Tip 4: Zombies ahead! Run away! Escape!

I’ve been using Windows since version 2.something (way back in the 80’s).  The single feature I’ve appreciated the most about Windows is the Escape key.  It’s easy to find, always in the top left corner of the keyboard.  But the wonders of the Escape key go beyond simple definition. It has the power to get you out of many unintended situations.

Let’s say for example, I am writing a letter in Microsoft Word, and I accidentally hit control-P.  I’m faced with this “Print File” dialog, asking me for printer details.  Clearly I didn’t want this to happen, so I could reach for the mouse and click the Cancel button.  However I find it easier to escape from these situations by using the Escape key.  The dialog goes away, and I’m right back where I was before I hit the wrong keys.

Tip 3: The Windows Key

Back in the early 90’s, most computer keyboards for Windows-based systems had 101 or 102 keys scattered across them (and thus were called “101/102 keyboards”). With the arrival of Microsoft Windows 95 came a slightly different version, the “104/105 keyboard”.

Among the three keys added to the keyboard was the Windows Key or WinKey for short. On a standard 104/105 keyboard, there are two WinKeys on the bottom the keyboard on either side of the space bar. The WinKey has changed its look over the years as the Windows logo has evolved, but they all work the same. Some keys have the word “start” in addition or instead of the Windows logo. Here are four different versions of the WinKey that you might find on your keyboard:

When it first appeared on the keyboard, the function of the WinKey was simple. If you press and release the WinKey, the Windows Start Menu opens. Press it again and the Start Menu is dismissed. Big deal, right? Well, it is in fact a big deal.

Tip 2: Scrollbars and the Mouse

Scrollbars have been a part of Windows since the beginning. Scrollbars are particularly useful because they allow a window to hold more content than will fit within the window. Scrollbars are everywhere in Windows. The very webpage you are reading has a scrollbar on the right of the window.

Scrollbars look different depending upon which version of Windows you are running.  Before Windows XP, scrollbars were mostly silver with blocky shaded sides.  Windows XP scrollbars are blue by default (see the image below). And Windows Vista/Windows 7 scrollbars are silver but shine blue when clicked.

Because they are everywhere, many people don’t realize how useful scrollbars can be once you understand how to use all of their features.

Tip 1: Browser Navigation Basics

If you are reading this column online, then you have already opened a browser–a good start.  A browser is your portal to the almost infinite world of the inter-webs.

So exactly what is a web browser?  Well simply put, it’s the program you are running to view this page.  The most popular web browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Opera.  All of these are available as free downloads.  Each has its own strengths and weaknesses as well as its own fan base.