... Basic Computer Skills ...

The Desktop

The background can be changed in many different ways, including different colors, patterns, and even the use of a picture as a background ... (which I don't suggest), but these operations are not included in this beginner's course.

The icons on the desktop are one means by which the user can open the programs, applications or files quickly and conveniently; more so than by the use of the Start Menu Programs. The expression "open" is synonymous with "run" and "launch" with respect to objects like software programs and applications. Some of the icons are system icons, such as My Computer and Recycle Bin ... and others are shortcuts to software applications or programs or other objects. Icons which have a small white square with a arrow inside are shortcuts to objects, or "pointers" to the them, and not the objects themselves.

The Task Bar contains the Start Button on the left ... a quick launch area next to it, and the system tray or systray to the far right. The middle part of the Task Bar is the active area and shows what applications or programs are currently running.

As you run the programs and applications, the windows of the applications appear on your Desktop covering up what was on it before. The "Show Desktop" icon in the quick start area of the Task Bar is a quick way to clear the Desktop of all windows, but any programs which were running continue to do so and will appear in the active area of the Task Bar.

The Task bar can be dragged (see mouse operations) to any edge of the Desktop (left, top, right or bottom), can be made wider, and can be hidden until the mouse pointer touches the edge where it is hiding. I might as well tell you now, you can do just about anything you want on your computer (puter), for someone interested in power or control, this is the devil's playground. Why, you can even move that Start Button to the center of the taskbar if you know how ... it's all about computer skills.