Information and Communication Technology

3.3.6 Components of Windows

Desktop

This is the background on which all other elements appear. You can think of the Windows desktop like the top of your own traditional office desk. Just as you can move papers around, hide certain items in drawers, and add and remove thi ngs on your desk, you can manipulate items on your Windows desktop.

Icons

Icons are pictures that represent programmes (the Internet, Word for Windows, Excel, and so on), folders, files, printer information, computer information, and so on, in both Windows 95 and Windows applications. Most often, you use icons to open folders and files.

My Computer

The My Computer icon represents the contents of your computer, including the hard drive, floppy and CD drives, appli cations, folders, files, and so on. Double-click an icon to open it and view its contents.

Network Neighbourhood

This icon displays other computers connected to your computer on a Microsoft or other type of network, such as NT or Netware.

The Internet

If you have access to an Internet Service Provider , you can use the Internet Explorer to access the Net , including Web pages and e-mail.

Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is a place in which deleted objects remain until you empty the trash. You can retrieve items-files, programmes, pictures, and so on-from the Recycle Bin after you delete them. Once you empty the trash, however, you can no longer retrieve items from the bin.

Taskbar

The taskbar contains the Start button, any open application or window buttons, and the time. You can click a taskbar button to open the window or application it represents. Use the Start button to open prog rammes, documents, help, and so on.

Start button

The Start button displays a menu from which you can choose to open an application, open a document, customize Windows, find a file or folder, get help , or shut down the Windows 95 programmes.

Folder

A folder contains files, programmes, or other folders on your computer; for example, the Online Services folder contains programmes that let you sign up for an online service like CompuServe. A folder is the same thing as a direc tory.

Using the mouse

You use the mouse to perform many actions in windows and in windows applications. To select an icon or folder single click on that object and also to open an icon or folder double clicks on that object. Double clicking means pressing and releasing the mouse left button twice quickly. Right mouse button can be used to display shortcut menu or quick menu. To move an object (folder or icon or window) by dragging. Dragging means selecting the object and move to that o bject into new location.