by Technophobes;the Kicking;Screaming Is This Thing On?: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers
Close Box
To close the window completely, move the mouse arrow into the Close Box and click once. Good-bye, Untitled Folder window. If that was rough going, don’t worry. This is your first time playing with the mouse. It’s all about practice, practice, practice.
CLICK AND GO
1. Click File.
2. Click New Folder.
Mouse Play
Unlike a PC with a Microsoft operating system, a Mac doesn’t come with Solitaire preinstalled on the hard drive. If you purchased Solitaire software when you bought your computer, you can either follow the steps below or skip this section and go directly to “Place Your Bets” (page 128) to play Solitaire.
It isn’t my intention for you to become a game nut. What I really want you to do is master the mouse. Your homework is either to play solitaire or follow the steps here as often as you can. Once the mouse is your slave, go on to the next chapter. Remember, it is practice and only practice that will allow you to conquer the mouse or any other aspect of the computer.
To access a new folder:
• Move the mouse arrow up to the top of the screen.
• Click on the word File at the top of the screen.
• A menu will have opened. Move the mouse down into the menu and click on the words New Folder.
• Take a look at the desktop and you will notice that there is now a folder there with the name Untitled Folder.
CLICK AND GO
1. Double-click on Untitled Folder.
2. Move mouse onto title bar.
3. Click and drag untitled folder window.
My goal here is to have you learn to click and drag the mouse. It is a mouse tool that you will use later when you are on the Internet.
Here’s what I would like you to do:
• Double-click (as you did on page 124) on the Untitled Folder.
• The folder has now opened to a window. Move your mouse onto the title bar where it says Untitled Folder.
• Depress the mouse button and keep it depressed while you move the Untitled Folder to the left, then to the right.
• Release the mouse. You’ll notice the folder remains where you moved it.
Good! Before you know it you will have mastered the mouse. Remember, it is practice that allows you to conquer the mouse or any other aspect of the computer. Repeat this exercise every time you visit your computer.
TRIVIA
There are many versions of Solitaire and many names for each game. The familiar version is often called Klondike. It most likely dates back to the Klondike gold rush in the late 19th century.
MAC USERS: AVERSION TO DIFFERENT VERSIONS
Your version of Solitaire may differ slightly from what we have described here. This is true of any software package. Follow my instructions as best you can, but when in doubt refer to your software manual.
Place Your Bets
If you aren’t going to play Solitaire, skip to Ready to Call It a Day? on page 132.
You can try to install the Solitaire software following the instructions that came with it. But if it seems too hard, don’t hesitate to call and ask someone who has a computer to help you.
Once the software is installed, open your Solitaire program using the following steps:
1. If there is a Solitaire icon on your desktop screen, move the mouse arrow onto the icon and double-click. It is important that the arrow be on the icon and not on the words below.
2. If there isn’t an icon, move the mouse arrow to your Hard Disk icon and double-click.
3. Find the Application folder. Move the mouse arrow onto that folder and double-click.
4. Now find the Solitaire folder. Move the mouse arrow onto that folder and double-click. The Solitaire window is now opened.
PC and Mac Card Sharks, Unite!
So here we are with the Solitaire window opened. Let’s review the rules of Solitaire, and then we can play a hand. If you already know how to play Solitaire, skip this section and we’ll catch up with you at “How Do the Cards Get Moved?” (page 130).
• The ultimate goal of Solitaire is to have all the cards in four piles in the empty spots of the Solitaire window. Each stack must be of a single suit and in ascending order, with the ace on the bottom and the king on top (ace, 2, 3… jack, queen, king).
• Along the way, your challenge is to build on the cards that are face-up in the seven piles. You add cards to these piles moving down in value (10, 9, 8…), but you must alternate in color (black, red, black, red).
• A PC Solitaire window.
• A king is the only card that can be moved to an empty space.
HUH? WHAT HAPPENED?
You’ll discover that the computer will not allow you to make a mistake or cheat! If you choose a card and try to play it on another card incorrectly, the computer will send your choice flying back to its original spot as soon as you release the mouse button.
• You can play the top card in any of the seven piles or play the card that is faceup in the draw pile. When you take a card from the draw pile, the card below will be revealed and may then be played.
• As you use a card from the seven piles, the card below it can be played. If an empty space is created, only a king can be moved to that spot; then you can start building on the king in the same way the other piles are built (king, queen, jack… alternating red and black).
• Aces are moved to the spaces at the top right of the window.
• If you come upon an ace, move it to one of the open four spots and build up your stacks by suit (ace, 2, 3…).
• A series of cards can be moved together. For example, if you have a black queen revealed in one pile and in another stack you have built a series with a red jack, black 10, and red 9, you can move the series, starting with the red jack, onto the black queen.
• Keep in mind, the strategy in Solitaire is to try to expose as many facedown cards as possible.
Don’t get frustrated if you don’t often win. If you win one out of five games you’re doing quite well. Remember: It isn’t whether you win or lose, it’s how you control the mouse.
How Do the Cards Get Moved?
To move a card, you must click and drag it. Place the mouse arrow on the card that you want to move. Press the mouse button, and, without lifting your finger, drag the card to where you want it to be. Then let go of the button on the mouse.
To flip over a card from the draw pile, move the mouse arrow onto the card and click once. If you double-click here you will turn over two cards, so be careful.
• A series of cards can be moved together by clicking on the highest card of the series and dragging it to the appropriate spot. All the cards in the series will move together.
Let the Games Begin
Look at the cards that are faceup in your seven piles.
If there is an ace, move the mouse arrow onto the ace. Press down the mouse button. With the mouse button held down, move the card onto one of the four designated blank spots. Take your finger off the mouse button. If this didn’t work, give it another try.
Look for a card one less in number than any of the cards faceup in the seven piles. Is the color different? (The cards must alternate black and red or vice versa.)
• If you have a card to move, move the mouse arrow to that card and click and drag the card to its new position.
• If you don’t have a card to move, can you play the faceup card in the draw pile?
• If you can’t play that card, click once on the facedown pile. Can you use that card? Keep flipping cards until there’s a card to play. If the draw pile is depleted, click once on the empty area so you can go through the pile again.
The game continues like this until you can’t play any of the cards available to you. Unfortunately, that means you’ve lost. But if you manage to complete the four piles by suit from ace to king, that means you’ve won.
If you want to play again, move the mouse arrow onto the word Game in the Menu Bar and click once. Now move
the arrow down to the word Deal and click again.
CLICK AND DRAG… IS IT A DRAG?
Are you having some trouble with the click-and-drag maneuver? Let’s review:
• Place the mouse arrow on the object you want to move and depress the mouse button.
• Keep the mouse button depressed while you drag the object by moving the mouse to where you desire.
• Take your finger off the mouse and the object will remain where it has been moved.
My advice is, keep playing Solitaire! It may seem silly (or drive you nuts), but it is the best way to master the mouse.
Remember the Goal
Play Solitaire for at least half an hour every day for a week. If you choose to play more, make sure you take five-minute breaks every half hour or so. What you are really doing is mastering the mouse. Once the mouse is your slave, go on to the next chapter. Remember, it is practice and only practice that will allow you to conquer the mouse or any other aspect of the computer.
Exit Solitaire
If you have a PC, move your mouse arrow to the Close Box of the Solitaire window and click once.
If you have a Mac, move your mouse arrow to the Close Box of the Solitaire window and click once.
Ready to Call It a Day?
Get into the habit of shutting down your computer properly. You must try to avoid simply turning the power off instead of going through the shut-down process. If you do not go through the proper shut-down procedures, you can damage the computer. It is best to close all the windows that are open and quit any programs that you are in. If you forget to do this, the computer will remind you.
Putting the Computer to Bed
If you have a PC:
1. Move your mouse arrow to the Start button or symbol in the bottom left corner of your screen and click once.
2. Move your mouse across to the arrow and click once.
3. Now click Shut Down or Log Off.
4. Your computer will now turn off.
5. Turn off any peripherals that may still be on—your monitor, the printer, and so on.
CLICK AND GO
1. Click Start or .
2. Click arrow.
3. Click Shut Down or Log Off.
If you have a Mac:
1. Move your mouse arrow to the in the top left corner and click once, then to the words Shut Down and click once.
2. Click on Shut Down in the little window that has opened. This will instruct the computer to shut down.
3. Turn off any peripherals that may still be on—your monitor, the printer, and so on.
CLICK AND GO
1. Click on Apple logo.
2. Click Shut Down.
3. Click Shut Down.
If You Have a Laptop:
Be sure to close the cover after completing the preceding steps.
Let’s Review
Here is a quick guide to get you up and running with Solitaire (or opening a new folder for Mac users).
If you are using a PC
TO ACCESS SOLITAIRE:
• Turn on the computer and wait for it to warm up.
• Move the mouse arrow to the Start button and click.
• Move the mouse arrow up to Programs and scroll to Games.
• Click on Games and then click on Solitaire. Have fun!
TO SHUT DOWN:
• Close the Solitaire window and any other windows that are open.
• Move the mouse arrow to the Start button and click.
• Move the mouse arrow to the arrow and click.
• Move the mouse to Shut Down and click once.
If you are using a Mac
TO OPEN A FOLDER:
• Turn on computer and wait for it to warm up.
• Click on File in the Menu Bar.
• Click on New Folder.
• Double-click on the new Untitled Folder.
TO CLICK AND DRAG:
• Move mouse onto the words Untitled Folder.
• Depress the mouse and keep it depressed as you move (or drag) the window around the screen.
TO SHUT DOWN:
• Close the Untitled Folder and any other windows that are open.
• Move your mouse arrow to the in the top left corner and click once.
• Move the mouse arrow to the words Shut Down and click once.
• Move the mouse to Shut Down in the small window and click once.
Hurrah!
That was a huge amount to accomplish! If you are bleary-eyed, you are not alone. We covered a lot of material for your initiation, but initiated you are!
When you want to come back to the computer, you can repeat any or all of this chapter. What you must do is open the Solitaire window (or Untitled Folder for Mac users) and practice for at least half an hour every day for a week. I want you to be skilled with the mouse and have an understanding of your options within a window. At the end of that time, you’ll never have to do it again unless you want to.
* * *
Q: Why does it take my computer so long to shut down?
A: Computers can take a bit of time to start up and shut down because they need to check that everything is working properly and to put data in its proper place. If this start up and shut down time has lengthened dramatically, you made need to have someone do some housecleaning on your computer. (See Chapters 20 and 25.)
Q: Do I need to turn off my monitor, speakers, and/or printer when I turn off the computer?
A: You don’t need to turn them off, but to leave the monitor, speakers, and printer on is an unnecessary waste of energy.
Q: I seem not to have enough space on my desk for the mouse. Do I need a bigger desk?
A: You definitely do not need a bigger desk. You need to harness your use of the mouse. Instead of sweeping all over your desk, lift the mouse up to reposition it on your desk. You’ll notice that when the mouse does not make contact with the desk’s surface, the arrow on the screen will stay in place.
Q: I love my laptop, but not the built-in mouse.
A: Don’t despair. If you purchased a laptop computer and you continue to have trouble manipulating the built-in mouse, you have the option of purchasing an external mouse. Make sure that your new mouse is compatible with either your PC or Mac.
CHAPTER 12
Getting to Know You
Experimenting with what you can do on the computer
In the last chapter you were introduced to the mouse. This chapter will introduce you to the Mac and PC operating systems, as well as to some other features that your computer has to offer. Mac users, turn to page 153. PC users, continue reading. And remember: Don’t sit at the computer too long without taking a break. Also check the position of your back, arms, and legs in relation to the computer and review the ergonomic safety tips on page 96.
Welcome, PC Users
Turn on your computer. Let’s open some of the icons on the desktop screen and see specifically what they have to offer. If you don’t have the icons I refer to on your desktop screen, click on Start or (bottom left of your screen) and find them in the Start menu that opens.
Computer
First we’ll open the icon labeled Computer. The Computer window allows access to both the software and hardware on your computer. From here you can get to all the information stored on your hard drive, as well as the drives that hold your CD and DVD disks.
Move the mouse arrow onto the Computer icon and double-click. If the icon is highlighted in blue but the window didn’t open, your double click wasn’t successful. Place the mouse arrow on the icon again and depress, release, depress, release the mouse button in as rapid succession as you can. Think knock, knock. Keep trying, and eventually you will get the timing.
As I describe each icon contained in the Computer window, feel free to double-click on the icon to open it and see what’s inside. To get back to the Computer window, move the mouse arrow to the word Back or to a left-facing arrow on the upper left side of the Menu Bar and click once. If you have someho
w closed the window, simply find the Computer icon on the desktop screen or in the Start menu.
The (C:) icon allows access to anything on your computer’s C: drive. Because the C: drive is the storage space for everything on your computer, you can find anything you need through this icon.
• The “Computer” window. Notice that it has a Title Bar, and Minimize, Maximize, and Close Boxes. Most PC windows have these features.
Find a folder titled Documents in the C: drive. You may find the Documents folder in the sidebar of the Computer window. That folder will store whatever writing you eventually do on the computer. You may not be able to see all that is contained in the C: drive, but if you click on the Maximize Box, you will be able to see more of what’s in the window. Later I will explain how to view the entire contents of a window utilizing the Scroll Bar (page 142).
The (D:) icon (also referred to as E:) allows you to hear and/or see a compact disc (CD) or DVD on your computer. When a music CD is in the D: drive, this icon will offer you choices about which track you may want to listen to and the volume you prefer. We will experiment with this later in the chapter.
To navigate between these windows you can close each window when you are done and start from scratch. You may also notice an arrow in the top left of the window. That arrow, when clicked on, will also send you back to the previous window viewed.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS
If you absolutely cannot double-click, there is a solution. Single-click on the icon. Now that the icon is highlighted you can depress and release the Enter key on your keyboard to open the icon.
