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Windows XP Tutorial 1 - Exploring the Basics

Terms

undefined, object
copy deck
operating system
software that helps the computer carry out operating tasks, such as displaying information on the computer screen and saving data on disks.
programs
software on a computer
applications
program that a computer uses to perform tasks
internet
worldwide collection of computers connected to one another to enable communication
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
icon
small picture that represents an object available to your computer
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
pointer
small object, such as an arrow, that moves on the screen when you move the mouse
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
desktop
your workplace on the screen
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
date/time control
shows the current date and time and lets you set the clock
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
taskbar
contains buttons that give you quick access to common tools and the programs currently running
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
start button
provides access to Windows XP programs, documents, and information on the Internet
(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
notification area
displays icons corresponding to services running in the background, such as an Internet connection
GUI - graphical user interface
displays icons, or pictures of familiar objects, such as file folders and documents, to represent items stored on your computer, such as programs and files.
desktop
a workspace for projects and the tools that you need to manipulate your projects
default settings
settings preset by your computer
pointing device
helps you interact with objects on your computer screen
mouse
most common pointing device - allows you to manipulate objects by clicking them
mouse pad
a flat piece of rubber that helps the mousemove smoothly
pointing
positioning the pointer over a specific part of the screen
screen tips
appear when you position the mouse pointer over certain objects - tell you the purpose or function of the objects to which you are pointing
clicking
refers to pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it - sends a signal to your computer that you want to perform an action on the object you click
menu
list of operations that you can use to complete tasks
start menu
provides you with access to programs, documents, and much more
select
choosing an object to work with
double-click
selects and opens object
My Documents
personal folder - convenient place to store documents, graphics, and other work.
right-clicking
opens a shortcut menu when clicked
shortcut menu
list of options directly related to the object that you right-clicked
wordpad
easy to use word-processing program included on Windows XP
open or running
status of a program when you open it
program button
appears on the taskbar for each open program
multitasking
allows you to work on more than one project at a time and switch quickly between projects
toolbars
set of buttons that give single-click access to programs or documents that aren't running or open
Quick Launch toolbar
gives quick access to Internet programs and the desktop
window
rectangular area of the screen that contains a program, text, graphics, or data
controls
graphical or textual objects used for manipulating the window and for using the program
(Windows Controls)
menu bar
contains the titles of menus, such as File, Edit and Help
(Windows Controls)
sizing buttons
let you enlarge, shrink, or close a window
(Windows Controls)
status bar
provides you with messages relevant to the task you are performing
(Windows Controls)
title bar
contains the window title and basic window control buttons
(Windows Controls)
toolbar
contains buttons that provide you with shortcuts to common menu commands
(Windows Controls)
window title
identitfies the program and document contained in the window
(Windows Controls)
workspace
part of the window you use to enter your work - to enter text, draw pictures, set up calculations, etc.
minimize button
shrinks window so you see only its button on the taskbar
restore button
reduces window to its predetermined "normal size"
maximize button
enlarges the window to fill the entire screen
close button
closes window and removes button from taskbar
dragging
when you click an object and then press and hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse
sizing handle
provides a visible control for changing the size of a window
program menu
used to organize the program's features and availabe functions
menu bar
located at the top of the program window and shows the name of the menus, such as File, Edit, and Help
menu items/commands
the choices given for the menu that you selected
menu conventions
visual hints about what to expect when you select an item
(Menu Conventions)
check mark
indicates a toggle, or "on-off" switch that is either ckecked (turned on) or not checked (turned off)
(Menu Conventions)
ellipsis
three dots that indicate yo must make additional selections after you select that option
(Menu Conventions)
triangular arrow
indicates the presence of a submenu
(Menu Conventions)
grayed-out option
option that is currently not available
(Menu Conventions)
keyboard shortcut
a key or combination of keys that you can press to select the menu option without actually opening the menu
undo button
reverses the effects of your last action
list box
displays a list of available choices from which you can select
scroll down arrow
allows you to scroll down the list until you see the bottom
list arrow
click to view options and then select one (ex: size of font option)
panes
bordered rectangular areas containing different types of information (ex: print option pane)
(Dialog Box Controls)
tabs
often used as containers for other Windows XP controls such as list boxes, option buttons, and check boxes - click the appropriate one to view different pages of information or choices
(Dialog Box Controls)
option buttons
allow you to select a single option from among one or more options
(Dialog Box Controls)
check boxes
clicking to select or de-select - indicates that the option is turned on or off - can select as many or as few as you want - not as mutually exclusive as option buttons are
(Dialog Box Controls)
spin boxes
allow you to scoll easily through a set of numbers to choose the setting you want (ex: number of copies)
(Dialog Box Controls)
text boxes
boxes into which you type addition information (ex: from page what to what)
Help
provides on-screen information about the program you are using - uses files stored on your computer as well as information stored on Microsoft's Web site
(Help Screen)
Home page
lists common taks under the deading "Pick a Help topic"
(Help Screen)
Index page
displays an alphabetical list of all the Help topics from which you can choose
(Help Screen)
Favorites
shows Help topics you've added to your list
(Help Screen)
History page
lists links you've recently selected in Help
(Help Screen)
Support page
includes links that you can click to connect to the Microsoft Web site
(Help Screen)
Options page
provides ways you can customize Help
(Help Screen)
Search box
use to search for all keywords contained in the Help pages, not just the topics titles
(Help Screen)
pages
the way in which information is organized in the Help and Support Window
upgrading
the process of placing a more recent version of a product onto your computer
speech recognition
speaking to your computer and having it carry out your voice commands

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