WINDOWS TERMS

TIPS:
There is a lot of information on this page.. Study it when you are refreshed, take your time, and come back to it when you need to do so.

Enlarge the text to your comfort level, by holding down the Cntrl key, then pressing the + key (and let both go!)

One thing which might be confusing is the word "button" which can be either the real button on a mouse, OR the virtual buttons on the screen, such as in the left column.

OK, let's GO!

When you turn on your computer, the name of the Operating System (Windows XP) is announced on the monitor screen. Each new version of the operating system is larger, takes more space, can do more, and costs more. look differently, but the basic terms will be the same.

The Desktop

Where you start is called the DESKTOP. On the desktop can be pictures called ICONS.
One that looks like a wastebasket is exactly that, so you can even retrieve files you've "thrown away"!
Some of these icons are shortcut buttons to click on to open a program, or a folder.
A PROGRAM, or APPLICATION is software written to enable the machine to do what you want it to do.
A Folder is just like a real one: a divider to organize documents, music, or other files. Usually these icons on the Desktop will need a double left-click to open them.

At the bottom of the Desktop is the TASK BAR:


This is always present. This is NOT part of a Window, but is part of the Desktop. It will always be below a Window.

On the far left is the START button. In XP it is a rectangular "button" ; in Win 7, it's a lovely multi-colored circle.
The Start Button is what you click to bring up a menu of programs, a menu for system changes, and where you close down the computer.

In the middle across the Task Bar is where your minimized windows are held open, so you can switch between them.
On the right end is the System Tray which has the Date and time, and tells you what programs are working behind the scenes for you, such as virus protection.

Parts of the Window

Then a frame will appear called a WINDOW. This is well named; it is like a window because there can be more to see in it than is obvious at first.

The uppermost top of the window frame will have a Title bar that has a logo on the left end, and the Title of the page that is showing in this window.

At the right end of the Title Bar, there will be three boxes, or buttons.
These are Window Control Boxes. The button on the left has just a line on it, and this is the MINIMIZE button. This will shrink the window to a minimum size, but does not close the program. It puts the program down on the TASKBAR at the bottom of the Desktop, available to use.

The next box in the middle can look two different ways, because it is a toggle button, like a light switch, to reverse what it did last. This is the Full/Multi button.
When the button shows ONE large window, by clicking on it, you can increase the size of a window to the largest the screen will show. If it shows TWO windows, and you click it, then it enables you to change the size of the window or open another window, when you want to.

SIZING a window: WHEN the Multi button is clicked, you can change the size of a window by using your mouse. The pointer of the mouse must be EXACTLY on the edge of the window, and when it is, it will change to a double-headed arrow. Then, while holding down the left mouse button, you drag the edge to where you want it. Practice this on ALL the edges of the window, and in the corners as well.Since it can be VERY TRICKY to get the mouse to exactly the correct spot, it's MUCH easier to use a key. Just press F11.

The third box on the right, with an X (sometimes red), is to close the window or EXIT the program.
If you’ve moved the window so you can’t see that box, you can go down to the bottom task bar, on the windows' button, and click the right mouse button on it, which will bring up a choice, where you can click on Close.

Underneath the Title Bar, is the Menu Bar.

This holds several different menus of commands from which you can choose. You need to learn what each of the commands will do.

Under the menu bar, can be a Tool Bar, with icons, or pictures of tools for you to use.
The ones on the left will usually be the same. The others will vary according to the program you are using.

Scroll Bar: You practiced with these when you were on the FIRST page, and you went to "Mouserobics" or "Mousing Around".(You DID, didn't you??) There can be two, one horizontal at the bottom of the window, and one vertical at the side. These let you move the area inside the window to see the rest of the page.

STATUS Bar: (May be showing or not) This would show you what page you’re on.. and furnish information that you might need in a long document, etc.

Different Versions

I will repeat: these visuals are what appear in Windows XP, and Office 2003.
Windows 7, Vista and Office 2007, 2010 have new terms and will appear differently, because they are organized in a different way. There we see the "Ribbon". It organizes menu functions according to the level of user: the basics are immediately available, and the advanced functions are on different "panels". That's very logical, and makes the programs easier to use.

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