Windows 7 Was Not My Idea

So, I bought a new Acer Aspire One Netbook for my wife and for home use. It is a terrific little machine. It comes with Windows 7, 1gb RAM, a 160gb hard drive, 3 USB ports, external video jack, 10″ LCD screen, 100mb ethernet, WiFi, cam and a microphone for only $325. And it weighs just over 2 pounds.

But when I went to install my printer to the machine I ran into a problem. I have a HP LaserJet 1320TN at home. It has been a terrific printer. It has 2 trays and it prints on both sides of a page. It has never had a single problem. I think the printer is about 7 or 8 years old. So, I get out the CD that came with the printer and I copy it onto a thumb drive because the netbook does not have a CD drive. Then I try to install it but it just doesn’t work. The printer software is too old.

So, I went online and searched the HP website for an updated driver. All I could find was a generic driver and it would not allow me to select my different printer trays.

Windows 7 was NOT my idea.

What do I gain by getting yet another operating system from Microsoft? I do not see any new, compelling functionality that makes Windows 7 worth the loss of my printer. I can’t print to tray 2. I can’t print checks. My choice is to move paper around when I want to print, buy a new printer or hope that Microsoft or HP will develop a driver for my old printer.

I really wish Microsoft would STOP coming out with new operating systems!

Stu Kushner

Stu Kushner began his career at Boeing Commercial Aircraft and then on to Hexcel and Case/Rixon where he specialized in CAD/CAM (computer design and robotics). In 1986, he started Progressive Office. The earliest years were about networking small businesses and providing IT support. But since 2008, the company has concentrated exclusively on providing office network cabling solutions.

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