ll find it vastly different and probably pretty bewildering — it looks totally different and nothing is where it used to be.
It’s not so much of a leap from Windows Vista, but many Windows XP users chose to skip Vista completely after it’s initial poor reception and wait for the next incarnation of the operating system.
If you are one of these people, and you want to make the change to Windows 7 now that it’s here and receiving good reviews, you’re going to need a bit of hand holding to navigate your way through the new interface and features.
One way you can get a good grasp of Windows 7 is to pick yourself up a copy of Avanquest’s excellent tutorial software, ‘Learn to use Microsoft Windows 7′.
Dividied into chapters, it assumes no prior knowledge of Windows 7 and uses interactive demonstrations and video clips to take you step by step through all the features and basic processes to get you up and running.
The software also simulates the Windows 7 environment, so you can practise what you’ve learned in the tutorials.
The good things about this type of self-help software is that you can work through it at your own pace, and the chapter system makes it easy to go straight to the relevant section if there is something in particular you want to know. The video tutorials are also great for visual learners.
Learn to use Microsoft Windows 7 is available from JB HiFi, Officeworks and Harvey Norman stores for $19.95.
Gail Lipscombe has worked for some of Australia's hottest tech magazines for over 10 years. In her blog, she focuses on demystifying technology, gadgets and the web for average consumers.