Section 2.4. Styles and Consequences of Styles

2.4. Styles and Consequences of Styles

Among the new interface changes in Windows XP is the configurable visual style with which all screen elements ( windows , buttons , menus , the Start menu, etc.) are shown. Users of previous versions will immediately notice the default style in Windows XP, which has a more colorful , cartoony feel than the "classic" style more common to previous releases.

Unfortunately, many of the new interface changes in Windows XP, such as the new style, are turned on by default. This causes several problems. First, these changes widen the knowledge gap between novices, unaware of the ability or means to modify their environment, and experienced Windows users, who will most likely restore Windows XP to the " classic" interface within minutes of installation. Second, seasoned Windows users will avoid Windows XP for fear of being "stuck" with the new interface. Third, less- experienced users who read technical documentation, such as this book, may be confused by the reference to screen elements that do not appear on their systems.

A prime example is the Control Panel in Windows XP. The new default Control Panel interface (a consequence of the optional Web Content in Folders, as discussed in Section 2.8.6, later in this chapter) separates its contents into several categories. The category selection must therefore be included as an additional step to any discussion of the Control Panel.

For instance, to choose the style (explained at the beginning of this topic), double-click on the Display icon in Control Panel (short notation: Control Panel Display). If, however, if you are using the Categorized view of Control Panel, you would click Appearance and Themes in Control Panel, and then click Display (short notation: Control Panel Appearance and Themes Display).

To make the Control Panel easier to use, turn off the categorized view by clicking "Switch to Classic View" in the lefthand pane. To turn off the lefthand pane altogether, go to Tools Folder Options and select "Use Windows Classic Folders." For simplicity, all subsequent discussion of the Control Panel in this book will assume you're using the classic view of the Control Panel.

For more information on the Control Panel, see Chapter 4. Details on changing the interface in Windows XP so that it more closely resembles the standard Windows look and feel are in Appendix B. More information on the Style setting and its consequences can be found in Chapter 3.