the new computer

[bedlamsbard]

So I got a new computer! It is another Dell Inspiron, because I guess I'm kind of brand loyal after all, and also it came with Microsoft Office...not actually pre-installed, but free with purchase, at least. I always name my electronics after stars or constellations: this one is Aquila, because I was really tired while I was flipping through my dad's guide to the night sky. If I'd thought about it for a couple more hours I probably would have named it Bellatrix. (I already have a Sirius, a Regulus, an Arcturus, and some other stuff.) OTOH, I have been reading an awful lot of Rosemary Sutcliff this summer.

I bought Aquila through Costco, because I thought my old laptop was going to expire any day now, and I couldn't afford to wait to order one from Dell the way I did the other two times. Which means giving up options like color -- Aquila is a very sleek black -- but Microsoft Office! Also cheaper than my last computer.

Weirdly, Microsoft Office and its programs got installed in a folder that is IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, as in, it did show up in Programs, what the fuck. For reference, it was in: Computer > OS (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Microsoft Office > Office14 > EXCEL/ONENOTE/OUTLOOK/POWERPNT/WINWORD/whatever. I cannot figure out how to get them into Programs, so I just pinned them all to the Start Menu, which works. Mostly I just use Word to write in and Excel to keep track of my reading, but I don't want to have to tear my hair out looking for Powerpoint when I actually do need it.

Programs I have downloaded:
Google Chrome
AVG
iTunes
CCleaner
Kindle for PC
KeyNote
OverDrive Media

I think I also downloaded VLC, but hell if I know where the hell it is on the computer, which is unfortunately kind of a recurring theme. *pokes around* Oh -- it looks like it's hidden in Downloads, I have no idea how to get it to Programs. If anyone knows how I can get something from Obscure Folder X to Programs, please, please let me know, because this is ridiculous.

I think there are a couple other programs I want, but I need to check my other computer to remember what they are. Something that joins multiple MP3 files into one big one, I think. And some other stuff.

Currently I am fucking around with my new external hard drive trying to get all my iTunes data from one computer to the other. It is not going well. THE GODDAMN ITUNES WEBSITE SAYS I CAN DO THIS, WHY WON'T YOU LET ME. My frustration is really great right now. At this point I'm pretty sure I don't actually care if I get my playlists or not. *cry* Okay, from a bit later: I think I'm getting my music now. I'm too tired to muck around with metadata tonight to try and remake my playlists, but I can always manually reconstruct them if I have to. More on that tomorrow, I guess. Today I've spent twelve hours messing with it.

One thing that really bothers me about the new Inspiron is the placement of the USB ports. There are three of them, one on the left side of the computer and two on the right. On my old Inspiron 1525 they're at the back of the sides of the computer, stacked, next to the screen (and there are four! Why are there fewer USB ports nowadays?), but on the new one they're near the front of the computer, with the CD drive further back and closer to the screen. If that makes sense? They're more likely to get in my way. Other minor things: only one headphone port instead of two, and they're on the side of the computer rather than dead center at the front. It's not a huge thing, but mildly annoying, since I keep trying to plug my headphones into a spot where there's no jack! Overall it seems like there's more wasted space on this new Inspiron, which is a little annoying.

One thing I really like is that it seems like the fan on the new one is better than my old one, which overheats easily. I mean, it could just be that the computer's new! But still. Which is good, because the placement of the USB ports makes it a little harder to plug in my external fan.

The new computer is a little bulkier than the old one, so I'm leaning towards getting a netbook as well at this point. If I can find one I like. I pondered an eReader, but I think the netbook will be more useful: after all, I can type on it.

Comments

[alexseanchai]

There are USB keyboards meant for 7" tablets. I know this because I went looking for one Kindle-Fire-compatible and there are lots that are not. Hate the Fire's onscreen keyboard, thousand suns fire hate, but I am assured that there is no such thing as a USB keyboard for my Fire.

[bedlamsbard]

But then I would have to carry the external keyboard around with me. *hands* I mean, I've been considering a Kindle Fire, but I keep thinking, "What would be more useful to me? And how many gadgets do I need, anyway?"

[delfinnium]

If you could locate a keyboard for an ereader, it might be worth looking into!

But a netbook is MUCH BETTER for if you are planning on typing and writing on the go, or are going to be commuting back and forth a lot between home and school/work.

I'm thinking of getting a bigger laptop for home or office use, to stay there permanently, while I have a little netbook to take between school and home.

The little netbook irritates me when I'm trying to make presentations and the like, because of the tiny screen. The capabilities of my computer is all THERE but the screen is just so small. of course I can just solve that by buying a monitor. :P

As for where all yor programs go - usually when you download it, the program installer would be in 'Downloads', thne when you want to install it, you can choose which folder to be downloaded to.

VLC is supposed to be easy enough to relocate, though, I'm not sure why they all decided to be weird and hide elsewhere on your computer. :| I did spend forever trying to find programs and 'My Docs' on the first windows 7 computer I had too.

[bedlamsbard]

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking, especially since this laptop is a little bulkier than my old one -- and that one pretty much lived in my room. I can count on one hand the number of times I took it to class (once).

Windows 7 sucks for finding stuff on, seriously. Who designed this nonsense? (says the only person in the world who loved Vista)

[lady_songsmith]

See, I like Win7 because when I'm looking for something, 90% of the time it's in Downloads. Handy, that.

As for moving things, if for some reason you installed it to the Downloads folder you can either just move the folder to Programs, or uninstall-reinstall. *shrug* Drag-n-drop is our friend?

[bedlamsbard]

I, uh, I'm not bright enough to figure out where Programs is. I wish I was making that up.

[lady_songsmith]

If it's set up the same way mine is, you should have C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86)

[bedlamsbard]

*facepalm* Yeah. I'm just not that bright apparently. (But why are there two?)

[lady_songsmith]

Not entirely sure, actually. the 86 is where most stuff seems to end up.

[drunkoffthestars]

one is for 64bit programs (c:/Progeram Files) and one is for 32bit programs (C:/Program Files (x86)). No, I don't know why the 32bit thing is called x86. I assume its some sort of legacy hardware thing from when processors/programs/computers couldn't be higher/faster/whatever than 32bit.

[bedlamsbard]

*sideeye* Oh, Windows.

[drunkoffthestars]

1. re itunes. To transfer everything, including playlists:
- uninstall iTunes, if you've already installed it on the new computer.
- copy your old iTunes folder, containing the XML library files and everything to your new music folder (I think it should be under C:\Users\USERNAME\Music for Windows7 but you can check online). This is the file that holds all the metadata/playlists/counts/etc
- re-install iTunes
- if you keep the actual music files in a different folder, go into the iTunes, copy that to your preferred location, then go into the iTunes prefs and tell it where that folder is.

2. re: antivirus. If you are happy with AVG, by all means continue using it, but back when I was using it, it was a gigantic pain in the ass and sucked system resources like no other. Microsoft actually makes a free antivirus product called Microsoft Security Essentials which is pretty good and doesn't clog up my computer too much.

[bedlamsbard]

I finally got my music back! For whatever reason (the computer gods hate me), I actually could not open the old iTunes folder on my new computer, but...I got it back somehow. Magic, probably.

Hmm, I've always liked AVG -- the other big option is McAfee, which is pre-installed, but McAfee tends to make me crazy.

[drunkoffthestars]

yeah, iTunes is a giant bitch. I thought when I copied the old folder and then 'installed over' it, it worked out, but I could be misremembering. It defs took me like 20 tries to get the order right, and a TON of those 'newer version' error messages and then it did a few rounds of 'where is the music again?' because I keep it on a different partition because of reasons and it was having trouble remembering, but it all worked out in the end.

I always pimp MSE to people who don't have it because I've had such terrible experiences with all other antivirus software (except Symantec, though I bet there are some good horror stories about them too). I understand that AVG has to work out for some people otherwise no one would use it, but it did slowed down my old computer so badly that I'm still bitter about it.

[cupiscent]

Probably just as well on the name; calling anything you intend to rely on "Bellatrix" seems like asking for trouble to me. :)

[bedlamsbard]

Probably true. But Bellatrix is a pretty name. :)