Windows XP Tutorial 1 - Exploring the Basics
Terms
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- 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
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
icon - small picture that represents an object available to your computer
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
pointer - small object, such as an arrow, that moves on the screen when you move the mouse
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
desktop - your workplace on the screen
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
date/time control - shows the current date and time and lets you set the clock
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
taskbar - contains buttons that give you quick access to common tools and the programs currently running
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(Elements of Windows XP Desktop)
start button - provides access to Windows XP programs, documents, and information on the Internet
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(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
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(Windows Controls)
menu bar - contains the titles of menus, such as File, Edit and Help
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(Windows Controls)
sizing buttons - let you enlarge, shrink, or close a window
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(Windows Controls)
status bar - provides you with messages relevant to the task you are performing
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(Windows Controls)
title bar - contains the window title and basic window control buttons
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(Windows Controls)
toolbar - contains buttons that provide you with shortcuts to common menu commands
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(Windows Controls)
window title - identitfies the program and document contained in the window
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(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
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(Menu Conventions)
check mark - indicates a toggle, or "on-off" switch that is either ckecked (turned on) or not checked (turned off)
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(Menu Conventions)
ellipsis - three dots that indicate yo must make additional selections after you select that option
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(Menu Conventions)
triangular arrow - indicates the presence of a submenu
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(Menu Conventions)
grayed-out option - option that is currently not available
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(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)
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(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
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(Dialog Box Controls)
option buttons - allow you to select a single option from among one or more options
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(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
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(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)
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(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
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(Help Screen)
Home page - lists common taks under the deading "Pick a Help topic"
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(Help Screen)
Index page - displays an alphabetical list of all the Help topics from which you can choose
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(Help Screen)
Favorites - shows Help topics you've added to your list
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(Help Screen)
History page - lists links you've recently selected in Help
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(Help Screen)
Support page - includes links that you can click to connect to the Microsoft Web site
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(Help Screen)
Options page - provides ways you can customize Help
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(Help Screen)
Search box - use to search for all keywords contained in the Help pages, not just the topics titles
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(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