Seven tips to Windows 7

Good riddance Vista! Microsoft's Windows 7 is finally here. With tons of new features and improvements, the highly acclaimed update from Microsoft is set to become the largest Microsoft desktop operating system ever. Getting StartED with Windows 7 is one of the very first books published by friends of ED, dedicated to teaching users everything you need to know about getting the most out of Windows 7.Straight from the chapters of friends of ED's latest release Getting StartED with Windows 7, here are the top seven tips every new Windows 7 user should employ to get the most out of this latest Windows version: 1. Pinning Programs to the Start Menu One way to ensure that your favorite programs are easily accessible is to make them immediately visible when the "Start" menu appears by pinning them to the "Start" menu. To pin a program to the "Start" menu, pick up the program you want-it can be in the recently used list, it can be in the "All Programs" menu, or you can find it with the search box. Then right-click the program and choose "Pin to the Start Menu." 2. Using Jump Lists to Open Files and Run Programs Sometimes a program listed in your "Start" menu will include a small right arrow. This arrow means the program has a "Jump List"-a special menu that offers convenient access to recently used files (and, in some cases, common tasks that are related to the program). To view a Jump List, just leave the mouse pointer over the program listing for a moment. 3. Previewing Program Windows with the Taskbar The taskbar allows you to easily switch between open programs or windows and, like the "Start" menu, can provide convenient access to frequently used programs. You don't necessarily need to click a program's taskbar button to see what the window contains. If you simply place the mouse pointer over the taskbar button, a preview window will pop up displaying the program's name and a thumbnail image of the window. 4. Choosing a Theme The themes listed in the "Personalization" window display a preview of the desktop background pictures and the window color for each theme. Each Aero theme contains multiple pictures. When you select an Aero theme, the default is to show all the pictures in the theme as a slide show so that the background changes to another picture within the theme every 30 minutes. This means you'll have a new desktop background every 30 minutes. 5. Using Sticky Notes If you're the type of person who jots down info or reminders onto scraps of paper, Sticky Notes may be for you. To run this program, type "Sticky" in the "Start" menu's search box. Then you can type directly onto a note on the Windows desktop and right-click a note to change its color. Your notes are saved when you close the Sticky Notes program. 6. Using Gadgets Gadgets are miniature programs that run directly on the Windows 7 desktop and that allow you to obtain information and perform tasks without having to take the time to visit a website or run a conventional piece of software. For example, you might use a gadget to monitor the local weather, sports scores, or news headlines. To use gadgets, right-click any open area on the desktop, and then choose Gadgets. 7. Finding Games to Play For those times you'd rather play than be productive, Windows 7 includes a group of ten games including checkers, chess, backgammon, and various card games. "Getting StartED with Windows 7" was written by Joseph Moran and Kevin Otnes and released Monday. It is available www.friendsofed.com.

********** Published: October 30, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 28