Windows 95 Tips & Tricks

Windows '95 Tips & Tricks There are many basics to Windows 95, that users either don't understand or simply don't know about. Our purpose here is to share with you, our user, some of those tips, as well as a brief history of Windows 95. We gladly welcome any tips you may have for the Windows95 user out there! If you would like to add a tip, feel free to send E-mail to 1usa.com Tips and Tricks. Please remember, lets not forget about the average user. Keep everything Simple, and easy to understand! Let's Get Started Places to go : Microsoft Windows '95 Tips and Tricks **You Are Here** Windows 95 Basics --- A history, and brief description of Windows 95. Start Menu -- A breif description of the Start Menu. My Computer -- A Brief Description of the My Computer Icon. Windows Explorer -- A brief description of the Windows Explorer included in Windows 95. Recommended System Configuration -- A Recommended System Configuration for Windows 95. 32-Bit Processing -- A brief explination of 32-bit Processing. Worldgroup and Windows 95 -- A brief description of Installing Worldgroup in Windows 95. The Future of Windows 95 -- A brief list of the Future of Windows 95 Related Links -- Some Related Windows95 Links www.Microsoft.Com -- Link to Microsoft's Homepage www.Windows.Com -- Link to Microsoft's Windows Homepage www.Windows95.Com -- Link to an independant Windows95 Homepage www.Win95.Com -- Another independent Windows95 page. Microsoft.Com/Updates -- Contains the Service Pack 1 update to Windows95 Personal Computer Tips & Tricks -- Link to 1USA's PC Tips and Tricks Page Windows 95 Basics The very first thing we'll do here, is give you a basic idea of what Windows 95 is, and where it came from. Windows 95 is a Graphical User Interface (GUI... pronouced Gooey). What this means, is that Windows 95 allows you to manipulate files and directories using pictures (Icons) instead of using names, and also allows for mouse use, instead of keyboard. (Both can be used, depending on what you like). Windows 95 is a revision of a program by Microsoft, called Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Windows v3.1 was the accepted standard PC GUI for most buisnesses. There are other GUI programs which exist, some of them are : OS/2, LINUX, and Microsoft Windows NT. All of which allow a "point and click" interface. The reason why Microsoft was so succsesful, was because of its "EASE of USE". Anyone who's used Windows v3.1, knows what the Program Manager is and such. These things were the appealing factor of Windows. Currently, in Windows 95, the Program Manager was replaced with the Start Menu. Which is a button, on a "Taskbar" (the bar at the bottom of the Windows 95 desktop). In Windows v3.1, the ability to put programs on the desktop, and be able to run them directly from the desktop was not available. In Windows95, the capability to do this was gained through "ShortCuts". Shortcuts are comparable to the ".BAT" files from DOS. They are sub-programs which run the Actual Programs. All of these things distiguish Windows 95 from Windows v3.1. Jump to Top of Page Start Menu The start menu is Windows95's version of the Program Manager. It allows you to run all of your programs from one spot. It also has options to run the Control Panel, and to open one of the last 10 documents you had opened in your word processor. The Start Menu uses what's known as a "Sidebar Option", which means that instead of a pulldown menu, the options appear to the side of what you've chosen, when the mouse is moved over that option. Example : You wanted to open a program. You would click on "Start". Then you would move the mouse pointer over "Programs". A sidebar would appear containing all of the program folders you have. Then you move the mouse pointer over the Program folder. A sidebar would pop up with the programs contained in that program folder. The you simply click on the program you wish to run. Jump to Top of Page My Computer The My Computer icon on the Windows 95 desktop is the Windows 95 version of the Program Manager and File Manager put into one. Not only does it allow you to run programs from within folders, it also allows you to manipulate files and folers. It allows for the creation/deletion of Folers and files. It also allows for the copying/deletion/moving of files and folers. For Windows v3.1 users, My Computer is a nice transitional tool from Windows 95 to Windows v3.1. Until you get used to the Start Menu in Windows 95, My Computer will provide you with a familiar interface. Jump to Top of Page Windows Explorer The Microsoft Windows Explorer is a souped-up version of the File Manager. It allows for easy file finding, whether it be looking for a file on you hard drive, or looking for a program in your Start Menu. The Windows Explorer allows for scanning network drives, as well as local drives and CD-ROMS. The Windows Explorer is very reminiscent of the File Manager. All of the old File Manager tools are in the Win95 Explorer, all work better than ever. Jump to Top of Page 32-Bit Processing 32-Bit processing, is the kind of processing used by Windows 95. A Pentium Processor is a 32-Bit processor. In Comparison, an old PC/XT is an 8-Bit Processor. The new 32-Bit processors run much smoother, and much quicker. For more information about processors, please look at our Personal Computer Tips and Tricks Page. Jump to Top of Page Recommended Personal Computer Configuration Pentium Processor or Better 16 Megabytes of Ram or Better 500 Megabyte Hard Disk or Better CD-ROM Drive (4x or Better) 14.4k BPS Modem or Better 256 Color Video Card and Color Monitor For more information about any of these things, see our Personal Computer Tips and Tricks Page. Jump to Top of Page Worldgroup and Windows 95 WorldGroup is the software used to dial into 1USA. Using WorldGroup with Windows 95 is actually quite simple! All you need to do is install the Floppy Disk that you have (or extract and install the file you downloaded from our Web Site) and configure your modem, and off you go. Because Windows95 takes care of all of the port setings for your modem, all you have to do is tell WorldGroup what type of modem you have, and what COMM Port it is on. And then, double-click on the 1USA Icon, and a-way you go! Jump to Top of Page The Future of Windows The Future of Windows is happening now. WindowsNT v4.0 and also v5.0 have already been developed, with v4 already released. Also recently developed by Microsoft, is WindowsCE (Compact Edition) - A fully scaleable version of Windows for Palmtop, and smaller Computers. Windows97 is on the programming tables currently, and the MS-Office97 will be released January of 1997. As of yet, there is no Windows97 Release date, but keep looking here to find out when it will be released. What will be in Windows97? A more stable interface, similar yet different GUI, better memory/file handling, and it will take up less HardDisk space. For more information please visit WWW.MICROSOFT.COM Jump to Top of Page Related Links WWW.MICROSOFT.COM -- Microsoft's Home Page WWW.WINDOWS.COM -- Microsoft's Windows Home Page WWW.WINDOWS95.COM -- An Independent Windows 95 page, with all of the Supplements and patches for Windows95 www.Win95.Com -- Another independant Windows95 page. www.McAfee.Com -- Link to McAfee.com -- Dowload Evaluation copy of Virus Scanner for Win95. www.Symantec.com -- Symantec The owners of Norton Anti-Virus. Contains updates to the NAV data files. Jump to Top of Page **Copyright 1996 -- Magic Mutlimedia**