Lets face it, Windows XP and Windows Vista interfaces are pretty cracking. For those that can remember back to green screens and the DOS prompt, they are actual miracles of modern technology.

Windows XP and Windows Vista are wonders of intuitive practice and the great thing is, that they eventually reflect the owner, or user. You can do a lot of work to make the computer respond to your needs, and personal likes and dislikes.

Take Windows XP first. The Start Menu is the best place to have a look at what it can do. It’s a two columned wonder which can be completely customised to the user’s needs. You can also change the way the icons look as well.

On most users’ computers, you see the Internet and Email icons on the top of the left-hand column, as these are some of the most popularly used commands. You can of course change them to match your choice of browser and email provider. In between those and the All Programmes list (which lists all your software applications) are shortcut icons which will lead you directly to the applications that you use the most.

In the right hand column, you get quick access to key areas of your computer. My Documents will provide you with a list of all files (Word, PowerPoint etc); My Pictures takes you straight to your photographs and that works the same way with My Music.

My Computer takes you into a box which provides access to your hard drives, removable drives and your files. The Control Panel reveals a number of ‘housekeeping’ jobs, including the appearance of your computer, and performance and maintenance. The Printers and Faxes shortcut command gives you quick access to those main peripherals. Help and Support is a useful diagnostic tool and help centre; Search allows you to quickly find a document, or file, and Run allows you to enter commands to open a particular application, or information box.

The backdrop is the Desktop which has a number of key access pints to useful areas, including My Computer and the Recycle Bin.

Finally, most Windows XP systems have a crucial toolbar which you will find on the bottom right of the screen. This is home for a number of icons, mostly concerned with the operation of the computer, including network and wireless links, and printer status.

All in all, the Windows XP interface is created to take you quickly and efficiently to the task you wish to perform.

And this idea has been continued in Vista, with all the elements found on XP, but with more inherent ability to be customised completely to the user’s requirements. Certainly, there are many cosmetic changes, the Vista developers have worked hard to make the Vista interface a truly intuitive experience.
And although the two columned idea is still in operation, there are subtle differences in the choices offered, including short cuts to say Games and Default Programmes. And alongside the new Microsoft Orb, there are a number of short cut icons which take you to the main applications.

Another feature of Vista has been to populate the desktop with customised features, including a rolling selection of own photographs, a reminder pad and a clock.

In short, Vista, like XP, sets out to offer the user a comfortable and efficient working portal.

Important Windows Controls and Where To Find Them – Recap

• XP and Vista reflect the user’s requirements;
• layout and icons can be customised;
• two columns in Start provide key commands and short-cuts.