Quote:
Originally Posted by WillAdams
I've been using pen computers since the NCR-3125 and when using my current Fujitsu Stylistic have the following issues:
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I tried to provide some help below. I don't know what version of Windows you are using, or applications, but I think you would benefit from checking out Win7. It really is nice.
- lack of a Miller column browser view in Windows Explorer
>> I had to look up what this was! Nope - can't find it, either. There are a lot of file managers for Windows, but I didn't see one that can do this.
- no Services
>> Not sure what you are referring to
- no rich font support in system apps such as WordPad (why bundle Linotype Palatino when _nothing_ from Microsoft can get at that font's features)
>> What exactly are you looking for? You can of course use that font, but I am not sure what "features" you are looking for. They may be accessible in Win7's version of not earlier versions, or in a free alternative.
- Taskbar nowhere near as nice or configurable or space efficient as the Mac OS X Dock (lessee, I have to have FireFox in my QuickLaunch toolbar to start it, but when it's running, it makes a button the Taskbar, but the button used to launch it is still around)
>> Have you used Win7 much? Many reviews that compare it to OS X give it high praise.
- pervasive .pdf support
>> Meaning what? Ability to save as/print to? There are many free utilities that allow this, as well as MS Office's own ability.
- having to re-start the machine once a week or so 'cause it's gotten sluggish or the video driver has crashed
>> Is rebooting once a week that terrible? As an aside, with Win7, I go much longer than a week.
- no equivalents for utilities which I use frequently: FileWrangler, TeXshop, &c.
>> FileWrangler = lots of free options for Windows - what need can't you find being met?, TeXshop = TexNic Center?
- FreeHand will not clear its splash screen when launched, so is unusable
>> That obviously is not a problem on all machines, so I would say you need to figure out if it is specific to your machine, your model, etc. Also ensure you are running the latest version and have the latest drivers for key hardware (video, input).
- no pervasive, system-wide, always-able cross-application natural language scripting tool to replace AppleScript
>> Have you looked at PowerShell? It is from MS and available on XP SP3 and later versions of Windows. It may not do what you want, but it might...
- development tools not bundled w/ the OS, not as nice as Interface Builder and XCode
>> free development tools are available for download from MS (and others)
- need to install 3rd party X-Window support
>> a one-time issue, no?
- &c.
>> kind of open ended :-)
Work-arounds and fixes for the above would be welcome.
I've been using Windows since Windows/286, but it's never been as comfortable to me as NeXTstep --- Mac OS X is an adequate replacement, but I'd give a lot to have a vertical pop-up menu, tear off menus, top-level Print and Services menu, _no_ Carbon apps &c.
>> Startdock software will skin windows, if you want to get into that, and enable a lot of customization which may make it more NeXTstep like.