One
of the reasons why Windows is so popular and easy to use is
that almost every application is consistent in appearance.
When you bring up an application in a "window" you
will see repeated features that will make it easier for you
to navigate and work with your computer.
Title
Bar
The
Title bar is at the very top of your window. If you are
currently using a windows machine look at the top of this
window. There should be a blue (although it can be other
colors) bar running across the top.
*
First
you will notice the words "Project Libert -
English - Computer skills - Working with Window",
then it will either say "Netscape" or "Internet
Explorer" . This is the title of the window.
It contains the name of the file and the name of
the program, in this case either "Netscape" or "Internet
Explorer". This bar always lets you know the
name of the file and the program in which you are
working.
*
Second
you will notice three gray buttons all the way to
the right. These allow you to control the window.
To use them point your mouse at them and left click
once.
Minimize
Click
for the window to disappear, but you will see
the program name on a button on the taskbar.
It DOES NOT close the application. To retrieve
the program simply click on the button in the
taskbar.
Restore
Click
for the window to get smaller (If the window
is already restored, you will not see the restore
button.)
Maximize
Click
for the window to enlarge to the full screen
(If the window is already maximized, you will
not see the maximize button.)
Close
Click
to Close a specific window
Menu
Bar
The
Menu Bar contains pull-down menus that allow you to access
all the functions of a program. Look up at the top of this
window. Underneath the Title bar, you will a gray bar with
words like "File", "Edit", and "View" on
it. Point your mouse at the word "File" and left
click once. A menu of options will appear. To close this menu
left click on the word File again. Anything you can do in a
program is contained in one of the menus on the Menu Bar. Each
menu's title corresponds to what type of operations it contains.
For example, in Microsoft Word, the "Insert" menu
contains items you can add to your document, like page numbers
and footnotes.
Tool
Bar
The
Tool Bar contain buttons or icons that when clicked on, will
perform the same type of functions that are contained in the
menus on the Menu Bar. For example you wanted to save a file
while working in Word, you could either click on the
button (icon) that looks like a diskette or you could use the
menu bar by clicking on "File" then on "Save".
Both will do the same thing. The tool bars were developed to
save you time. They will not be available for every program
you use.
Scroll
Bars
The
scroll bars allow you to move the screen viewing area. Scroll
bars can be horizontal or vertical. They correspond to the
direction they are going. For example by moving the horizontal
view you can see what is to right or left on the screen. Look
all the way to the right of this window. You will see a gray
bar with up and down pointing arrowheads on it. Try pushing
one of these arrowheads. The screen will move.
Task
Bar
The
Task Bar stores any open programs. Look down at the very bottom
of your screen. As soon as you close a program it disappears
from the Task bar. Another important feature of the Task bar
is the Start menu. The Start menu is another way you can access
programs or your computer's hard drive. Point your mouse at
the Start button (all the way to the left) and left click once.
A menu will appear. Left click on the Start button again. It
should disappear.
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