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.
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.
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.
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.
Launching programs (Microsoft
Word in this case) from the pop-up menuOpening 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.
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.
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.
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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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. 
