COMPUTER PACKAGES 1

COURSE CODE: COM123

PROGRAMME: HND 1 MICROBIOLOGY

Systems Software:
A System Software is a program that controls and supports operations of a computer
system. System software includes variety of programs such as Operating system,
Database management system; Communications control programs as well as Service and
Utility programs.
Program generators:
These software programs enable an individual to easily create a program of their own
with less effort and programming knowledge. With a program generator a user may only
be required to specify the steps or rules required for his or her program and not need to
write any code or very little code.e.g are Adventure Maker, Alice, Stagecast creator and
Yoyo games
Stage Cast creator:
This program generator gives one the power to create an interactive simulation, stories,
games, etc.
Adventure Maker:
This is a program generator that enables users to create point- and click games and virtual
tours for windows.
Yoyo game:
This Program enables individual to come and play, make and share online casual games.
Application Packages:
These are prewritten computer programs designed for special or general purpose tasks.
Some applications packages perform single functions, while others integrate several
functions in a single package
Software Packages
Software packages could be categorized into the following classes:

(i) Word processing Packages

(ii) Electronic spreadsheets
(iii) Database Management Systems (DBMS)
(iv) Desktop publishing Packages (DTP)

Modes of Packages Acquisition

These are ways the users acquire the software packages for use:
Software packages could be acquired through the following ways:
(i) Buying from Software Developers
(ii) Renting from Software Houses
(iii) Buying from Software Vendors
(iv) Hiring from Software Developers

Criteria for Packages acceptability

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 (i) Whether the Packages meet the users needs
(ii) Whether the packages meet up with the processing requirements
(iii) Whether the packages are affordable by those who need them
(iv) Whether the packages are reliable
(v) Whether the packages are

Concepts of Windows:
Windows is a graphical multi user interface that uses icons that represent tasks and allows
multitasking operation

What is a Graphical User Interface?

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is simply an additional part of the operating system
that displays windows and drop down menus, and also enables you to drive your
computer using a mouse. Examples of operating system that use a GUI include Windows
and IBM's OS/2.

The advantages of using a GUI

All programs look similar and when you switch from a program supplied by one
manufacturer to one from a different manufacturer, you will find the transition very easy.

Application programs work in the same way as the underlying operating

system. The GUI also allows programmers to easily write consistent looking

programs

SPREADSHEET
A Spreadsheet is a Programmable Application Package that mostly operates with Rows
and Columns of numbers on the Screen and allows the users to enter Values, Labels and
Formulas for automated calculations of some expected results. As the name suggests,
Spreadsheets were simply a means of spreading figures or numeric data items over a
sheet of paper and carrying out calculations on them.
Typical examples of Spreadsheet Programs include the following:

Ms Excel
Lotus 1-2-3
Multiplan
Supercalc
Viewsheet
Pipedream
Quattro
Eureka

WORKBOOK: A Workbook is a File in which users work and store their data. Each
Workbook contains many Worksheets that allow users to organize various kinds of related
information in a single File. Stated in another way, a Workbook is a collection of several
Worksheets. Ms Excel Workbook contains a minimum of one Worksheet and a maximum of
two hundred and fifty-five (255) Worksheets.

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 WORKSEET: A Worksheet is the Primary document that the user uses in Ms Excel to store
and work with data. A Worksheet consists of cells that are organized in Rows and Columns.
A typical Worksheet is made up of 256 Columns by 65,536 Rows. It is sometimes called a
Spreadsheet.
CELL: A cell is any rectangular box in the Worksheet that is formed as a result of the
intersection of a Row and a Column. A Cell is identified by a Cell name or Address, which is
formed by combining a Column name with a Row name.
RANGE: A range is any rectangular collection of Cells.
LABEL: A Label is any Worksheet data entry that consists of text. A Label cannot be used
for Computations or Calculations but are mostly used for Column heading in the Worksheet.
VALUE: A Value is any Worksheet data entry that consists of numbers. A Value is used for
Calculations or Computations.
FORMULA: A Formula is any Expression that computes a Numeric result. Usually, a
Formula begins with the sign of equality (=).
FUNCTION: A Function is an in-built Formula for automatic calculations. A Function is
sometimes refers to as built-in calculations and data manipulations that perform work on
Formulas and Values.
FILL HANDLE:A Fill handle is a cell pointer’s box that you can Click and drag to extend
and copy the cell’s contents. It is also a black square box at the bottom right hand corner of
an active cell through which the user can click and drag to copy and paste the cell’s contents.
WIZARD: A Wizard is a Step-by-step set of dialogue boxes that guide the user through the
creation of a document or that guide the user on how to accomplish a specific task.
OFFICE ASSISTANT: An Office Assistant is an Animated cartoon Character that appears
on the Screen and offers useful advice as the user uses Office Program.
ARGUMENT: An Argument is a value that a Function operates with or it is a value that a
Function uses in performing calculations. Argument usually appears inside a Function’s
parentheses.
ABSOLUTE ADDRESS: An Absolute address is an address that references cells using their
specific addresses and does not change if the cell holding the Formula is copied.
RELATIVE ADDRESS: A Relative Address is an Address that references cells based on
the current cell’s location and will change if the cell holding the Formula is copied.

ADVANTAGES OF SPREADSHEET
(i) Spreadsheet automates most of the manual computations using Formulas and
Functions.
(ii) Spreadsheet comes with a large worksheet editing area for the User’s work.
(iii) There is inclusion of Facility for creating sophisticated and professionally looking
charts.
(iv) There is inclusion of Database Management Facility for the user’s need.
(v) Communication is possible between Spreadsheet Programs and other Windows -
based Programs.
(vi) With Spreadsheet, Financial documents and other confidential documents can be
protected from unauthorized access.
(vii) Spreadsheet is a Flexible and a User Friendly Application Package.

DISADVANTAGES OF SPREADSHEET
(i) Protected documents (Pass worded documents) cannot be retrieved if the name of the
Password is forgotten.

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 (ii) Corrupted Spreadsheet files can cause draw back to Managers since it can lead to
lose of vital information.
(iii) Despite its popularity, flexibility and ease of use many Users can still not afford to
acquire this software Package.
(iv) Hidden Source code makes it quite impossible for the user to modify the Program to
include additional Facilities or Features he/she may need to work with.
TASKS SUITABLE FOR SPREADSHEET AUTOMATION
The following tasks are particularly suitable for Spread Automation:
Payroll Calculations
Invoicing
Budget Preparations/Calculations & Analysis
Sales Analysis & Forecasting
Inventory Control
Investments Plans
Examinations Results Processing
Balance Sheet Preparation
Journals and Ledgers Transactions
Preparation of various Accounts

LOADING MS WORD APPLICATION PACKAGE

To load Ms Word for Windows, follow the steps given below:
• Click on Start Button
• Point to All Programs
• Click on Ms Word.
GETTING TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS OF MS WORD
SCREEN:
• The Title bar
• The Menu bar
• Standard Tool bar
• Formatting Tool bar
• The Ruler bar
• The Ms Word editing screen
• Horizontal and vertical scroll bars
• Status bar

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 LOADING MS EXCEL SPREADSHEET PACKAGES
To load Ms Excel for Windows, follow the steps below:
(i) Click on Start Button
(ii) Point to All Programs
(iii) Click on Ms Excel.
A new, blank workbook appears, ready for you to enter data.

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 GETTING TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS OF MS EXCEL SCREEN:

(i) The Title bar

(ii) The Menu bar
(iii) Standard Tool bar
(iv) Formatting Tool bar
(v) The Formula bar
(vi) The Ms Excel editing screen/Worksheet Editing area
(vii) Horizontal and vertical scroll bars
(viii) Status bar
(ix) Task bar
(x) Start button Exercise:
THE EXCEL WINDOW
Many items you see on the Excel XP screen are standard in most other Microsoft software
programs like Word, PowerPoint, and previous versions of Excel, while some elements are
specific to Excel XP.

Workbook: Also called a spreadsheet, the workbook is a unique file created by Excel XP.

Title bar

The title bar displays both the name of the application and the name of the spreadsheet.

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Menu bar

The menu bar displays all of the menus available for use in Excel XP. The contents of any menu can be
displayed by left-clicking the menu name.
Toolbar
Some commands in the menus have pictures or icons associated with them. These pictures may also
appear as shortcuts in the toolbar.

Column headings

Each Excel spreadsheet contains 256 columns. Each column is named by a letter or combination of
letters.

Row headings

Each spreadsheet contains 65,536 rows. Each row is named by a number.

Name box

This shows the address of the current selection or active cell.

Formula bar

The formula bar isplays information entered—or being entered as you type—in the current or active cell.
The contents of a cell can also be edited in the formula bar.

Cell

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A cell is an intersection of a column and row. Each cell has a unique cell address. In the picture above,
the cell address of the selected cell is B3. The heavy border around the selected cell is called the cell
pointer.
Navigation buttons and sheet tabs

Navigation buttons allow you to move to another worksheet in an Excel workbook. They are used to
display the first, previous, next, and last worksheets in the workbook.
Sheet tabs separate a workbook into specific worksheets. A workbook defaults to three worksheets. A
workbook must contain at least one worksheet.

Workbooks and worksheets

A workbook automatically shows in the workspace when you open Microsoft Excel XP. Each workbook
contains three worksheets. A worksheet is a grid of cells consisting of 65,536 rows by 256 columns.
Spreadsheet information—text, numbers, or mathematical formulas—is entered into different cells.

Column headings are referenced by alphabetic characters in the gray boxes that run across the Excel
screen, beginning with column A and ending with column IV.
Rows are referenced by numbers that appear on the left and then run down the Excel screen. The first
row is named row 1, while the last row is named 65536.

Important terms
 A workbook is made up of three worksheets.
 The worksheets are labeled Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3.
 Each Excel worksheet is made up of columns and rows.
 In order to access a worksheet, click the tab that says Sheet#.

The cell
An Excel worksheet is made up of columns and rows. Where these columns and rows intersect, they
form little boxes called cells. The active cell—or the cell that can be acted upon—reveals a dark border.

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All other cells reveal a light gray border. Each cell has a name. Its name is comprised of two parts: the
column letter and the row number.

In the following picture, the cell C3—formed by the intersection of column C and row 3—contains the
dark border. It is the active cell.

Important terms
 Each cell has a unique cell address composed of a cell's column and row.
 The active cell is the cell that receives the data or command you give it.
 A darkened border, called the cell pointer, identifies it.

Moving around the worksheet

You can move around the spreadsheet in several ways.

To move the cell pointer:

 To activate any cell, point to a cell with the mouse and click.
 To move the pointer one cell to the left, right, up, or down, use the keyboard arrow keys.

To scroll through the worksheet:

The vertical scroll bar located along the right edge of the screen is used to move up or down the
spreadsheet. The horizontal scroll bar located at the bottom of the screen is used to move left or right
across the spreadsheet.

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The PageUp and PageDown keys on the keyboard are used to move the cursor up or down one screen at
a time. Other keys that move the active cell are Home, which moves to the first column on the current
row, and Ctrl+Home, which moves the cursor to the top-left corner of the spreadsheet, or cell A1.

To move between worksheets:

As mentioned, each workbook defaults to three worksheets. These worksheets are represented by tabs—
named Sheet1, Sheet2 and Sheet3—that appear at the bottom of the Excel window.

To move from one worksheet to another:

 Click the sheet tab—Sheet1, Sheet2 or Sheet 3—you want to display.

Entering Information in a Cell

You enter information into a spreadsheet program by typing it into each of the cells.

You can enter three different types of information into a cell:

 Numbers – so you then can perform mathematical calculations on them.

 Text – to identify what the numbers in the columns and rows represent, usually by typing
headings across the top of the columns or on the left edge of the rows
 Formulas – to perform calculations on the numbers in a column or a row of cells.

To enter information into a cell, simply click on the cell and type in the information.

When you’re done, you can either press the enter/return key, which will take you down to the next cell,
or the tab key, which will advanced to the cell to the right.

Each time you type information into a cell, you’ll notice the information also appears in
the Formula bar, the box just above the columns and rows.

For example, if you click on cell:

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B3

And type in the number:

100

You’ll see the number 100 displayed in the formula bar above.

Text Headings
To enter text headings for the various columns and rows to identify them, follow the same procedure as
you would with entering numbers. Click on the cell, type in the name of a heading and press the
enter/return key.

You can also “freeze” this header row, so it stays in the same place, even if you scroll down a long
spreadsheet. To do this, grab the small bar in the corner of the spreadsheet area, and drag it down one
row.

Resizing Columns or Rows

You can improve the display of the data in a spreadsheet by increasing or decreasing the width of a
column or the height of a row.

To change a column’s width, in the gray bar at the top of the spreadsheet where the letters of the columns
are displayed, move your mouse cursor to the border between any two columns.

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Note for Excel: if you narrow the width of a column displaying a number too much, you will see a series
of pound signs displayed in the cell:

###

This doesn’t mean you’ve lost any data – you just made the column width too narrow to fit some of the
numbers in the cells in that column.

You can also speed up the resizing of columns and avoid making them too narrow by moving your
mouse cursor to the border separating two columns in the gray bar at the top and double-clicking on the
border. This will automatically resize the column to the left, making it just wide enough to fit the longest
entry on any row in that column.

Deleting or Adding Columns or Rows

You can get rid of unwanted data or other information by deleting rows or columns.

For example, in our sample spreadsheet of weapons used in homicides, we might want to get rid of row
23, which is just a footnote stating that one murder in which the victim was pushed to his/her death has
been included in the “Personal weapons” listing in row 14.

To delete a row, hover your mouse cursor over a row number in the gray area to the left, in this case row
23. Right click and in the pop-up menu select Delete row.

Use the same procedure for deleting a column.

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Hover your mouse cursor over a column letter in the gray area at the top, right click and in the pop-up
menu select Delete column (you also can click on the tiny downward-pointing arrow to get this pop-up
menu).

If you want to add a column or row, again hover your mouse cursor over the appropriate column or row
in the gray area above or to the left, right click and in the pop-up menu select one of the Insert options.

Learn to work with data in a spreadsheet and to create engaging charts, maps and graphs
in the Berkeley Advanced Media Institute Data Visualization for Storytellers Workshop.
Formulas – Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing
With a spreadsheet you can insert a formula that will instantly add, subtract, multiply or divide numbers
in columns or rows.

To do this you select a cell in a new column or row and then type in a formula.

A formula starts with an equals sign (=) that tells the spreadsheet you want to do a calculation.

A formula then has a symbol for what kind of calculation you want to perform (add, subtract, multiply,
divide, etc.). The symbols a spreadsheet uses for calculations are:

 plus sign (+) for adding one number to another

 minus sign (-) for subtracting one number from another
 asterisk (*) for multiplying one number by another
 backslash (/) for dividing one number by another

Then you type in the letters/numbers for the cells (A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.) to which you want to apply the
calculation, separated by the symbol for the type of calculation.

Adding Numbers in Columns

Let’s write a formula for adding together a series of numbers.
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In the spreadsheet for types of weapons used in murders that we downloaded from the FBI website, the
spreadsheet already included the total number of homicides in which any kind of firearm was used each
year from 2004 to 2008. Those numbers are in row 6.

But what if these totals hadn’t been included in the original data and you needed to calculate them
yourself using the spreadsheet (or if you wanted to use the spreadsheet to double-check the FBI’s
calculations).

This would require totaling up for each year the column of numbers for the five weapon types in the
spreadsheet:

 Handguns – row 7
 Rifles – row 8
 Shotguns – row 9
 Other guns – row 10
 Firearms, type not stated – row 11

To do this we need to insert a formula for adding a series of numbers in a column.

Let’s start by doing this for the year 2004. Click on cell:
B23

Which is in the column that shows the numbers for weapons used in 2004.

In that cell, type:

=B7+B8+B9+B10+B11

(note: the letters are not case sensitive. So for example so you could type in either B7 or b7)

This tells the spreadsheet to add up the number of murders committed with handguns (B7), rifles (B8),
shotguns (B9), other guns (B10), and firearms, type not stated (B11) for the year 2004.

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You should type cell letters/numbers into a formula rather than the actual numbers.

That way if the numbers ever change (for example, if the FBI released updated murder weapon statistics
for 2008), you won’t have to re-enter the new numbers in the formula. Instead you’d just type the
updated numbers into the appropriate cells and the spreadsheet will apply the existing formula to the new
numbers in those cells.

Applying a Formula to Multiple Cells

If we now wanted to calculate the total number of gun related homicides for the other four years, we
could repeat the process of typing an addition formula into each cell in the rest of row 23. But a
spreadsheet has a much faster way of accomplishing this – by letting you simply copy the formula to one
or more of the other cells in the same row.

To do this, click on cell:

B23

Where we typed in our addition formula

=B7+B8+B9+B10+B11

Pass your mouse cursor over the bottom right corner of cell B23 and notice your cursor changes from
an arrow pointer to a thin crosshairs.

Click on that crosshairs, hold down your mouse button and drag your mouse to the right over the rest of
the cells in row 23.

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An outline will appear around the cells you’ve selected.

Continue dragging your mouse until you get to cell:

F23

Release your mouse button and the total number of homicides involving firearms for each year from
2010 to 2014 will appear in row 23.

Which again confirms the totals in the original FBI spreadsheet in row 6.

The spreadsheet has calculated these totals for you by applying the formula you first typed in cell B23 to
the rest of the cells in row 23.

The spreadsheet keeps the formula (addition) the same, but shifts the cell numbers as it applies the
formula to the other cells to the right (so the formula in cell C23 is =C7+C8+C9+C10+C11, the formula
in cell D23 is =D7+D8+D9+D10+D11, and so on).

Editing a Formula
When you type a formula into a cell and then hit the enter/return key, the formula will disappear,
replaced by a number that’s the result of the calculation.

So how can you edit the formula?

There are two ways:

You can double click on the cell to display the formula in the cell and then edit or retype it there.

Or you can click once on a cell and use the Formula barabove to edit it.

If you click once on a cell that has a formula hidden in it (replaced by a number that’s the result of the
calculation), the formula you originally typed will appear in the Formula bar above the columns and
rows.

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To edit the formula you can click in the formula bar where the formula for this cell is displayed. Then
change the existing formula or type a new one into the Formula bar, press the enter/return key and the
new formula will be applied and the numbers will be recalculated in the cell.

Word processor:
This is an Application software package that enables the user to type, edit, format, store,
retrieve and print mainly text-based document. Put in another way, this package turns an
electronic computer into an electronic typing machine. Examples of Word processors
include:
(i) Ms Word
(ii) MultiMate
(iii) AmiPro
(iv) Word Perfect
(v) Note pad
(vi) Word star
(vii) Letter Perfect

(2) Concepts of Word Processing:

Word processing is the activities of typing, editing, formatting, storing, retrieving and
printing mainly text-based document with computer

Software
What is an Operating System?
• The operating system is a special type of program that loads automatically when you
start your computer. The operating system allows you to use the advanced features of
a modern computer without having to learn all the details of how the hardware works.
There are a number of different types of operating system in common use. The IBM
PC (Personal Computer) was introduced way back in 1981 and was originally
supplied with an operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). This
operating system was very basic, and you had to be a bit of a computer expert just to
understand how to use it. It was NOT user-friendly. Later on, Microsoft introduced
Windows and this is the operating system that is most widely used on PCs today. To
complicate matters further, there are a number of different types of Windows. The
first widely used version of Windows was called Windows 3.1. This was more
powerful than DOS and far easier to use. It had a Graphical User Interface (GUI), i.e.
you could 'drive' it using a mouse and drop down menus. Later versions of Windows

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 include Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
The good news is that later versions of Microsoft Windows look almost identical to
each other and are all much easier to use than Windows 3.1.

Main functions of an operating system

• The operating system is a special type of program that loads automatically when you
start your computer. The operating system allows you to use the advanced features of
a modern computer without having to learn all the details of how the hardware works.
There are a number of different types of operating system in common use. The IBM
PC (Personal Computer) was introduced way back in 1981 and was originally
supplied with an operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). This
operating system was very basic, and you had to be a bit of a computer expert just to
understand how to use it. It was NOT user-friendly. Later on, Microsoft introduced
Windows and this is the operating system that is most widely used on PCs today.
To complicate matters further, there are a number of different types of Windows. The
first widely used version of Windows was called Windows 3.1. This was more
powerful than DOS and far easier to use. It had a Graphical User Interface (GUI), i.e.
you could 'drive' it using a mouse and drop down menus. Later, different releases of
Windows were introduced. The good news is that later versions of Microsoft
Windows look almost identical to each other and are all much easier to use than
Windows 3.1.

IBM produced an operating system called OS/2 but this was largely ignored and is
only used by a few companies.

UNIX and Linux are other examples of operating systems that may be run on PCs

Other types of computers, such as those manufactured by Apple have a completely

different operating system.

What is a Graphical User Interface?

• A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is simply an additional part of the operating system
that displays windows and drop down menus, and also enables you to drive your
computer using a mouse. Examples of operating system that use a GUI include
Windows and IBM's OS/2.

The advantages of using a GUI

• All programs look similar and when you switch from a program supplied by one
manufacturer to one from a different manufacturer, you will find the transition very
easy.
• Application programs work in the same way as the underlying operating system.
• The GUI also allows programmers to easily write consistent looking programs.

What is an application program?

• An application program is the type of program that you use once the operating system
has been loaded. Examples include word-processing programs (for producing letters,
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 memos etc), spreadsheets (for doing accounts and working with numbers), databases
(for organizing large amounts of information) and graphics programs (for producing
pictures, advertisements, manuals etc).
Word processing
• A word processing program (such as Microsoft Word) allows you to easily produce
letters, memos, etc. You can easily mail merge a list of names and addresses to
produce mass mailers, individually addressed to customers or subscribers.

Spreadsheets
• A spreadsheet program (such as Microsoft Excel) allows you to work out a company’s
income, expenditure and then calculate the balance. It enables you to make 'what if'
type projections of how the company will fair in the future and to forecast how
changes in prices will affect profits.

Databases
• A database program (such as Microsoft Access) allows you to compile information
and then to search this information to extract just the information you require. For
instance, if you have a database of all the equipment housed within an office you can
very simply produce a report listing only the equipment above a certain value.

Presentation
• A presentation program (such as Microsoft PowerPoint) allows you to produce
professional looking presentations, which can be printed out directly onto slides for
use with an overhead projector. Alternatively, you can display your presentations
directly on a computer screen.
Create a presentation

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Select an option:
 Select Blank Presentation to create a presentation from scratch.
 Select one of the templates.

 Select Take a Tour, and then select Create, to see tips for using PowerPoint.

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 Add a slide

1. Select the slide you want your new slide to follow.

2. Select Home > New Slide.

3. Select Layout and the you type want from the drop-down.

Add and format text

1. Place the cursor where you want, and type.

2. Select the text, and then select an option on the Home tab: Font, Font
size, Bold, Italic, Underline, ...
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3. To create bulleted or numbered lists, select the text, and then select Bullets or Numbering.

Add a picture, shape, or chart

1. Select Insert.

2. To add a picture:

 Select Picture.

 Browse for the picture you want and select Insert.

3. To add a shape, art, or chart:

 Select Shapes, Icons, SmartArt, or Chart.

 Select the one you want.

Web browsing
• These applications allow you to view and interact with the World Wide Web (WWW).
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 Getting to Know Windows
What is Windows XP?
• Windows XP is the newest Microsoft operating system. Based on Windows 2000
Professional and powered by the new Windows Engine, Windows XP is said to be more
reliable, efficient, secure, and easy to use. Features new to Windows XP include: an
updated user interface; new multimedia, communications, and networking features; a new
Help and Support Center; plus other new and improved experiences.

The New Windows Engine

• Windows XP is built on the code base of Windows 2000 and Windows NT that feature
a 32-bit computing architecture and a fully protected memory model. Enhancements
added to Windows XP include improved document recovery, improved application and
hardware compatibility, system memory protection, and system stability.

Windows XP System Requirements

To use Windows XP Professional, your system must have:
• 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed (minimum 233 megahertz).
• 128 megabytes RAM or higher (minimum 64 megabytes).
• 1.5 gigabytes available hard disk space.
• Super VGA (800x600) or higher resolution video adaptor and monitor.
• CD-ROM or DVD Drive.

Note: To use certain features in Windows XP, your system will require additional
functionality. For example, Internet and e-mail functionality requires an Internet
connection.

Using the Desktop

• The desktop is the background displayed on your computer screen. File, folder, and
program icons can be displayed on the desktop for easy access to your most commonly
used tasks, documents, and programs. Opening files, folders, and programs displays
window frames on the desktop.
• The desktop can be customized with themes and backgrounds to personalize the look of
your computer.

Using the Taskbar

• The taskbar displays opened files, folders, and programs. When multiple windows are
open, you can click on file, folder, or program buttons in the taskbar to switch between
windows.

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 • The taskbar also contains a notification area where the current time and Windows
Messenger program are displayed by default. The notification area is at the very right
of the taskbar:

Accessing All Programs

• Clicking on All Programs in the Start menu opens a list of applications available on
your computer.

To access All Programs:

• Click Start > All Programs.
• Select the application you want to open:

Note: When a menu item has a right pointing triangle next to it, clicking on the
menu item will open another menu displaying additional menu options.

Applying a Desktop Theme

• A desktop theme affects the whole look of your desktop, including the desktop
background, screen saver, window appearance, pointers, and sounds. You can choose
between the Windows XP or Windows Classic theme, or create your own theme. By
default, the Windows XP theme is applied the first time you start Windows XP:

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 Applying a Desktop Background
• The desktop background can be customized with a picture, texture, or color. You can
choose from Windows XP backgrounds or use your own images.

To apply a desktop background:

• Right-click on the desktop.
• From the pop-up menu, select Properties. This opens the Display Properties dialog
box.
• Click the Desktop tab.
• Select a background from the Background list.
• Click OK.

Applying your own Image to the Desktop Background

• Select the picture in the My Pictures folder that you want to apply as the desktop
background.
• Click the Set as desktop background link in the task panel:

Applying a Screen Saver

• A screen saver is activated automatically after your computer has been idle for the
number of minutes specified in the Wait box. The screen saver will automatically return
you to your work unless you have password protected the screen saver.

To apply a screen saver:

• Right-click on the desktop.
• From the pop-up menu, select Properties. This opens the Display Properties dialog
box.
• Click the Screen Saver tab.
• Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver drop-down menu.
• Click the Preview button to preview the screen saver.
• Click OK.

Note: To change screen saver settings, such as the color or speed of a screen saver,
click the Settings button.

OR

• Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes.

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 • Click Choose a screen saver in the Pick a Task area. This opens the Display
Properties dialog box at the Screen Saver tab.
• Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver drop-down menu.
• Click the Preview button to preview the screen saver.
• Click OK.

Password Protecting a Screen

Saver • Right-click on the desktop.
• From the pop-up menu, select Properties. This opens the Display Properties dialog
box.
• Click the Screen Saver tab.
• Check the On resume, password protect box.
• Click OK.
Note: Your password is the same password with which you log on to Windows XP.
OR
• Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes.
• Click Choose a screen saver in the Pick a Task area. This opens the Display
Properties dialog box at the Screen Saver tab.
• Check the On resume, password protect box.
• Click OK.

Changing Window Appearance

• Colors schemes and font sizes can be modified to customize the appearance of windows.
To change window appearance:
• Right-click on the desktop.
• From the pop-up menu, select Properties. This opens the Display Properties dialog
box.
• Click the Appearance tab.
• Make the windows customizations you want.
• Click OK.

Note: To change individual elements of the window appearance such as the active title
bar, the inactive title bar, the font, and menu styles, click the Advanced button and
make your changes.
Changing Screen Settings
• A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen, including windows,
the Start menu, and icons, and increases the relative space on your desktop. A lower
screen resolution increases the size of items on your screen and decreases the relative
space on your desktop.
To change the screen resolution:
• Right-click on the desktop.
• From the pop-up menu, select Properties. This opens the Display Properties dialog
box.

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 • Click the Settings tab.

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