Most computers use an OS called Microsoft® Windows®. Most OSs and programs have the same features whether they use Windows or not, but all computers running windows will have these features with these names. The thing we did in the last chapter with the box that comes up when you turn on your computer is called logging in. The screen you see after logging in is called the Desktop. Most things on a computer are named after things in real life, and they are usually used similarly too. Just like a real desktop the desktop on a computer is where you go to access all your data.
Desktop The desktop is the area that comes up right after logging in. It contains icons.
On the desktop are pictures with text labels under them, these pictures are called icons because they represent something else. If you move or get rid of an icon, all that means is that you have to access what they represent a different way, you haven’t gotten rid of the actual thing. Icons usually represent programs, but sometimes they represent collections of data. Double-clicking (clicking twice very fast) on one of these icons will open whatever it represents, the text tells you what it represents.
Icons A picture that represents a program, data collection, or program function.
There is a bar that is usually at the bottom of the desktop, however it may also be on any other side. If you cannot see it, then move the cursor to the edge where it is and it will come up. It is called the start-bar.
Start-bar The start-bar is the bar along one side of the desktop. It is used for launching programs or opening the window of an open program.
Along the main part of the start-bar is a list of all open programs, clicking on one element of this list will put that program’s window (the box that a program is viewed in) on top of all other open windows. Over on one side of the start-bar is a clock; beside the clock are a bunch of icons that represent open ‘invisible’ programs. These are programs that are always running and do things ‘behind the scenes’. This area is called the system tray. On the main part of the star-bar there is sometimes a small group of icons, this is called the quick-launch bar. Clicking on one of these icons opens whatever it represents.
System Tray The system tray holds icons for programs currently running ‘behind-the-scenes’.
On the opposite side of the start-bar from the clock and the system tray is a button. A button (or command button) is just like a real button, when it is pushed (clicked) it does something.
Some buttons have text on them that say what they do, and some have icons representing what they do. Some have both.
(Command) Buttons Buttons do something when you click on them. They may be labelled by text, an icon, or both.
The quick-launch icons are also buttons. Some buttons are raised to look like real buttons and some only raise up when you hover (put the cursor on top of) them. The button on the other side of the start-bar from the clock and system tray is called the start-button. When you click the start-button it opens the start-menu. The start-menu has icons for more programs and data collections, although it is usually programs.
Start-button The start-button is a button that opens the start-menu.
Start-menu The start-menu contains icons for programs and data collections, usually for programs.
The icons that are on the desktop, the quick-launch bar, and the start-menu are usually shortcuts. On the desktop shortcuts are often indicated by a small symbol on top of the icon ( ). Shortcuts are what I meant earlier when I said ‘if you move or get rid of an icon, all that means is that you have to access what they represent a different way, you haven’t gotten rid of the actual thing’. Icons represent all data collections and programs even if they are not shortcuts, however normally the ones on the desktop and in the start-menu are shortcuts.
Shortcuts Icons that are only links to the things those icons represent.
The difference between icons and shortcuts is important so be sure you understand it. An icon is any picture that is meant to convey what something is. The icon on the start-button represents the fact that it is a major part of Windows, which is why it is a Windows logo. Shortcuts are a link to a program or data collection; the icon on a shortcut represents whatever the shortcut opens, however the same icon would be on the real thing as well. A Venn Diagram can maybe better show this, see Figure 2.2.
You open whatever is linked to by each shortcut on the start-menu by clicking on it. If any icon has a right-arrow beside it, then hovering over it or clicking on it will make a sub-menu (a menu inside a menu) come out with more shortcuts on it.