From: (Joyp)
In version 6, I could choose a background color and a foreground color and have the gradient go from one to the other. NOW in version 7, when I hit gradient, I get so many possibilities that I don't know how to get the simple gradient like I used to do. Can someone help
Once you have Gradient tool selected go to the gradient tool bar and on the second-from-left icon click the downward pointing arrow and select the first item, 'foreground to background'. The next small group of 5 icons lets you choose the type gradient and you probably want the first one, 'linear'.
This should give you the same basic results as you saw in version 6.
If you still have problems or want to try other options then the on-line help covers Gradients very well.
Bill