1. Computing Fundamentals Module Lesson 7 — The Windows Operating System Computer Literacy BASICS

2. 2 Objectives Describe the general features of Windows XP. Use a mouse to move around the desktop. Identify the parts of the window and what each one does. Work with menus and menu elements.

3. Computer Literacy BASICS 3 Objectives (cont.) Work with dialog boxes. Manipulate multiple windows. Access the Windows Help feature. Shut down Windows.

4. Computer Literacy BASICS 4 Vocabulary Active window Address Bar Clicking Command buttons Commands Default Dialog box Double-click Dragging Linking Log off Log on

5. Computer Literacy BASICS 5 Vocabulary (cont.) Mouse buttons Option buttons Radio buttons Right-click Select (highlight) Shortcut keys Shortcut menu Shortcut menu button Standard desktop Standard toolbar Start button Status bar Submenu

6. Computer Literacy BASICS 6 The Windows Environment Provides an electronic version of your desktop, with tools to interact with computer icons Runs multiple applications at same time Transfers data easily and updates data automatically

7. Computer Literacy BASICS 7 Windows XP Features Easier, faster, and more powerful Easy, automatic access to information Scheduled delivery of information to the World Wide Web

8. Computer Literacy BASICS 8 Starting Windows Windows XP automatically starts when you turn on your computer.

9. Computer Literacy BASICS 9 Logging On Windows XP lets many users create own accounts with personalized settings.

10. Computer Literacy BASICS 10 Warning Signs of an Unstable Operating System Windows XP has many specialized computer files that can become damaged or corrupted over time. Viruses, power surges, and out-of-date coding can hurt your computer’s OS. May need to reinstall or update your computer’s OS when computer locks up often & requires rebooting

11. Computer Literacy BASICS 11 The Windows Opening Screen Contains the following items: desktop taskbar Start button The Quick Launch bar Icons

12. Computer Literacy BASICS 12 Windows XP Standard Desktop Icons Recycle Bin icon Quick Launch bar Start button Desktop Taskbar

13. Computer Literacy BASICS 13 The Taskbar – Displays the Start button – Can switch between currently running programs/applications (tasks)

14. Computer Literacy BASICS 14 The Start Menu Click the Start button to open the Start menu. Start Menu Opens: – programs – recently used files – Changes system settings – Finds files and folders – Access Help – Shut down Windows

15. Computer Literacy BASICS 15 The Quick Launch Bar displays icons for frequently used programs on your desktop. Click an icon to open a window or dialog box.

16. Computer Literacy BASICS 16 Moving Around the Desktop desktop provides work area on the screen. Use the mouse to move mouse pointer around desktop. mouse pointer allows you select and move items on your desktop.

17. Computer Literacy BASICS 17 The Mouse Pointer With text, it looks like an I-beam. If computer is performing a task, the pointer looks like an hourglass If arrow is attached to hourglass, you can still select and move objects

18. Computer Literacy BASICS 18 Mouse Buttons Allows you to move windows, select options, and run programs Primary button: used for clicking, selecting, dragging objects. Shortcut menu button: the right mouse button, Fast Wheel: between primary and shortcut buttons (or on side) lets you move through documents quickly: roll to scroll!

19. Computer Literacy BASICS 19 Operating the Mouse click, press and then release the primary button. double-click, press and release the primary mouse button twice right-click, press and release the secondary mouse button.

20. Computer Literacy BASICS 20 Operating the Mouse (cont.) Select: (highlight) an item on the screen: point and press and release left button. drag, press and hold down left mouse button while moving the object.

21. Computer Literacy BASICS 21 The Parts of a Window Title bar Address Bar Menu bar Status bar Close button Standard toolbar Borders Scroll bar Minimize button Maximize/Restore button

22. Computer Literacy BASICS 22 Parts of a Window title bar: displays the name of the program menu bar: lists available menus from commands Standard toolbar contains buttons to access various functions and issue commands.

23. Computer Literacy BASICS 23 Parts of a Window (cont.) Address Bar: displays the name of the open folder or object. Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons appear at the upper-right corner of the window. scroll bars: allow you to scroll through a window.

24. Computer Literacy BASICS 24 Parts of a Window (cont.) Borders: box that defines the limits of window. Status bar :provides info on currently selected object or task you are performing.

25. Computer Literacy BASICS 25 Menu is a list of options or choices. organize choices so they are out of sight until you need them. When you click a menu command, the menu drops down with options

26. Computer Literacy BASICS 26 SubMenu This second menu is called a submenu.

27. Computer Literacy BASICS 27 Dialog Boxes Dialog boxes contain buttons and boxes, that help you give information to your computer.

28. Computer Literacy BASICS 28 Buttons and Boxes in a Dialog Box Drop-down list boxes Text boxes Command buttons Radio buttons

29. Computer Literacy BASICS 29 Arranging Windows on the Desktop Cascade Windows: sorts open windows into a stack with title bars showing. Tile Windows Horizontally: tiles open windows across desktop from top to bottom, without overlapping Tile Windows Vertically: aligns windows across the screen, left to right, without overlapping.

30. Computer Literacy BASICS 30 Getting Help There are four categories of assistance: – Pick a Help topic – Ask for assistance – Pick a task – Did you know?

31. Computer Literacy BASICS 31 Summary Most Windows activity takes place on the desktop. The Windows opening screen has the following basic components: the desktop, the taskbar, the Quick Launch bar, the Start button, the mouse pointer, and one or more desktop icons.

32. Computer Literacy BASICS 32 Summary (cont.) You use the taskbar to open programs and documents and to switch back and forth between running programs. The Start menu options let you launch programs, open recently used files, change your system’s settings, find files or folders, access Help topics, and close and shut down Windows.

33. Computer Literacy BASICS 33 Summary (cont.) The Quick Launch icons let you open a window or dialog box with a click. The mouse controls an on-screen pointer. The shape of the pointer will change depending on where you are on-screen and what you are doing.

34. Computer Literacy BASICS 34 Summary (cont.) Mouse buttons let you make selections by clicking, right-clicking, and double-clicking. The primary button is used most frequently. The secondary button is used for shortcuts. The mouse lets you move (drag) objects.

35. Computer Literacy BASICS 35 Summary (cont.) A menu is a list of options or choices. You make selections from a menu by pointing at and clicking an option or using the up or down arrow keys. On a menu, a highlighted option (white letters within a dark box) indicates that this option is currently selected, and light or grayed letters (as opposed to black or dark) mean that an option is not available.

36. Computer Literacy BASICS 36 Summary (cont.) A right-pointing arrow next to a menu option indicates that the option has a submenu with more options. A series of three periods (...), called an ellipsis, following a command tells you that if you choose this option, a dialog box will open to request more information.

37. Computer Literacy BASICS 37 Summary (cont.) A dialog box is a window. In it, you will find command buttons and option buttons. Command buttons are rectangular, and you click the button to execute a command. Option buttons (also known as radio buttons) let you choose one option from a group of options.

38. Computer Literacy BASICS 38 Summary (cont.) A dialog box may also have check boxes, list boxes, text boxes, and drop-down list boxes, each of which allows you to make selections or key information.

39. Computer Literacy BASICS 39 Summary (cont.) Windows’ multitasking capability means that more than one window can be open at a time. The windows can be arranged on the desktop in a cascade, horizontally tiled, or vertically tiled format. Click any window or use Alt + Tab to bring a desired window to the front and make it the active window. You can access the Windows Help feature by clicking Help and Support on the Start menu.

40. Computer Literacy BASICS 40 Summary (cont.) The Ask for assistance option in the Help and Support Center offers a variety of ways to get help, including online help. With Remote Assistance, you can allow someone you know to connect to your computer and demonstrate the answer to a question. The Support page also gives you access to Windows XP newsgroups where you may be able to find an answer to your questions.

41. Computer Literacy BASICS 41 Summary (cont.) Every Windows XP application has a Help menu that opens the application’s Help Viewer. The left pane of the Help Viewer contains three tabs that provide different options for searching the Help system. When you select an entry on one of the tabs, the right pane displays detailed information about the topic.

42. Computer Literacy BASICS 42 Summary (cont.) When you want to shut down Windows, you select either the Log Off or the Turn Off Computer option (or the Shut Down option) from the Start menu.