Helpful Computer Terms & Procedures

When its time to get help or even just ask a question, it sure is nice to know what to call that "thing over there", you know under the little "yellow thingy". Statements like that may work when two people are staring and pointing at the exact same monitor, but seldom work when you are speaking with someone on the phone or even across the room.

As much as we may dislike computer terminology, knowing what to call something really helps us communicate when we need help!

We have pulled together certain terms and procedures commonly used in the computer world and listed them here. They will help you with ZIPGym and ANY other computer program or process you may use in the future.

Feel free to come back here to remind yourself what things mean and how to do them as often as you like (repetition helps us all learn).

TERM: Desktop The term "Desktop" refers to the computer screen you look at each day. When you first turn on your computer this is the screen you see.
TERM: Icon The term “Icon” refers to the small picture on your screen (or on your desktop) that you double click to open the program you want (recycle bin icon shown).
TERM: Shortcut A “Shortcut” looks like an icon except that it has a small arrow pointing to it. This signifies that this icon is a pointer that will open the program you want that is located somewhere else in your computer. The Shortcut is not the program, but it "points to" the program. Double-clicking on a "shortcut" will open the program as if you double-clicked the program's icon directly.
TERM: Folder The term “Folder” refers to the icon on your screen that looks like a folder with a title beneath it describing what the folder is holding. A folder can hold files, other folders, and icons. TERM: Files "Files” are stored within a “Folder”. “Files” are where your data is actually stored. If a file is labeled “Classes” then your classes data is there. If a file is labeled “Families” then your families data is there and so on.
TERM: Menu Bar A “Menu Bar” usually is the top part of the program or window that contains words that describe functions you can perform.
TERM: Taskbar The Taskbar is at the bottom portion of the PC desktop that contains buttons, such as “Start” and the names of open Folders or active Programs.
PROCEDURE: Copying a folder or file Copying a folder or file is an important procedure to know. On a PC computer you RIGHT click with your mouse button on the folder or file you want to copy. Select “Copy” from the menu that appears. (On a Mac computer you “duplicate” instead of copying. You do this by clicking once on the folder or file you want, then hold down the Open Apple key and hit the letter “D” on your keyboard.).
PROCEDURE: Pasting a folder or file To paste the folder or file you RIGHT click with your mouse in an empty space on your desktop, or in a folder. Select “Paste” from the menu that appears.
PROCEDURE: Renaming a folder or file Renaming a folder or file is necessary for various circumstances. On a PC computer you RIGHT click with your mouse button on the folder or file you want to rename. Select “Rename” from the menu that appears. You can now type in the text box and rename it. (On a Mac computer you click on the title of the folder or file and wait for the text box to appear. When the text appears in a box and is highlighted, you can type in the text box area and rename it.
When the text appears in a box and is highlighted, you can type in the text box area and rename it.