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OFFICE AUTOMATION – I COMPUTERS AND APPLICATIONS 16. COMPONENTS AND CONFIGURATION OF GUI (WINDOWS) Graphical user interface (GUI) is a program interface that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to makes the program easier for users to use.

These graphical user interfaces are so well designed that they can free the user from learning complex command syntaxes. On the other hand, many users find that they work more effectively with a command-driven interface, especially if they already know the command syntaxes.

16.0 Objectives The objective of this lesson is designed to make you aware of the following: • • • • • •

The Desktop Icons and Shortcuts Start Menu Parts of Window Launching Applications Desktop Settings

16.1 Introduction A GUI helps you to understand the working of a computer, with the help of pictures, icons, menus, dialog boxes and buttons etc. A GUI always represents the different tasks with different pictures. Working with the icons or pictures is so simple that a single click of a mouse helps you to select the task and a double click executes it. Most of the commands are given with the help of a mouse only.

GUI is always designed in such a way that you do not need to go through the extensive training program to understand the concepts. GUI is always capable of guiding you to handle any type of situation you encounter while working on the computer.

As these Graphical User Interface use visual aids for the user to work this makes it easier to move data from one application to another and it uses standard formats for representing text and graphics.

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16.2 The Desktop Desktop is the first screen that a user sees after logging on to the computer.

16.3 Icons and Shortcuts What is an Icon?

An Icon is a graphical representation of the application, program or software file, which executes/opens/runs when it is double clicked. It shows a picture and a name defined by the computer. A user can change the name of the icon, as well as the picture displayed on the screen. Double Click on any Icon or Shortcut to open the corresponding program/file/folder.

Icons These are the default ICONS always available on the desktop.

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Shortcuts These are the links to programs/software or files, and are symbolized by an arrow at bottom left corner of the icon.

16.4 Start Menu The first step of the user after logging onto the computer is to just click on the “Start� menu. Start Menu contains Programs, Applications and other Accessories to setup and use the computer.

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16.5 Parts of Windows What is a Window?

A Window is a frame on the screen, which may or may not contain icons or shortcuts. It is resizable on the screen according to your requirements.

A window has a title bar, minimize, maximize and close buttons.

Menu Bar A Menu Bar has headings on a bar. You can select and perform various tasks by clicking on the headings.

Action Buttons Action Buttons are the buttons, pressing on which confirms the task to be done by the computer or cancel it.

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Dialog Box A Dialog Box has many options in one window with action buttons.

Tabs Tabs are the various options in a dialog box, with action buttons.

Quick Launch Quick Launch is a bar which contains shortcuts for frequently used programs.

Program shortcuts can also be added to or deleted from this bar.

>> sign shows that some more program shortcuts are also available in quick launch bar, but due to shortage of space on Task Bar, the shortcuts are hidden. The hidden programs can be seen by clicking on >> button.

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System Tray System Tray is a bar which contains shortcuts/icons of frequently used settings of the computer like Volume, Network Cable Connection, Graphics accelerator etc.

< sign shows that some more program shortcuts are also available in System Tray, which are hidden due to shortage of space on Task Bar. The hidden icons will appear by pressing on < button.

Date and Time Time appearing at the bottom right corner of the screen represents the place for Date and Time icon. Double click on time; “Date and Time Properties” dialog box appears.

Task bar Task bar is a long bar at the bottom of the screen, which shows small bars of all the files or program currently in use.

The bar starting from Start menu to Date and Time icon is known as Task Bar.

16.6 Launch Applications From Start menu, select “All Programs”. The installed programs appear on the screen. Select the program you want to open and click. The program will be launched for you on the screen.

Here “Internet Explorer” is selected, and launched.

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Self-Check Questions 1. What is a Desktop?

2. How do you identify a shortcut?

3. What is the purpose of an Icon?

Fill in the Blanks 4. You can launch application by using _______________ menu 5. System Tray contains shortcuts/icons of ______________________ 6. Action Buttons are the places for user to either __________ computer to perform the task or _____________

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16.7 Desktop Settings Desktop Setting: Themes Tab Right click on the Desktop and select “Properties”

“Display Properties” dialog box appears, with “Themes” Tab activated.

A Theme is a set of pictures for the desktop. It gives you the options to change the style, font size and font type.

Select the theme you want to apply from the drop down menu.

Desktop Settings: Desktop Tab From the Background list box select a photo you want to use as the background for your desktop.

Select “Browse”… to select a picture which is not available in the list.

Select Position as Stretch, Tile or Center.

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Desktop Settings - Desktop Tab Click on the “Customize Desktop”… button to customize the look and icons on your desktop.

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Desktop Items dialog box appears.

Check the boxes adjacent to the icons which you want to display on the desktop.

Click on “Change Icon”… button and select folder to change the icon.

Desktop Settings – Screen Saver Tab Screen Saver is a type of animation which gets activated automatically if the system is idle for more than a specified time, as defined in settings for screen saver.

Click on the drop down menu to select a Screen Saver. The selected screen saver will appear as shown in the desktop of the picture.

Every screen saver has its own settings. To change the settings of the screen saver click on the “Settings” button.

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Wait Wait defines the duration for the computer to be in idle mode after which the screen saver will be activated automatically. Press any key to come out of the screen saver mode. If you want to restrict the use of computer by authorized users only, then check the box “On resume, password protect”. It will ask the user to enter password instead of pressing any key.

Click on “Preview” button to see how screen saver will look like.

Desktop Settings – Appearance Tab The “Appearance” tab is used to assign a color scheme, font size, and style for the windows and buttons.

Click on “Effects”… button to give special effects like transition effects, smooth edges of fonts on screen etc.

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Click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advancedâ&#x20AC;? button to apply advanced effects to individual items of windows.

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Desktop Settings – Settings Tab The “Settings” Tab is used to change the settings, the way computer displays items on the screen.

Note: It is suggested not to change the Settings. If the settings are not compatible with the available hardware, then there may be a conflict and you may face the consequence of computer not displaying anything on screen.

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Self-Check Questions Answer True or False 7. The Desktop is the first screen of the computer 8. Click on “Stretch” option if you want to show the picture in the center of the desktop 9. You can not change the size of the Active Title Bar 10. Screen Saver can be protected with a Password Fill in the blanks 11. The settings of the computer can be changed with _________________ tab of the Desktop Properties dialog box 12. To assign time to screen saver you can use ________ option

16.8 Summing up In this lesson you have familiarized yourself with the following: • • • •

The Desktop The Start Menu Icons and Short-cuts The Window 14

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Launch Applications Desktop Settings

16.9 Answers to Self-Check Question 1. Desktop is the first screen that a user sees after logging into the computer.

2. A Shortcut has an arrow sign at the left bottom of the icon.

3. An Icon is a graphical representation of the application, program or software file, which executes/opens/runs when it is double clicked.

4. Start Menu 5. Frequently used settings 6. Confirm, Cancel 7. T 8. F 9. F 10. T 11. Settings Tab 12. Wait

16.10 Terminal Questions Answer True or False My Computer is an icon found in the quick launch menu. (T/F) Protect screen savers with a password to stop use of computers by unauthorized users. (T/F) File Menu is part of a Window. (T/F) Objective Type The first screen that user sees after switching on the computer is: i. ii. iii. iv.

Desktop Login Screen Window Start Menu

Which of these options is not available on the desktop? i. ii. iii. iv.

My Documents Task Bar Control Panel System Tray

Which option is not the part of a Windows? i. Minimize

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ii. Close iii. Turn Off iv. Maximize Long Answer Questions What is a Desktop?

What is a Windows and what are its parts?

What is the use of a System Tray?

Explain the use of Task Bar?

16.11 Glossary GUI: Graphical User Interface like Microsoft Windows.

Desktop: The first screen of computer.

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