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The LifeRing
from
PC S.
 .S.
Summer 2008 |
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New Windows, New PC, New IE
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 Howdy,
Fellow Computer User!
More of my customers are moving from Windows XP to
Windows Vista. People ask me, "Should I get Windows
Vista?" Read below for my recommendations regarding the
new Windows.
I also discuss why you might need a new PC to
run Vista and why I recommend that you get the
new IE (Internet Explorer 7) if you
continue using Windows XP. Find out more below!
Finally, don't miss a special photo at the end that I have entitled "Where did Windows come from?"
Feel free to contact me with your PC support questions.
Enjoy Summer 2008!
281-788-7143
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Quick Links
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In This Issue . . . |
| S.O.S. FAQ's - "Should I get Windows Vista?" |
| Website Spotlite - "SDWorldwide.com" |
| Computer Tutor - "Nerd's Words" |
| Special Photo - "Where did Windows come from?" |
| S.O.S. FAQ's (frequently asked questions) |
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People
ask me, "Should I get Windows Vista?"
Windows Vista was released in January 2007 and is the safest
and most reliable version of Windows so far. It contains
major security enhancements that make it more resistant to
viruses and other infections. Vista is more user friendly
and is more crash resistant. Windows XP is old technology
and requires over 80 updates to make it reasonably secure
and stable.
For these reasons I recommend getting Windows
Vista soon. Since Vista is more powerful than XP, your
older PC is probably too weak to run Vista effectively.
So, getting Vista means getting a new PC for most users.
Included with Vista is the new version of Internet Explorer,
version 7. IE7 contains enhanced security for safer web
browsing, as well as greater usability. Even if you don't
get Vista, I strongly recommend that you get IE7
immediately. It is available as a free upgrade for Windows
XP. Contact me if you need support.
I have experienced very few problems with Vista. Most of
the negative things I have heard about Vista have occurred
in specific situations such as trying to use old printers
or trying to use outdated or specialty software. Most of
the initial problems with Vista have been resolved by now
and most Vista users have no problems with it.
One of my most popular services is helping customers move to
Vista. I order Dell PC's for many customers. I prepare
your new PC by configuring Vista for your needs, install all
of your software and updates, move your data from your old
PC, deliver and set up the new PC, configure your Internet
access, printing and networking, and give you Vista
training.
Contact me when you are ready to get Windows Vista!
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| Website Spotlite "SDWorldwide.com" |
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The Summer 2008 Website Spotlite is on
www.SDWorldwide.com.
S & D Worldwide Enterprises, Inc. is a manufacturer and
supplier of equipment to the offshore / onshore petroleum
industry. They have been in business for 17 years and have
been a customer of PC S.O.S. for 3 years.
Need a new website or company
email? I create and maintain websites and
setup personalized email addresses such as
YourName@YourCompany.com.
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Computer
Tutor "Nerd's
Words"
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Here are a few "nerd's words" along
with my "no geek speak" to help you
understand them.
Operating System (also called
OS): The "master program" that oversees all
operations in a computer system, including managing all of
the hardware and the individual programs such as word
processing, spreadsheets, email and Internet access.
Examples of OS's include Windows XP, Windows Vista
and Linux.
Browser: A
program that allows you to "browse" the web pages on the
Internet. Windows comes with it's own browser named
Internet Explorer (IE). You can also use other
browsers such as Netscape Navigator and
Apple Safari.
IE:
Internet Explorer, the web browser made by
Microsoft, the company that makes Windows. The current
version of IE is version 7. IE7 is included in Windows
Vista. IE7 is free and can be installed or uninstalled on
Windows XP. I strongly recommend IE7.
Flash Drive: (also called
thumb drive, jump drive, USB drive):
A storage device that connects to a USB port on your
PC. It is not a "drive" like a disk drive or a CD
drive, but it appears as an additional disk drive in
Windows. Flash drives typically store more data than a CD
and are not susceptible to damage like a CD. They are great
for backing up your important data and holding your photos
and music. They are small and cheap and reliable. Flash
drives have no moving parts and come in a great variety of
styles.
Outlook Express, Outlook,
Windows Mail: Programs for accessing
and manipulating email. Outlook Express
(OE) is simple and free with Windows XP.
Outlook is Microsoft's professional email
program. It can be purchased separately or as part of
Microsoft Office. Windows Mail is the
free email program that is included with Vista. It is
more sophisticated than OE but simpler than Outlook.
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Where did Windows come from?
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In 1973, Bill Gates (bottom left)
entered Harvard University.
In 1975 he began Microsoft
with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
In his junior
year Bill quit Harvard to devote his energies to
Microsoft.
Here are the major versions of
Windows, along with their release years:
Windows 1.0, 1985
Windows 2.0, 1987
Windows 3.0, 1990
Windows 3.1, 1992
Windows NT, 1993
Windows 95, 1995
Windows 98, 1998
Windows ME and Windows
2000, 2000
Windows XP, 2002
Windows Vista, 2007
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I hope you enjoyed The
LifeRing. Look for
the Fall Issue in October.
 
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