Confusing Control Panel Layout

> of Windows? Well, now each of those 5 tabs are available through
> corresponding tasks in the Personalize window.....actually not! The
> 'Appearance' tab is completely inaccessible from anywhere! You, know, the
> tab where you could change skins, window colors and control font smoothing
> (standard or ClearType). It seems that no available task leads to that tab.

> I just installed RC1 (5600) and all's really well. I'm impressed by Vista,
> although it seems like only a GUI redesign and Linux-like security
> restraints.
>
> Anyway, the only complaint is the redesign of all the system settings. The
> new Control Panel layout has become a bit confusing....with the different
> dialogs and settings scattered around as tasks. XP was far more concise and
> coherent as far as settings organization is concerned. And even though the
> classic view seems to be a good workaround, some good old features have been
> stripped away.
>
> For example, remember the Display Options dialog from all previous versions
> of Windows? Well, now each of those 5 tabs are available through
> corresponding tasks in the Personalize window.....actually not! The
> 'Appearance' tab is completely inaccessible from anywhere! You, know, the
> tab where you could change skins, window colors and control font smoothing
> (standard or ClearType). It seems that no available task leads to that tab.
> Though, it's still there. You can search for 'ClearType' and in the Help and
> Support article that turns up, there's actually a link to that tab. Now, if
> that's not frustrating, what is?
>
> That was just a profound example, but as far as the Control Panel is
> concerned, I think that there was only redesign for it's own sake, and not
> functionality or ease. I hope the final release is actually more usable in
> those terms. I actually sent them a feedback form on this, but I wonder if
> someone will ever read that. Anyone with the same thoughts, so we can make
> the trusty ol' MS notice a potential mistake?
>

>> of Windows? Well, now each of those 5 tabs are available through
>> corresponding tasks in the Personalize window.....actually not! The
>> 'Appearance' tab is completely inaccessible from anywhere! You, know, the
>> tab where you could change skins, window colors and control font
>> smoothing
>> (standard or ClearType). It seems that no available task leads to that
>> tab.

>
> Hi Bill,
> If you right-click on the desktop and choose Personalize, it takes you to
> the Personalization control panel. Choose the "Window Color and
> Appearance"
> link, at the very top. After this opens, choose the link "Open classic
> appearance properties for more color options", towards the bottom of the
> window. This opens the "Appearance Settings" tab in a new window.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Dean
>
> "Bill G." wrote:
>

>> I just installed RC1 (5600) and all's really well. I'm impressed by
>> Vista,
>> although it seems like only a GUI redesign and Linux-like security
>> restraints.
>>
>> Anyway, the only complaint is the redesign of all the system settings.
>> The
>> new Control Panel layout has become a bit confusing....with the different
>> dialogs and settings scattered around as tasks. XP was far more concise
>> and
>> coherent as far as settings organization is concerned. And even though
>> the
>> classic view seems to be a good workaround, some good old features have
>> been
>> stripped away.
>>
>> For example, remember the Display Options dialog from all previous
>> versions
>> of Windows? Well, now each of those 5 tabs are available through
>> corresponding tasks in the Personalize window.....actually not! The
>> 'Appearance' tab is completely inaccessible from anywhere! You, know, the
>> tab where you could change skins, window colors and control font
>> smoothing
>> (standard or ClearType). It seems that no available task leads to that
>> tab.
>> Though, it's still there. You can search for 'ClearType' and in the Help
>> and
>> Support article that turns up, there's actually a link to that tab. Now,
>> if
>> that's not frustrating, what is?
>>
>> That was just a profound example, but as far as the Control Panel is
>> concerned, I think that there was only redesign for it's own sake, and
>> not
>> functionality or ease. I hope the final release is actually more usable
>> in
>> those terms. I actually sent them a feedback form on this, but I wonder
>> if
>> someone will ever read that. Anyone with the same thoughts, so we can
>> make
>> the trusty ol' MS notice a potential mistake?
>>