2-Windows 95 / 98

Windows 95 / 98

Starting and Ending Windows 95/98

Your desktop

Working with a mouse

Launching Programs

Switching between programmes

Maximising and minimising screens

The scroll bars

Using Help

Multitasking

Copy and paste

Managing Files

Creating and saving a document

Keyboard shortcuts

This document is a modified copy
of the ITrain Computer Handbook which
has been distributed on the Internet under
Open Content Licence and is licensed as
a whole at no charge to all third parties under
the terms of this License. The modifications
have been made to make the document more
accessible to South African users.

Your desktop

Windows 95/98 uses the metaphor of a desk. On the top of your desk you have the main tools you work with -- your pen, paper and other items. The same applies to the Windows 95/98 operating system. You have your main tools on the screen of your monitor as shown below. Windows 95/98 calls this your desktop.

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- The Windows 95 Desktop

The programme icons can be used to start programmes instead of using the Start button and Programs menu. Similarly, shortcut icons do the same, but can also be a shortcut to open a file you regularly use. Sometimes programmes also have icons in the Task Bar.

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Working with a mouse

The mouse makes it easier to use Windows and Windows-based software. It is therefore essential that you know how to use your mouse.

How to hold the mouse:

Start by holding your hand palm-upwards and placing the mouse in the palm of your hand (see picture to the left). Place your thumb and small finger on either side and grip the mouse softly with these two fingers.

Then turn your palm downwards and place the mouse and the base of your palm on the table top (see picture at bottom left). Your thumb and small finger should continue to lightly rip the mouse - just the fleshy part where your fingerprint is should make contact. The tip of your pointing finger (index finger) should rest lightly on the left-hand mouse button.

Your fingers should point in the same direction as the mouse "tail" or chord (see picture at bottom right)

Four types of mouse actions

The four types of mouse actions are described below.

Action	Description	Example
Single click	Click once on the left mouse button	single click on an item on the task bar to start a programme (see section 4 for explanation of a taskbar)
Double click	Click twice in rapid succession on the left mouse button while holding the mouse steady.	In Windows 95/98, double clicking is used to launch programs from the desktop.
Right click	Click once on the right mouse button.	This opens up a menu of functions you can select and immediately perform.
Drag and drop	Click and drag. This is achieved by choosing an item, placing the mouse cursor over it and pressing down on the left mouse button. Do not let go. Drag the object to a new location and release the mouse button.	This is used to move files in Windows Explorer as we explain below.
Hover	In many applications, holding your mouse over an icon without clicking will bring up a short explanation of the function of the icon.	The icons in a programme toolbar will display more information about themselves when you hold the mouse cursor over them.

Configuring your mouse

You can modify, or configure how your mouse functions. To do this, left click on the Start button. Select Settings, Control Panel. Double click on the image of the mouse from the icons. You can make changes to buttons, pointer and motion here. For example, if you are left handed, you might prefer to place the mouse on the left side of your keyboard and select the right mouse key for clicking. Or if you find it difficult to find the mouse pointer, you might decide to make it larger, by selecting pointers.

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Launching Programs

The desktop appears when you turn on your computer. You can launch a program from the desktop by double clicking on the icon of the program you wish to start. If you don’t see the desktop it is probably because you have programs open. In this case you can launch programs by clicking on the Start button on the bottom left corner of your screen. Move the cursor to Programs on the pop-up menu and a list of possible programs will appear. Single click on the one you wish to launch.

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- Launching programs (Microsoft Word in this case) from the pop-up menu in Windows

Opening a programme from the task bar

Once programs are opened, they appear on the task bar at the bottom of your screen. To maximise these programs, simply click on the buttons on the bottom of your screen. To open a window from the task bar click on an item. If the task bar does not appear, select Ctrl + Tab and it will appear.

Parts of a window

Every window in Windows has similar characteristics. Understanding how one of these windows functions helps you to learn any Windows application.

Switching between programs

To switch from one open window to another click on the desired window’s icon and name on the task bar at the bottom of the screen (see above). Or if you prefer using the keyboard you can switch between your open windows by holding down the Alt key and selecting the Tab keys.

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Maximising and minimising windows

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A window can occupy all the screen on your monitor or part of it. If you ‘maximise’ a window it occupies the entire area. To maximise a window, carefully click on the small maximise button in the upper right hand corner.
If there is not a maximise button on your screen, the window is already as large as it gets. To shrink the window click on the restore button. Now you can select, the maximise button to make the window larger.
The minimise button removes the window from the screen. Selecting the minimise button does not close the program. It is still available by clicking on the button on the Task Bar at the bottom of your screen.
The close button closes the program or window.

Scroll bar

If the information you are viewing does not fit completely on one screen, you can see more by using the vertical and horizontal scroll bars. When there is no scroll bar on your screen, there is no additional information to access.

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