The RAM and XP question

[naut]

For the sake of future information - I'll have to go windows 7 eventually - does it have the same effect as vista and break nearly everything that existed prior to its launch? Or did they include decent backwards compatibility this time? Also, would I be able to use directx9 in it?

It's does break a number of programs. Howeve, get Win7 Pro x64. It comes with an XP mode that enables greater compatibility.

[Lemur]

A bit late to the party, Psychonaut; she already bought and installed her version of Win7.

[Tellos Athenaios]

All your administrative utilities are in the Control Panel, but you'll probably be using the search box in the Start Menu a lot as a more direct route to whatever it is you want to use/run. Basic settings like theme can be accessed by right clicking the desktop. It's also worth setting up the start menu to your liking, IIRC that's done via right clicking the taskbar and selecting the appropriate option.

[naut]

A bit late to the party, Psychonaut; she already bought and installed her version of Win7.

Doh. Did the same thing with my brother, told him to get Win7 Pro, but he'd already made the purchase.