Boarding the Vista Train

Congratulations—you’ve decided to switch to Windows Vista, Microsoft’s newest version of Windows. Or maybe you haven’t quite decided yet. Either way, we’re here to help you through the next 30 days.

If you’re already using Vista, we’ll help you iron out any kinks, get used to new ways of doing things and take advantage of the fun, useful features in this new-and-improved OS. If you’re still on the fence, follow along to gain the information you’ll need if and when you decide to commit to the upgrade.

For starters, try this exercise to help get yourself in a positive state of mind. Think back to the last time you switched to a new operating system—or to a new school, a new workplace, whatever. Remember feeling uncertain, anxious and a little lost; and then over time, you got used to the change and life returned to normal? It was hard at first, and then it got easier. In the same way, upgrading to Windows Vista is going to be a disruption in your life, but just as you’ve done in the past, you’ll adjust to these changes. Use the next 30 days to pave the road to Vista mastery one small step at a time, and you’ll be back in your computer groove in no time.

DID YOU KNOW? Vista is now on 95% of the desktops and 91% of laptops on retail shelves, according to Current Analysis. However, if you’d rather buy a system with Windows XP preinstalled, you still can. Microsoft has extended XP’s retail availability through June 30, 2008.