Know your Operating System Thanks to Dina Sokol

An operating system is software (a computer program) that manages your computer.

An OS is a computer program that: 1. Controls the hardware of the computer 2. Enables you to communicate with the computer 3. Organizes the files on the computer

The OS is in charge of allocating resources to processes. Here are some sample resources:  CPU time  Printer  Disk

The OS is the program that enables communication between a user and a computer. It  Accepts data typed in on the keyboard  Accepts mouse clicks  Determines the proper responses to input  Displays messages

A user interface is the combination of hardware and software that allows you to communicate with the computer.  Hardware: monitor, keyboard, mouse.  Software: programs within the OS that engage you in dialogue

The goal of a user interface is to be user friendly. GUI = graphical user interface is an interface that displays graphics to communicate with the user. ◦ Windows ◦ Buttons ◦ Icons ◦ Menus

 The part of the Windows OS that is in charge of file management is called: Windows Explorer.  Windows Explorer helps the user organize files by storing them in folders.  It displays files.  It permits copying, moving and deleting files and folders.

 In Windows, files are organized using folders.  A folder is also known as a directory.  Directories have a hierarchical structure, also called a tree structure.

Desktop Courses Pictures Core Major Family Friends If you right click on the Computer folder and choose Explore you will see the directory tree on the left. The tree is shown from left to right.

 The pathname of a file (or folder) is the path from the top of the directory tree down to the file (or folder).  The pathname tells the exact location of a file or folder on your computer.  Example: C:\Documents and Settings\Desktop\Courses\CISC1050

Now, we begin the hands-on intro to Windows.

When you log in to your computer, you are looking at your Desktop. The desktop is meant to simulate a physical desktop, including:  Files and folders  Trash can (recycle bin)  Clock

 At the bottom of your screen, you have the Windows taskbar, which contains  Start Button  Programs that are “pinned to taskbar”  Icons  Preview of open files  Time and date

 Drag the program icon to the Taskbar by left- clicking and holding mouse key.  Drop icon onto Taskbar.

 Right-click on an item on the Taskbar.  A list of recently-used items will appear.  Left-click to open the desired item from the list.

 Allows you to automatically arrange windows  Full or half screen  Can be turned off if it is annoying!

 All Programs command  Frequently used programs  Pinned programs  Help  Search  Shut down

 Click the Start Button  Right click on Computer  Choose “Show on Desktop” In general: the LEFT mouse button selects, and the RIGHT mouse button displays a pop-up menu.

 On left – shows the hierarchy (tree)  On right – shows contents of this folder  Address bar (shows “path” or breadcrumb trails)  Search box  Tabs

 If the folders do not appear, click on arrow (triangle)  You can see the contents of any folder in the hierarchy by clicking on it. (the black arrow means it’s “expanded” and the empty arrow means it’s “collapsed”)

 It is possible to copy and move files using the folders hierarchy  RIGHT dragging is the recommended way of copying, since a menu will pop up giving the option of move or copy

 You can and should create folders to keep your files organized.  You can create a folder within a folder (and so on).  You can also rename folders as you rename files.

 Moving to the recycle bin is the same as choosing “delete”  You can restore items in the recycle bin, until you choose to empty the recycle bin  Important: You cannot restore items to a removable drive!

If you cannot find a file on your computer:  Click on Start button  Choose Search  Type in your search Always keep your folders and files organized!

 Click the Start Button and choose Help and Support  Within each application program there is help as well.  Don’t underestimate your ability to help yourself  Of course, you can always resort to a Google search.