Unit 3: Windows - Operating System
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
General concepts of Windows and versions
Windows Accessories
Calculator, Notepad, WordPad & Paint
General Concepts of Windows
An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless. Application programs require an operating system to function. The most popular worldwide computer operating systems is Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984. The main versions of windows are Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP etc. The most recent client version of Windows is Windows 7.
Windows NT: Windows NT is a Microsoft Windows personal computer operating system designed for users and businesses needing advanced capability. Windows NT releases on July 27, 1993. NT's technology is the base for the Microsoft successor operating system, Windows 2000. Windows NT is actually two products: Microsoft NT Workstation and Microsoft NT Server.
Windows 98: Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. PCs are common at work and home, and Internet cafes where you can get online are popping up. Windows 98 is described as an operating system that “Works Better, Plays Better.”
Windows 2000: More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing.
Windows XP: On October 25, 2001, Windows XP is released with a redesigned look and feel that's centered on usability and a unified Help and Support services center. It’s available in 25 languages. Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used features more accessible. Designed for home use, Windows XP offers such enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities.
Shortcut Keys of Windows XP
Shortcut Keys
Function
Windows Key
Opens the Start menu
Windows Key + E
Opens My Computer in Windows Explorer
Windows Key + Pause/Break
Opens the System Properties dialog box
Windows Key + R
Opens the Run… prompt
Windows Key + F
Opens the Search for Files and Folder window
Windows Key + M
Minimize all windows
Windows Key + Shift + M
Maximize all windows (after minimizing them)
Windows Key + L
Lock Computer
Alt + Tab
Switch between open programs
Alt + F4
Closes the program/ Opens the Windows Shutdown/Restart dialog box (from desktop)
Alt + Spacebar
In the active window, this brings up the corner dialog box for Move, Size, Minimize, Maximize, or Close
Shift + Delete
Permanently deletes an item (rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin)
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Opens the Windows Task Manager
Ctrl + drag an icon
Copies that item
Ctrl + Shift + drag an icon
Creates a shortcut for the item
Right-click + drag a file
Brings up a menu to copy, move, or create a shortcut
Prt Scr
Takes a screen shot of the entire screen
Alt + Prt Scr
Takes a screen shot of only the active Window; hit Paste in a photo program to edit and save the screen shot
F1
Opens the Windows XP Help
F2
Rename selected item
F3
Opens Windows search for files and folders
F5 (or Ctrl + R)
Refresh Internet Explorer page, or refresh any other window
Tab
Move through the different elements on a page or the fields in a form
Shift + Tab
Move backward through the different elements on a page or the fields
Ctrl + A
Select All
Ctrl + C
Copy
Ctrl + X
Cut
Ctrl + V
Paste
Ctrl + Z
Undo
Ctrl + Y
Redo
Ctrl + P
Print
Ctrl + O
Open
Windows Accessories
Windows XP provides several accessories, or applications, that you can use to help you in your work. These accessories are not full-featured programs, but they are useful for specific jobs in the Windows environment. Accessories include a calculator, a painting program, a word processor, a text editor, communication and entertainment applications.
To access the Accessories menu, go to StartAll ProgramsAccessories.
Communications
Communication menu is used to setup and establish connections to the other computers, internet, private network, wireless network and online services etc.
Entertainment
Entertainment menu is used to record sound if a microphone and sound card are installed. You can also control the volume of recorded and play back sounds.
System Tools
Do some basic maintenance from time to time to keep Windows XP running smoothly. Windows XP provides you with some basic tools to make the maintenance process as painless as possible. You can access these tools via the System Tools menu of Accessories. System Tools include Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, and Scheduled Task Wizard etc.
To keep your hard disk running smoothly, you must routinely defragment or "defrag" the hard disk. The Disk Defragmenter tool can help you do this.
Disk Cleanup is another tool that helps keep Windows XP operating as it should. It inspects your hard disk and looks for files that can be safely deleted. Deleting unnecessary files frees up valuable disk space.
Fortunately, you don't need to remember to run each of these utilities. Windows XP includes a Scheduled Task Wizard that runs each of them for you.
Address Book
The Address Book of Accessories menu provides a convenient place to store contact information for easy retrieval from programs such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, NetMeeting, and Microsoft Phone System. You can search for people and businesses, create groups of contacts for mailing lists, and send and receive electronic business cards.
Calculator
Like a calculator you keep in a desk drawer, the Windows Calculator is small but saves you time by performing all the calculations common to a standard calculator. The Standard Windows Calculator works so much like a pocket calculator that you need little help getting started.
To display the Calculator, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories Calculator. The Calculator opens in the same view (Standard or Scientific) in which it was displayed the last time it was used.
The Calculator has only three menus: Edit, View, and Help. The Edit menu contains two simple commands for copying and pasting; the View menu switches between the Standard and Scientific views; and the Help menu is the same as in all Windows accessories.
Operating the Calculator
To use the Calculator with the mouse, just click the appropriate numbers and sign keys, like you would press buttons on a desk calculator. Numbers appear in the display window as you select them, and the results appear after the calculations are performed. To enter numbers from the keyboard, use either the numbers across the top of the keyboard or those on the numeric keypad (you must first press the NumLock key if the NumLock feature is not enabled). To calculate, press the keys on the keyboard that matches the Calculator keys.
Notepad
Notepad is a miniature text editor. Just as you use a notepad on your desk, you can use Notepad to take notes onscreen while working in other Windows applications. Because Notepad stores files in text format, almost all word processing applications can retrieve Notepad's files. However, if you want the capability of formatting your documents, you'll need a true word processor.
To start Notepad, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories Notepad. Notepad starts up and displays a blank document in the Notepad window. You can begin typing.
Working with Documents in Notepad
You can move the insertion point by using either the mouse or the keyboard. You select and edit text in Notepad the same way you select and edit text in MS-Word.
Limited formatting is available from the File, Page Setup command. You can change margins and add a header or footer, but you cannot format characters or paragraphs in any way. You also can use the Tab, Spacebar, and Backspace keys to align text. Tab stops are preset at every eight characters.
With the commands on Notepad's Edit menu, you can cut, copy, and move text from one place in a file to another. Text that you cut or copy is stored in the Clipboard. When you paste text, the contents of the Clipboard are copied from the Clipboard to the document at the location of the insertion point.
WordPad
Word Pad is the word processor that comes with Windows XP that can perform most basic word processing tasks. Although it is not nearly as powerful and versatile as a full-featured word processing application (such as Microsoft Word 2007), it is much more powerful than Notepad, the text editor that comes with Windows XP.
Creating a New Document in WordPad
WordPad is located in the Accessories submenu of the Start menu. To start WordPad, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories WordPad. The WordPad window appears. When you first open WordPad, you are presented with a blank document.
Paint
Paint is an easy-to-learn graphics application that you can use to create and modify graphics images.
To start Paint, click Start Programs Accessories Paint. When you start Paint, you see a window that is mostly blank, with just a few tools for drawing and painting. The following illustration shows the different parts of the Paint window:
Paint includes a handy collection of drawing tools in the toolbox. You can use these tools to create freehand drawings and add a variety of shapes to your pictures. The Options box, located below the toolbox, is where you can change how a tool draws. You can set the thickness of the tool's brush (which affects the weight of what you draw on the screen) and whether the shapes you draw are outlined or solid.
Tool Box
Menu Bar
Color Box
Drawing Area
Option Box
Save your picture frequently to ensure that you don't accidentally lose your work. To do that, on the File menu, click Save. This saves all of the changes you made to the picture since the last time you saved.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
General concepts of Windows and versions
Windows Accessories
Calculator, Notepad, WordPad & Paint
General Concepts of Windows
An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless. Application programs require an operating system to function. The most popular worldwide computer operating systems is Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984. The main versions of windows are Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP etc. The most recent client version of Windows is Windows 7.
Windows NT: Windows NT is a Microsoft Windows personal computer operating system designed for users and businesses needing advanced capability. Windows NT releases on July 27, 1993. NT's technology is the base for the Microsoft successor operating system, Windows 2000. Windows NT is actually two products: Microsoft NT Workstation and Microsoft NT Server.
Windows 98: Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 is the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. PCs are common at work and home, and Internet cafes where you can get online are popping up. Windows 98 is described as an operating system that “Works Better, Plays Better.”
Windows 2000: More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 adds major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing.
Windows XP: On October 25, 2001, Windows XP is released with a redesigned look and feel that's centered on usability and a unified Help and Support services center. It’s available in 25 languages. Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used features more accessible. Designed for home use, Windows XP offers such enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities.
Shortcut Keys of Windows XP
Shortcut Keys
Function
Windows Key
Opens the Start menu
Windows Key + E
Opens My Computer in Windows Explorer
Windows Key + Pause/Break
Opens the System Properties dialog box
Windows Key + R
Opens the Run… prompt
Windows Key + F
Opens the Search for Files and Folder window
Windows Key + M
Minimize all windows
Windows Key + Shift + M
Maximize all windows (after minimizing them)
Windows Key + L
Lock Computer
Alt + Tab
Switch between open programs
Alt + F4
Closes the program/ Opens the Windows Shutdown/Restart dialog box (from desktop)
Alt + Spacebar
In the active window, this brings up the corner dialog box for Move, Size, Minimize, Maximize, or Close
Shift + Delete
Permanently deletes an item (rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin)
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Opens the Windows Task Manager
Ctrl + drag an icon
Copies that item
Ctrl + Shift + drag an icon
Creates a shortcut for the item
Right-click + drag a file
Brings up a menu to copy, move, or create a shortcut
Prt Scr
Takes a screen shot of the entire screen
Alt + Prt Scr
Takes a screen shot of only the active Window; hit Paste in a photo program to edit and save the screen shot
F1
Opens the Windows XP Help
F2
Rename selected item
F3
Opens Windows search for files and folders
F5 (or Ctrl + R)
Refresh Internet Explorer page, or refresh any other window
Tab
Move through the different elements on a page or the fields in a form
Shift + Tab
Move backward through the different elements on a page or the fields
Ctrl + A
Select All
Ctrl + C
Copy
Ctrl + X
Cut
Ctrl + V
Paste
Ctrl + Z
Undo
Ctrl + Y
Redo
Ctrl + P
Ctrl + O
Open
Windows Accessories
Windows XP provides several accessories, or applications, that you can use to help you in your work. These accessories are not full-featured programs, but they are useful for specific jobs in the Windows environment. Accessories include a calculator, a painting program, a word processor, a text editor, communication and entertainment applications.
To access the Accessories menu, go to StartAll ProgramsAccessories.
Communications
Communication menu is used to setup and establish connections to the other computers, internet, private network, wireless network and online services etc.
Entertainment
Entertainment menu is used to record sound if a microphone and sound card are installed. You can also control the volume of recorded and play back sounds.
System Tools
Do some basic maintenance from time to time to keep Windows XP running smoothly. Windows XP provides you with some basic tools to make the maintenance process as painless as possible. You can access these tools via the System Tools menu of Accessories. System Tools include Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, and Scheduled Task Wizard etc.
To keep your hard disk running smoothly, you must routinely defragment or "defrag" the hard disk. The Disk Defragmenter tool can help you do this.
Disk Cleanup is another tool that helps keep Windows XP operating as it should. It inspects your hard disk and looks for files that can be safely deleted. Deleting unnecessary files frees up valuable disk space.
Fortunately, you don't need to remember to run each of these utilities. Windows XP includes a Scheduled Task Wizard that runs each of them for you.
Address Book
The Address Book of Accessories menu provides a convenient place to store contact information for easy retrieval from programs such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, NetMeeting, and Microsoft Phone System. You can search for people and businesses, create groups of contacts for mailing lists, and send and receive electronic business cards.
Calculator
Like a calculator you keep in a desk drawer, the Windows Calculator is small but saves you time by performing all the calculations common to a standard calculator. The Standard Windows Calculator works so much like a pocket calculator that you need little help getting started.
To display the Calculator, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories Calculator. The Calculator opens in the same view (Standard or Scientific) in which it was displayed the last time it was used.
The Calculator has only three menus: Edit, View, and Help. The Edit menu contains two simple commands for copying and pasting; the View menu switches between the Standard and Scientific views; and the Help menu is the same as in all Windows accessories.
Operating the Calculator
To use the Calculator with the mouse, just click the appropriate numbers and sign keys, like you would press buttons on a desk calculator. Numbers appear in the display window as you select them, and the results appear after the calculations are performed. To enter numbers from the keyboard, use either the numbers across the top of the keyboard or those on the numeric keypad (you must first press the NumLock key if the NumLock feature is not enabled). To calculate, press the keys on the keyboard that matches the Calculator keys.
Notepad
Notepad is a miniature text editor. Just as you use a notepad on your desk, you can use Notepad to take notes onscreen while working in other Windows applications. Because Notepad stores files in text format, almost all word processing applications can retrieve Notepad's files. However, if you want the capability of formatting your documents, you'll need a true word processor.
To start Notepad, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories Notepad. Notepad starts up and displays a blank document in the Notepad window. You can begin typing.
Working with Documents in Notepad
You can move the insertion point by using either the mouse or the keyboard. You select and edit text in Notepad the same way you select and edit text in MS-Word.
Limited formatting is available from the File, Page Setup command. You can change margins and add a header or footer, but you cannot format characters or paragraphs in any way. You also can use the Tab, Spacebar, and Backspace keys to align text. Tab stops are preset at every eight characters.
With the commands on Notepad's Edit menu, you can cut, copy, and move text from one place in a file to another. Text that you cut or copy is stored in the Clipboard. When you paste text, the contents of the Clipboard are copied from the Clipboard to the document at the location of the insertion point.
WordPad
Word Pad is the word processor that comes with Windows XP that can perform most basic word processing tasks. Although it is not nearly as powerful and versatile as a full-featured word processing application (such as Microsoft Word 2007), it is much more powerful than Notepad, the text editor that comes with Windows XP.
Creating a New Document in WordPad
WordPad is located in the Accessories submenu of the Start menu. To start WordPad, open the Start menu and choose Programs Accessories WordPad. The WordPad window appears. When you first open WordPad, you are presented with a blank document.
Paint
Paint is an easy-to-learn graphics application that you can use to create and modify graphics images.
To start Paint, click Start Programs Accessories Paint. When you start Paint, you see a window that is mostly blank, with just a few tools for drawing and painting. The following illustration shows the different parts of the Paint window:
Paint includes a handy collection of drawing tools in the toolbox. You can use these tools to create freehand drawings and add a variety of shapes to your pictures. The Options box, located below the toolbox, is where you can change how a tool draws. You can set the thickness of the tool's brush (which affects the weight of what you draw on the screen) and whether the shapes you draw are outlined or solid.
Tool Box
Menu Bar
Color Box
Drawing Area
Option Box
Save your picture frequently to ensure that you don't accidentally lose your work. To do that, on the File menu, click Save. This saves all of the changes you made to the picture since the last time you saved.
No comments:
Post a Comment