Chapter 2 Looking at Windows Looking at Windows

Chapter 2 Looking at Windows

Looking at Windows • FAQs – Which version of Windows do I have? – What is the Windows desktop? – How do I use the Start menu? – What is an Aero desktop theme? – What are gadgets? – What’s in the Accessories folder? – What’s the Control Panel? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 2

Which version of Windows do I have? • An operating system is the core piece of software on your PC • The latest Windows version is Windows 7 – Starter – Home Premium – Professional – Ultimate • To discover which version and edition of Windows you’re using, enter System in the Start menu’s Search box and then click the System option Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 3

Which version of Windows do I have? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 4

Which version of Windows do I have? • Past Windows versions include: – Windows 3. 1 – Windows 95 – Windows 98 – Windows Me (Millennium Edition) – Windows XP – Windows Vista Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 5

What is the Windows desktop? • Windows desktop is your gateway to all the tasks you want to perform with your PC • The taskbar includes: – Start button, which is the main control – Notification area displays the time and icons such as volume controls and computer settings – Show Desktop button moves open windows out of the way and brings you back to the desktop • Windows contain programs, files, alerts, and settings Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 6

What is the Windows desktop? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 7

How do I use the Start menu? • Click the Start button to access the Start menu – Frequently-used programs are displayed on the left – All Programs option gives you access to more programs – Search box can help you quickly find programs Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 8

How do I use the Start menu? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 9

What is an Aero desktop theme? • An Aero desktop theme incorporates design elements such as translucent windows and animated icons – Aero peek – Aero snap – Aero shake • You can select and modify desktop themes by entering “Theme” in the Start menu Search box, then choosing a theme Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 10

What is an Aero desktop theme? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 11

What are gadgets? • Gadgets are mini-applications designed to display information that is constantly changing – Examples of gadget topics include the time of day, local weather, headline news, photo slide shows, or statistics about how hard your computer’s microprocessor is working • Several gadgets are included with Windows 7 • Gadgets work best if your computer has a widescreen display device Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 12

What are gadgets? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 13

What’s in the Accessories folder? • Accessories folder includes: – Windows Explorer – Paint – Notepad and Word. Pad – Snipping Tool – Calculator – Sound Recorder • Subfolders include System Tools and Ease of Access Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 14

What’s in the Accessories folder? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 15

What’s the Control Panel? • Control Panel contains important tools for configuring and customizing Windows including: – Date and time – Hardware devices – Network connections – Security controls – Desktop Appearance Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 16

What’s the Control Panel? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 17

Input Devices • User Interface is the combination of hardware and software that manages the way humans and computers interact • Windows offers a graphical user interface (GUI), which includes icons, menus, dialog boxes, and toolbars, that provides: – An input method allowing you to communicate to the computer – An output method allowing the computer to communicate with you Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 18

Input Devices • Keyboards, mice, and trackpads are the most popular input devices – Mechanical technology – Optical technology – Wired mouse – Wireless mouse • You can adjust several mouse settings in Windows • A trackpad is a pointing device typically built into the system unit of a notebook computer or netbook – Multi-touch trackpad Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 19

Input Devices Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 20

Is Windows a monopoly? • What do you think? – If you purchase a new computer, would you prefer to use preinstalled Internet software instead of obtaining and installing the Internet software of your choice? – Do you think Microsoft’s dominant share of the operating system market is detrimental to consumers? – Have you ever used any operating system other than Windows? Practical PC 6 th Edition Chapter 2 21