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If you are a long time computer user you may find this information is too fundamental for you. I understand, but try teaching someone how to become computer literate and you may find something of use here.
The new users section dealt with some of the fundamental things that all computer users need to know about. If you look at that section it did not mention much about using Windows. Why do you need to know how to use Windows? An example of the Xcopy Dos Command as shown below may help
XCOPY [d:][path]filename [d:][path][filename] [/A][/D:(date)] [/E][/M][/P][/S][/V][/W][Y|-Y]
Purpose: Copies directories, subdirectories, and files.
Before Windows 1.0, introduced by Microsoft in November 1987, the Xcopy DOS command was what we used to copy Files and Folders (Folders were called directories in those days). Windows introduced the concept of graphical user interface, which truly made working with computers much easier. To launch a program in DOS, you had to go to the Directory and follow a path to the executable file. Here is an example: c:\programs\myprograms\newstuff\....several more subdirectories\ 123.exe. Windows eliminated getting all of the path typed in without mistakes and replaced this task with clicking on an Icon. Microsoft and others have helped to make computers easier to use, but in my opinion they still have a lot further to go before they are really “user friendly.” Kids get exposed to computers early on and are not intimidated by some of the things that bother my generation. They don’t even question why you have to push the start button to stop the computer, or why the darn things stop working sometimes, when you are in a hurry. They don’t even utter bad words when the printer won’t print!
It is not my intent to teach you how to use windows at this web site, there are many excellent books on learning Windows. My suggestion is to get one or more of the books and do the practice sessions. There really is no short cut to this process. You can take classes to maybe speed things up but in the end you will have to put in the time to practice and learn how to use this very powerful tool.
 This ebook was written in down to earth non- technical language for easy reading and learning. Just click on it for a description.
I will try to give you some tips of things that I have learned along the way. I still learn something new every day. As you progress with your computer skills you will be amazed at the power you have at your key board if you will take the time to learn how to use a computer it will open up a whole new world for you.
Most people want to jump into going online before they learn some basic Windows skills. If you followed along with the New Computer User articles you have already used a lot of the Windows XP features. In this section I would like to examine Win XP in more detail.
Fig 1-1
Figure 1-1 shows a part of my desktop icons that I use the most. Your desktop will look different than mine. I will show you later how to add and remove icons. I like to use several icons so I can open more than one window quickly and cut and paste between Windows. The shortcut to word pad opens up a small limited word processor that is built into Windows. Notepad is a built in text editor it is used to edit registry files and taking notes. Microsoft Word is probably the most used word processor. Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program. Microsoft Publisher is used to make brochures etc. MS Paint is a built in graphics program used for simple drawings and editing images. The rest of the icons are just to aid me using the computer. You can easily add an icon. Just click on Start then All Programs. Select the program you want and right click on your mouse. Then hold and drag out to an empty space on your desktop and release. If you want to remove an icon, right click and delete it. (only the icon is deleted, not the program).
There are a number of things you can do to your desktop to personalize it. The Windows informational and instructional books available in the market place can explain in greater detail how to personalize your desktop. In addition you can also experiment with your desktop layout. Usually you can click the back button (shown in the upper left hand corner of the tool bar) and go back to the previous page.
If you look to the right of the Start button in figure 1-1 you see some little icons, these are called Quick Launch Buttons. To the right of the Quick Launch Buttons are the active programs that are running, in this desktop example they are “SnagIt and Jask After Shot”. The active windows are used to quickly cut and paste from one to the other etc. Last is the system tray showing several icons, which when right clicked allow you to make adjustments on the application the icon represents. It also shows the clock (located in the lower right hand corner of the status bar). Hold the mouse pointer over the time and it will display the date.
If you position your mouse pointer over a blank area of your desktop and click the right mouse button, a little window will open. At the bottom of this list in the little window left click on Properties and the window as shown in 1-2 will open.
Fig. 1-2
The Display Properties Window will allow you to personalize your desktop. The Themes tab (as shown in Fig 1-2) is a set of colors, icons etc. that looks pleasing to your eye. Please experiment with different background colors and settings that are easy for you view. You will notice my Theme is XP(Modified) and I have a gray background that you can see at to bottom of Fig.1-2. Some one else may prefer a different combination.
The Desktop Tab is where you go to adjust other settings as you will see when you click on it. The Screen Saver is interesting. It shows different pictures on your screen when you are taking a break or the computer is idle. You can set this to show a slide show among other things. The Appearance Tab and Settings
Tab are more adjustments. You will need to experiment and see what settings are right for you.
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