Adapting to Windows XP

DOES MICROSOFT'S NEWEST OPERATING SYSTEM HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO ASSIST PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL, SENSORY, AND LEARNING DISABILITIES?

by Joseph Lazzaro

If you track changes in the computer industry, you may have noticed that Microsoft recently rolled out a new version of Windows. On October 25, 2001, Microsoft launched Windows XP, a near total rewrite of the Windows operating system. If you're a computer user with a physical, sensory, or learning disability, this new release of Windows may also cause some uncertainty on your part.

If you use Windows for home, school, or work, you likely have many questions about XP. Will XP work with my adaptive equipment? Will my software programs be compatible? does my PC have what it takes to run XP? Will my previous knowledge of Windows be transferrable? If you're asking yourself any of these questions, then read on! We'll describe some of the new and powerful features included in XP, and how these can be beneficial for users with disabilities. We'll also discuss XP compatibility with adaptive equipment, what the system requirements are, and help you decide if you're ready to take the leap to this new operating system.

ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

If you're like most computer users, the thought of learning yet another new piece of software is the last thing on your mind. You've grown comfortable with what you have, and have mastered your adaptive equipment, and the stable of software programs that you use to perform various tasks. You're likely asking yourself a million questions. Among them, how long will it take me to learn XP, and will my previous knowledge of Windows apply?

The good news is that if you all ready know how to run one of the recent versions of Windows like 95, 98, or Millennium, you already know how to run XP. This is because Windows XP functions virtually the same as previous versions. You point and click to run applications, just like you've done in the past. And even if you can't get used to the differences in XP, there is a mode to let you choose between the XP look and the classic look.

Another important question on the minds of users is will my current software programs run under XP? According to Microsoft, XP is compatible with older windows software, but you could encounter problems with some older legacy applications. Consult your software vendor to determine if your specific application is compatible with XP right out of the box, or if there is a patch available to make it more XP compliant. Also, be aware that XP includes a Compatibility Mode to make it more compliant with legacy software. Compatibility mode essentially tells your applications that it is an older version of Windows.

If You're using adaptive equipment, either hardware or software, you're probably wondering if upgrading to XP will cause incompatability problems. The short answer is that if you're upgrading to XP, you will likely have to also upgrade your adaptive software to keep running. This could involve purchasing an upgrade to your existing software or purchasing a new version altogether. If you've purchased a software maintenance agreement from the vendor, you may be entitled to an upgrade to XP automatically. If you're uncertain, check with your adaptive vendor.You may be wondering if vendors of adaptive technology are going to support XP. After speaking with numerous adaptive hardware and software suppliers, the major players in the adaptive technology arena seem to be working hard getting XP versions of their products to market, and many of them should be on the store shelves by the time you read this. XP has become an accepted fact of life in the computer world, and the adaptive vendor community seems to be wasting no time leaping on the XP bandwagon. Check with your vendor to determine product pricing for their XP compatible offerings.

If you're a user with a vision related disability, there are some issues relating to XP that you should be aware of. For users who are blind or visually impaired, the biggest hurdle with XP focuses on the user interface. The new look of XP involves the Start Menu and Task Bar. XP shows you the Start Menu in a double column. The five most recently used programs are shown in the left column, and the rest of the Start Menu is displayed in the right. This new user interface arrangement does not seem to be an issue with the new generation of XP compliant screen readers and video magnification software packages currently on the market. But if you can't get used to the new XP look, you can always turn on classic mode to change the appearance to a previous version of Windows.

CONTINUED IN ABILITY MAGAZINE - subscribe