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. Windows VISTA will look a bit different, but the terms will be the same.

Where you start is called the DESKTOP. On the desktop can be pictures or 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 which has two purposes: to bring up a menu of programs, and where you close down the computer. In the middle is where your minimized windows are held open, so you can switch between them. On the right is the System Tray which has the Date and time, and tells you what programs are working behind the scenes for you, like virus protection.

Then a box 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 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 buttons. Each of these buttons has a function which happens when you click on them with the left mouse button. 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 it will still be open for you to use. It puts the program down on the TASKBAR at the bottom of the Desktop.

The next button 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 you can open another window, too. There will be times when you will want to see another one on the screen as well.

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. It can be VERY TRICKY!

The third button on the right, with an X (s0metimes 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.

I will repeat: these visuals are what appears in Windows XP, and Office 2003. Windows Vista and Office 2007 will appear differently, because they are organized in a different way.


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