World of Information
Technology
WORKING IN WINDOWS 7 ENVIRONMENT
DESKTOP
By now the booting is over and the computer takes you to the desktop. On
the desktop there are several icons (just like there are files on the desk of
every office of today).
ICON
An icon is a graphical representation of a document or program on the
desktop/window. Icon can be copied, deleted or moved. Among the icons
on the desktop above there are four standard system icons, they are
namely: Computer, User’s Files, Network and Recycle Bin. These four
icons must be present on the desktop after booting. For instance if those
icons which I called the standard icons are not on the desktop do not
panic, it is treated below. Now you are on the desktop, I want to believe
this is your first time starting-up a system so I can treat you as such.
Let’s give it a try.
WINDOW
This is a separate viewing area on the screen which presents information.
When an application is located or document is opened it is created
automatically. The basic elements of windows 7 are address bar, menu
bar, navigation pane, and control menu (minimize button, restore button,
close button) just like the picture below.
THESE ARE THE BASIC WINDOW ELEMENTS.
Address bar is where you find the name of the active window.
Control menu is used to control the window explorer, it consist of three
buttons which each have their differences. Explaining their features from
the left hand side of those buttons in the control menu. The minimize
button can be used to restore the window to the task bar, and can be
called up again by clicking on the window’s button on the task bar. The
maximize button can be used to enlarge the window explorer such
that it occupies the whole screen. The close button can be used to
exit the window.
Menu bar contain list of commands each with sub-commands, which is
available on every open window. If you cannot find the Menu bar on the
window explorer don’t panic I will show you how to display it. Navigation
pane displays folders in different locations and those folders can be
accessed (opened) with a click.
SOME BASIC TERMS IN WINDOWS
ACTIVE WINDOW/ICON: The window or icon which you’re using currently
is known as active window/icon. Those icon which are not selected and
windows which have been minimized to the task bar are not active, in
other words they are inactive. If there is more than one opened window,
only one window can be active at a time.
BROWSE: This is an act of looking through files and directories. When
you’re browsing through the files and directories, it shows that you’re
looking for something or as a learner trying to master your system.
COMMAND: A word or phrase, usually found on a menu, which you choose
in other to execute (carry-out) a job (task). Command is also used in
Microsoft Disk Operating System prompt (MS-DOS), Run dialog box, etc.
CLIPBOARD: It’s a temporary storage area used to transfer information
within and between windows/applications.
CLICKING: This is when the left button of the mouse is pressed quickly
within a twinkle of an eye.
DESKTOP: After booting, the computer displays a picture (just like
background on your phone) it is called the desktop.
DOUBLE CLICK: This is clicking (left button of the mouse is pressed
quickly) twice, very fast within half a second.
DRAG: This is when you click and hold down the left button of the mouse
on an icon (of file, program) and move it within window or between
windows.
FONT: A graphic design applied to a collection of numbers, symbols, and
characters. It usually comes in different sizes and styles.
HIGHLIGHTING BOX: This is the invisible rectangle with eight handles
that surround (enclose) a selected object.
ICON: It is a small picture that represents application program, file,
directories, etc.
INSERTION POINT: The blinking cursor which indicates where text will be
inserted as you type.
LOADING: It’s process of copying data or program instructions to the
RAM, so that the processor can be able to access and process it.
MENU: This is a list of commands each with sub-commands, which is
available on every open window. On any opened window, after the title
bar comes the menu bar.
SCROLL: To move (up, down, right or left) through text, graphics in order
to reveal parts of the file that cannot fit on the screen.
USING THE MOUSE
So long as the mouse was correctly installed and the system finish
booting, then you can work with the mouse but for now, place a finger in
the centre of the mouse for ten seconds, OK. Slide your finger on a
straight line both vertically and horizontally without missing your track of
motion. Don’t apply muscle, move it just as if you’re running your finger
through the hairs on your legs. If you are very observant, you’ll notice that
as the mouse is been moved, there is a little sign (arrow symbol facing up
left direction) on the screen that is also moving to any direction the
mouse move to. That little sign is called pointer.
CLICKING
This is when the left button of the mouse is pressed quickly within a
twinkle of an eye. To select or choose (touch) anything in the computer,
with your hand on the mouse you’ve got the power, simply move and
place your pointer on it then take a step further, click (pressed the left
button of the mouse quickly within a twinkle of an eye). To called-up any
program through it icon on the desktop, you need to visit the nest section.
DOUBLE CLICKING
Is just as the case of clicking but you have to be faster this time around.
The left mouse button is also used for double clicking. This is clicking
twice very fast within half a second. This process is used to called-up any
program through it icon on the desktop, also to open saved file, document
etc.
RIGHT CLICKING
Mouse, like we all know it has two buttons which are the right mouse
button and the left mouse button. The moment I made mention of right
clicking, you guessed correctly and am happy because somebody is
getting my message. All you have to do is press the right mouse button
just as in the case of clicking. I want you to right click on empty space
(where there is no icon) on the desktop and what you’ll see looks like the
picture below. There will never ever be a situation that will demand you
to double right-click, just because there is nothing like that for now.
CLICK OUT
When any icon, file or document has been selected, it looks different from
other files of the same type just as we have here on the picture below,
the last icon (folder) is selected. For you to unselect this file, click on the
empty space (where there is no icon) on the desktop. This is what is
called click-out.
