Welcome to Windows . . .

In this primer I will cover basic computer terminology and skills needed to follow the instructions in the tutorials. If you are new to computers or are self taught then look over this primer before going on to the tutorials.

A couple of points to remember . . .

• Computers are not evil. They harbor no sinister intelligence.
• Only on cheesy sci-fi shows does the computer ever tell you what to do.
• Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that you are in the drivers seat. You tell the computer exactly what to do, and it does it. The problem is that the computer obeys your instructions no matter what.
  Dan Gookin, PCs for Dummies

The secret to dealing with a computer is to do everything with purpose
No willy nilly clicking or button pushing. So with that said let's get started . . .

Terminology

In this primer I will not cover hardware as such, except where it is necessary to your understanding of the operating system software. I recommend you get a good beginners book for Hardware such as PCs for Dummies (just ignore the name). You can buy it from Amazon.com now ----------------»

So let's begin with a brief explanation of what hardware is so we can make a sound distinction between hardware and software. Hardware - is all the parts of a computer system you can touch. This includes equipment attached to your computer system, called peripherals. Some examples of peripherals are: printers, scanners, external modems and hard or floppy drives.

A basic computer system is made up of a monitor, CPU (Central Processing Unit) or brains, keyboard and mouse. Hardware is only part of a computer system. The other, most important part is the software.

Software - is the set of instructions that controls the hardware, also know as programs. Software allows you to do many different things with the same equipment, or hardware. You can create beautiful graphics one minute, and compose a letter and send it electronically the next.

There are several distinct types of software, the two most important are: Operating system software or OS, and application software. Application software allows you to produce or create something, it helps you get your work done. Other types of software are: games and utilities programs. Utility software usually assists or enhances other software programs in some way. Examples would be virus scanners and Winzip. But the most important software type is the operating system software.

Application Software - runs on top of your operating system software, or another way to say it is that it relies on the OS. That is why it is important to have a solid understanding of your operating system software. No matter what application software you are running, such as, word processors, spreadsheets, browsers, etc. you are depending on your OS to work your monitor, printer, keyboard and mouse, and support that application in performing your work.

Concepts & Skills

The left mouse button is assumed in all instructions, if you are instructed to click, click & drag or double click always do so with the left mouse button. When you need to use the right mouse button I will indicate so by stating 'right mouse' click, etc.

Its important to note that all 'things' in the Windows environment are generally known as objects. Your Desktop is an object, a folder, file or icon are all objects. I will endeavor to resist the urge to call items things or thingys.

To select an object (remember all things are objects) click it one time.

To open an object, or run in the case of a program, double click it quickly. Be sure to hold the mouse still when double clicking or the computer will interpret a click & drag. Tip: to help hold the mouse still during a double click press your thumb and ring finger against the sides of the mouse and down into the mouse pad at the same time -don't strain just press firmly.

To select text, place your pointer where you want to begin on the text and click & drag over the text characters you want, then release the mouse button. The selected text will be highlighted in blue. Try it now, select this paragraph!

The OS Windows only recognizes the very tip of your mouse pointer, about the size of the point of a pencil -really! The rest of the pointer is just for your benefit. So when instructed to place your pointer on something remember to purposefully place the very tip on an unoccupied area of the object of choice. Being sloppy in Windows can cause surprising and unwanted results.

From now on I will use a capital Windows when referring to the operating system and lower case windows when referring to an actual window such as you would see on your screen. Almost everything is presented in a window form in Windows 95, 98 or NT.