I recently upgraded my computer to a Gateway with an Intel Quad core CPU running the Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit OS.  Here is what I’ve learned:

• Parallel ports aren’t supported anymore.  I can’t use Old Faithful, my ancient laser printer.
• A number of my older software programs won’t run on a 64-bit OS.
• The meaning of the phrase “negative transfer of training”

My primary machine got nailed with a nasty virus a few months ago and I’d been working with my hot spare backup.  Just as I was getting used to working with Windows XP I am now having to learn how to use Vista.  I began having a negative transfer of training experience.

It’s been a few days and I’m better now.  I like my new computer.  One major plus is the computer came with a set of recovery disks.  I used these to configure my old machine which now becomes my hot spare.  Same setup as my primary machine.  When I need to use it, I’ll load up my programs and data and I’m good to go.

Note I said “when” not “if”.