Learn Any Computer Program in 5 Easy Steps -- Step 3 pt 1
So far, we have discussed what to look at on the box to make sure that the program is right for us, and we have seen how we can use the quickstart guide to get a quick look at the features of the program and to get it installed. Now, we are going to see what to look for when Navigating the Menu.
Navigating the Menu - Part 1
Today, we are going to start looking at navigating the menu. I will split this area up into several sections, not because doing this step takes longer than the others, but rather there is a lot of information to cover here. We will look at what menus are common to most programs. Then, we will go through each of the menus and point out what items are commonly used and function nearly the same from program to program. Finally, we will discuss looking at the menu items that are specific to that program and how to check them out to get an idea of what the program can do.
For this section, I'm going to illustrate with some pictures to show what I am discussing. The images are captured from an open source program, OpenOffice.Org, an office suite similar to Microsoft Office. I'm using it because it may be one you are not familiar with, so it makes it good to illustrate what I am saying. But you can follow alonag using whatever program you have on your computer -- even your web browser you are using at the moment.
Common Menu Options
Navigating the Menu - Part 1
Today, we are going to start looking at navigating the menu. I will split this area up into several sections, not because doing this step takes longer than the others, but rather there is a lot of information to cover here. We will look at what menus are common to most programs. Then, we will go through each of the menus and point out what items are commonly used and function nearly the same from program to program. Finally, we will discuss looking at the menu items that are specific to that program and how to check them out to get an idea of what the program can do.
For this section, I'm going to illustrate with some pictures to show what I am discussing. The images are captured from an open source program, OpenOffice.Org, an office suite similar to Microsoft Office. I'm using it because it may be one you are not familiar with, so it makes it good to illustrate what I am saying. But you can follow alonag using whatever program you have on your computer -- even your web browser you are using at the moment.
Common Menu OptionsSo, what are the common menu items? Look at the image to the right. The image has the most common options found in many programs.
The first option is File. As you can guess, this options that control the files. The Edit option contains choices to change the file. The View option controls how things are displayed on the screen. The Tools option control different program options. The Window option is not in every program, but it is common enough I mention it here. It has some options for the windows. The last option in every menu is Help.
In addition to these menu options will most likely be several other options. Each of these will be specific to the program. For example, in this window are Insert, Format, and Table.
File Menu Option
Now, let's take a look at the File menu option. This section will always have a way to create new files, open documents, save documents, close documents, set the document properties, printing options, and to close the program. Other common items include recent items, export options, and page previews.
The NEW option is the one to select for creating new files. Sometimes this will give you a sub menu or an option box to set the way the new file is started.
The OPEN option always opens a dialog box that gives you a way to open files that are stored on your computer.
RECENT DOCUMENTS will give a list of files that have recently been opened. Usually there are 5 items, but sometimes there are more.
CLOSE will usually close the current document, but leave the program running. If the program has not been saved since it was last changed, it will usually bring up a box asking if you want to save the document.
SAVE and SAVE AS both work almost the same. They both save documents. The only difference is that SAVE AS always gives you a chance to change the name of the file you are working on. If the document is a new document, the SAVE option will open the SAVE AS dialog box, otherwise, it will replace the version on the computer with the current document being worked on. The EXPORT option, if it exists, is very similar, except that instead of saving in the native program format, it will have options to save in a format for another program.
PROPERTIES has the options for the document. In the PROPERTIES dialog, you can set the name of the author, and put in other comments. There will probably be other options, some of which you can set, and others that contain information about the document.
PAGE PREVIEW will let you see how the page will look when it is printed on the page. Often, the screen that pops up will give you a way to set the page layout.
PRINT will let you print the page. PRINT SETUP will give several options that will affect the printer itself.
The last option on this screen is always EXIT. This option will close any open documents, and will close the program.
Next time, we will look at the EDIT and VIEW options that are common to most programs.
The first option is File. As you can guess, this options that control the files. The Edit option contains choices to change the file. The View option controls how things are displayed on the screen. The Tools option control different program options. The Window option is not in every program, but it is common enough I mention it here. It has some options for the windows. The last option in every menu is Help.
In addition to these menu options will most likely be several other options. Each of these will be specific to the program. For example, in this window are Insert, Format, and Table.
File Menu OptionNow, let's take a look at the File menu option. This section will always have a way to create new files, open documents, save documents, close documents, set the document properties, printing options, and to close the program. Other common items include recent items, export options, and page previews.
The NEW option is the one to select for creating new files. Sometimes this will give you a sub menu or an option box to set the way the new file is started.
The OPEN option always opens a dialog box that gives you a way to open files that are stored on your computer.
RECENT DOCUMENTS will give a list of files that have recently been opened. Usually there are 5 items, but sometimes there are more.
CLOSE will usually close the current document, but leave the program running. If the program has not been saved since it was last changed, it will usually bring up a box asking if you want to save the document.
SAVE and SAVE AS both work almost the same. They both save documents. The only difference is that SAVE AS always gives you a chance to change the name of the file you are working on. If the document is a new document, the SAVE option will open the SAVE AS dialog box, otherwise, it will replace the version on the computer with the current document being worked on. The EXPORT option, if it exists, is very similar, except that instead of saving in the native program format, it will have options to save in a format for another program.
PROPERTIES has the options for the document. In the PROPERTIES dialog, you can set the name of the author, and put in other comments. There will probably be other options, some of which you can set, and others that contain information about the document.
PAGE PREVIEW will let you see how the page will look when it is printed on the page. Often, the screen that pops up will give you a way to set the page layout.
PRINT will let you print the page. PRINT SETUP will give several options that will affect the printer itself.
The last option on this screen is always EXIT. This option will close any open documents, and will close the program.
Next time, we will look at the EDIT and VIEW options that are common to most programs.
posted by Grady @ 2:09 PM
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