Vista and Windows 7

[babybudha]

I'm starting to do some entry level computer IT/customer service help. I've been using Windows XP till now, and have avoided Vista like the plague. I know though I will be encountering alot of Vista related questions/problems. I was just wondering if I just familiarize myself with Windows 7, would that give me a similar user interface experience as Vista? or should I mess around with both of them to get a better feel for Vista?

 

[shabaa]

If you are doing customer service on both I would suggest that you familiarize yourself with both because of the idiosyncrasies of both of them.

 

[xaira]

vista and win 7 are different, but only a little, still, u have 4gb of ram, downoad virtualpc and familiarise urself with it.

 

[sminlal]

I'm starting to do some entry level computer IT/customer service help. I've been using Windows XP till now, and have avoided Vista like the plague. I know though I will be encountering alot of Vista related questions/problems. I was just wondering if I just familiarize myself with Windows 7, would that give me a similar user interface experience as Vista? or should I mess around with both of them to get a better feel for Vista?

There are a lot of similarities between the interfaces in Vista and Windows 7, but there are some pretty important differences, too. The new taskbar in Windows 7 operates quite differently than in Vista (mostly an improvement, IMHO). So for support purposes it would be a good idea to be familiar with all three (XP, Vista, Windows 7).

I can't recommend strongly enough using virtual machines to install copies of the various OS's that you support. I teach a few computer classes and this is how I support my students - I've found that I'm unable to replicate some problems my Vista students have by trying them on my own XP system. Being able to actually use the OS in question makes it much easier for me to help them.

 

[masterjaw]

As a support personnel, you will be at the front lines. Learn both as much as possible so that you could deduce the differences and similarities yourself. There's no other way to learn than to gain experience.

 

[Zoron]

I'm going to force you back to Windows ME... you'll be screaming for Vista by the time I'm done with you.

 

[sminlal]

And this person actually claims to do IT customer service for people? Okay, now I've heard it all. Were all screwed...

I kind of agree with your sentiment, but to be fair he didn't say what he supported. If he supports some specific application program (Photoshop, for example) then his OS-level expertise would be less important (but still good to have, IMHO).