Putting it all Together
In Session III we learned about Applications Software.
- How to Create Documents
- How to Perform Editing
- How to Format Documents
- How to Manage Files (Documents)
- What Various Applications are Used For
Today we will learn:
- The basic concept of Multitasking
- Working between applications
- Using all of your software
The basic concept of Multitasking.
The Windows operating system is a very user friendly work bench, desktop, and/or tool box. No matter how you view it or understand it, it is powerful when it comes to processing information. The idea of working on several documents or projects at one time is central to this operating system. These previously stored instructions along with their corresponding menus or dialog boxes lead the user or operator through tasks in an orderly step by step manner. The concept fits everyone's needs. It is not a single way of accomplishing any given task. It is made up of multiple choices. This allows different individuals with various backgrounds to develop approaches to the use of tools which are inherent to them. In other words, simply...DO IT YOUR WAY.
The desktop concept allows you to arrange your items to suit your personal needs. The idea of the task bar (Use the help command to see what the task bar is.) allows you to have various application tools residing in memory simultaneously. This speeds up your work and allows for easy transfer of text, tables, graphics or other types of information between applications and the files created by them. This process is generally most easily accomplished by employing the CLIPBOARD. This clipboard is a temporary storage location in memory where the last item you cut or copy is placed. You can then use your task bar (Or the Windows command on the menu bar.) to switch to another document or even another application and merely paste your item to it. As your experience matures you will find many uses for these concepts. Explore and experiment with these stored tools such that you will know they exist when you need them.
Working between applications.
As you begin to use several applications you will soon learn the features you like best in each of them. You begin branching out. You are gaining experience by performing desired tasks. You can now use the features you like best in each application. For example, you are sending a letter to someone in which you desire to include a table of information created in a spread sheet. This spread sheet may contain information which you have in a data base. You can now copy this data from application to application. Maybe you wish to create a flyer for some club activity, the art work you want is not available from a single source such as a clipart object. You can use a graphics application such as paint to combine art from several objects to form your desired graphic. As your experience grows you can get graphics, and even audio or video clips, from the Internet to use in things you are creating. It really becomes exciting.
Record keeping can be easy if you use your software applications wisely. Before undertaking a large task, create simple examples such that you can learn the techniques and capabilities of your software without wasting a lot of time repeating mistakes requiring time consuming data entry. You must understand the concept of saving files (collections of information or data) in various formats. This allows you to use the same data in different ways and with different tools. Remember that one of the three unique attributes required when saving a file is the type (the three character extension), this allows the computer to associate the file with an applications package. This is simply the way software converts to formats which can be recognized by software from other venders. The conversion takes place as the file is being stored. Most applications have the ability to save in other formats and also to a lesser extent to open files which have been saved in other formats. (Note: You cannot change the format by merely renaming the extension.)
Using all of your software.
Most computing systems purchased today come with applications software installed. The basic operating system has some simple games. These are useful for getting acquainted with the basic concepts and the use of the mouse. The operating system also will contain tutorials, use them. They can be accessed under Help on the Windows 95 Start Menu. Become acquainted with the software used to manage you files. Learn the file structure and how to move around in it. The simple rule of never altering, changing, moving or deleting any file you did not create will keep you out of trouble. Most of the files on your hard disk are there for the computer to use in communicating with you. Keep your work in separate folders.
To become an effective computer user requires practice and exploration. Once you understand the basic concept and the idea behind using a computer as an information management system you can continue to learn new methods and procedures in your own time and your own way. Try things, commands and tool buttons which you don't know. Watch for the effect of these commands and store that knowledge in your memory for future use. We learn and keep what we know only by using it. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and more PRACTICE. Be patient with yourself. Your level of achievement depends upon you. Enjoy your computing experiences. Good luck. For a summary and review please see the next section. I hope that you have enjoyed this learning experience and I look forward to seeing you in a future class.
This handout was prepared for use in Classes taught by the author and is provided for copying and use by all. Dean Christensen, March 12, 1998. (Last Revised 1/16/01)