MAC OS BASICS
The Finder—Like rummaging through your drawers and closets, the Finder is the place to find stuff on your Mac. Learn how to do just that using the Finder and Finder windows.
The Desktop—This is your main work area. Learn more about what it is and how to use it to your organizational whim.
The Menu Bar—When you want to make your Mac do something, you can order a host of commands right off the menu. Learn about the menu bar and how to command your Mac to do your dirty work.
The Dock—The Dock is your personal launching pad to open applications, documents, servers, websites, and more. It's also the place to talk Trash. You will learn how to use the Dock and customize it for your daily routine.
Applications, Files, and Folders—You're going to use these things frequently, so get to know what they are. You will learn how to open and close applications, files, and folders; get more information about these items; and do various other tasks that involve them.
WINDOWS BASICS
- Desktop
- Open a file, folder, or program using a desktop icon
- Move desktop icons around the Windows Vista desktop
- Create a new desktop shortcut
- Delete a desktop icon
- Change your desktop background
- Start Menu
- Start a program
- Open a commonly used folder
- Open a recently used file
- Open the Control Panel
- Search for programs or files
- Open Windows Help and Support
- Turn off your computer
- Taskbar
- Start button
- Quick Launch toolbar
- An area for buttons to open programs and files
- Notification area
- Sidebar and Gadgets (Windows Vista)
- Show the Sidebar
- Keep the Sidebar on top of other windows
- Personalize a gadget
- Add a gadget
- Files and folders in Windows Explorer
- What are files and folders?
- Browse files and folders in Windows Explorer
- Search for a file
- Change how files and folders are displayed and sorted
- Create a new folder
- Open a file
- Delete a file