Microsoft (MS) Windows 2000 is one of the most common operating systems (OS’s) in the PC world. It’s popularity and consequent dominance in the OS market is due to many reasons including its user-friendly interface, which is very graphical. Therefore Windows 2000 (and other recent versions in general), is a good OS to introduce beginners to the personal computer (PC) and the essential software that manages the running of the computer. We are going to introduce you to the most basic and useful functions in the following paragraphs. By the way, the Windows series has been developing over some years. Alternative versions include Windows 3.0 (rarely used these days), Windows 95 (the version which popularized Windows worldwide), Windows 98, and Windows ME (Millennium Edition).

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The Desktop and icons

The desktop is your initial work area. It is where you start programs, temporarily suspend the processing of a program, close programs and shut down (sequence that allows you to turn the computer off) your computer. It is a place to put icons for those programs, tasks and files you use frequently. The icons, the small graphical symbols (pictures), are used to represent such things as programs, data files, storage devices (diskettes, hard drives and CD-ROMs) and more. Clicking on one of these icons initiates action by your computer. 

Taskbar

The “taskbar” is the bar located at the bottom of your screen. It has three primary functions. It's used to start a program, to switch between programs and to provide status information about your computer system. You need to use the mouse at this point.

The Start Menu

Notice the Start button at the lower left corner of the Taskbar. The Start button is used to display a menu of tasks.  Move the mouse pointer to the Start button and click on it to display the Start Menu. The commands shown on the Start Menu are enough to begin using Windows. Two important features are demonstrated on this menu. Notice that some of the entries have either a pointer or an ellipsis next to them. The pointer indicates that more menus will be displayed when you choose that one. The ellipsis indicates that there are more choices if you select that item. The distinction will become clear as we move through the menus. Move your mouse pointer to Programs on the Start Menu. Notice that as your mouse pointer moves around the menu, choices on the menu become highlighted (selected). As your mouse pointer touches Programs, a second column opens. The new display represents either groups of programs or individual programs. If a manila folder is shown, it indicates there is a group of programs in the folder. If not, it's a single program.

Web Browser

The Web browser is the program that provides the interface enabling users to interact and browse the Internet. The two most popular web browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. 

Internet Explorer Introduction

When you start Internet Explorer, the page that appears automatically is your Home Page (the first web site that appears when you are connected to the Internet and you open IE). Unless you choose a home page yourself, your network or Internet service provider determines your home page. You may see Microsoft's home page for example.

If you are viewing your home page for the first time, explore it. If clicking something takes you to a different page, click the “Back” button on your toolbar to retrace your steps.

Some pages are divided into rectangular areas called frames. Each frame can display other pages.

To refresh the current page, or get the most up-to-date version:

Click the “Refresh” button on your toolbar.

To view more than one page at a time:

From the File menu, choose “New”, then "Window”.

At first, the new window displays a copy of your home page, but you can use it to view a different page by typing in a new URL (address) in the address field.

Moving to Another Page

You move to a new page by typing its URL location (address) on the Web.

1. Open the File menu and choose Open "Page”.

2. Type the new URL, then click "Open”.

Shortcut: Click the Address field, type the URL, and press "Enter”.

To move by clicking a link:

1. Move the mouse pointer until it changes to a pointing finger. This happens whenever the pointer is over a link.

2. Click the link once. While the network locates the page the link points to, status messages appear at the bottom of the window.

To move to related pages:

Click "Tools" and then click "Show Related Links”. A new section will open to the right with related links you can browse.

If you change your mind and do not want to view a page while it is loading, click the "Stop” button in the toolbar.

If you would like to learn more about MS Windows

and the latest versions click on the following related

links to find more detailed information on this subject.

Good Luck!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/default.mspx

 http://www.microsoft.com/education/

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