So a good first post to start with, methinks.
Many times, I’ve fielded calls and requests from people who use the wrong terminology. Sometimes, it’s genuine lack of knowledge. But, all too often, it’s somebody who not only doesn’t know what he/she is saying, but they are using these terms to sound smarter. This is detrimental in so many ways.
You see, using the wrong terminology puts us on the wrong path to solving your problem. If you say the problem is with your hard drive, but the problem is actually on your telephone….well…we might spend a LOT of time making no headway. That’s expensive in the “time is money” thought, and wastes not just my time, but YOUR time, as well.
So let’s start with the basic components of a desktop PC:
1. Tower – The actual computer itself; the brain. This part is what does all the actual “computing”.
Frequently used (but incorrect) terms: CPU, Hard Drive, Modem (though, the tower can, and usually does, contain these items)
Frequently used (but incorrect) terms: CPU, Hard Drive, Modem (though, the tower can, and usually does, contain these items)
2. Monitor – This is just for display. It doesn’t do any actual “work”, it just shows you the results of the Tower’s work. NOTE: Turning off the monitor does not turn off the actual computer at all.
3. Speakers – these are for hearing the sounds from your PC. Most modern PCs do not contain speakers inside the tower, so these usually need to be purchased and installed separately.
4. Keyboard – For typing
5. Mouse – For moving the pointer around the desktop
Now, let’s focus on what you see on the display:
1. Desktop – This is the screen that shows up after you finish logging into Windows. It includes the background picture, (this example is the default, but most people change it), any icons, the taskbar, and any widgets you may have activated.
Frequently used, but incorrect, terms: Home Page, “My Main Screen”
2. Start Button – the round button in the lower left of the display (though, it CAN be in other corners, but this is usually not done)
NOTE: The Windows 7 Start Button looks quite different from Windows Vista and prior versions of Windows – Older versions actually said the word “Start” on them. Windows 7 no longer does.
3. Task Bar – Technically, this is the entire bar from the Start Button all the way to the Notification Area, and everything in between.
4. Notification Area – Though frequently called the “System Tray”, this is technically incorrect. However, all helpdesk analysts and technicians will know what you mean. Most of us use the term “System Tray”, anyway.
5. Home Folder – This is new in Windows 7, but functions as a collective of the My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos and other folders.
NOTE: This is user-specific, meaning the Home Folder for John has different files than the one for Debbie. But to see your Home Folder, you must log in with your username; if somebody else logs into Windows, their Home Folder will appear instead.
6. Shortcuts – The little arrow in the left corner of an icon means it is a shortcut. It’s not the file itself, just a shortcut to get to the actual file or program. You can delete a shortcut, and not affect the file/program at all. It will just make it harder to get to next time (though, this is easily fixed).
And the last thing to know for today’s post is the Start Menu:
Your start menu can, and WILL look different than mine. In fact, I work on one of four separate computers at any one point in time, and they all have different-looking Start Menus. But the layout is the same, in general, as long as you’re comparing the same version of Windows.
As time goes on, and you use your PC more often, the Programs that show up here will change. It’s based on usage, meaning the more frequently you use a program, the higher up on the list it will appear (on the left side only; the right half of the Start Menu is pretty static, but later lessons will show you how to change this to some degree)
The layout shown above is for Windows 7 (Starter Edition was used for the example). The layouts for Windows Vista and Windows XP will differ considerably. But a user gets to the Start Menu in the same way in all three versions – click the Start Button.
That’s all for today. It’s a very basic overview of terminology, but we all start somewhere. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment on this page, or email me at jackrockblc+blog@gmail.com.
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