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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is March 21, 2001
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Today's Featured Website: petswelcome.com
Find pet-friendly lodging.
Traveling with the pet can be pretty difficult. Many hotels out there don't accept pets as guests, and smuggling them in can be a risky proposition.
To find places where your animal companions can join in on the fun, go to petswelcome.com. You'll find listings for pet-positive national chains, bed-and-breakfasts, specialty inns, and even campgrounds.
You'll never have to leave your best friend home again.
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Today's Featured Computer Term: Lurking
Newsgroups, email lists and chat rooms can be fun, but there are rules of netiquette that users should adhere to. Jumping into a new newsgroup is like trying to infiltrate a whole new social circle. You don't really know anybody and they probably don't know you.
It's a good idea to just hang out and read the posts for awhile before making a post of your own. That's "lurking." Makes it sound like you're some prowler hiding in the shadows; however, you can benefit from lurking a bit before making your first post. You'll get a "feel" for the list and type of posts and you might even decide this particular newsgroup isn't what you're looking for.
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Today's Topic: Graphical User Interface
A Graphical User Interface (GUI, pronounced gooey) is a program that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make programs, and the computer in general, easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages.
Graphical user interfaces, such as Microsoft Windows and the one used by the Apple Macintosh, feature the following basic components:
-Pointer: A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears as a small angled arrow. Text -processing applications, however, use an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital i and other programs use different pointer shapes.
-Pointing device: A device, such as a mouse or trackball, that enables you to select objects on the display screen.
-Icons: Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the pointer to the icon and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or convert the icon into a window. You can also move the icons around the display screen as if they were real objects on your desk.
-Desktop: The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred to as the desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real desktop.
-Windows: You can divide the screen into different areas. In each window, you can run a different program or display a different file. You can move windows around the display screen, and change their shape and size at will.
-Menus: Most graphical user interfaces let you execute commands by selecting a choice from a menu.
The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s, but it was not until the 1980s and the emergence of the Apple Macintosh that graphical user interfaces became popular. One reason for their slow acceptance was the fact that they require considerable CPU power and a high-quality monitor, which until recently were prohibitively expensive.
In addition to their visual components, graphical user interfaces also make it easier to move data from one application to another. A true GUI includes standard formats for representing text and graphics. Because the formats are standard, different programs can share data. This makes it possible, for example, to copy a graph created by a spreadsheet program into a document created by a word processor.
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Progressive Learning Series: Installing a New Printer
Installing a printer is pretty simple. It's a matter of buying the right cable and making sure you plug it in into the right ports on the computer and the printer.
Since most printers are sold without cables, you should check if your printer comes with one; if not, buy a cable right then and there.
A printer usually attaches to the computer through the computer's parallel port, which is a 25-pin connection. Your printer also has a 25-pin connection, which might instead be a long serrated slot. Your printer cable should match the printer and computer ports. If your printer has extra features such as bi-directional printing, enhanced parallel port (EPP), or extended capability port (ECP), buy a cable that has IEEE 1284 printed on it. Some of the newer printers connect through the USB port; if so, you'll need to buy a USB cable instead.
Turn off the computer and, if the printer has an on/off, make sure the printer is not on. Plug the printer cable into the port on the computer and into the printer. After you plug both ends of the cable in, secure the cable. Sometimes you do this by tightening tiny screws; other times by snapping wire connectors into either side of the plug. Plug in the power cord for the printer.
The printer you've bought probably doesn't have an ink cartridge (for inkjet printers) or toner cartridge (for laser printers) in it. There usually is one in the box. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the cartridges. Some Inkjet printers might require more than one cartridge - they might require two or even three. Check your printer documentation to be sure you get the right cartridges and install them properly.
If the printer has an on switch, turn it on. Turn on the computer. The computer should "read" the new hardware and begin the installation process - this is called the Installation Wizard. If the computer needs any files, known as printer drivers, the Wizard will prompt you to put in the CD-ROM that came with the printer.
When the installation is complete, the Wizard will ask you if you want to print out a test page; be sure to answer Yes. After it prints out, you'll be asked if it printed properly. Allow enough time for the printer to print the test page before answering Yes or No. If the test page does not print out correctly, the Wizard will prompt you through a series of questions and suggestions to try to set the printer up correctly. |
