XP New Perspectives on Windows XP Tutorial 1 Exploring the Basics.

New Perspectives on Windows XPTutorial 1

XPTutorial 1

Exploring the Basics


XPObjectives

• Start and shut down Windows XP• Identify the objects on the Windows XP desktop• Practice mouse functions• Run software programs, switch between them, and

close them• Identify and use the controls in a window


XPObjectives

• Use Windows XP controls, such as:– Menus

– Toolbars

– List boxes

– Scroll bars

– Option buttons

– Tabs

– Check boxes

• Explore Windows XP Help


XPStarting Windows XP

• Windows XP– Starts when computer is turned on

– Elements of the desktop• Icon

• Pointer

• Desktop

• Date/Time control

• Taskbar

• Start button

• Notification area



Figure 1-1 shows the Windows XP desktop



• Windows XP desktop uses a graphical user interface

• Graphical user interface (GUI)– Displays icons to represent items stored on the

computer• Icons: Pictures of familiar objects


XPThe Windows XP Desktop

• Desktop– Area that appears on the screen when Windows XP

starts

– A workspace for projects and tools

– Uses default settings when the computer is first started• Default settings: settings preset by the operating system

– Appearance can be changed by the user


XPThe Windows XP Desktop

Figure 1-3 shows customized desktops


XPUsing a Pointing Device

• A pointing device– Helps the user interact with objects on the computer

screen

– Comes in many shapes and sizes

• Mouse– Most common pointing device


XPPointing

• Pointing device– Used to move the mouse pointer over objects on the

desktop

• Pointing– Positioning the pointer over a specific part of the screen


XPPointing

• ScreenTips– Appear when the mouse pointer is positioned over certain objects

– Display the purpose or function of the object

– Figure 1-5 shows a ScreenTip


XPClicking

• Clicking– Pressing a mouse button and immediately releasing it

• Menu– A list of options which can be used to perform tasks

• Start menu– Appears when the Start button is clicked

– Provides access to programs, documents, etc.


XPClicking

Figure 1-6 shows the Start menu


XPSelecting

• Selecting an object– Two possible ways of selecting objects in Windows XP

• Pointing to an object

• Pointing to and then clicking an object

– A selected object is highlighted


XPSelecting

Figure 1-7 shows examples of selected objects


XPDouble-Clicking

• Double-clicking– Clicking the mouse button twice in quick succession

– Done to open or start an item• Double-clicking a folder icon opens the folder

• Double-clicking a program icon starts the program


XPRight-Clicking

• Right-clicking– Clicking an object with the right button of the mouse

– Selects an object and opens its shortcut menu• Shortcut menu: a list of options directly related to the object


XPRight-Clicking

Figure 1-10 shows the effects of clicking the Start button with the left mouse button and the right mouse button


XPStarting and Closing a Program

• Starting a program– A program must be started before it can be used

– To start a program• Click the Start button

• Locate and click the program’s name in the submenus

• An open or running program– A program which has been started



Figure 1-12 shows how a program can be started using the Start menu



• Program button– Appears on the taskbar for each open program

– Click to switch between open programs

• Close button– Located in the upper-right corner of the program

window

– Click to close the program



Figure 1-13 shows a program button and a Close button


XPRunning Multiple Programs

• Multitasking– Ability to run multiple programs on Windows XP at the

same time

– Allows the user to work on more than one project at a time


XPSwitching Between Programs

• Program buttons– Located on the taskbar

– Offer the easiest way to switch between programs


XPUsing the Quick Launch Toolbar

• Toolbars– Sets of buttons that give single-click access to programs or

documents

• Quick Launch toolbar (shown in Figure 1-16)– Gives quick access to

• Internet programs• Desktop


XPClosing Inactive Programs from the Taskbar

• Options for closing a program– Use the Close button on the title bar of the program window

– Use the shortcut menu associated with the program button on the taskbar (shown in Figure 1-17)


XPShutting Down Windows XP

• Turn Off Computer option– Located on the Start menu

– Turns off the computer

• Log Off option– Located on the Start menu

– Logs off Windows XP but leaves the computer on

Figure 1-18 shows the Turn Off button


XPAnatomy of a Window

• A window– A rectangular area of the screen that may contain

• A program

• Text

• Graphics

• Data



• Controls– Located in a window– Graphical or textual objects used for

• Manipulating the window• Using the program

– Examples• Menu bar• Sizing buttons• Status bar• Title bar• Toolbar• Workspace



Figure 1-20 shows WordPad window controls


XPManipulating a Window

• Buttons on the right side of the title bar– Close button

• Closes a program

– Minimize button• Hides a window

– Third button• Changes name and function depending on the status of the

window• Either

– Maximizes the window– Restores the window to a predefined size


XPMinimizing a Window

• Minimize button– Hides a window

– Can be used to hide a window temporarily but keep the program running


XPRedisplaying a Window

• To redisplay a minimized window– Click the program’s button on the taskbar


XPMaximizing a Window

• Maximize button– Enlarges a window so that it fills the entire screen

– Allows the user to see more of the program and data


XPRestoring a Window

• Restore button– Reduces the window

– Useful for• Seeing more than one window at a time

• Moving the window to another location on the screen

• Changing the dimensions of the window


XPMoving a Window

• To drag an object– Click an object and then hold down the mouse button

while moving the mouse

• To move a window– Drag the window by its title bar


XPChanging the Size of a Window

• Options for changing a window’s size– Sizing handle

• Located at the lower-right corner of the window

– Window borders• Can be dragged left, right, up, or down


XPChanging the Size of a Window

Figure 1-22 shows a sizing handle


XPUsing Program Menus

• Menus– Organize a program’s features and available functions

• Menu bar– Typically located at the top of the program window

– Shows the names of the menus


XPSelecting Options from a Menu

• Menu items or commands– Choices for a menu

– Appear when a menu name is clicked

– Possible actions when clicked• Immediately carry out an action

• Show submenus

• Ask the user for more information about the desired action



Figure 1-23 shows the menu items of the File menu



• Menu conventions– Visual hints about what to expect when an item is

selected

– Examples:• Check mark

• Ellipsis

• Triangular arrow

• Grayed-out option

• Keyboard shortcut



Figure 1-24 shows examples of Windows XP menu conventions


XPUsing Toolbars

• Toolbars in the program window– Provide one-click access to frequently used commands

– Have buttons grouped and organized by tasks

• To perform a command– Select a toolbar button by clicking it


XPUsing List Boxes and Scroll Bars

• List box– Displays a list of available choices

– Usually includes• Array buttons

• A scroll bar

• A scroll box



Figure 1-27 shows the list box in the Date/Time dialog box



• Some list boxes allow the user to type the desired option– These list boxes have a list arrow

Figure 1-28 shows the Font Size list arrow


XPUsing Dialog Box Controls

• Dialog box– Opens when a menu command or item followed by an

ellipsis is selected

– Allows the user to provide more information about how a program should carry out a task

– Groups different kinds of information in panes• Panes: bordered rectangular areas



• Common dialog box controls– Tabs

– Option buttons

– Check boxes

– Spin boxes

– Text boxes

• Figure 1-29 shows examples of dialog box controls




XPUsing Help

• Windows XP Help– Provides on-screen information about programs

– Available by• Clicking the Start button and selecting Help and Support from

the Start menu

• Windows Help and Support Center window– Provides access to

• Help files stored on the computer

• Help information stored on Microsoft’s Web site


XPUsing Help

Figure 1-31 shows the Windows XP Help and Support Center window


XPUsing Help

• Windows XP Help and Support window– Organizes information into pages

• Home page

• Index page

• Favorites page

• History page

• Support page

• Options page

– Search box• Used to search for keywords contained in Help pages

XP New Perspectives on Windows XP Tutorial 1 Exploring the Basics.

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