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Introduction

This PowerPoint presentation is an introduction to the PC computer desktop and the file

structure of the computer.

The Desktop

The Desktop is the main part of the first screen you see after your computer boots (starts) up. What it looks like depends upon which computer and operating system you have.

Most Desktops have a GUI - a Graphical User Interface. This means that users click on little graphic images, icons and buttons, to access programs and functions.

Windows 98 Environment

on a PC

Image from Jan’s Illustrated Computer Literacy 101

Parts of the Desktop

The Taskbar

The Taskbar shows you which applications (programs) are open and running. It also holds the Start Menu and the Tray.

Each open application has a button with a label that shows the program and the name of the document, if there is room. You can use these buttons to quickly switch between programs and files.

The buttons adjust in size to fit the space on the Taskbar, which means you may only see a portion of the name if lots of programs are open.

Start Button

Start gives you access to many functions which may include, depending upon your operating system:

Programs The software installed on yourcomputer

Favourites Saved Browser linksSearch/ Find Search your computer for Files

Help Related only to Windows, not anyof the applications. They havetheir own Help file.

Run Run programs or certain systemutilities.

Log Off Log off or sign off from your userid, or switch to another user

Shut Down Shut down, restart, standby orrestart in DOS, hibernate

Quick Launch

The Quick Launch toolbar contains shortcuts to frequently used programs. They are always visible at the bottom of your screen and you only need a single left button click to activate. Users can customize this toolbar by adding their own shortcuts

You can also put shortcuts to folders and documents in the Quick Launch area, not just programs.

If you don’t see the Quick Launch icons, right-click anywhere on the Taskbar that has an empty space, select Toolbars, then Quick Launch.

WindowsWhen you click to open a drive, folder, document or program icon, a window opens. Every window has its own menus, icon and controls. Each window has a minimize, maximize and close buttons to control the size of the window.

The title bar at the top of the window displays the window content, usually the program and name of the file.

The minimize button reducedthe active window to a buttonon the taskbar.

The Restore button expandsthe active window to fit thefull screen.

The maximize buttonrestores the window to theoriginal size.

The close button closes theactive window or program.

Files

Each document, whether it is a plain text file or a letter in Word or music or the directions for a program, is called a file.

File names are made up of two parts:► the name, which in Word 2000 can be up to 256 characters. You can’t use: / \ :”? * < > |. Name your files carefully so that you can find them again.

► the file extension, the part after the period, which tells you what kind of file it is. For example, a Word document ends with .doc, a PowerPoint document ends with .ppt and a program (executable file) can end with .exe.

FoldersSound files, school essays, images… it doesn’t take long to accumulate hundreds of files. So how do you keep track of them all? Just like you would put files into a file folders in a filing cabinet, Windows lets you organize your files into folders.

Naming conventions for Folders are the same as for files: you can not use the characters: / \ :”?*< >|. It is also best to give Folders meaningful names.

You can right-click on a folder to copy, rename or delete it, or view its properties (when it was created, how big it is, etc.).

Shortcuts

You can create a shortcut of a file or a program and place it on the desktop. When you open the shortcut, the real file actually opens. They will save you the trouble of searching for the file or program you want that may be in a folder inside a folder inside a folder!

To create a shortcut, right-click on the icon or name of the file or folder, and click Create Shortcut. You can drag the shortcut to where you want it.

There are different ways to view the contents of your folders. To see a folder tree (below), go to the Start button, then Programs and click on Windows Explorer. Click the folder(s) you want to open.

In folder, right click, View>List or Details

In folder, right click, View > Large Icons

Looking at Folder Contents

My Computer

When you click on the My Computer icon on the desktop, you can access the major components of the computer. When you open it, you will see:

A: Floppy Drive C: Hard Drive

D: CD Drive Other Letters - Other Drives

Control Panel Settings to personalize the computer

Printers Add and set-up printers

Dial-up Networking Connect to a network

Scheduled Tasks Routine tasks such as Disk Defragmenter

Control Panel

You can access your computer’s Control Panel either by clicking on My Computer icon or by clicking the Start button>Settings>Control Panel.

The Control Panel provides access to various devices attached to the system. You can change the settings of several computer devices like the mouse and the way the monitor displays.

You can also add and delete programs and hardware, add fonts, adjust your computer’s volume and many other functions.

What’s Running on Your Computer?

If you want to see what tasks are running on your computer, you can click the three keys:

CTRL - ALT and DELETE together.

Depending upon your operating system, you will be given a list of the tasks running or the option to open a task manager. You can end a program or utility through these screens.

This is particularly useful because in can be used to see and stop spyware. Or if a program you are using freezes, you can close it (sometimes) this way.

If you wonder what some of these names mean, you can

consult The Task List at Answers That Work.

Recycle Bin

The recycle bin is used to hold discarded files. When you delete file, they go in, but just like at your house, somebody has to actually take the recycling to the curb, or it just sits in your kitchen.

You physically delete your files by opening the bin and going to File>Empty Recycle Bin, or you can also right-click and empty it that way.

Want to Learn More?Check out Jan’s Illustrated Computer Literacy 101

http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/win/index.html

You can even try the quiz!

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