ComputerComputer Tips, Tips, TricksTricks && TweaksTweaks

Courtesy of:Courtesy of:

Lori Rich, Computer TutoringLori Rich, Computer Tutoring

What is a Menu?What is a Menu?

Unlike at a restaurant, a Unlike at a restaurant, a “drop-down menu” in a software “drop-down menu” in a software program is a list of options that are program is a list of options that are specific to that category. For specific to that category. For example, your Web browser example, your Web browser ((Internet Explorer)Internet Explorer) is open. Click is open. Click on on FileFile and a dropdown list (and a dropdown list (menumenu) ) appears. You can appears. You can openopen a new file, a new file, edit edit the file, the file, savesave or or printprint the file. the file.

Q. Q. What is a What is a left-click vs. a left-click vs. a right click?right click?

A. Your mouse has two sides; left and A. Your mouse has two sides; left and right. With your palm covering the mouse, right. With your palm covering the mouse, use your index finger to “left-click”. You use your index finger to “left-click”. You will usually tap quickly two times (double-will usually tap quickly two times (double-click).click).Use your middle or ring finger to “right-Use your middle or ring finger to “right-click”. This opens a shortcut menu with click”. This opens a shortcut menu with options that you can “left-click”!options that you can “left-click”!

What is cut and paste?What is cut and paste?

Cut and paste is the operation of moving a Cut and paste is the operation of moving a word or block of text to a different location. word or block of text to a different location. This new location can be in the same This new location can be in the same document, or in a document or program.document, or in a document or program.

This comes in handy when you are filling This comes in handy when you are filling in a form online, and you accidentally put in a form online, and you accidentally put data in the wrong box. data in the wrong box.

How is it done?How is it done?

First, you must select the text to be cut First, you must select the text to be cut (highlight) by dragging your mouse (highlight) by dragging your mouse across it.across it.

Then, click on Then, click on Edit, CutEdit, Cut..

The text is “memorized” in an electronic The text is “memorized” in an electronic clipboard.clipboard.

Go to the location that you want the text Go to the location that you want the text to appear.to appear.

Click Click Edit, PasteEdit, Paste. . Voila!Voila!

What is Copy & Paste?What is Copy & Paste?

It is similar to cut and paste. It is similar to cut and paste. Instead of moving the text, you Instead of moving the text, you

are copying the text and inserting are copying the text and inserting it in a different location. Once the it in a different location. Once the

text is copied, it can be pasted text is copied, it can be pasted multiple times.multiple times.

Why Doesn’t Text Appear Why Doesn’t Text Appear Where I Expect?Where I Expect?

The blinking line on your The blinking line on your computer screen is called the computer screen is called the insertion pointinsertion point. That point is . That point is

where text will appear…even if where text will appear…even if your your mouse pointermouse pointer is is

somewhere else!somewhere else!

HHaannddyy SShhoorrttccuutt Press the CTRL key along with the

“A” key to select all of the text on a page. Comes in handy when copying or deleting!

You can also use the shortcut menu (right-click) and use the “Select All” option that will do the same thing.

Where can I get more help?Where can I get more help?

For tutoring of most software For tutoring of most software programs, help with internet programs, help with internet

and email access, and and email access, and downloading files & photos, downloading files & photos,

contact: contact:

Lori Rich, Computer Tutoring,Lori Rich, Computer Tutoring, 223-6869223-6869