10.1 Windows Desktop
Desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you
open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them in the way you want. Desktop is made up of Desktop icons. Figure 11a shows a typical window desktop with some icons.
Figure 10a. Windows Desktop
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The desktop is sometimes defined more broadly to include the taskbar. The taskbar sits at the bottom of your screen. It shows you which programs are running and allows you to switch between them. It also contains the Start button , which you can use to access programs, folders, and computer settings.
10.1.1 Working With Desktop Icons
Icons are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items that you have on your system. Double-clicking a desktop icon starts or opens the item it represents. When you first start Windows, you’ll see some of these icons on your desktop: The Recycle Bin, my computer etc. Some examples of desktop icons are shown below.
Figure 10b. Examples of Desktop Icons
Practice 1
Adding and Removing Icons from the Desktop
You can choose which icons appear on the desktop—you can add or remove an icon at any time. Some people like a clean, uncluttered desktop with few or no icons. Others place dozens of icons on their desktop to give them quick access to frequently used programs, files, and folders.
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If you want easy access from the desktop to your favorite files or programs, you can create shortcuts to them. A shortcut is an icon that represents a link to an item, rather than the item itself. When you double-click a shortcut, the item opens. If you delete a shortcut, only the shortcut is removed, not the original item. You can identify shortcuts by the arrow on their icon. See the diagram in figure 11c.
Figure 10c. File icon (left) and a shortcut icon (right)
Practice 2
Adding a Shortcut to the Desktop
- Locate the item that you want to create a shortcut for.
- Right-click the item, click Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut).
- The shortcut icon appears on your desktop.
Practice 3
Moving a file from a folder to the desktop
- Open the folder that contains the file.
- Drag the file to the desktop.
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Practice 4
Removing an Icon from the Desktop
Right-click the icon, and then click Delete.
If the icon is a shortcut, only the shortcut is removed; the original item is not deleted.
Practice 4
Moving Icons Around
Windows stacks icons in columns on the left side of the desktop. But you’re not stuck with that arrangement. You can move an icon by dragging it to a new place on the desktop. You can also have Windows automatically arrange your icons.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop,
- Click View, and then click Auto arrange icons.
Windows stacks your icons in the upper-left corner and locks them in place. To unlock the icons so that you can move them again, click Auto arrange icons again, clearing the check mark next to it.
By default, Windows spaces icons evenly on an invisible grid. To place icons closer together or with more precision, turn off the grid.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop,
- Point to View, and then click Align icons to grid to clear the check mark.
- Repeat the steps to turn the grid back on.
Practice 5
Selecting Multiple Icons
To move or delete a bunch of icons at once, you must first select all of them. Click an empty area of the desktop and drag the mouse. Surround the icons that you want to select with the rectangle that
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appears. Then release the mouse button. Now you can drag the icons as a group or delete them.
Practice 6
Hiding Desktop Icons
If you want to temporarily hide all of your desktop icons without actually removing them.
- Right-click an empty part of the desktop
- Click View, and then click Show desktop icons to clear the check mark from that option.
Now no icons are displayed on the desktop. You can get them back by clicking Show desktop icons again.
10.1.2 The Recycle Bin
When you delete a file or folder, it doesn’t actually get deleted right away, it goes to the Recycle Bin. That’s a good thing, because if you ever change your mind and decide you need a deleted file, you can get it back.
Figure 10d. Recycle Bin when empty (left) and full (right)
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If you’re sure that you won’t need the deleted items again, you can empty the Recycle Bin. Doing that will permanently delete the items and reclaim any disk space they were using.
10.2 The Start Menu
The Start menu is the main gateway to your computer’s programs, folders, and settings. It’s called a menu because it provides a list of choices, just as a restaurant menu does. And as “start” implies, it’s often the place that you’ll go to start or open things.
Figure 10e. Start menu
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Some common activities we use the start menu for are:
- Start programs
- Open commonly used folders
- Search for files, folders, and programs
- Adjust computer settings
- Get help with the Windows operating system
- Turn off the computer
- Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account
Practice 7
Open the Start Menu
Click the Start button
- The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Your computer manufacturer can customize this list, so its exact appearance will vary. Clicking All Programs displays a complete list of programs (more on this later).
- At the bottom of the left pane is the search box, which allows you to look for programs and files on your computer by typing in search terms.
- The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings, and features. It’s also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.
Practice 8
Opening Programs from the Start Menu
One of the most common uses of the Start menu is opening programs installed on your computer. To open a program shown in the left pane of the Start menu, click it. The program opens and the Start menu closes.
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If you don’t see the program you want, click All Programs at the bottom of the left pane. The left pane displays a long list of programs in alphabetical order, followed by a list of folders. Clicking the program icons starts the program, and the Start menu closes. If you’re ever unsure what a program does, move the pointer over its icon or name.
A box appears that often contains a description of the program. For example, pointing to Calculator displays this message: “Performs basic arithmetic tasks with an on-screen calculator.” This trick works for items in the right pane of the Start menu, too.
You might notice that over time, the lists of programs in your Start menu change. This happens for two reasons.
- When you install new programs, they get added to the All Programs list.
- The Start menu detects which programs you use the most, and places them in the left pane for quick access.
10.2.1 The Search Box
The search box is one of the most convenient ways to find things on your computer. The exact location of the items doesn’t matter, the search box will scour your programs and all of the folders in your personal folder (which includes Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, and other common locations). It will also search your e-mail messages, saved instant messages, appointments, and contacts.
Figure 10f. Start menu search box
Practice 9
To use the search box
Open the Start menu and typed the name of information you are looking for. You don’t need to click inside the box first. As you type, the search results appear above the search box in the left pane of the Start menu.
A program, file, or folder will appear as a search result if:
- Any word in its title matches or begins with your search term.
- Any text in the actual contents of the file—such as the text in a word-processing document—matches or begins with your search term.
- Any word in a property of the file, such as the author, matches or begins with your search term.
Click any search result to open it. Or, click the Clear button to clear the search results and return to the main programs list. You can also click See more results to search your entire computer. Besides searching programs, files and folders, and communications, the
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search box also looks through your Internet favorites and the history of websites you’ve visited. If any of these webpages include the search term, they appear under a heading called “Files.”
10.2.2 Start Menu Right Pane
The right pane of the Start menu contains links to parts of Windows that you’re likely to use frequently. Here they are, from top to bottom:
- Personal folder. Opens your personal folder, which is named for whoever is currently logged on to Windows. For example, if the current user is Molly Clark, the folder will be named Molly Clark. This folder, in turn, contains user- specific files, including the My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos folders.
- Documents. Opens the Documents library, where you can access and open text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and other kinds of documents.
- Pictures. Opens the Pictures library, where you can access and view digital pictures and graphics files.
- Music. Opens the Music library, where you can access and play music and other audio files.
- Games. Opens the Games folder, where you can access all of the games on your computer.
- Computer. Opens a window where you can access disk drives, cameras, printers, scanners, and other hardware connected to your computer.
- Control Panel. Opens Control Panel, where you can customize the appearance and functionality of your computer, install or uninstall programs, set up network connections, and manage user accounts.
- Devices and Printers. Opens a window where you can view information about the printer, mouse, and other devices installed on your computer.
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- Default Programs. Opens a window where you can choose which program you want Windows to use for activities such as web browsing.
- Help and Support. Opens Windows Help and Support, where you can browse and search Help topics about using Windows and your computer. See Getting help.
At the bottom of the right pane is the Shutdown button. Click the Shutdown button to turn off your computer.
Clicking the arrow next to the Shutdown button displays a menu with additional options for switching users, logging off, restarting, or shutting down
.
Figure 10g. Shut Down Options in the Start Menu
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Practice 10
Customize the Start Menu
We can control which items appear in the Start menu. For example, you can pin icons for your favorite programs to the Start menu for easy access, or remove programs from the list. You can also hide or show certain items in the right pane.
To pin a program icon to the Start menu: If you use a program regularly, you can create a shortcut to it by pinning the program icon to the Start menu. Pinned program icons appear on the left side of the Start menu.
- Right-click the program icon you want to pin to the Start menu, and then click Pin to Start Menu.
- To unpin a program icon, right-click it, and then click Unpin from Start Menu.
To remove a program icon from the Start menu: Removing a program icon from the Start menu doesn’t remove it from the
All Programs list or uninstall the program.
- Click the Start button
- Right-click the program icon you want to remove from the Start menu, and then click Remove from this list.
To move the Start button: The Start button is located on the taskbar. Although you can’t remove the Start button from the taskbar, you can move the taskbar—and the Start button along with it.
- Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. If Lock the taskbar has a check mark beside it, click it to remove the check mark.
- Click an empty space on the taskbar, and then hold down the mouse button as you drag the taskbar to one of the four edges of the desktop. When the taskbar is where you want it, release the mouse button.
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Note: To lock the taskbar into place, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, and then click Lock the Taskbar so that the check mark reappears. Locking the taskbar helps prevent it from being moved or resized accidentally.
Practice 11
Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
- Click the Start button.
- Click Control Panel
- Click Appearance and Personalization
- Click Taskbar and Start Menu
Practice 12
To clear recently opened programs: Clear the Store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu check box.
To clear recently opened files: Clear the Store and display recently opened items in the Start menu and the taskbar check box, and then click OK.
Practice 13
To adjust the number of shortcuts for frequently used programs The Start menu displays shortcuts for the programs you use most frequently. You can change the number of program shortcuts displayed (this can affect the height of the Start menu).
- Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button,
- Clicking Control Panel,
- Clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.
- Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
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- In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, in the Number of recent programs to display box, enter the number of programs you want to display on the Start menu,
- Click OK
Practice 14
To customize the right pane of the Start menu
We can add or remove items, such as Computer, Control Panel, and Pictures, that appear on the right side of the Start menu. You can also change some items so that they appear as links or menus.
- Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
- Clicking Control Panel
- Clicking Appearance and Personalization
- Clicking Taskbar and Start Menu
- Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
- In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, select the options in the list that you want, click OK, and then click OK again.
Practice 15
To restore Start menu default settings
We can restore the Start menu to its original, default settings.
- Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
- Clicking Control Panel
- Clicking Appearance and Personalization
- Clicking Taskbar and Start Menu
- Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
- In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, click OK, and then click OK again.
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To search for programs from the Start menu: Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then type a word or phrase in the search box.
10.3 The Taskbar
The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. Unlike the desktop, which can get obscured by open windows, the taskbar is almost always visible. It has three main sections:
- The Start button , which opens the Start menu.
- The middle section, which shows you which programs and files you have open and allows you to quickly switch between them.
- The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.
If we open more than one program or file at a time, you can quickly start piling up open windows on your desktop. Because windows often cover each other or take up the whole screen, it’s sometimes hard to see what else is underneath or remember what you’ve already opened. That’s where the taskbar comes in handy. Whenever you open a program, folder, or file, Windows creates a corresponding button on the taskbar. The button shows an icon that represents the open program. In the diagram figure10h below, two programs are open. Calculator and Minesweeper, and each has its own button on the taskbar.
Figure 10h. Program with its own button on the taskbar
Notice how the taskbar button for Minesweeper is highlighted. That indicates that Minesweeper is the active window, meaning that it’s in front of any other open windows and is ready for you to interact with. To switch to another window, click its taskbar button. In this example, clicking the taskbar button for Calculator brings its window to the front.
Figure 10i. Taskbar button shown calculator window active
Practice 14
Minimize and Restore Windows
When a window is active (its taskbar button is highlighted), clicking its taskbar button minimizes the window. That means that the window disappears from the desktop. Minimizing a window doesn’t close it or delete its contents, it temporarily removes it from the desktop. In the figure 10j below, Calculator is minimized, but not closed. You can tell it’s still running because it has a button on the taskbar.
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Figure 10j. Minimizing minesweeper leaves only its taskbar button visible
You can also minimize a window by clicking the minimize button in the upper-right corner of the window.
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Figure 10k. Minimize button (left)
To restore a minimized window (make it show up again on the desktop), click its taskbar button.
Practice 15
To See Previews of Open Windows
When we move our mouse pointer to a taskbar button, a small picture appears that shows you a miniature version of the corresponding window. This preview, also called a thumbnail, is especially useful. And if one of your windows has video or animation playing, you’ll see it playing in the preview. We can see thumbnails only if Aero can run on your computer and you’re running a Windows 7 theme.
The Notification Area
The notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, includes a clock and a group of icons.
It looks like figure 10l.
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Figure 10l. The notification area, at the far right of the taskbar
These icons communicate the status of something on your computer or provide access to certain settings. The set of icons you see depends on which programs or services you have installed and how your computer manufacturer set up your computer. When you move your pointer to a particular icon, you will see that icon’s name or the status of a setting. For example, pointing to the volume icon shows the current volume level of your computer. Pointing to the network icon displays information about whether you are connected to a network, the connection speed, and the signal strength. Double-clicking an icon in the notification area usually opens the program or setting associated with it. For example, double-clicking the volume icon opens the volume controls. Double- clicking the network icon opens Network and Sharing Center.
Occasionally, an icon in the notification area will display a small pop-up window (called a notification) to notify you about something. For example, after adding a new hardware device to your computer, you might see the diagram in figure 10m.
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Figure 10m. The notification area displays a message after new hardware is installed
Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the notification to dismiss it. If you don’t do anything, the notification will fade away on its own after a few seconds.
To reduce clutter, Windows hides icons in the notification area when you haven’t used them in a while. If icons become hidden, click the Show hidden icons button to temporarily display the hidden icons figure 10n.
Figure11n. Hidden icons button
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Practice 16
Customize the Taskbar
There are many ways to customize the taskbar to suit your preferences. For example, you can move the entire taskbar to the left, right, or top edge of the screen. You can make the taskbar larger, have Windows automatically hide it when you’re not using it, and add toolbars to it. By default taskbar is located at the bottom edge of your window desk top but it can be move to left, right, and top of desktop by following this procedures.
- Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
- Clicking Control Panel
- Clicking Appearance and Personalization
- Clicking Taskbar and Start Menu
- Click the Start Menu tab.
- Select the options from taskbar location on the screen from the dialog box
10.4 Desktop GadgetsWindows contains mini-programs called gadgets, which offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools. For example, you can use gadgets to display a picture slide show or view continuously updated headlines. Some of the gadgets that come with Windows 7 are:
- Calendar
- Clock
- Weather
- Feed Headlines
- Slide Show
- Picture Puzzle.
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10.4.1 Why Desktop Gadgets
Desktop gadgets can keep information and tools readily available for you to use. For example, you can display news headlines right next to your open programs. This way, if you want to keep track of what’s happening in the news while you work, you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to switch to a news website.
You can use the Feed Headlines gadget to show the latest news headlines from sources you choose. You don’t have to stop working on your document, because the headlines are always visible. If you see a headline that interests you, you can click that headline, and your web browser will open directly to the story.
Practice 17
Getting Started With Gadgets
To understand how to use gadgets, we will explore the Clock gadget.
How Does the Clock Work
Right-click the Clock, you’ll see a list of things you can do with the gadget, including closing the Clock, keeping it on top of your open windows, and changing the Clock’s options (such as its name, time zone, and appearance). Figures 10o illustrate this.
Figure10o. Clock gadget
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Which Gadgets Do I Have?
Before a gadget can be added, it must be installed on your computer. To see which gadgets are installed on your computer, do the following:
- Right-click the desktop and click Gadgets.
- Click the scroll buttons to see all the gadgets.
- To see information about a gadget, click the gadget, and then click Show details.
Adding and Removing Gadgets
We can add any gadget that’s installed on our computer to the desktop. If we want, you can add multiple instances of a gadget. For example, if you are keeping track of time in two time zones, you can add two instances of the Clock gadget and set the time of each accordingly.
To add a gadget
Right-click the desktop and click Gadgets. Double-click a gadget to add it.
To remove a gadget
Right-click the gadget and then click Close Gadget
10.5 Windows
Whenever we open a program, file, or folder, it appears on our screen in a box or frame called a window (that’s where the Windows operating system gets its name). It is the platform for which all window base programs run. Because windows are everywhere in Windows, it’s important to understand how to move them, change their size, or just make them go away.
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10.5.1 Windows Components
Although the contents of every window are different, all windows share some things in common. For one thing, windows always appear on the desktop i.e. the main work area of your screen. In addition, most windows have the same basic components as shown in figure 110p.
Figure 10p. Parts of a typical window
- Title bar. Displays the name of the document and program (or the folder name if you’re working in a folder).
- Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons. These buttons hide the window, enlarge it to fill the whole screen, and close it, respectively (more details on these shortly).
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- Menu bar. Contains items that you can click to make choices in a program. See Using menus, buttons, bars, and boxes.
- Scroll bar. for scrolling the contents of the window to see information that is currently out of view.
- Borders and corners. You can drag these with your mouse pointer to change the size of the window.
Other windows might have additional buttons, boxes, or bars. But they’ll usually have the basic parts described.
Practice 18 Moving a Window
To move a window, point to its title bar with the mouse pointer then drag the window to the location that you want. (Dragging means pointing to an item, holding down the mouse button, moving the item with the pointer, and then releasing the mouse button)
Practice 19
Changing the Size of a Window
- To make a window fill the entire screen, click its Maximize button or double-click the window’s title bar.
- To return a maximized window to its former size, click its Restore button (this appears in place of the Maximize button). Or, double-click the window’s title bar.
- To resize a window (make it smaller or bigger), point to any of the window’s borders or corners. When the mouse pointer changes to a two-headed arrow as in figure 10q drag the border or corner to shrink or enlarge the window.
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Figure10q. Drag a window’s border or corner to resize it
A window that is maximized cannot be resized. You must restore it to its previous size first.
Note: Although most windows can be maximized and resized, there are some windows that are fixed in size, such as dialog boxes.
Practice 20 Hiding a Window
Hiding a window is called minimizing it. If you want to get a window out of the way temporarily without closing it, minimize it. To minimize a window, click its Minimize button . The window disappears from the desktop and is visible only as a button on the taskbar, the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. To make a minimized window appear again on the desktop, click its
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taskbar button. The window appears exactly as it did before you minimized it.
Practice 21 Closing a Window
Closing a window removes it from the desktop and taskbar. If you’re done with a program or document and don’t need to return to it right away, close it.
To close a window, click its Close button . Note
- If you close a document without saving any changes you made, a message appears that gives you the option to save your changes.
Practice 22
Switching Between Windows
If we open more than one program or document, our desktop can quickly become cluttered with windows. Keeping track of which windows you have open isn’t always easy, because some windows might partially or completely cover others.
- Using the Taskbar: The taskbar provides a way to organize all of our windows. Each window has a corresponding button on the taskbar. To switch to another window, just click its taskbar button. The window appears in front of all other windows, becoming the active window. To easily identify a window, point to its taskbar button. When you point to a taskbar button, you’ll see a thumbnail-sized preview of the window, whether the content of the window is a document, a photo, or even a running video. This preview is especially useful if you can’t identify a window by its title alone.
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- Using ALT+TAB: We can switch to the previous window by pressing Alt +Tab, or cycle through all open windows and the desktop by holding down Alt and repeatedly pressing Tab. Release Alt to show the selected window.
- Using AERO FLIP 3D: Aero Flip 3D arranges your windows in a three-dimensional stack that you can quickly flip through. To use Flip 3D we follow the steps below:
- Hold down the Windows logo key and press Tab to open Flip 3D.
- While holding down the Windows logo key, press Tab repeatedly or rotate the mouse wheel to cycle through open windows. You can also press Right Arrow or Down Arrow to cycle forward one window, or press Left Arrow or Up Arrow to cycle backward one window.
- Release the Windows logo key to display the front most windows in the stack. Or, click any part of any window in the stack to display that window.
Figure10r. Switching between window with Aero Flip 3D
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Flip 3D is part of the Aero desktop experience. If your computer doesn’t support Aero, you can view the open programs and windows on your computer by pressing Alt+Tab. To cycle through the open windows, you can press the Tab key, press the arrow keys, or use your mouse.
10.5.2 Arranging Windows Automatically
Now that you know how to move and resize windows, you can arrange them however you like on your desktop. You can also have Windows automatically arrange them in one of three ways:
- Cascading
- Vertically stacked
- Side by side
Figure10s. Arrange windows in a cascade (left), vertical stack (center), or side-by-side pattern (right)
Practice 23
Procedures to Choose One of the Options
- Open some windows on your desktop
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar
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- Click Cascade windows, Show windows stacked, or Show windows side by side.
10.5.3 Arranging Windows Using SNAP
Snap is a quick (and fun) new way to resize open windows, simply by dragging them to the edges of your screen. Depending on where you drag a window, you can make it expand vertically, take up the entire screen, or appear side-by-side with another window. Snap makes reading, organizing, and comparing windows a…well, you get the picture. Snap will automatically resize your windows when you move, or snap, them to the edge of the screen. We can use Snap to arrange windows side by side, expand windows vertically, or maximize a window.
Practice 24
Arrange Windows Side By Side
- Drag the title bar of a window to the left or right side of the screen until an outline of the expanded window appears.
- Release the mouse to expand the window.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 with another window to arrange the windows side by side.
Practice 25
Expand a Window Vertically
- Point to the top or bottom edge of an open window until the pointer changes into a double-headed arrow .
- Drag the edge of the window to the top or bottom of the screen to expand the window to the entire height of the desktop. The width of the window doesn’t change. See figure 10t.
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Figure10t. Drag the top or bottom of a window to expand it vertically
Practice 26 Maximize a Window
- Drag the title bar of the window to the top of the screen. The window’s outline expands to fill the screen.
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- Release the window to expand it to fill the entire desktop.
10.6 Dialog Boxes
A dialog box is a special type of window that asks you a question, allows you to select options to perform a task, or provides you with information. It is a medium of communication through which the computer users communicate with computers. We will often see dialog boxes when a program or Windows needs a response from us before it can continue see figure 10u for a save dialog box.
Figure10u. Paint save dialog
Unlike regular windows, most dialog boxes can’t be maximized, minimized, or resized. They can, however, be moved.
10.7 Using Menus, Buttons, Bars, and Boxes
Menus, buttons, scroll bars, and check boxes are examples of controls that you operate with your mouse or keyboard. These controls allow you to select commands, change settings, or work
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with windows. This section describes how to recognize and use controls that you’ll encounter frequently while using Windows.
10.7.1 Using Menus
Most programs contain dozens or even hundreds of commands (actions) that you use to work the program. Many of these commands are organized under menus. Like a restaurant menu, a program menu shows you a list of choices. To keep the screen uncluttered, menus are hidden until you click their titles in the menu bar, located just underneath the title bar.
To choose one of the commands listed in a menu, click it. Sometimes a dialog box appears, in which you can select further options. If a command is unavailable and cannot be clicked, it is shown in gray.
Some menu items are not commands at all. Instead, they open other menus. See figure 10v pointing to “New” open a submenu.
Figure10v. Menu commands that open submenus
If you don’t see the command you want, try looking at another menu. Move your mouse pointer along the menu bar and its menus open automatically; you don’t need to click the menu bar again. To close a menu without selecting any commands, click the menu bar or any other part of the window.
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Recognizing menus isn’t always easy, because not all menu controls look alike or even appear on a menu bar. So how can you spot them? When you see an arrow next to a word or picture, you’re probably looking at a menu control. Here are some examples:
Figure10w. Examples of menu controls
Note:
- If a keyboard shortcut is available for a command, it is shown next to the command.
- You can operate menus using your keyboard instead of your mouse.
10.7.2 Scroll Bars
When a document, webpage, or picture exceeds the size of its window, scroll bars appear to allow you to see the information that is currently out of view. Figure 11v shows the parts of a scroll bar.
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Figure10x. Horizontal and vertical scroll bars
Practice 27
To Use s Scroll Bar:
- Click the up or down scroll arrows to scroll the window’s contents up or down in small steps. Hold down the mouse button to scroll continuously.
- Click an empty area of a scroll bar above or below the scroll box to scroll up or down one page.
- Drag a scroll box up, down, left, or right to scroll the window in that direction.
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If your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll through documents and webpages. To scroll down, roll the wheel backward (toward you). To scroll up, roll the wheel forward (away from you).
10.7.3 Using Command Buttons
A command button performs a command (makes something happen) when you click it. You’ll most often see them in dialog boxes, which are small windows that contain options for completing a task. For example, if you close a Paint picture without saving it first, you might see a dialog box as in figure 10u. Save, Don‘t save and Cancel are command buttons. Clicking Save saves the picture and any changes you’ve made, and clicking Don’t Save deletes the picture and discards any changes you’ve made. Clicking Cancel dismisses the dialog box and returns you to the program.
Pressing Enter does the same thing as clicking a command button that is selected (outlined).
Outside of dialog boxes, command buttons vary in appearance, so it’s sometimes difficult to know what a button is and what isn’t. For example, command buttons often appear as small icons (pictures) without any text or rectangular frame. The most reliable way to determine if something is a command button is to rest your pointer on it. If it “lights up” and becomes framed with a rectangle, you’ve discovered a button. Most buttons will also display some text about their function when you point to them.
If a button changes into two parts when you point to it, you’ve discovered a split button. Clicking the main part of the button performs a command, whereas clicking the arrow opens a menu with more options.
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10.7.4 Using Option Buttons
Option buttons allow you to make one choice among two or more options. They frequently appear in dialog boxes. Figure 10y shows two option buttons. The “Color” option is selected.
Figure10y. Clicking a button selects that option
To select an option, click one of the buttons. Only one option can be selected.
10.7.5 Using Check Boxes
Check boxes allow you to select one or more independent options. Unlike option buttons, which restrict you to one choice, check boxes allow you to choose multiple options at the same time. See figure 10z.
Figure10z. Shown check box
Practice 28
To use check boxes
- Click an empty square to select or “turn on” that option. A check mark will appear in the square, indicating that the option is selected.
- To turn off an option, clear (remove) its check mark by clicking it.
- Options that currently can’t be selected or cleared are shown in gray.
10.7.6 Sliders
A slider lets you adjust a setting along a range of values. It looks like this.
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Figure10za. Slider
A slider along the bar shows the currently selected value. In the example shown above, the slider is positioned midway between Slow and Fast, indicating a medium pointer speed. To use a slider, drag the slider toward the value that you want.
10.7.7 Boxes
A text box allows you to type information, such as a search term or password. The figure 10zb shows a dialog box containing a text box. We’ve entered “bear” into the text box.
Figure10zb. Text box in a dialog box
A blinking vertical line called the cursor indicates where text that you type will appear. In the example, you can see the cursor after the
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“r” in “bear.” You can easily move the cursor by clicking the new position. For example, to add a word before “bear,” you would first move the cursor by clicking before the “b.”
If you don’t see a cursor in the text box, it means the text box isn’t ready for your input. Click the box first, and then start typing. Text boxes that require you to enter a password will usually hide your password as you type it, in case someone else is looking at your screen. See figure 10zc.
Figure10zc. Text boxes for passwords
10.7.8 Drop-Down Lists
Drop-down lists are similar to menus. Instead of clicking a command, though, you choose an option. When closed, a drop-down list shows only the currently selected option. The other available options are hidden until you click the control, as shown below in figure 10zc.
Figure 10zc. A drop-down list shown closed (left), and open (right)
10.7.9 List Boxes
A list box displays a list of options that you can choose from. Unlike a drop-down list, some or all of the options are visible without having to open the list see figure 10zc.
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Figure10zd. List box
To choose an option from the list, click it. If the option you want isn’t visible, use the scroll bar to scroll the list up or down. If the list box has a text box above it, you can type the name or value of the option instead.
10.7.10 Tabs
In some dialog boxes, options are divided into two or more tabs. Only one tab, or set of options, can be viewed at a time. See figure 10ze.
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Figure10ze. Tabs
The currently selected tab appears in front of the other tabs. To switch to a different tab, click the tab.
10.8 Programs
Almost everything you do on your computer requires using a program. For example, if you want to draw a picture, you need to use a drawing or painting program. To write a letter, you use a word processing program. To explore the Internet, you use a program called a web browser. Thousands of programs are available for Windows.
Practice 29 Opening a Program
The Start menu is the gateway to all of the programs on your computer. To open the Start menu, click the Start button . The left pane of the Start menu contains a small list of programs, including your Internet browser, e-mail program, and recently used programs. To open a program, click it.
If you don’t see the program you want to open, but you know its name, type all or part of the name into the search box at the bottom
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of the left pane. Under Programs, click a program to open it. To browse a complete list of your programs, click the Start button, and then click All Programs.
You can also open a program by opening a file. Opening the file automatically opens the program associated with the file.
Practice 30
Creating a New Document
Many programs allow you to create, edit, save, and print documents. In general, a document is any type of file that you can edit. For example, a word processing file is a type of document, as is a spreadsheet, an e-mail message, and a presentation. However, the terms document and file are often used interchangeably; pictures, music clips, and videos that you can edit are usually called files, even though they are technically documents. Some programs, including WordPad, Notepad, and Paint, open a blank, untitled document automatically when you open the program, so that you can start working right away. You’ll see a large white area and a generic word like “Untitled” or “Document” in the program’s title bar.
If your program doesn’t open a new document automatically when it opens, you can do it yourself:
- Click the File menu in the program you are using, and then click New. or Click the menu button , and then click New. If you can open more than one type of document in the program, you might also need to select the type from a list.
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10.8.1 Saving a Document
As you work on a document, your additions and changes are stored in your computer’s random access memory (RAM). Storage of information in RAM is temporary; if your computer is turned off or loses power, any information in RAM is erased.
Saving a document allows you to name it and to store it permanently on your computer’s hard disk. That way, the document is preserved even when your computer is turned off, and you can open it again later.
Practice 31
To Save a Document
- Click the File menu, and click Save. Or Click the Save button .
- If this is the first time you are saving the document, you‘ll be asked to provide a name for it and a location on your computer to save it to.
Even if you’ve saved a document once, you need to keep saving it as you work. That’s because any changes you’ve made since you last saved the document are stored in RAM, not on the hard disk. To avoid losing work unexpectedly due to a power failure or other problem, save your document every few minutes.
Practice 32
Moving Information between Files
Most programs allow you to share text and images between them. When you copy information, it goes into a temporary storage area called the Clipboard. From there, you can paste it into a document.
Before you start moving information around, you should understand how to switch between the open windows on your desktop.
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10.8.2 Undo Your Last Action
Most programs allow you to undo (reverse) actions you take or mistakes you make. For example, if you delete a paragraph in a WordPad document accidentally, you can get it back by using the Undo command. If you draw a line in Paint that you don’t want, undo your line right away and it vanishes.
Practice 33
To Undo an Action
Click the Edit menu, and click Undo. orv Click the Undo button .
10.8.3 Getting Help with a Program
Almost every program comes with its own built-in Help system for those times when you’re confused about how the program works.
To access a program’s Help system:
Practice 34
Click the Help menu and then click the first item in the list, such as “View Help,” “Help Topics,” or similar text. (The name of this item will vary.)
or
Click the Help button .
You can also access a program’s Help system by pressing F1. This function key opens Help in almost any program. In addition to program-specific help, some dialog boxes contain links to help about their specific functions. If you see a question mark inside a circle or square, or a colored and underlined text link, click it to open the Help topic. See figure 10zf.
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Figure10zf. Help links
Practice 35 Exiting a Program
To exit a program, click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the program window. Or, click the File menu, and click Exit.
Remember to save your document before exiting a program. If you have unsaved work and try to exit the program, the program will ask you whether you want to save the document.
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10.8.4 Installing or Uninstalling Programs
You’re not limited to using the programs that come with your computer you can buy new programs on CD or DVD or download programs (either free or for a fee) from the Internet. Installing a program means adding it to your computer. After a program is installed, it appears in your Start menu in the All Programs list. Some programs might also add a shortcut to your desktop.
10.9 Files and Folders
A file is an item that contains information for example, text or images or music. When opened, a file can look very much like a text document or a picture that you might find on someone’s desk or in a filing cabinet. On your computer, files are represented with icons; this makes it easy to recognize a type of file by looking at its icon.
A folder is a container you can use to store files in. If you had thousands of paper files on your desk, it would be nearly impossible to find any particular file when you needed it. That’s why people often store paper files in folders inside a filing cabinet. On your computer, folders work the same way. Here are some typical folder icons figures 10zg.
Figure10zg. An empty folder (left); a folder containing files (right)
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Folders can also store other folders. A folder within a folder is usually called a subfolder. You can create any number of subfolders, and each can hold any number of files and additional subfolders.
10.9.1 Using Libraries to Access Files and Folders
When it comes to getting organized, you don’t need to start from scratch. You can use libraries, a feature new to this version of Windows, to access your files and folders, and arrange them in different ways. Here’s a list of the four default libraries and what they’re typically used for:
- Documents library. Use this library to organize and arrange word-processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other text-related files. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Documents library are stored in the My Documents folder.
- Pictures library. Use this library to organize and arrange your digital pictures, whether you get them from your camera, scanner, or in e-mail from other people.
By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Pictures library are stored in the My Pictures folder.
- Music library. Use this library to organize and arrange your digital music, such as songs that you rip from an audio CD or that you download from the Internet. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Music library are stored in the My Music folder.
- Videos library. Use this library to organize and arrange your videos, such as clips from your digital camera or camcorder, or video files that you download from the Internet. By default, files that you move, copy, or save to the Videos library are stored in the My Videos folder.
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Practice 36
Viewing and Arranging Files and Folders
When you open a folder or library, you can change how the files look in the window. For example, you might prefer larger (or smaller) icons or a view that lets you see different kinds of information about each file. To make these kinds of changes, use the Views button in the toolbar.
Each time you click the left side of the Views button, it changes the way your files and folders are displayed by cycling through five different views: Large Icons, List, a view called Details that shows several columns of information about the file, a smaller icon view called Tiles, and a view called Content that shows some of the content from within the file.
If you click the arrow on the right side of the Views button, you have more choices. Move the slider up or down to fine-tune the size of the file and folder icons. You can see the icons change size as you move the slider. See figure 10zh.
Figure10zh. The Views options
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In libraries, you can go a step further by arranging your files in different ways. For example, assuming you want to arrange the files in your Music library by genre.
- Click the Start button , and then click Music.
- In the library pane (above the file list), click the menu next to Arrange by, and then click Genre.
Practice 37 Finding Files
Depending on how many files you have and how they are organized, finding a file might mean browsing through hundreds of files and subfolders not an easy task. To save time and effort, use the search box to find your file.
The search box is located at the top of every window and also at the bottom edge of start button. To find a file, open the folder or library that makes the most sense as a starting point for your search, click the search box, and start typing. The search box filters the current view based on the text that you type. Files are displayed as search results if your search term matches the file’s name, tags or other properties, or even the text inside a text document.
If you’re searching for a file based on a property (such as the file’s type), you can narrow the search before you start typing by clicking the search box, and then clicking one of the properties just below the search box. This adds a search filter (such as “type”) to your search text, which will give you more accurate results.
If you aren’t seeing the file you’re looking for, you can change the entire scope of a search by clicking one of the options at the bottom of the search results. For example, if you search for a file in the Documents library but you can’t find it, you can click Libraries to expand the search to the rest of your libraries.
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Practice 38 Copying and Moving Files and Folders
Occasionally, you might want to change where files are stored on your computer. You might want to move files to a different folder, for example, or copy them to removable media (such as CDs or memory cards) to share with another person.
Most people copy and move files using a method called drag and drop. Start by opening the folder that contains the file or folder you want to move. Then, open the folder where you want to move it to in a different window. Position the windows side by side on the desktop so that you can see the contents of both.
Next, drag the file or folder from the first folder to the second folder. See figure 10zi.
Figure10zi. To copy or move a file, by drag it from one window to another
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When using the drag-and-drop method, you might notice that sometimes the file or folder is copied, and at other times it’s moved. If you’re dragging an item between two folders that are stored on the same hard disk, then the item is moved so that two copies of the same file or folder aren’t created in the same location. If you drag the item to a folder that’s in a different location (such as a network location) or to removable media like a CD, then the item is copied.
Practice 39
Creating and Deleting Files
The most common way to create new files is by using a program. For example, you can create a text document in a word-processing program or a movie file in a video-editing program. Some programs create a file as soon as you open them. When you open WordPad, for example, it starts with a blank page. This represents an empty (and unsaved) file. Start typing, and when you are ready to save your work, click the Save button . In the dialog box that appears, type a file name that will help you find the file again in the future, and then click Save.
By default, most programs save files in common folders like My Documents and My Pictures, which makes it easy to find the files again next time.
When you no longer need a file, you can remove it from your computer to save space and to keep your computer from getting cluttered with unwanted files.
To delete a file, open the folder or library that contains the file, and then select the file. Press Delete on your keyboard and then, in the Delete File dialog box, click Yes.
When you delete a file, it’s temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin. Think of the Recycle Bin as a safety net that allows you to recover files or folders that you might have accidentally deleted. Occasionally, you should empty the Recycle Bin to reclaim all of the hard disk space being used by your unwanted files.
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Practice 40
Opening an Existing File
To open a file, double click it. The file will usually open in the program that you used to create or change it. For example, a text file will open in your word-processing program.
That’s not always the case, though. Double-clicking a picture file, for example, will usually open a picture viewer. To change the picture, you need to use a different program. Right-click the file, clicks Open with, and then clicks the name of the program that you want to use.
10.10 Printing
We can print almost anything with Windows: documents, pictures, webpages, or e-mail.
10.10.1 What’s DPI?
DPI, or dots per inch, is a measure of a printer’s resolution. DPI determines how crisp and detailed your document or picture will appear. It’s an important consideration when buying a new printer.
Practice 41
Connecting Your Printer
Printers are designed to connect to a computer running Windows in different ways, depending on the model and whether you’re using it at home or work. Here are the most common connections you’ll encounter:
Wired printers
These devices connect using a cable and a port on the computer. Most home printers have a universal serial bus (USB) connector, although some older models might connect to the parallel or serial ports. On a typical PC, the parallel port is often marked “LPT1” or with a tiny printer-shaped icon.
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When you plug in a USB printer, Windows automatically attempts to identify it and install the software (called a driver) needed to make it work with your PC.
Windows is designed to automatically recognize hundreds of printers. However, you should always consult the instructions that came with your printer; with some printers, you’ll need to install the manufacturer’s software before you plug it in.
If your printer is older or doesn’t use USB, you might have to install it manually.
Wireless Printers
A wireless printer connects to a computer using radio waves by using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology.
To connect a Bluetooth printer, you might need to need to add a Bluetooth adapter to your computer. Most Bluetooth adapters plug into a USB port.
When you plug in the adapter and turn on the Bluetooth printer, Windows will try to install it automatically, or prompt you to install it. If Windows can’t detect the printer, you can add it manually.
A Wi-Fi printer typically connects directly to a wireless network as a stand-alone device.
Local Vs. Network Printers
A printer that connects directly to a PC is called a local printer. One that connects directly to a network as a stand-alone device is called, perhaps not surprisingly, a network printer. Network printers are most often found at the office although that’s quickly changing. A growing number of printer companies now make models with networking capability for the home. These printers typically connect to a network with an Ethernet cable or wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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Practice 42
Printing in Windows
Windows offers multiple ways to print. The method you choose depends on what you’re trying to print. Here’s a list of common printing tasks.
- Print a document or e-mail.
- Print your photos.
- Print the computer screen.
Choosing Print Options
Double-sided or single-sided. Monochrome or color. Landscape or portrait orientation. These are just some of the choices you’ll have to make when you print. Most options are located in the Print dialog box, which you can access from the File menu in most programs. See figure 10zj.
Figure10zj. The Print dialog box in MS Word 2010
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What options you have available and how you select them in Windows depend on the printer model and program you’re using. For specifics, check the documentation that came with your printer or software application. (To access some options, you might need to click a “Preferences,” “Properties,” or “Advanced Options” link or button within the Print dialog box.)
Here are the most common print options you’ll encounter and what they mean:
- Printer selection. The list of available printers. Sometimes you can also choose to send documents as a fax, or save them as an XPS document.
- Page range. Use commas or hyphens to select specific pages or a range of pages. For example, typing 1, 4, 20-23 prints pages 1, 4, 20, 21, 22, and 23.
The Selection option prints only the selected text or graphics in a document. Current Page prints only the currently displayed page.
- Number of copies. Print more than one copy of a document, picture, or file. Select the Collate check box to print a document in its entirety before moving to the next copy.
- Page orientation. Also called page layout. Choose between a tall page (Portrait) or wide page (Landscape).
- Paper size. Select different size paper.
- Output or paper source. Also called output destination or paper tray. Choose a paper tray to use—handy especially if you load each tray with different sizes of paper.
- Double-sided printing. Also called duplex or two-sided printing. Choose this to print on both sides of a sheet.
- Print color. Choose between black-and-white and color prints.
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Managing Documents Waiting to be printed
When you print something, it goes to the print queue, where you can view, pause, or cancel printing, and carry out other management tasks. The print queue shows you what’s printing or waiting to print. It also displays handy information such as print status, who’s printing what, and how many pages remain.
.
Figure 10zk.The print queue
Practice 42
Solving Printing Problems
As with any technology, sometimes printers don’t always do what you expect. If your model doesn’t work when you plug it into your PC, or your printed pages start to look faded or funny, you’ll have to figure out what’s wrong.
Solving the problem might be as simple as replacing the toner cartridge. Other times, you might have to download and install a new driver. Either way, the best source for assistance is the manual that came with your printer or the manufacturer’s website.
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10.11 Using Email
E-mail (short for electronic mail) is a fast and convenient way to communicate with others. You can use e-mail to:
- Send and receive messages. You can send an e-mail message to any person with an e-mail address. The message arrives in the recipient’s e-mail inbox within seconds or minutes— despite whether he or she is your next-door neighbor or lives halfway around the world. You can receive messages from anyone who knows your e-mail address, and then read and reply to those messages.
- Send and receive files. In addition to typical text-based e- mail messages, you can send almost any type of file in an e-mail message, including documents, pictures, and music. A file sent in an e-mail message is called an attachment.
- Send messages to groups of people. You can send an e-mail message to many people simultaneously. Recipients can reply to the whole group, allowing for group discussions.
- Forward messages. When you receive an e-mail message, you can forward it to others without retyping it.
10.11.1 What Do I Need Before I can Use E-Mail
To use e-mail, you need three things:
- An Internet connection. To connect your computer to the Internet, you must first sign up with an Internet service provider (ISP). An ISP provides you with access to the Internet, usually for a monthly fee. You also need a modem.
- An e-mail program or web-based e-mail service. You can download or purchase e-mail programs from Microsoft or another provider. E-mail programs often have more features and are faster to search than most web-based e-mail services. Before you set up an e-mail program, you’ll need to get some information from your ISP: usually your e-mail address,
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password, the names of your incoming and outgoing e-mail servers, and certain other details.
If you don’t want to download or purchase an e-mail program, you can instead sign up with a free web-based e-mail service, such as Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail, or Yahoo! Mail. These services allow you to check your e-mail with a web browser from any computer connected to the Internet.
- An e-mail address. You get an e-mail address from your ISP or web-based e-mail service when you sign up. An e-mail address consists of a user name (a nickname you choose, not necessarily your real name), the @ sign, and the name of your ISP or web-based e-mail provider—for example, asafe2012@gmail.com
Practice 43
Creating and Sending E-Mail Messages
Figure 10zj shows how to fill the message window in most e-mail programs. These steps may vary, depending on what e-mail program or web-based service you are using:
- In the To box, type the e-mail address of at least one recipient. If you’re sending the message to multiple recipients, type a semicolon (;) between e-mail addresses. In the Cc box, you can type the e-mail addresses of any secondary recipients
- In the Subject box, type a title for your message.
- In the large blank area, type your message.
To attach a file to the message, click the Attach File button on the toolbar (located just below the menu bar). Locate the file, select it, and then click Open. The file now appears in the Attach box in the message header.
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Figure10zl. Sample e-mail message
To change the style, font, size, or color of the text, select the text, and then click one of the buttons or menu items that allow you to change the text formatting.
Practice 44
Reading and Replying E-Mail Messages
Most e-mail programs and web-based e-mail services have an inbox where you can read messages you have received. You might have to click a button labeled Send/Receive, or something similar, to receive new messages. To see a list of e-mail messages you’ve received, click Inbox in the Folders list of your e-mail program. Your e-mail messages should appear in the message list. The list typically shows who sent the mail, the subject, and when it was received.
To read a message, click it in the message list. The contents of the message might appear below the message list in the preview pane. If so, double-click it in the message list to read the message in a separate window. See figure 11zk. To reply to a message, click the Reply button.
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Figure10zm. Click the inbox to see your e-mail messages
10.11.2 E-mail etiquette
Like telephone and face-to-face conversations, e-mail communication has certain implied rules of behavior. These rules are referred to as e-mail etiquette or netiquette (a combination of the terms Internet and etiquette). For effective communication, follow these guidelines:
- Be careful with humor and emotion. E-mail doesn’t convey emotion well, so the recipient might not understand your intended tone. Sarcastic humor is particularly risky because the recipient might interpret it literally and take offense. To convey emotion, consider using emoticons (see “Using emoticons” in this article below).
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- Think before you send. Writing and sending an e-mail message is fast and easy—sometimes too easy. Make sure you’ve thought out your message first, and avoid writing when you’re angry.
- Use a clear and concise subject line. Summarize the contents of the message in a few words. People who receive a large amount of e-mail can use the subject to prioritize the message.
- Keep messages short. Although an e-mail message can be of any length, e-mail is designed for quick communication. Many people don’t have the time or patience to read more than a few paragraphs.
- Avoid using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Many people perceive sentences written in all uppercase letters as yelling and might find it annoying or offensive.
- Be careful with sensitive or confidential information. Any recipient can forward your message to others—either intentionally or accidentally.
Practice 45 Using emoticons
It’s often difficult to convey emotion, intent, or tone through text alone, early Internet users invented emoticons (a combination of the terms emotion and icons) sequences of keyboard characters that symbolize facial expressions. For example, 🙂 looks like a smiling face when you look at it sideways. Below are some examples of emoticons.
Emoticon Meaning
🙂 or 🙂 Smiling, happy, or joking
🙁 or 🙁 Frowning or unhappy
😉 Winking
😐 Indifferent or ambivalent
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Emoticon Meaning
😮 Surprised or concerned
😡 Not saying anything
:-p Sticking out your tongue (usually in fun)
😀 Laughing
10.11.3 Dealing with Junk E-Mail
We can receive unsolicited advertisements, flyers, and catalogs in your regular mail, you’ll probably receive junk e-mail (often called spam) in your inbox. Junk e-mail might include advertisements, fraudulent schemes, pornography, or legitimate offers. Because it’s very inexpensive for marketers to send junk e-mail, it’s not uncommon for people to receive a large amount of it.
Many e-mail programs and web-based e-mail services include a junk filter, also called a spam filter. These analyze the content of messages sent to you and move suspicious messages to a special junk e-mail folder, where you can view or delete them at any time. If a junk e-mail message slips past the filter into your inbox, many e-mail programs allow you to specify that any future messages from that sender be automatically moved to the junk e-mail folder.
Prevention of Junk E-Mail:
- Use caution in giving out your e-mail address. Avoid publishing your real e-mail address in newsgroups, on websites, or in other public areas of the Internet.
- Before you give your e-mail address to a website, check the site’s privacy statement to be sure it doesn’t permit the disclosure of your e-mail address to other companies.
- Never reply to a junk e-mail message. The sender will know that your e-mail address is valid and might sell it to other companies. You’re then likely to receive even more junk e-mail.
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10.12 Understanding Security and Safer Computing
If you connect to the Internet, allow other people to use your computer, or share files with others, you should take steps to protect your computer from harm. Because there are computer criminals (sometimes called hackers) who attack other people’s computers. These people can attack directly, by breaking into your computer through the Internet and stealing your personal information, or indirectly, by creating malicious software to harm your computer.
Fortunately, you can help protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions.
Practice 46
Protect Computer against Security Threat
These are ways to help protect your computer against potential security threats:
- Firewall. A firewall can help protect your computer by preventing hackers or malicious software from gaining access to it.
- Virus protection. Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses, worms, and other security threats.
- Spyware and other malware protection. Antispyware software can help protect your computer from spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
- Windows Update. Windows can routinely check for updates for your computer and install them automatically.
- Install latest version of web browser
- Turn on your browser security features
- Using standard users account
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Use a firewall
A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network and then either turns it away or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings. In this way, a firewall can help prevent hackers and malicious software from gaining access to your computer. Windows Firewall is built into Windows and is turned on automatically. Figure 10zl shows how firewall work.
Figure 11mn .How a firewall works
If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection. If you choose to unblock the connection, Windows Firewall creates an exception so that the firewall won’t bother you when that program needs to receive information in the future.
Use Virus Protection
Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are programs created by hackers that use the Internet to infect vulnerable computers. Viruses and Page 199 of 288 Information Communication Technology (ICT)
worms can replicate themselves from computer to computer, while Trojan horses enter a computer by hiding inside an apparently legitimate program, such as a screen saver. Destructive viruses, worms, and Trojan horses can erase information from your hard disk or completely disable your computer. Others don’t cause direct damage, but worsen your computer’s performance and stability.
Antivirus programs scan e-mail and other files on your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If one is found, the antivirus program either quarantines (isolates) it or deletes it entirely before it damages your computer and files.
Windows does not have a built-in antivirus program, but your computer manufacturer might have installed one. If not, there are many antivirus programs available. Microsoft offers Microsoft Security Essentials, a free antivirus program you can download from the Microsoft Security Essentials website. You can also go to the Windows 7 security software provider‘s website to find a third-party antivirus program.
Because new viruses are identified every day, it’s important to use an antivirus program with an automatic update capability. When the program is updated, it adds new viruses to its list of viruses to check for, helping to protect your computer from new attacks. If the list of viruses is out of date, your computer is vulnerable to new threats. Updates usually require an annual subscription fee. Keep the subscription current to receive regular updates.
Use Spyware Protection
Spyware is software that can display advertisements, collect information about you, or change settings on your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. For example, spyware can install unwanted toolbars, links, or favorites in your web browser, change your default home page, or display pop-up ads frequently. Some spyware displays no symptoms that you can detect, but it secretly collects sensitive information, such as
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the websites you visit or the text you type. Most spyware is installed through free software that you download, but in some cases simply visiting a website results in a spyware infection.
To help protect your computer from spyware, use an antispyware program. This version of Windows has a built-in antispyware program called Windows Defender, which is turned on by default. Windows Defender alerts you when spyware tries to install itself on your computer. It also can scan your computer for existing spyware and then remove it.
Because new spyware appears every day, Windows Defender must be regularly updated to detect and guard against the latest spyware threats. Windows Defender is updated as needed whenever you update Windows. For the highest level of protection, set Windows to install updates automatically.
Update Windows Automatically
Microsoft regularly offers important updates to Windows that can help protect your computer against new viruses and other security threats. To ensure that you receive these updates as quickly as possible, turn on automatic updating. That way, you don’t have to worry that critical fixes for Windows might be missing from your computer.
Updates are downloaded behind the scenes when you’re connected to the Internet. The updates are installed at 3:00 A.M. unless you specify a different time. If you turn off your computer before then, you can install updates before shutting down. Otherwise, Windows will install them the next time you start your computer.
Turn on Automatic Updating
- Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.
- Click Change settings.
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- Make sure Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected.
Windows will install important updates for your computer as they become available. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability.
- Under Recommended updates, make sure the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box is selected, and then click OK. Recommended updates can address non-critical problems and help enhance your computing experience. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Install the Latest Version of Web Browser and Keep It Up To Date
Using the latest version of your web browser and keeping your browser up to date are two of the best ways to prevent trouble online. In most cases, the latest version of a web browser contains security fixes and new features that can help protect your computer and your privacy while you’re online.
Also, many web browsers offer security updates periodically. So be sure to install updates for your browser whenever they’re available. If you have Internet Explorer, you can get updates for it automatically using Windows Update. If your computer isn’t set up to automatically receive updates, you can manually request these updates by using Internet Explorer. Click the Safety button, and then click Windows Update.
Turn On Your Browser’s Security Features
Many web browsers have security features that help you browse the web safely. So it’s a good idea to find out what security features your browser has and make sure they’re enabled.
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If you have Internet Explorer, here are some of the security features that are available:
- Smart Screen Filter, which can help protect you from online phishing attacks, fraud, and spoofed or malicious websites.
- Domain highlighting, which lets you more easily see the real web address on websites you visit. This helps you avoid deceptive or phishing websites that use misleading web addresses to trick you. The true domain you’re visiting is highlighted in the address bar.
- Manage Add-ons, which lets you disable or allow web browser add-ons and delete unwanted ActiveX controls.
- Cross site scripting (XSS) filter, which can help prevent attacks from phishing and fraudulent websites that might attempt to steal your personal and financial information?
- A 128-bit secure (SSL) connection for using secure websites. This helps Internet Explorer create an encrypted connection with websites run by banks, online stores, medical sites, or other organizations that handle sensitive customer information.
Use a Standard User Account
When you log on to your computer, Windows grants you a certain level of rights and privileges depending on what kind of user account you have. There are three different types of user accounts:
- Standard
- Administrator
- Guest
Although an administrator account provides complete control over a computer, using a standard account can help make your computer more secure. That way, if other people (or hackers) gain access to your computer while you’re logged on, they can’t tamper with the
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computer’s security settings or change other user accounts. You can check your account type after you log on by doing the following:
10.12.1 Safely Using Of E-Mail and the Web
- Use caution when opening e-mail attachments. E-mail attachments (files attached to e-mail messages) are a primary source of virus infection. Never open an attachment from someone you don’t know. If you know the sender but weren’t expecting an attachment, verify that the sender actually sent the attachment before you open it.
- Guard your personal information carefully. If a website asks for a credit card number, bank information, or other personal information, make sure you trust the website and verify that its transaction system is secure.
- Be careful when clicking hyperlinks in e-mail messages. Hyperlinks (links that open websites when you click them) are often used as part of phishing and spyware scams, but they can also transmit viruses. Only click links in e-mail messages that you trust.
- Only install add-ons from websites that you trust. Web browser add-ons allow webpages to display things like toolbars, stock tickers, video, and animation. However, add- ons can also install spyware or other malicious software. If a website asks you to install an add-on, make sure that you trust it before doing so.
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