Windows 95/98

Introduction

Windows 95/98 is the operating system used on most PC's. Windows allows you to work on multiple applications by allowing multiple windows containing applications to be open and operable at the same time (hence the name windows). What follows is a brief introduction to the basic operations you'll perform in Windows. If you run into problems or have further questions, Windows has an excellent help program built into the system that can be accessed by pressing "Start" and clicking on "Help".





 


The Desktop (top)



The desktop is the central location for saving and accessing files in Windows 95/98. Any files saved to the desktop will appear as an icon somewhere in the gray area. What follows is an explanation of the different aspects of the desktop that help in configuring your computer, accessing programs, and moving files.


The Task Bar (top)

The Taskbar serves as a task-switcher (a way to move between applications), status tray, and program launcher. Beside the Start Button, Windows provides a place for shortcuts freeing the desktop for other uses. Open windows/applications appear as buttons on the Taskbar. Each open window/application has it's own rectangular button (one is shown in the picture below for the open application - Adobe Photoshop). By clicking on the rectangular button, the application/window will become active/visible to the user. The tray at the right edge of the Taskbar functions as a status indicator for printing, remote connections, and other services. This tray also holds icons for some applications and settings that automatically place an icon in that location upon installation.




The Start Button (top)

The Start Button provides access to the programs, settings, and recently composed documents on your computer. The table next to the image describes the major sections of the Start Menu.

 Programs  Displays a list of programs you can open and use. 
Documents Displays a list of documents that you have opened previously. 
Settings Displays a list of system components for which you can change settings. 
Find  Enables you to find a folder, file, shared computer or mail message. 
Help  Starts Help. You can then use the Help Contents, Index or other tabs to find out how to do a task in Windows. 
Run... Starts a program or opens a folder when you type an MS-DOS command.
Shut Down... Shuts down or restarts your computer.



Using Windows (top)

Windows are launched whenever you double click on an icon in Windows 95/98. Windows "float" on top of the desktop, and since multiple windows can be open at the same time you can work on more than one application by easily switching between windows. Every window has various features that allow you to move, resize, and hide the particular window you are working in.


If you click on the blue bar at the top of the window and hold your mouse button down, you can then slide the mouse around to drag the window around the desktop. By clicking on the three diagonal lines at the lower right corner of a window and holding your mouse button down, you can then slide your mouse to increase or decrease the size of the window. The three buttons in the upper right corner of the window allow you to hide, maximize, and close the window you are working in. Below is an explanation of those buttons.

 By clicking on this button, the window you will be working in will hide on the taskbar. For example, in the image above you can see a button on the bottom that says, "Adobe Photoshop". I was running Photoshop when I made the above image, but by clicking the minimize button, Windows hid that window at the bottom. If I were to click that "Adobe Photoshop" button, the Photoshop window would open up. If I were to click the minimize button on the "My Computer" window, then you would see two buttons at the bottom. One for the hidden Photoshop Window and another for the hidden window for "My Computer".

This button maximizes the window to the full size of the computer screen. If you maximize the button, you can press it a second time so the window only takes up part of the screen.

This button closes the window/application you are working in.


My Computer (top)

Double clicking on the "My Computer" icon on the desktp opens up a window that provides quick access to all of the drives available on your PC( your hard drive, the floppy disk drive, CD- ROM, etc...). My Computer also contains the Control Panel, Dial-Up Networking, and Printer folders.


Neighborhood Network (top)

The Network Neighborhood simplifies network access by making all network resources available in one folder. The Network Neighborhood contains icons for each of the other computers in your workgroup, and an "Entire Network" icon that enables you to browse the entire network for resources. You can also click the right mouse button while the cursor is over the neighborhood netwrk icon and drag down to properties to quickly access your nework hardware/configuration.



Briefcase (top)

The Briefcase is a place to save files, or serves as a place to temporarily store files in transition.



Recycling Bin (top)

The Recycle Bin serves as an undelete utility. Deleted objects are moved to the Recycle Bin, where they remain until you empty the Recycle Bin.



Shortcuts (top)

Shortcuts allow you to put a copy of an application icon in a place for convenient access. The above picture was taken from the image of the desktop at the beginning of this page. One can tell this is a shortcut by the arrow in the lower left hand corner of the icon. Instead of having to hit start, go to programs, and then find the program in the long list, you can make a shortcut to frequently used applications and place them on the desktop or the task bar. To make a shortcut, right click the program icon with your mouse and drag down to "Create Shortcut". Click "Create Shortcut" and this will make a copy of the application icon. Place the mouse icon on the shortcut, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the shortcut to the desktop. Double clicking the shortcut will then launch the application. You can make shortcuts for any icon (documents, drives, applications, etc...) in Windows 95/98.


Control Panels (top)

The Control Panels section of Windows 95/98 contains various options for configuring the settings of Windows, and the hardware on your computer. You can access the control panels by either clicking on "Start" and then dragging up to settings and over to control panels, or you can double click "My Computer" and you should see a folder for the control panels.




The Mouse (top)

Mouse Pointer Shapes

Arrow - is the standard mouse pointer shape used to make selections.

Double-ended arrow - indicates the mouse can be used to resize a window.

Hourglass - indicates an application is working, but it needs you to wait.

Hand - indicates that the mouse is pointing to a "hot spot."

I-beam - indicates the insertion point in text mode.


Mouse Operations (top)