The Fundamentals of Using Windows 95

Windows 95

operating system that performs every function necessary for the user to communicate and control computer (more efficient than previous versions)

no associated operating system is required (no need of DOS like previous versions)

32-bit operating system used for addressing and other purposes (can access 4 gigabytes of memory)

can be customized to fit individual needs simplifies the process of working with documents and

applications (easy to use) compatible with all existing application programs supports multitasking, background processing, and

dynamic data exchange (DDE)

What is user-interface? It is the combination of hardware and software used to

communicate and control computer.

What is the goal of an effective user-interface? Its goal is to be user-friendly.

What is a graphical user-interface (GUI)? It is a user-interface that uses graphics in addition to text when

communicating with users.

What is a Windows 95 GUI? It is a GUI that is designed to be easier to setup, simpler to

learn, and faster and more powerful than previous versions.

icons

taskbar

Command buttons

Tray status area

Welcome button

Start button

Close command

button

Check box

tip

Title bar

Welcome screen Close

buttondesktop

About ObjectsNearly every item in on the Windows 95 desktop is considered an object.

Even the desktop itself is an object. Click on and you’ll meet the different objects in Windows 95.

desktop - the background on which several of the objects display consisting of the screen itself

icon - graphic representation of a file, an application, or hardware; consist of a little picture and text for its name

command buttons - objects which allow user to perform different operations

taskbar - contains the Start button, tray status area, and all the buttons of opened programs or applications currently in use

tray status area - usually contains the time and jobs that are running in the background

Start button - provides an entry point to begin using applications and features of Windows 95

check box - represents an option for a certain task

The Mouse Buttons

Secondary mouse button

Primary Mouse button

Middle button

Mouse OperationsThe mouse is a pointing device used with Windows 95 for performing

functions.

Point - to place the mouse pointer over an object

Click - to press and release the primary mouse button or the left mouse button

Right-Click - to press and release the secondary mouse button or the right mouse button

Double-Click - to quickly press and release the left mouse button twice without moving the mouse

Drag - to point to an object, hold down the left mouse button, move the mouse pointer or object to desired location, and then release the left mouse button

Right-Drag - to point to an object, hold down the right mouse button, move the mouse pointer or object to desired location, and then release the right mouse button

tooltip

Start button

Mouse pointer

After clicking . . .

Start button indented

Ellipsis (…)

Right arrows

Command name

icon

Start menu

appears

When a mouse pointeris pointed over me,a submenu appears.

You need to specifysome information

before I can execute.

Highlighted Programs command

Right arrows

Programs submenu

Context-sensitive menu

Dimmed command

New comman

d

I appear wheneveran object is right-clicked.

Highlighted New command

New submen

u

I appear each time you point

at New.

My Computer button

(indented)

My Computer

icon

My Computer window

icon

Window title

Title bar

Minimize

buttonMaximize button

Close butto

n

Menu bar

folders

Computer

hardware

Status bar

Window border

I appear whenever a window is active or open.

Parts of a Windowwindow border - the thin line surrounding a windowwindow button - a button found on the taskbar which indicates what windows are

currently opentitle bar - located at the top of the window which contains an icon, a window name,

and the minimize, maximize and close buttonwindow title - identifies a windowminimize button - causes a window not to display on the desktop and causes the

window button on the taskbar to be non-indentedmaximize button - enlarges a window so that it occupies the whole screenclose button - closes or ends the window and removes the window button from the

taskbarmenu bar - found below the title bar which contains a list of menu namesmenu - contains a list of related commandsstatus bar - located at the bottom of a window which contains messagesfolder - an icon which contains related documents, applications, or other folders

My Computer button on taskbar

indented

My Computer window

Click me!

My Computer button is not

indented

My Computer window does not display

My Computer button is indented

My Computer window displays

Click me!

Try clicking methis time!

My Computer button still on taskbar

Restore button replaces

Maximize buttonMy Computer window expands to fill entire

screen

Click me!

My Computer window

returns to previous size and position

Maximize button replaces Restore button

My Computer button is

unchanged

Click me to close My Computer

window.

My Computer

iconMy Computer

window

You can moveme to any area on

the desktop.

My Computer window title

bar Mouse pointer

Place me overthe title bar and

drag to yourdesired area.

Old location of My

Computer window

Outline of My Computer window

going to new locationMouse pointer

being dragged

Window moves to new

location

Mouse pointer changes to two-headed

arrow

You can resize me bymoving the mousepointer to any of

the corners.

You can dragme now to resize.

Resized window

Three icons out of the six are visible

Vertical scroll bar displays

Down scroll arrow

Scroll box

Up scroll arrow

I allow you tolook at the contents

of your window.

If I am large, that means

you’re seeing much of my

content.

I let you move up a window. My partnerdoes the opposite.

You can scroll up by clicking me.

You can scroll up or downby dragging me.

You can scroll down or up by clicking me.

You can scroll down by clicking me.

Mouse pointer pointsto My Briefcase

Location ofMy Briefcase

icon

Dragged My Briefcaseghosted icon

Context-sensitivemenu

I appear each timeyou right-drag.

Creating a Document using an Application

ProgramA program is a set of instructions that carries out a task on a computer. An application program is a program that allows you to accomplish a specific task for which that program is designed. In a computer, the most common activity is to run an application program to accomplish tasks. Word processing programs are application programs that allow you to create written documents. A popular application program which comes with Windows 95 for creating documents is the Notepad.Eventually, you are going to learn how to open Notepad; create, save, print, and close a document; and open a saved document, modify it, and save the modifications.

StartButton

Programscommand

Start menu

Programssubmenu

Accessoriessubmenu

To start Notepad,click me first.

Accessoriescommand

Then pointat me.

Next, point at me.

Finally, click me.

IndentedNotepadbutton

Notepad windowUntitled ontitle bar

Menu bar

Insertion point

Scroll bar

I am a flashing vertical line which indicates the point where text typed on the keyboard are displayed.

17 lines indocument

After each line,

ENTER key is pressed.

Insertionpoint

File menu name

File menu

Click me first beforeyou can access the

file menu.

Save command

File menu

Click me to savework.

Active window

Inactive window

Save asdialog box

Save in box arrow

Desktop entryin Save in drop-down

list box/

Untitled entryin file name

text box

Save in boxarrow

Mousepointer

Sayings in Filename text box

Insertionpoint

Save in drop-down

list

Savebutton

Hard disk icon(Johnny C:)highlighted

Johnny C: entry in Save in

drop-down list box

Savebutton

filename

Untitled buttonon taskbar

Filename on button on taskbar

Filename displays on

title bar

File menu namehighlighted on

menu bar

File menu

Print commandhighlighted

Notepad dialog box

with message

Printingmessage

Cancelbutton

Start button

Start menu

Programssubmenu

Accessoriessubmenu

Notepadcommand

File menu namehighlighted on

menu bar

File menu

Untitled buttonon taskbar

Open command

Hard disk icon(Johnny C:)highlighted

Look in drop-down

list

Openbutton

Look inbox arrow

Look indrop-down

list box

Opendialog box

MULTITASKING

Multitasking is the ability to run many programs simultaneously (i.e. running Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other programs at the same time).

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BACKGROUND PROCESSING

Background processing is the ability to perform a certain task in the background and at the same time doing another task in the foreground (i.e. while printing a document, you can also edit the text of what you are printing).

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DYNAMIC DATA EXCHANGE

Dynamic Data Exchange is the ability to share files, folders, and even hardware (i.e. printers) between programs and users within a computer or with other computers in a networked computer system.

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