Windows Basics

Desktop:  The Windows (operating system) desktop holds everything seen in Windows.  When you open a program, it appears in its own window on top of the desktop.

Taskbar:  The taskbar by default runs along the bottom of the desktop.  When opening a program, a button for the taskbar appears on the taskbar.

Start button and Start Menu:  The Start menu holds commands for starting programs and accessing Windows features.  The Start button is at the left end of the taskbar.

System Tray:  The system tray area at the right end of the taskbar displays time and (generally) a volume icon.

Title bar:  The title bar displays the name of the program and the file that's currently open.

Menu bar:  The menu bar lists the names of the menus offered in the application or program.  Click a menu name to open that menu, then click the command you want to choose.

Toolbar:  Most applications or programs offer some type of toolbar or button bar below the menu bar.  These are usually where the icons are stored.  Click a button on this bar to perform a command like applying bold or formatting text you've selected.

Minimize:  Click this button to reduce the application window to a button on the taskbar.  Click the taskbar button to resume working in that window.  It looks like a "minus" sign in the upper right hand corner of the window.

Maximize or Restore button:  This button restores the window to full screen size.  It also functions as the "Restore" button, which reduces the application window to less than full size without closing the window.  The Maximize or Restore button is the middle button in the upper right hand corner of a window that looks like a square.

Close Button:  Click a window's Close button to close the window and shut down the application.  The close button is located in the top right hand corner of a window and looks like an "X". 

Opening Programs:  Software programs can be opened by the following methods:
a) Click the Start button/menu, then choosing the program.
b) Double-clicking an icon button on the desktop that represents the program. 

Icon:  A picture representation of a command.  Examples of icon pictures are "B" for bolding or "I" for italics or "U" for underlining.

Internet Basics: You may access an Internet Tutorial by pressing 
** How to access the Internet
a) Open the Internet browser software (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) through Windows.
b) You may also double-click Internet Explorer or Netscape icon button on the desktop.

** How search the Internet for information on a topic. 
a) Press the "Search" icon button on the toolbar, then type in the topic that you want to search or research.
b) You may also perform a Search by using a Search Engine website such as www.msn.com , www.yahoo.com, www.goggle.com, www.askjeeves.com , etc.

** Access a website using URL
a) URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator or commonly called a "web address".
b) Simply type in the web address { www.apple.com } within the "Address" bar of your Internet browser.

** Using hyperlinks.
a) Hyperlinks are words, icons, or pictures that when clicked links the user to another web page.
b) The mouse pointer usually turn into a finger with the mouse is hovered over the hyperlinked text, picture, or icon.

** How to use the Internet Browser’s Icon buttons and Menu bar commands.
a) Icon buttons are used by simply clicking them with your mouse.  Basic Icon buttons within your Internet Browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape) are usually the Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Home, Help, etc. Your instructor will explain what each button means.
b) The menu bar commands work simply by clicking the menu within the Internet's browser, then clicking or assessing the commands that you want to perform.