Introduction

Sunshine

Sunshine is Copyright (c), 1993, by Chet Langin, all rights reserved.

Langin Software, 532 W. 3rd St., Centralia, IL  62801-5407  USA

For Absolute Beginners:  You may begin reading Sunshine just like you would a book by flipping through the pages.  To do this, put the mouse cursor on the image of the Sunshine book, on the left, and click a mouse button (if one mouse button doesn't work, try another one).  Don't worry, you can come right back here, if you want to.  The first chapter is 29 pages long.

For Everybody Else:  Sunshine starts with book pages and chapters and eases the reader into hypertext for an efficient way of learning about computers.  Select the Sunshine image on the left to see the Table of Contents.


Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1.	For Absolute Beginners

This is exactly the same as selecting the image of the book in the introduction.

Chapter 2.	For Everybody Else

If you skip Chapter 1, you should read Chapter 2.  It covers essential information and can be read quickly.

Chapter 3.	Scroll Bars

If you already know how to use Windows scroll bars, you may skip this chapter, completely.

Chapter 4,	Bookmarks, Etc.

How to easily keep track of where you are between sessions in Sunshine and other important things.  Everyone should check this out.

Chapter 5,	Dialog Boxes

The Bookmark dialog boxes are used as examples, so you learn about dialog boxes and more about bookmarks at the same time.

What's Next?

Where to go from here.


Search Tips and Tricks

1.	Search with the word "Dictionary" for a complete listing of definitions.

2.	Search with the word "Chapter 1", etc., for a list of topics in a chapter.

3.	Search on each of the words of a phrase to find similar items.

4.	Search on the word "Abbreviations" for a list of all abbreviations.

5.	Search on the word "Checkpoint" for a list of all checkpoints.


What's Next?

Sunshine is an ongoing project.  Check the version date.  If it is more than one month old, you probably do not have the latest version.

Future versions of Sunshine will contain corrections and refinements to this version, if needed, and will add more chapters.

To obtain the latest version of Sunshine, send $29.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling to...

Sunshine

Langin Software

532 W. 3rd St.

Centralia, IL  62801-5407  USA

For information on the most current version of Sunshine, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the same address.


Get the Latest Sunshine

Get the Latest Sunshine !!!

Sunshine is an ongoing project.  Check the version date.  If it is more than one month old, you probably do not have the latest version.

Future versions of Sunshine will contain corrections and refinements to this version, if needed, and will add more chapters.

To obtain the latest version of Sunshine, send $29.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling to...

Sunshine

Langin Software

532 W. 3rd St.

Centralia, IL  62801-5407  USA

For information on the most current version of Sunshine, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the same address.


Version Date
This is Version 1.00, August, 1993, of Sunshine.


For Absolute Beginners
Page 1

Chapter 1, For Absolute Beginners

Open Book:

Notice how the image of the book (top left) is now open.  You can use the book to turn pages forwards and backwards.  The current page, "Page 1," is written over the book to help you stay oriented.

Next, you will go back to the beginning, and return here.  After you go back to the beginning, point the mouse cursor at the closed book (again) and click the same mouse button as last time to return here.  Okay, do it:  Point the mouse cursor at the left part of the image of the book, which is labeled "Last Page," and click the same mouse button as last time.  When you come back, continue reading below.

Welcome back!  With the open book at the top, it is easy to flip through pages.  Now, put the mouse cursor on the right side of the image of the book, labeled "Next Page," and click the same mouse button as last time to see what is next.


Point and Click
Page 2

Point and Click:

You got here by pointing and clicking with the mouse.  "Point and click" means to point the mouse cursor at something on the screen and click the primary mouse button.

The primary mouse button is whichever mouse button you just clicked to get here.  Often, it is the one which is natually underneath your pointer finger.  For a right-handed mouse, it is usually the button on the left.  For a left-handed mouse, it is usually the button on the right.  Once you find the primary mouse button for Sunshine stick with it!

Point and click on the "Next Page" of the image of the book in order to continue.


Flexibility
Page 3

Flexibility:

Computers are very flexible.  That's why the mouse buttons are not always the same.  People prefer to use them differently--and computers allow that!

Here is something else that you may have noticed changing:  The mouse cursor.  It is usually an arrow, like this:  .  However, when you move it over the book, above, it sometimes changes to a hand, probably like this:

The important thing is not exactly what the cursor looks like, it may vary.  What is important is that when the cursor moves over the book it changes.

Point and click at the book to go to the next page.


Hot Spot
Page 4

Hot Spot:

Move the mouse cursor over the open book, above, and watch how it changes.  When the cursor changes to a hand, probably like this, [image], it means that you are on a hot spot, an active part of the book:  If you click the mouse button, you will either go forwards or backwards a page.

When the mouse cursor is a normal arrow, probably like this, [image], then you are not on a hot spot:  if you click the mouse button, you will not go forwards or backwards a page.

By watching the mouse cursor as it moves about Sunshine, you can tell, if it changes into a hand, that it has moved onto a hot spot.

Point and click at the "Next Page" hot spot on the book, above, to continue.


Not Hot Spots
Page 5

Not Hot Spots:

You have seen how the mouse cursor changes when you run it over the book, above.  Now, run it over these two images:   and [image].  The mouse cursor does not change.  The arrow and the hand are not graphical hot spots.  They are just graphical images.

How can you tell when images are graphical hot spots and when they are not?

For now, the best way is to run the mouse cursor over the image and see if it changes.

The middle of the book, above, is not a graphical hot spot.  Try it and see.  You must select one page of the book or the other.  The middle will not do.

Go to the next page.


Word Hot Spots
Page 6

Word Hot Spots:

Words can also be hot spots.  For example, last page and next page are word hot spots.  Run the mouse cursor over them and see how it changes. Word hot spots are highlighted in some way.  For example, they may be a different color, such as green, or, possibly, underlined.   Last page and next page, highlighted above, work just like the image of the book.  Point and click on the word hot spots "last page" and "next page" to see what happens.  Then, go to the next page.


Definitions
Page 7

Pop-Up Definitions:

Word hot spots are often used to define or give further information about words or phrases.  For example, Sunshine earlier used the term, hot spot.  Do you know what it means?  To find out point and click on the highlighted hot spot phrase.  Don't know what point and click means?  Put the mouse cursor on that highlighted phrase and press the primary mouse button to find out.  Don't know what primary mouse button means?  Put the mouse cursor on that highlighted phrase and press each mouse button, slowly and separately,  until something happens.

Notice that these pop-up definitions are highlighted differently than last page and next page.  They probably, but not necessarily, have dotted underlines rather than solid underlines.

Go on to the next page.


Limited Highlights
Page 8

Limited Highlights:

When the same word or phrase, such as hot spot, is used two or more times on the same page, it is usually only highlighted the first time.  This keeps the page from being cluttered up with too many highlights.  So if you see a phrase, such as hot spot, and you don't know what it means, look for an earlier usage of it to point and click at to get a definition.

Go to the next page.


Windows
Page 9

Windows:

Sunshine uses Windows in order to run.  Therefore,  you need to know at least a little bit about Windows in order to use Sunshine.

A window (lowercase) is a rectangular area of the screen, almost always with a border, which contains something, such as a document or information.  More than one window can be on the screen at a time.  They can be side-by-side or they can overlap.  Windows (uppercase) is software which runs programs in windows (lowercase).  Windows (uppercase) is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

This is only an abbreviated and non-technical description of Windows to help you out for the time being.

Go to the next page.


Windows Help System
Page 10

Windows Help System:

The Windows help system is a program and a collection of software which can be used to provide help to users of Windows.  Windows Help, itself, uses the Windows help system.  Many other Windows programs also use the Windows help system.  Sunshine uses it.

This means that if you are already familiar with Windows Help, then you already know something about how to use Sunshine.  Also, once you learn how to use Sunshine, you will also know a lot about using Windows Help and the help systems of many other programs.

But, don't forget about the concept of flexibility.  Even though many programs use the Windows help system, they customize it in different ways.

Go to the next page.


Help Window
Page 11

Help Window:

A help window is a special window just for the Windows help system.  Sunshine runs in a help window, as does Windows Help and the help topics of many other Windows programs.  The Sunshine help window looks something like the illustration. It is not to size or to scale, but it gives you an idea of what is meant by the help window.  Go to the next page.


Help Buttons
Page 12

Help Buttons:

Towards the top of the help window are buttons which assist you in moving about in the help system.  In the black-and-white illustration, sample ones are circled and have an arrow pointing to them.  Some buttons are optional, and programmers decide which ones to use.  Therefore, the buttons are not the same in every program.  All of the buttons used by Sunshine will eventually be explained, but one is the most important, right now.

Go to the next page.


Back Button
Page 13

Back Button:

A sample Back Button is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the illustration.  By pointing and clicking at the real one, towards the top of this help window, you go back to the page you were just at.  It retraces your steps, which may or may not have the same result as Last Page.  An example will make this more clear.  Read both instructions, first.  (1)  Point and click at the Last Page of the book, above, and you will go to Page 12.  (2)  On Page 12, point and click on the real Back Button.  You will come back here.  Do it, now.  Then, go to the next page.


Long Jumps
Page 14

Long Jumps:

The Back Button allows you to jump several pages at once and, then, go back to where you were at.  In Sunshine, these are called long jumps because they go farther than just one page.  An example is coming right up.  Read both instructions, first.

1.  Point and click on Page 29 to take a long jump there.

2.  On Page 29, point and click on the Back Button to come back here.

Now, do it.  After coming back here, go to the next page.


Jump Definitions
Page 15

Jump Definitions:

Long jumps and the Back Button allow Sunshine to give you better definitions than just pop-ups.  Sometimes you need more information than just short reminders.  A jump definition lets you jump to a more elaborate description of a topic.  However, you temporarily leave your current page.  Think of it as a long jump clear out of the book to a dictionary.  Coming right up is a jump definition of the phrase hot spot.  Read both instructions, first:

1.  Point and click on hot spot.

2.  When you are at the jump definition for hot spot, point and click on the Back Button to come back, here.

Now, do it.  When you come back here, go to the next page.


Double Definitions
Page 16

Double Definitions:

Sunshine has a double definition system consisting of pop-up definitions and jump definitions.  Typically, a topic will be defined twice:  (1)  A quick pop-up reminder; and, (2) a more comprehensive description involving a long jump.  You can try the quickie, and, if that's not enough, jump to the more complete definition.

Here are examples of each for the phrase hot spot.  Remember, when you jump to the second definition, point and click at the Back Button to come back here.

1.  Pop-up definition:  Hot spot.

2.  Jump definition:  Hot spot.

After you come back here, go to the next page.


Choosing Definitions
Page 17

Choosing Definitions:

Typically, Sunshine will first go to a pop-up definition.  Then, the pop-up definition will include the hot spot More.  By pointing and clicking, then, on the highlighted More, you will go to the jump definition.  Here is an example.  Read all of the steps, first.

1.  Point and click on hot spot to go to the pop-up definition.

2.  This time, the pop-up definition will end with the word More.  Point and click on that word More to go to the jump definition.

3.  Then, point and click at the Back Button to come back here.

Now, do it.  When you come back here, go to the next page.


Skipping Definitions
Page 18

Skipping Definitions:

What if you see the pop-up definition and you don't want the full definition?  What do you do?  The answer is that you point and click, then,  anywhere else besides on the highlighted word More:  The pop-up definition goes away and you return to the page you were just at.  Try it.  Read both instructions, first.

1.  Point and click on hot spot to see the pop-up definition.

2.  While at the hot spot pop-up definition, point and click, then, anywhere but on the highlighted word More to come back here.

Do it, now, and, then, go on to the next page.


You Have Choices
Page 19

You Have Choices:

Don't you just hate it when a book or tutorial goes too fast?  Or, too slow?  Or, uses too much jargon?  Sunshine gives you choices so that you can learn about computers in a very efficient manner.  If you know what a highlighted word means, just keep on reading.  If you need a slight reminder, point and click on the word for a quick memory jolt.  If you need a more in-depth definition, then point and click on the highlighted word More to get it.

Go to the next Page.


Definitions in Definitions
Page 20

Definitions in Definitions:

What if you are reading a definition and it contains words that you don't understand?  Sunshine takes care of that, too.  Starting below, jump definitions will often contain hot spots for additional definitions.  Those definitions may refer to even more definitions.  Once you enter the Sunshine dictionary, you will be able to skip all through it.

How will you keep from getting lost?  Just keep pointing and clicking at the Back Button over and over until you retrace your steps to a page you are familiar with.  In fact, try it out.  In a moment, point and click on Jump Definition. It will be different than before.   Then, experiment.  You might get lost.  Remember later to keep pointing and clicking the actual Back Button until you come back here.  Do it, now.  Then, go on to the next page.


Domains
Page 21

Domains:

You may or may not have noticed while experimenting with the jump definitions (referred to on the last page) that a domain is noted at the end of every one.  So far, the technical words used in Sunshine fall into four domains:  (1) Computers; (2) Windows; (3) Windows Help System; and, (4) Sunshine.

The immediate purpose of this is to distinguish Sunshine words from general computer words.  Sunshine words are used only to assist you in using this program to learn the other words.  Experienced computer people who are not familiar with Sunshine will not know them.

Go to the next page.


Computer Words
Page 22

Computer Words:

The following general computer words have been used and explained in this part of Sunshine:

Flexibility

Point and Click

Primary Mouse Button

Window

Windows

Anyone using any type of computer should have an idea of what these words mean.  This is your time for review.  If you are not sure what any of the above words mean, point and click on that word to find out.  Then, point and click on the Back Button however many times it takes to come back here.

Go to the next Page.


Windows Words
Page 23

Windows Words:

The following Windows words have been used and explained:

Arrow Mouse Cursor

Help Window

Sunshine

Windows Help

Windows Help System

Anyone using Windows should have some familiarity with these words.  This is your chance to review them.  After doing so, point and click at the Back Button however many times it takes to come back here.

Go to the next page.


Windows Help Words
Page 24

Windows Help Words:

The following Windows help system words have been used and explained:

Back Button

Graphical Hot Spot

Hand Mouse Cursor

Help Buttons

Hot Spot

Pop-Up Definition

Word Hot Spot

Anyone using the Windows help system should have some familiarity with these words.  This is your chance to review them.  When, you are finished, point and click on the Back Button however many times it takes to come back here.

Go to the next page.


Sunshine Words
Page 25

Sunshine Words:

The following Sunshine words have been used and explained:

Domain

Jump Definition

Long Jump

Page Jump

People not familiar with Sunshine will not know what they mean.  However, you need to have some familiarity with them in order to use Sunshine.  Review them, now, if you wish.  Then, point and click at the Back Button however many times it takes to come back here.

Go to the next page.


Overhead Menu
Page 26

Overhead Menu:

Now, you will learn how to exit Sunshine.  First, you must find the overhead menu.  It is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the black-and-white illustration.  Find the actual overhead menu near the top of the screen.  Go to the next page.


File Menu Item
Page 27

File Menu Item:

Next, you must find the File menu item.  It is the first menu item and is on the far left.  It is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the black-and-white illustration.  Find the actual file menu item near the top of the screen.  Go to the next page.


Exit
Page 28

Exit:

Put the mouse cursor on the file menu item (illustrated on the previous page) and slowly click each mouse button until a pop-down menu appears.  It will look like the one in the black-and-white illustration.  One of the new menu items is Exit.  It is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the illustration.  To exit Sunshine put the mouse cursor on the actual Exit menu item, near the top of the screen, and click the same mouse button that worked before.  To continue Sunshine, put the mouse cursor on Continue and click the same mouse button that worked before.  You can use this same exit procedure, later, anytime while using Sunshine.


Page 29

Landing:

You should have just made a landing here by taking a long jump from Page 14 to this page, Page 29.

To get back, point and click on the Back Button near the top of this help window.  Do it, now.

(Of course, if you got here by other means, pressing the Back Button will probably have another effect.)


For Everybody Else
Page 30

Chapter 2, For Everybody Else:

Sunshine is a general computer tutorial which requires Windows to run.

You need to know immediately how to point and click on hot spots to get around in the Windows help system.  If you do not, then you must restart and read Chapter 1, For Absolute Beginners, in order to proceed.  To do this, place the mouse cursor on this highlighted and/or underlined phrase, restart, and slowly click each mouse button until the screen changes.

Sunshine temporarily uses a page numbering system like a book.  The image of an open book at the top left is used to go forwards and backwards in the pages of this virtual book.  Point and click at the right part of this image of a book which is labeled "Next Page."  Do it, now.


Essential Topics
Page 31

Essential Topics:

You should also know a couple of things about how to get around in the Windows help system, such as using the Back Button to retrace your steps, and such as knowing how to exit the program.  If you don't know these two things, you need to point and click at restart to learn them.

Sunshine uses a two-tiered definition system for topics.  Usually, when you point and click on a highlighted word, you first get a short pop-up definition.  The end of this pop-up definition contains the highlighted word More.  If you want more information about the word, at that time point and click on the highlighted More.  Then use the Back Button to return to the page.  You can try it out on any of the highlighted words on this page (except restart) or you can point and click on the highlighted restart, above, for a more thorough explanation.

Go, now, to the next page by pointing and clicking on the image of the book at the top.


Essential Words
Page 32

Essential Words:

For Absolute Beginners defined 21 words and phrases which you need to know.  However, it is not necessary to read Chapter 1 to see if you know what they are.  These words and phrases are listed below.  Just point and click on the ones you are not sure about.

Windows Help System	Point and Click	Back Button

Primary Mouse Button	Word Hot Spot	Flexibility

Arrow Mouse Cursor	Windows Help	Windows

Hand Mouse Cursor	Help Window	Hot Spot

Graphical Hot Spot	Page Jumps	Sunshine

Pop-Up Definition	Help Buttons	Window

Jump Definitions	Long Jumps	Domain

Go to the next page.


List of Topics
Page 33

List of Topics:

Here is a list of the pages and topics in For Absolute Beginners.  If something interests you, you can jump right to it and come back here (by pressing the Back Button).

Page 1	Open Book

Page 2	Point and Click

Page 3	Flexibility

Page 4	Hot Spot

Page 5	Not Hot Spots

Page 6	Word Hot Spots

Page 7	Pop-Up Definitions

Page 8	Limited Highlights

Page 9	Windows

Page 10	Windows Help System

The list continues on the next page.


List of Topics, Part 2
Page 34

List of Topics, Part 2:

This is a continuation of the list on the previous page.

Page 11	Help Window

Page 12	Help Buttons

Page 13	Back Button

Page 14	Long Jumps

Page 15	Jump Definitions

Page 16	Double Definitions

Page 17	Choosing Definitions

Page 18	Skipping Definitions

Page 19	You Have Choices

Page 20	Definitions in Definitions

The list continues on the next page.


List of Pages
Page 35

List of Topics, Part 3:

This is a continuation of the list on the previous page.

Page 21	Domains

Page 22	Computer Words

Page 23	Windows Words

Page 24	Windows Help Words

Page 25	Sunshine Words

Page 26	Overhead Menu

Page 27	File Menu Item

Page 28	Exit

Page 29	Landing

This concludes Chapter 2.  Go to the Table of Contents.


Dialog Boxes

Chapter 5, Dialog Boxes

Select what's ahead for a list of sub-titles in this chapter.

Checkpoints

Before learning about dialog boxes, you need to be introduced to checkpoints.  A checkpoint is simply a topic that reviews words and phrases introduced previously in Sunshine.

One of the greatest advantages of Sunshine is that you can easily skip parts that explain things you already know.  A disadvantage is that you may accidentally skip something that you do not know.  For example, suppose that you skipped this chapter because you already knew about dialog boxes:  You wouldn't be reading this explanation of checkpoints!  (For anyone who has skipped this chapter, later checkpoints will define  "checkpoint.")

The checkpoints will have names that go through the alphabet, to help you remember the ones you have already passed.  The first one is Checkpoint Anne and will cover words and phrases introduced in Chapter 1, "For Absolute Beginners".  Checkpoint Anne will not change.  Once you are familiar with the concepts it covers, you do not need to refer to it, anymore.  (Even though it may keep appearing in Sunshine.)

If you select any checkpoints, just keep pressing the Back Button until you come back here to continue in this chapter.

One more thing.  Although three checkpoints are listed, this is the first time in Sunshine that they have appeared, so you haven't missed anything as far as checkpoints go.

Here they are:

Checkpoint Anne	(Chapters 1 and 2)

Checkpoint Billy	(Chapter 3)

Checkpoint Charlie	(Chapter 4)

Once you are satisfied that you know the words and phrases in the checkpoints, continue...

Dialog Boxes

A dialog box is a window that allows two-way communication between you and your Windows program.  You briefly experienced a dialog box in the previous chapter, "Bookmarks, Etc."  At that time, the two-way conversation went like this:

1.  Computer to you:  "Bookmarks, Etc.", the topic tile, suggested as the name of the bookmark.  (Since you were merely following directions at the time, you may not have noticed this in the dialog box.)

2.  You to computer:   pressed to accept the suggestion.

The illustration shows how the dialog box appeared.  It is time to look at it more closely.  Dialog boxes can have a variety of controls to assist in communicating.  The one in the illustration has three types of controls:

(1) A text box, which is used to type in information.

(2) A list box, which lists possible choices.

(3) Push buttons, which let you take certain types of actions.

Dialog boxes can have several more types of controls, but, to keep things simple, these are the only ones that will be discussed, now.

Following below is another illustration that blows up these three types of controls:

What Is a Box?

In the last few sentences, the phrases "dialog box", "text box", and "list box" were used.  Just what is a box?  It is a rectangular area of the screen, often with a border.  Isn't that what a window is?  Well, yes.  The word "box" refers to a relatively unsophisticated window.  There is no clearcut definition as to when a window should be called a box.

This inconsistent naming problem is prevalent throughout the computer industry, probably because it's still such a new industry, and you'll just have to learn to live with it.  Instead of seeing it as a blockade to your learning, just shrug it off.  As you become more familiar with computers, you'll gradually learn the terminology.  Sunshine will do its best, with word hot spots, to help you along.

In the future, this problem will be referred to as the "Make It Name It Rule" and it goes like this:  "Whoever makes something; names it."  The entity who came up with the idea of a dialog box decided to call it a dialog box and not a dialog window.  This entity could have been distracted at the time; it could have been a committee decision; or the chairman of a large corporation may have decided.  The point is that somebody decided to call a dialog window a "box" and, so, therefore, that's what it is.

A Changed Dialog Box

The best way to see how dialog box controls work is to see them in action.  In a moment, select "Bookmark" and then "Define...".  When you do, you will see a dialog box like the one in the illustration.  Three things have changed since the last chapter, involving all three types of controls:  (1) The text box now contains the topic title of this topic, "Dialog Boxes", instead of the title of the previous topic ("Bookmarks, Etc.").  (2)  The list box now has an item listed.  It is the name of your last bookmark, "Bookmarks, Etc." (the previous topic title).  (3)  A third push button has been activated which is named "Delete".

Option 1, Cancel

You have five choices of what to do with this dialog box (when you come to it), and they will soon be listed.  However, the first thing you need to know is how to exit the dialog box without changing it, at all.  In other words, to cancel your action.  The obvious choice to do this is the Cancel Button.  You can point and click at it to make the dialog box go away without changing anything.  But, don't do it, yet.

Notice that it was said to "point and click" at the Cancel Button rather than to "select" it.  That's because there's no obvious way to use a hot key to select the Cancel Button--no character of the word "Cancel" is underlined.  But, there is a hot key:  .  "ESC" stands for "ESCape".  In this dialog box, "escape" and "cancel" mean the same.  That is often, but not always, the case.  It depends on the particular programmer.

(Why didn't they just call the "Cancel Button" the "Escape Button"?  The Make It Name It Rule.  Try to stay in good humor about this.)

From now on, when it is said to "select the Cancel Button", it can mean three things:

(1)  Point and click at the Cancel Button.

(2)  Look to see if a character in the word "Cancel" is underlined.  If so, use it as a hot key.

(3)  Press [image].

Any of the above might work.  You have to think it out and try your options until you find out what works.  You should try this out.  All you are going to do is call up the dialog box and, then, get rid of it.  It's a three step process:

(1)  Select "Bookmark"

(2)  Select "Define..."

(3)  Select "Cancel"

Do it, now.  You will still be right here.

Command Shorthand

When you interact with the computer, you are giving it commands.  For example, in the above exercise, when you selected "Bookmark", you gave the computer a command to open the sub-menu.  When you selected "Define...", you gave the computer a command to open the dialog box.  Likewise, when you selected "Cancel", you gave the computer a command to get rid of the dialog box.

Many things you want to do involve going through a series of menus and other processes to get to the end result.  Instead of listing the steps for all of these commands, a shorthand has come into use which saves a lot of space and explanation.  It looks like this:

(1)  Select "Bookmark/Define.../Cancel"

The secret to recognizing this shorthand is the "/" slash key.  It breaks a command down into successive steps.  Thus...

(1)  Select "Bookmark"

(2)  Select "Define..."

(3)  Select "Cancel"

...and...

(1)  Select "Bookmark/Define.../Cancel"

...mean the same thing.

Option 2, Accept Default Name

Now, back to the options you have at the Bookmark Define Dialog Box.  One option you exercised in the last chapter was to accept the bookmark name suggested by the computer by pressing [image].  You should know why simply pressing [image] did this.

While using a computer, you are often offered default choices which are accepted if you do not specify something else.  The word "default" is used widely in the computer industry.  Programmers realize that users often do the same things over and over.  To make it easier on the users, the programmers often make educated guesses of what you will probably want to do and make these guesses the default actions.

In the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, the programmers figured that you would probably want to use the topic title as the bookmark name and that you would want to accept it immediately without doing any other tasks in the dialog box.  Therefore, they made this easy for you.  Look at the dialog box, again.

  The topic title has been automatically placed in the text box for you as the suggested bookmark name.  In other words the topic title is the default bookmark name.  It is the name that will be used unless you specify another name.  Notice also that the OK Button has a wider border than the other buttons.  (It is a thicker button.)  That means that the OK Button is the default button.  It is the button that will be used unless you specify another button.

When you press [image] in the dialog box, it accepts these two defaults:  (1) The default name in the text box; and (2) the OK Button.

Try this out.  You will add a second bookmark that will mark where you are, now, in Sunshine.  It is a two step process:

(1)  Select "Bookmark"

(2)  Select "Define..."

(3)  Select "OK"

This can also be stated in command shorthand like this:

(1)  Select "Bookmark/Define.../OK"

"Select OK" means that you can point and click at the OK Button or, since this button is highlighted with a wider border, you can select it by pressing [image].

Do it, now.  You will remain right here.

Not a Hot Key

Take note that [image] is not a hot key for the OK Button.

The buttons work like menu items:  Only one is highlighted at a time.  Pressing [image] picks the one that is currently highlighted.

A difference between menu items and buttons is the way that the highlights are moved.  Generally, you move the highlights in a menu with the arrow keys ( [image], [image], [image], and [image]).

However, you move the button highlights with the [image] key.  "TAB" stands for "TABulator".

The TAB key is used on typewriters to line up columns of text, as well as to indent paragraphs.  It has these same functions on computers, but has the additional function in Windows of moving between the parts of a window.  When you try out the [image] key, which will be soon, you will see that the highlight not only changes between the buttons, but the other controls, as well.

The last time you called up the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, you pressed the [image] key to accept the OK Button.  In the next exercise, you will press [image] to accept the Cancel Button.  (The dialog box will look different, again, this time because, now, you have two bookmarks set.)  This is what you will do:

1.  Select "Bookmark/Define..."

2.  Press [image] three times

3.  Press

The highlight starts on the text box.  The first time you press [image], it will move to the list box.  The second time, to the OK Button.  The third time to the Cancel Button.  Then, press [image].

Do it, now.

Dot Highlights

You may have noticed that the Cancel Button had two highlights when you selected it.  The first highlight, mentioned earlier, was a heavier border.  The second highlight was a dot rectangle that circled the word "Cancel".  You can see both of these highlights in the illustration.

The border highlight is always present on one of the buttons.  It indicates which button will be selected if [image] is pressed.

The dot highlight indicates that the [image] is currently on the buttons, as opposed to the text box or the list box.  It's more difficult to see, but the dot highlight also appears around a list box item when the [image] is on it.

The text box does not use a dot highlight.  It either uses a block highlight or a cursor to indicate that [image] is on it.  (A block highlight is a solid rectangle that encloses something.)

Tabs and Arrows

Once a particular area of a window is selected by the [image] key, the arrow keys can often be used to make further selections.

For example, once in the list box, [image] and [image] can be used to select a particular item in the list box.  As an item is highlighted in the list box, it is also displayed in the text box.

Also, once any of the buttons are selected by [image], the arrow keys can be used to move between the buttons.

However, once [image] moves away from the buttons, the OK Button automatically receives the border highlight (because it is the default).

One more thing.  You can use [image] [image] to make [image] go backwards.  (That's why the arrows point both way on [image].  To remind you of this.  Like the other keys, [image] selects the upper emblem on the key.)

You need to experiment with these highlights.  Here's the idea:

1.  Select "Bookmark/Define..."

2.  Try the [image] and arrow keys.

3.  Try

4.  Select "Cancel" when you are ready.

Do it, now.

Programmer's Prerogative

How do you know in future dialog boxes when and whether to use [image] and arrow keys?  The answer is to experiment.  Try different things out until you see what works.

Programmers have a lot of latitude in how they make their programs work.  They can name their own buttons and choose their own hot keys.  Therefore, you don't have any ironclad procedures that guarantee what will work.  What you have to do is learn general ideas that will help you figure things out as you go along.

However, do remember to try the [image] key when you are stuck in a window and can't seem to get around in it.

Option 3, Name Your Own

Back again to the options you have at the Bookmark Define Dialog Box.  If you don't want your bookmark name to be the same as the topic title, you can give it a custom name.

Suppose that three people are using the same copy of Sunshine on the same computer.  Each can use his or her own name as the name of a bookmark.  That way, you don't get each other's bookmarks mixed up.

Select "Bookmark/Define..."

The dialog box now looks like the illustration with two existing bookmarks shown in the list box.  Once again, the topic title, "Dialog Boxes", appears in the text box.  (Since that is already a bookmark title, it appears, again, in the list box.)  When a text box first appears, the text is in a block highlight.  While it is highlighted in that manner, you can type anything to replace the existing text.  An example illustrates this.  Suppose your name is Pat.  Just type "Pat" and "Pat" replaces "Dialog Boxes".  Press [image] and "Pat" becomes the name of a new bookmark.

Thus you have two bookmarks for different parts of the same topic.  One is named "Dialog Boxes" after the topic title.  The other is given the customized name "Pat".

Not an Option

What if you try to use the same name twice?  The answer is you can't.

Instead, you get something called a message box like the one in the illustration.  A message box is a simplified dialog box that is intended to just deliver a message.  You select the OK Button to indicate that you have received the message.  Notice that the OK Button has both a border and a dot highlight.  But, then, it is the only choice.

Option 4, Delete Name

Although you can't use the same name, twice.  You can delete it, and, then, use it, again.  Suppose you want to use "Pat" as a bookmark in a new location.  Follow these steps:

1.  Select "Bookmark/Define..."

2.  Select "Pat"

3.  Select "Delete"

"Pat", as an item in a list box, can be selected three different ways:

1.  Type "Pat"

2.  Point and click at "Pat"

3.  Press [image] and highlight "Pat" with the arrow keys

After you have deleted "Pat" you can type it back into the text box and, then, select the "OK Button".  "Pat" is now the name of the bookmark for the new location.

Option 5, Edit Name

When the topic title is suggested as the bookmark name, you can simply edit it.  The trick to this is getting the block highlight to go away without erasing the text.  At least a couple of ways exist to do this, but the easiest one to remember is the [image] key.  Think of it as pointing to the right, where you want to lengthen the text.  The highlight goes away and the text is still there.  If you type, it is now added to the end of the text instead of replacing it.  You can also cheat.  Instead of adding text, you can use the [image] key to edit the existing text.

Here's how it looks like as you do it.  First, the text box with the highlighted topic title:

Press [image] and it changes to this:

Type " -- 2" and it changes to this:

Note that " -- 2" is added to the end of the text instead of replacing it.

Now, you can select the OK Button and "Dialog Boxes -- 2" is the name of the new bookmark.

Summary of Options

Now, here in one place, is a summary of the options that you have with the Bookmark Define Dialog Box:

Option 1	Cancel

Option 2	Accept Default Name

Option 3	Name Your Own

Option 4	Delete Name

Option 5	Edit Name

In order to reuse an existing name, you have to first delete it, and then use it, again.

Too Many Bookmarks?

You can have lots of bookmarks, but when you have more than nine, a different selection procedure kicks in.  This is best shown by example.  (This is not an exercise, and you do not have to do it, yourself.  Just read along.)

For the sake of this illustration, several bookmarks were placed in the first chapter, "For Absolute Beginners".  However, only the first nine are listed in the menu.  The last menu item is "More".  Selecting it gets the Bookmark Dialog Box that lists all of the available bookmarks.

An example of the Bookmark Dialog Box is shown in the illustration.  The main thing to notice is that the list box now has a scroll bar, because all of the bookmark names won't fit in the box.  You can move the list up and down, just like you move text up and down, with the scroll bar.  You can also use the use the arrow keys (make sure that [image] is on the list box, first).  Since this dialog box is simply for selecting bookmarks, and not editing them, the Delete Button is not present.

One more thing.  If you select "Define..." when a lot of bookmarks are present, the Bookmark Define Dialog Box also has a scroll bar in the list box.  The list box automatically adds or removes a scroll bar as necessary.

Summary

That's it for Chapter 5.

The words and phrases receiving emphasis in this chapter are listed in Checkpoint Dorothy.

You may go to the Table of Contents or the next chapter.


What's Ahead for Chapter 5

Following is a list of sub-titles for Chapter 5, "Dialog Boxes", to give you an idea of what's covered in the chapter.  Select Checkpoint Dorothy for a list of words and phrases emphasized in this chapter.

Checkpoints

Dialog Boxes

What Is a Box?

A Changed Dialog Box

Option 1, Cancel

Command Shorthand

Option 2, Accept Default Name

Not a Hot Key

Dot Highlights

Tabs and Arrows

Programmer's Prerogative

Option 3, Name Your Own

Not an Option

Option 4, Delete Name

Option 5, Edit Name

Summary of Options

Too Many Bookmarks?

Summary


Scroll Bars
Page 36

Chapter 3, Scroll Bars:

One screen size is not always large enough to present a reasonable amount of information.  For example, in Chapter 2 it took three pages to list all of the pages and topics in For Absolute Beginners.  Wouldn't it be better to somehow make all of it fit on one page?  The answer is "yes," and scroll bars make it possible.

The first thing you need to know about scrolling is how to move the text up and down.  The fastest way to learn to do this is with the keyboard.  Use the [image] and the [image] keys to move towards the top or bottom one line at a time.  Use the [image] and [image] keys [image] to move a screenful at a time.  Not all keyboards are the same.  But, one popular style of keyboard is shown in the illustration with the locations of these keys circled.  Try these keys out, now, to familiarize yourself with moving the text up and down.

If you use a word processor, you will see how these keys work much the same as they do when you are writing a document.

Notice that when you are moving "up" with the [image] and [image] keys that the text is actually moving down.  Going "up" means that you are moving towards the top.  It does not mean that the text, itself, is moving up.

Likewise, when you are moving "down" with the [image] and bmc pagedown.bmp} keys that the text is actually moving up.  Going "down" means that you are moving towards the bottom, not that the text is going that way.

When you are ready, go on to the next page.  Since the image of the book may be scrolled off the top of the page, the bottom of this page contains the highlighted phrase Next page.  You can point and click on it, rather than scrolling to the top and using the image of the open book.

Next page.


Scrolling
Page 37

Scrolling:

The term scrolling comes from the physical makeup of ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.  It is a method of moving text up and down.  Typically, scrolls would have dowels at the top and bottom, like the illustration, to roll the text up and down.

While computer monitors don't have dowels inside them, the concept of moving text up and down is the same.  The monitor acts as a window to view the text going up and down on the scroll.  Notice also that the text may be wider than the window.  While it is a physical impossibility to scroll paper both vertically and horizontally with dowels, it is quite possible in the electronic world of computers.

At this point, the physical way that the computer manipulates the text is not important, other than that it is done electronically.  What you need to know is that when you look at a computer window, there is usually more behind it then you can see at any one time.

While the [image], [image], [image], and [image] keys will get you from the top to the bottom of the text in a window, they are relatively crude compared to what is possible with scroll bars.

Help windows have two kinds of scroll bars:  Vertical and horizontal.  The most common kind is the vertical scroll bar.  A sample one is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the illustration.  If you look to the right of this help window, you can see the real vertical scroll bar.  Note that the illustrations are simplified black and white images so that you don't confuse them with the real things.

Just in case you aren't really sure just what is the vertical scroll bar, it is illustrated, again, without the accompanying window.  A vertical scroll bar has four parts:  (1)  The bar, itself; (2) an up arrow at the top; (3) a down arrow at the bottom; and, (4) a thumb button (also called a scroll box).  A vertical scroll bar is used to scroll text up and down.

In this illustration the four parts of a vertical scroll bar have been blown up, colorized, and labeled.

The second kind of scroll bar for help windows is the horizontal one.  A sample one is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the illustration.  The real one is probably not shown at this time.  It is not displayed if it is not needed.

Below, is just the horizontal scroll bar isolated by itself.

A horizontal scroll bar also has four parts:  (1) The bar, itself; (2) a left arrow; (3) a right arrow; and, (4) a thumb button (also called a scroll box).  A horizontal scroll bar is used to scroll text left and right.  In the illustration below, the four parts have been blown up, colorized, and labeled.

The location of the thumb button indicates whether you are towards the top or the bottom of the page of text.  As you scroll towards the bottom of the text, the thumb button also moves down.  If you scroll towards the top, it moves up.  Thus, you can look at the thumb button and tell where you are on the page.  The illustration shows three sample scroll bars with the thumb button in three different places.  On the left, the thumb button is at the top, indicating that you are at the top of the text.  In the middle, the thumb button is in the middle, indicating that you are in the middle of the text.  On the right, the thumb button is at the bottom , indicating that you are at the bottom of the text.

Likewise, for a horizontal scroll bar, the thumb button indicates where you are, left to right, on a page.  Below are three sample scroll bars with the thumb button in three different locations.  The top one shows the thumb button on the left, meaning that you are at the left edge of the text.  The middle one shows the thumb button in the middle, meaning that you are in the middle of the text.  The bottom one shows the thumb button on the right, meaning that you are on the right edge of the text.

An illustration may make this more clear.  On the left is text which is too large to fit on a sample screen.

Now, here it is on the screen.  You can imagine the entire text behind the computer's window.  However, only a part of it shows.  The vertical thumb button is at the top, indicating that you are at the top of the text.  The horizontal thumb button is at the left, indicating that you are at the left edge of the text.

Here, the only difference is that the horizontal thumb button is on the right.  You are still at the top of the text, but at the right edge instead of the left.

Now, the horizontal thumb button is back where it was on the left, but the vertical thumb button is at the bottom, meaning that you are at the bottom left, of the text.

How do the thumb buttons get moved?  By you moving them.  Imagine placing a thumb on one and pushing it.  (That's why it's called a thumb box.)  However, instead of using your actual thumb, you instead use the mouse cursor.  It's called dragging the mouse and is a three step process:

(1)  You place the mouse cursor on top of the thumb button to be moved.

(2)  You hold down the primary mouse button while moving the mouse cursor to where you want the thumb button to be.

(3)  You let up on the primary mouse button while the mouse cursor is at the new location.

The result of this is that the thumb button will appear in the new location and the text will be adjusted appropriately.

You don't have to place the thumb button exactly at one end, the middle, or the other end of the bar.  You can place it anywhere inside the bar.  The text will be displayed proportionately depending upon where the thumb button is on the bar.

Is that the only way to use the scroll bar to move text?

No, there are two more ways to move text with the scroll bar, by pointing and clicking on the scroll bar arrows, and by pointing and clicking on the bar, itself.

First, the scroll bar arrows.  They work the same as pressing the [image] and [image] keys.  They move the text a line at a time.

Now, second, the bar, itself.  It moves the text a page at a time, like the [image] and [image] keys.  For the vertical scroll bar, if you point and click on the bar above the thumb button, you will move a page towards the top of the text.  It you do it below the thumb button, you will move a page towards the bottom of the text.

The horizontal scroll bar works on the same principle.  You can point and click on the left and right arrows to move the text a little bit; or, point and click on the bar to the left and right of the thumb button to move the text a lot.

You may find that it is easiest to use a combination of the keyboard keys and the scroll bar while manipulating text in a window.

Now, here is an illustration which will help you even more.  Point and click on any part of the fake scroll bar on the left and a pop-up window will tell you what would happen if it was a real scroll bar.

Now, you can practice with the fake scroll bar, below.

That's almost everything you need to know about scrolling, but not quite.  Some keystrokes make it easy to go straight to the top or the bottom of text.  To go to the top, press [image] [image].  (CTRL stands for ConTRoL.)  This type of keystroke combination is called a simple bucky and is a three-step process:

1.  Hold down the [image] key.

2.  Press and let up the [image] key.

3.  Let up the [image] key.

Simple bucky means simply that you hold down one key while pressing another one.

To go directly to the end of the text, press [image] [image].  This is also a three-step process:

1.  Hold down the [image] key.

2.  Press and let up the [image] key.

3.  Let up the [image] key.

For one popular style of keyboard, these keys are located where circled on the illustration.  Notice that your keyboard probably has two [image] keys.  Either one can be used.

You can also use the scroll bar to go directly to the top or bottom of text.  Just drag the thumb button all of the way to the top or bottom of the vertical scroll bar.

Experiment now with scrolling the text in this chapter up and down.  Then, go to the Table of Contents or the next chapter.


Moves towards the top.


Moves a page towards the top.


Drag this thumb button up or down with the mouse cursor to scroll text.


Moves a page towards the bottom.


Moves a line towards the bottom.


Moves left a little.


Moves left a page.


Drag this thumb button left or right with the mouse to scroll text.


Moves right a page.


Moves right a little.


There is no "Next Page."  However, you can go to the Table of Contents or the next chapter.


Bookmarks, Etc.

Chapter 4, Bookmarks, Etc.

Notice something different about the beginning of this chapter?

The image of the open book has changed!

"Last Page" and "Next Page" has been changed to "Last" and "Next".  If you select it, now, you will go to the last chapter or the next chapter.

That is because with scrolling, the concept of a page becomes more vague.  Just what is a page, now?  Since the [image] and [image] keys move the text up and down by "pages," it no longer makes sense to call all of the text, even that which is off the screen, a "page."  So what do you call it?

Topics

The Windows help system provides the answer:  A topic.  A single scrollable length of text is called a topic.  This chapter, itself, is a topic.  A topic can take various forms:

--It can be a page in For Absolute Beginners.

--It can be a pop-up definition.

--It can be a jump definition.

--It can be a short explanation of something.

--It can be Chapter 4, "Bookmarks, Etc."!

The distinguishing characteristic of a topic is that only one can be assigned at a time to a window, scrollable or not.  When you point and click on hot spots or the Back Button, you are switching topics.

Most programs that use the Windows help system use topics like index cards that are scattered over a desk.  The information is there, if you can just figure out how to find and organize it.  Sunshine is different.  It uses concepts that you are familiar with, such as chapters, to help you maintain a sense of location and direction.

Jumping to the Table of Contents

You can also easily jump to the Table of Contents at any time.  In fact, if there is a single topic in Sunshine which you should use as a home base, it is the Table of Contents.  To get there, you use a button towards the top of the help window.  Earlier, you learned how to use the Back Button.  Next, try the Contents Button.  The buttons are circled in the illustration, repeated from Chapter 1, and the sample Contents Button is on the left.  (The real one is towards the top of this help window.)  When you point and click at the (real) Contents Button, you immediately go to the Table of Contents.  When you get there, you can point and click the Back Button to come back here.  Do it, now.

Selecting Hot Keys

A hot key is a key combination on the keyboard that does the same thing as a button or menu item.  Look again at the real Contents and Back buttons near the top of this help window.  The "C" in "Contents" and the "B" in "Back are underlined.  That means that the "C" and the "B" are hot keys.  To access them, you use a simple bucky with the [image] key, like this:

...and...

"ALT" stands for "ALTernate."  Many keyboards have two [image] keys where circled in the illustration.  You can use either one.

Try these two hot keys, now.  Go to the Table of Contents and come back here with them.

Since you can do the same thing, sometimes, either by pointing and clicking or by pressing hot keys, Sunshine will use the word select to mean either one.  For example, "select the Contents Button" means to either "point and click at the Contents Button" or "press [image] [image]."  It doesn't matter how you select the Contents Button, just so you do it.

Topic Titles

Topics in the Windows help system can have titles given to them by programmers.  These titles are optional.  You may find cases where topics have blank titles.  You don't see the titles when you are just reading through the text of the topics, like you have been, so far, while using Sunshine.  However, some special features of the help system use the titles, and you will soon see an example of this.  The title of this topic is "Bookmarks, Etc.," which also happens to be the name of this chapter.  They don't have to be the same, but in this case, they are, to help make things easier for you.

Drop-Down, Pop-Up, or Overhead?

Drop-down menus and pop-up menus can be the same thing, both resulting from overhead menus.  An overhead menu is one that goes across the top of a menu.  When you select an overhead menu item, it often results in a sub-menu showing on the screen so that you can make an additional menu selection.  A sub-menu is just a menu which results from a previous menu.  In one sense, this sub-menu pops up on the screen.  But, in another sense, it drops down from the overhead menu.  This is just an example of people wanting to describe the same thing in different ways.  However you describe it, it means that an additional menu appears for you to make a selection from.

Bookmarks

This has all been leading up to the concept of an electronic bookmark.  Hardbound and paperback books have them, so why not electronic books in computers?  It might be easier than you think to place a bookmark in Sunshine!

First, find the Bookmark menu item in the real overhead menu.  (A sample overhead menu is circled in the illustration, which is a repeat of an illustration from Chapter 1.)  The Bookmark menu item is the third one from the left.  You can select it either by pointing and clicking at it, or by using the hot key.  Notice that the "m" in "Bookmark" (in the overhead menu) is underlined.  That means the hot key is [image] [image].  (Anytime two keys are placed next to each other in the text, like that, it automatically means they are a simple bucky.  If you are supposed to press one key, only, at a time, the keys will be separated by commas or it will be indicated by other means.)

The first time you select the Bookmark menu item, you will see a drop-down menu with one item:  "Define...".  Don't let this scare you.  All you actually have to do is give the bookmark a name.  A suggested name will even be given to you.  Don't select "Define..." just yet.  Here's a preview of what will happen when you do select it.

When you select "Define..." you will get a dialog box like the one in the illustration.  A dialog box is a window which allows you to have a dialog, or a two-way communication, with the program.  In this case, the program is suggesting a name to you for your bookmark.  All you need to do is confirm this name.  The suggested name of the bookmark is the title of this topic, "Bookmarks, Etc."

To select the suggested bookmark name of "Bookmarks, Etc." in the dialog box, just press [image].  That's all there is to it.

(Note:  In the sample keyboard above, the "Enter" key is actually rather large, like this, [image].  However, in this text, it will be shown like this, [image] so that it takes up less space.)

Placing a bookmark takes three steps:

1.  Select "Bookmark" from the overhead menu.

2.  When the Bookmark drop-down menu appears, select "Define...".

3.  Press

Remember that X marks the spot.  Now, do it.  You will end up still here.

Although you cannot tell it, immediately, you have just placed a bookmark in Sunshine.  An interesting feature of bookmarks is that they do not just remember what topic you are in, but specifically where in that topic.  For example, this chapter is getting to be a rather long topic.  It could take some trouble to scroll through it to find out where you left off.  Your bookmark solves this problem.  It will return you to the same place where you were at when the bookmark was set.

So how do you find your bookmark?  Like this.  (Read through all of the instructions, first, before trying it.)

Select "Bookmark" from the overhead menu.  You will get a drop-down menu, again, but this time it will be different.  As in the illustration, there will be a new menu item, "1 Bookmarks, Etc.".  This is your bookmark.  When you select it, you will go to the place where that bookmark was set.  Don't select it, yet.

Notice that the "1" in "1 Bookmarks, Etc." is underlined.  This indicates that it is a hot key.  You can select "1 Bookmarks, Etc." either by pointing and clicking at it or by pressing [image] [image].  The location of this key is shown in the illustration above.

Okay, now you're ready to try out your bookmark.  When you do, do you know what will happen?  The answer is that this topic will immediately scroll up a little bit to where you were when you created the bookmark.  In other words, you will be in this same topic, just an earlier part of it.  That's why the phrase "X marks the spot" was written where you placed the bookmark.  So, you'll recognize it quickly when you get there.

Testing your bookmark is a three-step process:

1.  Select "Bookmark" from the overhead menu.  A sub-menu will appear.

2.  In the Bookmark menu, select "1 Bookmarks, Etc."  You will jump to "X marks the spot."

3.  Scroll the text back down here.

Do it, now.  Then, continue below.

The Ultimate Test

The ultimate test of a bookmark is to completely exit the program, even turn off the computer.  Then, come back to the bookmark.  Try it, if you like.  When you restart Sunshine, select "Bookmark" in the overhead menu.  "1 Bookmarks, Etc." will still be there.  You can select it and go to "X marks the spot."  Then, scroll back down here.

Better yet, reset your bookmark to this spot.  (Select "Bookmark" and "Define...", then press [image].)  Your bookmark is then set to this location.  You can exit Sunshine and, then, easily come back to this spot.  That's the whole idea.  For you to set the bookmark to where you need it to be as you go through Sunshine.

The End, Except...

That's the end of this chapter, but you probably have some more questions about bookmarks.  Such as...

How do I delete a bookmark?

How do I rename a bookmark?

Can I have more than one bookmark?

The answers to these questions are in the next chapter, "Dialog Boxes."  You can go there, now, or go to the Table of Contents.


ALT (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

ALT:  Stands for "ALTernate".  There are two [image] keys on most keyboards.  You can use either one.


Alternate (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

Alternate:  Abbreviated ALT.  There are two [image] keys on most keyboards.  You can use either one.


CRTL (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

CTRL:  Stands for "ConTRoL".  There are two [image] keys on most keyboards.  You can use either one.


Control (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

Control:  Abbreviated CTRL.  There are two [image] keys on most keyboards.  You can use either one.


ESC (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

ESC:  Stands for "ESCape".  The [image] key.


Escape (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

Escape:  Abbreviated ESC.  The [image] key.


TAB (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

TAB:  Stands for "TABulate".  The [image] key.


Tabulate (Abbreviation)
Sunshine Abbreviations

Tabulate:  Abbreviated TAB.  The [image] key.


Back Button:  A button towards the top of the help window which allows you to go back to the page you were just at.


Enter Key:   means the same as [image].  It is used to save space.


Flexibility:  The reason that computers are not consistent.  They can be customized many different ways, making it hard to understand how to use them.


Help Window:  A window specifically designed for help systems.


Hot Spot:  An area on the screen that changes the mouse cursor and causes something to happen if the primary mouse button is clicked.  Click the primary mouse button, now, to make this definition go away.


(Hot Spot:  etc.)

This is an example of a jump definition.  A more complete description of the topic will be here.  Point and click on the Back Button near the top of this help window to go back to the page you were just at.


(Hot Spot:  etc.)  This is a quickie pop-up definition with More at the end.  Point and click at the highlighted More to see the jump definition.  More.


(Hot Spot:  etc.)  This is a quickie pop-up definition.  Point and Click at anything to make it go away.


(Hot Spot:  etc.)  This time, point and click at anything except the highlighted word  More.  More.


A jump definition would appear here.  However, the instructions said don't point and click at the highlighted word More.  Point and click at the Back Button, above, to go back.  Then, try again.


Jump Definition:  A long jump to a definition.


Long Jump:  A page jump, in a book, which goes farther than one page, possibly even out of the book.


Page Jump:  A hot spot which replaces the current page with a new one.


Point and Click:  To point the mouse cursor at something on the screen and click the appropriate mouse button.  Point and click at this definition, now,  to make it go away.


Pop-Up Definition:  A small, short, and temporary pop-up definition or explanation.  This, itself, is one.


Primary Mouse Button:  The mouse button which makes things happen.  Could be any button.  Try them one at a time, slowly.  Click it, now, to make this definition go away.


Sunshine:  The name of the program you are currently using.


Window:  A rectangular area of the screen, usually with a border,  which contains something.


Windows:  A software product of Microsoft Corporation which runs programs in windows.


Windows Help:  The help program used by Windows.


Windows Help System:  A fairly standard method of providing help which any Windows program can use.


Arrow Keys:  The [image], [image], [image], and [image] keys.  More.


Arrow Mouse Cursor:  The "normal" cursor which may look like this:  .  More.


Back Button:  A button towards the top of the help window which allows you to go back to the page you were just at.  More.


Bar (Scroll Bar):  The part of a scroll bar upon which the thumb button moves.  Pointing and clicking on it moves the text up or down a page.  More.


Block Highlight:  A way of highlighting text by enclosing it in a block of color.  More.


Bookmark:  An overhead menu item which allows you to mark your place and return to it, later.  More.


Bookmark Define Dialog Box:  A dialog box to add and delete bookmarks.  More.


Bookmark Dialog Box:  A dialog box to select existing bookmarks.  More.


Border Highlight:  A way of highlighting a button by thickening its border.  More.


Box:  A lesser form of window.  More.


Button:  A type of control which you select ("press") to activate.  More.


Cancel Button:  A control often used to make a window disappear without changing anything.  More.


Checkpoint:  A list of words and phrases which you should be familiar with before proceeding.  More.


Command:  An instruction, via typing, a menu, a control, or other means,  for a program to do something.  More.


Command Shorthand:  A way of joining a series of commands with the "/" slash key.  More.


Contents Button:  A help button which immediately goes to the Table of Contents.  More.


Control:  A device in dialog boxes and other places used to give commands to a program.  More.


Default:  Something that will be used unless you specify something else.  More.


Delete Button:  A control in the Bookmark Define Dialog Box which deletes the bookmark highlighted in the list box.  More.


Dialog Box:  A window which allows two-way communication with a program.  More.


Domain:  Refers to the environment where a word or phrase is used.  More.


Dot Highlight:  A type of highlight which surrounds text with a dotted rectangle.  More.


Down Arrow (Scroll Bar):  The part of a scroll bar which moves one line towards the bottom of the text.  More.


Drag the Mouse:  To hold a mouse button down while moving the mouse.  More.


Drop-Down Menu:  A sub-menu which drops down from an overhead menu.  More.


Flexibility:  The reason that computers are not consistent.  They can be customized many different ways, making it hard to explain how to use them.  More.


Graphical Hot Spot:  A graphical image which is a hot spot.  The only way to tell is to run the mouse cursor over it and see it the cursor changes to a hand.  More.


Hand Mouse Cusor:  The mouse cursor which indicates a hot spot.  It may look like this:  .   More.


Help Buttons:  The buttons towards the top of a help window.  More.


Help Window:  A window specifically designed for help systems.  More.


Horizontal Scroll Bar:  A scroll bar which moves text horizontally.  More.


Hot Key:  A key combination which does the same thing as a menu item.  More.


Hot Spot:  An active area of the screen.  Something will happen if you point and click on it.  More.


Jump Definition:  A long jump to a definition.  More.


Left Arrow (Scroll Bar):  A part of a scroll bar which moves slightly towards the left of the contents of a window.  More.


List Box:  A control designed to give you a list of items to choose from.  More.


Long Jump:  A page jump, in a book, which goes farther than one page.  More.


Make It Name It Rule:  Why a lot of computer words don't seem to make sense.  More.


Message Box:  A standardized form of dialog box that is designed to give the user a message.  More.


OK Button:  A control which often signifies acceptance.  More.


Overhead Menu:  A menu which is located across the top of a window.  More.


Page:  A screenful of information.  More.


Page Jump:  A hot spot which replaces the current page with a new one.  More.


Point and Click:  To point the mouse cursor at something while clicking the primary mouse button.  More.


Pop-Up Definition:  A small, short, and temporary pop-up definition or explanation.  This, itself, is one.  More.


Pop-Up Menu:  A menu which appears in a pop-up window.  More.


Pop-Up Window:  A temporary, usually small,  window.  More.


Primary Mouse Button:  The standard mouse button which normally makes things happen.  More.


Programmer's Prerogative:  Why programs are not consistent:  Individual programmers have their own ideas about how programs should perform.  More.


Push Button:  A type of button which appears to be pushed when you select it.  More.


Right Arrow (Scroll Bar):  The part of a scroll bar which moves slightly towards the right of the text.  More.


Scroll:  (1)  Noun, an ancient manuscript, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls; and (2) verb, to move the contents of a window up, down, left, or right.  More.


Scroll Bar:  A device for scrolling the contents of a window.  More.


Scroll Box:  Another name for the thumb button on a scroll bar.  More.


Select:  To point and click at something or to use the hot key for it.  More.


Simple Bucky:  To hold down one key while pressing another one.  More.


Sunshine:  The name of the program you are currently using.  More.


Sub-Menu:  A menu which appears as the result of another menu.  More.


Text Box:  A type of control which allows you to type in information.  More.


Thumb Button:  The button which moves on the bar of a scroll bar.  Dragging it with the mouse scrolls the contents of a window.  More.


Topic:  A single unit of text, only one of which can be assigned to a window at a time.  More.


Topic Title:  The title of a topic.  It is not usually displayed, but, rather, is used in dialog boxes.  More.


Up Arrow (Scroll Bar):  The part of a scroll bar which moves one line towards the top of the text.  More.


Vertical Scroll Bar:  A scroll bar which scrolls the contents of a window vertically.  More.


Window:  A rectangular area of the screen, usually with a border,  which contains something.  More.


Windows:  A software product of Microsoft Corporation which runs programs in windows.  More.


Windows Help:  The help program supplied with Windows.  More.


Windows Help System:  A fairly standard method of providing help which any Windows program can use.  More.


Word Hot Spot:  A highlighted word or phrase which is a hot spot.  More.


Arrow Keys (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Arrow Keys:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

The keys [image], [image], [image], and [image] which on many keyboards are located here:

Domain:  Computers.


Arrow Mouse Cursor (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Arrow Mouse Cursor:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

The standard mouse cursor which probably (see flexibility) looks something like this:  .  See also hand mouse cursor.

Domain:  Windows.


Back Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Back Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A button towards the top of the help window.  By pointing and clicking at it, you go back to the page you were just at.  Like a string leading out of a maze, it allows you to retrace your steps.  A sample one is circled (with an arrow pointing to it) in the illustration.  Domain:  Windows Help System.


Bar (Scroll Bar) (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Bar (Scroll Bar):

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

The bar of a scroll bar along which the thumb button moves.  The location of the thumb button on the bar indicates which part of the contents of a window is being displayed.  The thumb button can be dragged along the bar with the mouse cursor in order to scroll the contents of the window.  Dragging the thumb button up, for example, moves towards the top of the text.

Domain:  Computers.


Block Highlight (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Block Highlight:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A type of highlight used in text boxes, menus, list boxes, and other places.  It encloses text or graphics in a block of color.

In this text box illustration, the text "Dialog Boxes" is enclosed in a block highlight.  In a text box, a block highlight indicates that if you type something, it will replace the current text.

In this text box illustration, the text "Dialog Boxes" is not enclosed in a block highlight.  In a text box, the lack of a block highlight indicates that if you type something, it will be added to the current text.

In this menu illustration, "Bookmark", as an item in the overhead menu, is enclosed in a block highlight.  "Define...", as an item of the sub-menu, is also

enclosed in a block highlight.

In a menu, a block highlight indicates which item will be selected if [image] is pressed.

In this list box illustration, "Bookmarks, Etc." is enclosed in a block highlight.  The highlight indicates which item in the list box would be selected.

Compare with dot highlight and border highlight.

Domain:  Computers.


Bookmark (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Bookmark:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A means of saving your place in Sunshine and other programs using the Windows help system.  To place a bookmark...

1.  Select "Bookmark" from the overhead menu.

2.  Select "Define..." from the drop-down menu.

3.  Press [image].

The topic title will become the name of the bookmark.  You can exit the program and even turn off the computer and the bookmark will be remembered, not only the topic, but also the location inside the topic.

To find a bookmark...

1.  Select "Bookmark" from the overhead menu.

2.  In the drop-down menu, select the name of the bookmark you wish to go to.

The program will immediately go to the location in the topic where that bookmark was set.  When "Define..." is selected, the dialog box can be used for other functions related to bookmarks, such as renaming them and deleting them.

Domain:  Windows help system.


Bookmark Define Dialog Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Bookmark Define Dialog Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A sample Bookmark Define Dialog Box.

A dialog box designed to create and delete bookmarks.  It is accessed by selecting "Bookmark/Define..."  It is explained in detail in Chapter 5.

Compare with Bookmark Dialog Box.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Bookmark Dialog Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Bookmark Dialog Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A sample Boomark Dialog Box.

A dialog box designed to select a bookmark when there are too many to fit (more than nine) on the Bookmark sub-menu.  It is accessed by selecting "Bookmark/More".  However, more than nine bookmarks already have to exist (by creating them with the Bookmark Define Dialog Box).  This is explained in detail in Chapter 5.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Border Highlight (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Border Highlight:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A type of highlight used for push buttons.

In the illustration, the Cancel Button has a border highlight.  The border of this button is thicker than the borders of the other buttons.

In the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, the border highlight indicates which button will be activated if the [image] key is pressed.  The border highlight can be changed in this dialog box by using the [image] and arrow keys.

Compare with dot highlight and block highlight.

Domain:  Windows.


Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

An inferior window.  This is a value judgement.  Windows can have many characteristics, almost none of which have been covered by Chapter 5.  Windows which have a few number of these characteristics have a tendency to be called "boxes".  For example, dialog boxes, list boxes, and message boxes.

Generally speaking, a full-fledged window will contain a program, spreadsheet, database, or document.  A box will contain controls or a message.  However, this is not a hard-fast rule.  Some windows also contain controls, and some dialog boxes are extremely complicated.

It's like minivans.  Are they cars or trucks?  Depends on who you ask.

Domain:  Computers.


Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Definition expanded:  Chapter 5.

A type of control which is used to give a command to the computer.  Several types of buttons exist, however, the only type introduced by Chapter 5 is the push button, which see.

Domain:  Computers.


Cancel Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Cancel Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A push button with the word "Cancel" written on it.  Often, but not always, disposes of a window without changing anything.  Often, but not always, takes the same action as pressing the {bmp esc.bmp} key.  (Why the inconsistency?  See programmer's prerogative.)

Domain:  Windows.


Checkpoint (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Checkpoint:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A list of words and phrases that should be understood at a particular point in Sunshine.  The checkpoints are roughly equivalent to chapters.  They are given names, such as "Checkpoint Anne", to help you remember which ones you have already passed.  The first letters of the names of checkpoints go through the alphabet as Sunshine progresses.

The purpose of checkpoints is to allow you to skip over subjects you already know.  A checkpoint warns you if you have skipped over too much.

Also, you may find it quicker to study the checkpoints rather than to read the chapters.  The choice is yours.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Command (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Command:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

To direct the computer to do something.  For example, when you select a menu item, you are giving a command to the computer.  Other types of commands include push buttons and hot keys.  Many other types of commands are also possible.

Domain:  Computers.


Command Shorthand (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Command Shorthand:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A method of combining a series of commands into a single statement.  The commands are separated by "/" slash characters.

Command shorthand is useful because it often takes several commands to accomplish a task in a program.  For example, setting a bookmark with the default name takes the following steps...

(1)  Select "Bookmark"

(2)  Select "Define..."

(3)  Select "OK"

Using command shorthand, this can be abbreviated to...

(1)  Select "Bookmark/Define.../OK"

It not only saves typing space, but is easier to remember as you give the commands.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Contents Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Contents Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

The leftmost help button.  Selecting it takes you immediately to the Table of Contents.  Note that a particular programmer's idea of a table of contents may not be similar to the types of tables of contents you are used to seeing in books.  Often a table of contents is just a list of word hot spots for you to choose from.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Control (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Control:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A device used to give commands to a program.  Types of controls introduced in Chapter 5 are text boxes, list boxes, and buttons.  However, many other types of controls exist.

Controls are generally found in dialog boxes, but they can also be found in other types of windows.

Domain:  Windows.


Default (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Default:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

Something which is automatically used unless you specify differently.

For example, in the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, the default button is the OK Button.  This is indicated by the border highlight.  If you press [image], the OK Button will be selected by default.  However, if you select another button, first, with the [image] key, and then press [image], the other button will be selected instead of the default button.

Defaults are used frequently in all types of programs.  Programmers make educated guesses as to what you will probably want to do, and make these actions the defaults.  This usually saves you time and effort.

Domain:  Computers.


Delete Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Delete Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A push button with the word "Delete" written on it.  In the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, it deletes whatever bookmark is in the text box.  Can be used in other programs to delete a wide variety of things.

Domain:  Windows.


Dialog Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Dialog Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A type of window specifically designed for two-way communication between you and a Windows program.  Although it is technically a window, the word "box" denotes that it is a lesser form of window limited to a specific usage.  For example, selecting "Bookmark" from the overhead menu, and then "Define..." from the drop-down menu, gets you a dialog box which suggests the name of a bookmark (the topic title) and waits for you to confirm it or take other limited actions.  Domain:  Computers.


Domain (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Domain:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

In a definition, indicates where a word or phrase or used.  Possibilities are...

Computers

Windows

Windows Help System

Sunshine

For example, page jump is a phrase used in Sunshine:  People not familiar with Sunshine probably will not know what it refers to.  However, point and click is a phrase that refers to computers in general:  Anyone who is familiar with computers should know what point and click means.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Dot Highlight (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Dot HIghlight:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A way of highlighting text by enclosing it in a dotted rectangle.

In the illustration, the Cancel Button has a dot highlight around the word "Cancel".

In the Bookmark Define Dialog Box the dot highlight moves between the list box and the push buttons as the [image] key is pressed.  Compare with border highlight and block highlight.

In the illustration, "Bookmarks, Etc." is enclosed in a dot highlight.  It is difficult to see, at first, because the block highlight is so overpowering.  However, if you look carefully at the edges of the block highlight, you can see the dots.

Domain:  Windows.


Down Arrow (Scroll Bar) (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Down Arrow (Scroll Bar):

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Point and click on the down arrow of a vertical scroll bar to scroll the contents of a window one line towards the bottom of the text.  The text, itself, moves up.

Domain:  Computers.


Drag the Mouse (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Drag the Mouse:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

To move the mouse cursor while holding down the primary mouse button.  Typically used to move an image on the screen from one place to another.  For example, moving the thumb button on a scroll bar is a three-step dragging process:

1.  Place the mouse cursor on the thumb button.

2.  While holding down the primary mouse button, drag the thumb button to a new location by moving the mouse.

3.  Let up on the primary mousing button, leaving the thumb button at the new location.

Compare with point and click.

Domain:  Computers.


Drop-Down Menu (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Drop-Down Menu:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A sub-menu which appears below, thus "dropping down from" an overhead menu.  It is a kind of a pop-up menu.  (Think of it as popping up below the overhead menu.

Domain:  Computers.


Flexibility (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Flexibility:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Why things having to do with computers are not consistent.  For example, why the primary mouse button may be on the left or on the right.  It is harder to learn, but more flexible to users in the long run.  Computers are extremely flexible, but sometimes nearly impossible to describe with certainty.  Also changes may be made in the future which cannot be anticipated.

Domain:  Computers.


Graphical Hot Spot (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Graphical Hot Spot:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A graphical image which is a hot spot.  It is not highlighted.  The only way to see if a graphical image is a hot spot is to run the mouse cursor over it and see if it turns into a hand.  There is no way to know if it is a pop-up definition or a page jump without trying it out.  Compare with word hot spot.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Hand Mouse Cursor (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Hand Mouse Cursor:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

The mouse cursor which probably (see flexibility) looks like this:  .  It indicates a hot spot.  Clicking the primary mouse button while the cursor is a hand will result in a pop-up definition or a page jump.  Compare with arrow mouse cursor.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Help Buttons (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Help Buttons:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Buttons towards the top of a help window which allow you to do more things.  They can be customized by programmers and so do not look the same in all programs.  You use a help button by pointing and clicking at it.  Sample ones are circled (with an arrow pointing at them) in the illustration.  Domain:  Windows Help System.


Help Window (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Help Window:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

 A window specifically designed for help systems.  A black and white example is illustrated to give you a general idea of what one looks like.  Windows Help, Sunshine, and help systems of many other Windows programs use the help window.  However, it can be customized and does not always look exactly the same.  Domain:  Windows.


Horizontal Scroll Bar (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Horizontal Scroll Bar:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A scroll bar which is oriented in a horizontal position.  It is used to scroll text left and right.  If the text is not wider than the window, and a horizontal scroll bar is not needed, it is not shown.  The Windows help system is designed to avoid horizontal scroll bars, so they are not as common as vertical ones.  Look for horizontal scroll bars at the bottom of windows.

Domain:  Computers.


Hot Key (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Hot Key:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A key combination which does the same thing as a menu item or button.  (Thus, a "hot key" may actually be more than one key.)  Generally speaking, if a button or menu item has a single character underlined, that character, used with [image] is the hot key.

For example, the Contents Button has the "C" in "Contents" underlined.  So, therefore, you know that the simple bucky [image] [image] is the hot key and accomplishes the same action as pointing and clicking at the Contents Button.

Domain:  Computers.


Hot Spot (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Hot Spot:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

 An area of the screen which causes something to happen.  There are graphical hot spots and word hot spots.  Pointing and clicking on a hot spot will result in either a pop-up definition or a page jump.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Jump Definition (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Jump Definition:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A long jump to a definition which is more complete than a pop-up definition.  It differs in the following ways:

1.  It will probably contain longer and more complete definitions.

2.  It will often include hot spots to define additional topics.

3.  It will sometimes include graphics.

4.  It will show the domain in which a topic is used.

Once you enter a jump definition you can skip about all over in Sunshine's dictionary with one topic leading to another and another...

However, the Back Button is like a string in a maze which leads back to the beginning, just keep pointing and clicking at it to retrace your steps back to the page in the book where you began.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Left Arrow (Scroll Bar) (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Left Arrow (Scroll Bar):

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Point and click on the left arrow of a horizontal scroll bar to scroll the contents of a window a small amount towards the left of the text.  The text, itself, moves to the right.

Domain:  Computers.


List Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

List Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A control which is used to manipulate lists.

A list box is used in the Bookmark Define Dialog Box which keeps track of the names of the bookmarks.  A sample is shown in the illustration.

The list box can be used in conjunction with a text box and push buttons to add, delete, and select items in the list.  See Chapter 5 for a detailed explanation.

Domain:  Windows.


Long Jump (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Long Jump:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A page jump, in a book, which goes farther than one page, possibly even out of the book.  For example, from Page 14 to Page 20, or, from the book to a definition in the dictionary.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Make It Name It Rule (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Make It Name It Rule:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

He or she who makes something, names it.  One reason why so many things about computers often do not seem to make sense.  Computers are still so new that a large number and variety of people are still developing them.  These diverse individuals decide what these new things will be named, and their ideas for names are often not consistent with each other or with what users might expect.

For example, why is a dialog box not called a dialog window?  Because somebody decided to call it a box and that's that.

Here's another example.  What manuals for users call a text box, manuals for programmers call an edit control.  Why does the same thing need to have different names for users and programmers?  Probably because the person who wrote one manual didn't know what the person writing the other manual was doing.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Message Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Message Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A sample message box.

A message box is a generally inferior type of dialog box which is standardized to give messages to the user.

Domain:  Windows.


OK Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

OK Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A push button with "OK" written on it.

In the Bookmark Define Dialog Box, the OK Button accepts whatever is inside the text box.  In the Bookmark Dialog Box, the OK Button accepts whatever is highlighted in the list box.

As a general rule, you can set and change the other controls of a dialog box until you have everything ready.  Then, you select the OK Button to accept all of the other controls, at once.  Contrast with the Cancel Button, which should (but doesn't always) return the controls to their original settings while disposing of the dialog box.

Domain:  Windows.


Overhead Menu (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Overhead Menu:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Meaning expanded:  Chapter 4.

A menu which appears across the top of a window.  An example is circled in the illustration.  Contrast with drop-down menu and pop-up menu.  Domain:  Windows.


Page (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Page:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Meaning expanded:  Chapters 3 and 4.

This does not have a specific definition.  However, generally speaking, in Sunshine, it is a screenful (or "windowful") of information.  In early chapters, each topic is a page.  However, in later chapters, a topic can be several "pages" long.  Using the [image] and [image] keys moves a "page" (screen) up or down at a time.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Page Jump (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Page Jump:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

When the screen switches from one page to another one, replacing the first one.  Compare with pop-up definitions.  Page jumps are accomplished by pointing and clicking on certain hot spots.  Word hot spot page jumps are probably (see flexibility) green and have dotted underlines.  Graphical hot spots do not indicate whether they are page jumps or pop-up definitions until you try them.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Point and Click (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Point and Click:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

To point the mouse cursor at something while clicking the primary mouse button.  It is used like this:  Point and click at the book, which means to point the mouse cursor at the book and click the primary mouse button.

Domain:  Computers.


Pop-Up Definition (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Pop-Up Definition:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A definition or explanation associated with a hot spot which has the primary characteristic of being temporary.  It pops up over the current page instead of replacing the page.  It is just big enough to hold its contents.  It disappears as soon as the primary mouse button is clicked, again.  Here is a pop-up definition of pop-up definition.  Compare with page jump.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Pop-Up Menu (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Pop-Up Menu:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Meaning expanded:  Chapter 4.

A menu which appears on the screen in a pop-up window.  Contrast with overhead menu.  A drop-down menu is a kind of a pop-up window, although there can also be other kinds.

Domain:  Windows.


Pop_Up_Window (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Pop-Up Window:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A window in the Windows help system which pops up over an existing window (as opposed to replacing it).  Pop-up windows are relatively small and temporary.  They are commonly used for pop-up definitions, although other uses are possible.

Domain:  Windows.


Primary Mouse Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Primary Mouse Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

The standard mouse button which normally makes things happen.  It could be any of the mouse buttons.  On a right-handed mouse, it is usually the button on the left.  On a left-handed mouse, it is usually the button on the right.  It is often the button which is naturally below your pointer finger when you are holding the mouse.  If you are not sure which one it is, try each button slowly, one at a time, until you figure it out.  While sometimes other mouse buttons also have functions, often the primary one is the only one which is active.

Domain:  Computers.


Programmers Prerogative (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Programmer's Prerogative:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

Why things having to do with computers are not consistent.  Thousands of programmers are writing thousands of programs, each with his or her own ideas of how things should be done.  It is this tremendous versatility which has made computers so revolutionary.

For example, if you want to close a window without taking any action, should it be called "escape" or "cancel" or something else?  A programmer can even call it "flame out" or "disintegrate" any other word he or she comes up with.

While these inconsistencies make it harder to learn about computers, in the long run, they are worth the trouble, because they allow limitless possibilities.  Who knows what program jewel some poor bloke hacking away in his bedroom will come up with next?

The way to cope with this is not to memorize the meanings of words and make "how to" lists, but, rather, to learn the underlying prinicipals of how computers work, so that you can eventually start to figure things out on your own.

Domain:  Sunshine.


Push Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Push Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A type of button which imitates being pushed by a finger.  For example, here is a normal Delete Button...

Here is the same button conceptually being pushed...

It looks like it is being pushed down.

Of course, you don't really put your finger on the screen and push the button.  You select it by any of the following methods:

(1)  Pointing and clicking at it

(2)  Using the hot key

(3)  Using the [image], arrow and [image] keys

Domain:  Computers.


Right Arrow (Scroll Bar) (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Right Arrow (Scroll Bar):

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Point and click on the right arrow of a horizontal scroll bar to scroll the contents of a window a small amount towards the right of the text.  The text, itself, goes to the left.

Domain:  Computers.


Scroll (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Scroll:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Noun, an ancient manuscript, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.  It is used conceptually to visualize how text is moved behind a window.

Verb, to move the contents of a window up, down, left, or right.

Domain:  Computers.


Scroll Bar (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Scroll Bar:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A device used to move the contents of a window up, down, left, or right.  A vertical one is circled in the illustration.  An isolated horizontal one looks like this, [image].  A scroll bar has four parts:  (1) An arrow pointing up or left, (2) an arrow pointing down or right, (3) a bar, and (4) a thumb button.  The thumb button indicates what part of the text is currently displayed in the window.  It can be moved along the bar, by dragging it with the mouse cursor, to scroll the text.  Pointing and clicking on the bar on any side of the thumb button moves one page towards that direction in the text.  Pointing and clicking on an arrow moves one line towards that direction in the text.

In applications besides the Windows help system, a scroll bar may be used to move or change something besides text.

Domain:  Computers.


Scroll Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Scroll Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Another name for the thumb button, which see.

Domain:  Windows.


Select (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Select:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

To use the hot key for something or to point and click at it.  It doesn't matter which way you select something, just so you do it one way or the other.

Chapter 5 and afterwards, see also Command Shorthand.

Domain:  Computers.


Simple Bucky (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Simple Bucky:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A keystroke combination involving holding down a special key while another key is pressed.  For example, [image] [image] is a simple bucky and is a three-step process:

1.  Hold down the [image] key.

2.  Press and let up the [image] key.

3.  Let up the [image] key.

It's like holding down the [image] key to get a capital letter, except you hold down the [image] key, instead.  Another key often used in buckies is the [image] key.

Domain:  Computers.


Sunshine (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Sunshine:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

This tutorial for Windows.  Sunshine is copyrighted (c), 1993, by Chet Langin, Langin Software, 532 W. 3rd St., Centralia, IL  62801 USA.  All rights reserved.

Domain:  Windows.


Sub-Menu (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Sub-Menu:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A menu which appears as the result of selecting an item in a previous menu.  Sub-menus can have additional sub-menus.  Drop-down menus are sub-menus.  Pop-up menus may or may not be sub-menus, depending on how they are used.  An overhead menu is usually not used as a sub-menu, although it would be possible.

Domain:  Computers.


Text Box (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Text Box:

Introduced:  Chapter 5.

A control which is used to select, enter, and edit text.

The main thing to know about text boxes is how the block highlight works.  When a block highlight encloses the text like this...

...it means that anything you type will replace the existing text.  If you want to edit or add onto the existing text, first press [image].  (Think of this arrow key as pointing in the direction to lengthen the existing text.)  Then, the text remains, but the block highlight disappears, like this...

Notice also that the cursor (the vertical line at the end of the text) is more evident.  With the block highlight gone, you can edit or add on to the text.

A text box is used in the Bookmark Define Dialog Box in Chapter 5.

Domain:  Windows.


Thumb Button (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Thumb Button:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A button which moves along the bar of a scroll bar indicating what part of the text of a window is being displayed.  If it is at the top of a vertical scroll bar, the top of the text is showing.  If it is at the bottom, the bottom of the text is showing.  If it is on the left of a horizontal scroll bar, the left edge of the text is showing.  If it is on the right, the right edge is showing.  The thumb button can move proportionately along the bar, too, indicating which part of the middle of the text is showing.  The text can be scrolled by dragging the thumb button with the mouse cursor.

The direction you move the thumb button is the direction you move towards in the text.

Domain:  Computers.


Topic (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Topic:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

A single unit of text, only one of which can be assigned to a help window at a time.  If you can scroll up and down the text, it is still the same topic.  You go to another topic by jumping to it via a hot spot, hot key, help button, or menu item.

These are examples of topics:

The Table of Contents

A page in "For Absolute Beginners"

Chapter 4

A pop-up definition

A jump definition

Domain:  Windows help system.


Topic Title (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Topic Title:

Introduced:  Chapter 4.

Obviously, the title of a topic.  However, you don't normally see it.  The programmer assigns the topic title, which may or may not be a heading seen in the topic, itself.  It may simply be blank.  Topic titles are used in certain specific features of the Windows help system.  For example, when you place a bookmark, the topic title is suggested as the name of the bookmark.

Domain:  Windows help system.


Up Arrow (Scroll Bar) (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Up Arrow (Scroll Bar):

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

Point and click on the up arrow of a vertical scroll bar to scroll the contents of a window one line towards the top of the text.  The text, itself, moves down.

Domain:  Computers.


Vertical Scroll Bar (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Vertical Scroll Bar:

Introduced:  Chapter 3.

A scroll bar which is oriented in a vertical position.  It is used to scroll text up and down.  If all the text fits in the window, and a vertical scroll bar is not needed, it is not shown.  Compare with horizontal scroll bar.  Look for a vertical scroll bar on the right edge of a window.

Domain:  Computers.


Window (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Window:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A window (lowercase) is a rectangular area of the screen, usually with a border, which contains something.  Windows can contain documents, spreadsheets, databases, and other types of information and graphics.  Windows can be side-by-side or overlapping.  Compare with Windows (uppercase).

Domain:  Computers.


Windows (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Windows:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

Windows (uppercase) is software which runs programs in windows (lowercase).  Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.   Windows also does other things and is described in other ways, but this brief definition will do, for now.

Domain:  Computers.


Windows Help (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Windows Help:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

The help information included with Windows.  It gives help specifically on how to use Windows.  Compare with Windows Help System.

Domain:  Windows.


Windows Help System (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Windows Help System:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A program and a collection of software which is a part of Windows and provides a fairly standardized method of providing help to users of Windows.  Other Windows programs can also use the Windows help system.  Sunshine uses it.  However, the Windows help system can be customized and does not appear exactly the same in all programs.

Domain:  Windows.


Word Hot Spot (Defined)
Sunshine Dictionary

Word Hot Spot:

Introduced:  Chapter 1.

A word or phrase hot spot.  Word hot spots are highlighted in some way.  For example, a page jump word hot spot may be green and underlined.  A pop-up definition word hot spot may be green with a dotted underline.  See flexibility.  Compare with graphical hot spot.

Domain:  Windows Help System.


Checkpoint Anne
Sunshine Checkpoint

Checkpoint Anne :

"Anne" is an arbitrary name starting with the letter "A" to identify this first checkpoint.  This checkpoint covers words and phrases introduced in Chapter 1, "For Absolute Beginners".  The same words and phrases are summarized in Chapter 2, "For Everybody Else."

Things you should know before passing this checkpoint:

General computer words and phrases:

Flexibility

Point and Click

Primary Mouse Button

Window

Windows

Windows words and phrases:

Arrow Mouse Cursor

Help Window

Sunshine

Windows Help

Windows Help System

Windows help system words and phrases:

Back Button

Graphical Hot Spot

Hand Mouse Cursor

Help Buttons

Hot Spot

Pop-Up Definition

Word Hot Spot

Sunshine words and phrases (People not familiar with Sunshine will not know what they mean.  However, you need to have some familiarity with them in order to use Sunshine.):

Domain

Jump Definition

Long Jump

Page Jump


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Checkpoint Billy
Sunshine Checkpoint

Checkpoint Billy:

This is the second checkpoint, arbitrarily named "Billy" because it starts with the second letter of the alphabet.  This checkpoint covers words and phrases introduced in Chapter 3, "Scroll Bars."  (Chapter 2, "For Everybody Else", did not introduce any new words or phrases.

You should know what the following words and phrases mean before passing this checkpoint.

Bar (Scroll Bar)

Down Arrow (Scroll Bar)

Drag the Mouse

Horizontal Scroll Bar

Left Arrow (Scroll Bar)

Pop-Up Window

Right Arrow (Scroll Bar)

Scroll

Scroll Bar

Scroll Box

Simple Bucky

Thumb Button

Up Arrow (Scroll Bar)

Vertical Scroll Bar


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Checkpoint Charlie
Sunshine Checkpoint

Checkpoint Charlie:

This is the third checkpoint and covers words and phrases introduced in Chapter 4, "Bookmarks, Etc.".  You should be familiar with the following words and phrases before continuing.

Bookmark

Contents Button

Dialog Box

Drop-Down Menu

Hot Key

Overhead Menu

Page

Pop-Up Menu

Select

Sub-Menu

Topic

Topic Title


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Checkpoint Dorothy
Sunshine Checkpoint

Checkpoint Dorothy:

This is the fourth checkpoint and covers words and phrases introduced in Chapter 5, "Dialog Boxes".  You should be familiar with the following words and phrases before continuing.

Arrow Keys

Block Highlight

Bookmark Define Dialog Box

BookMark Dialog Box

Border Highlight

Box

Button

Cancel Button

Checkpoint

Command

Command Shorthand

Control

Default

Delete Button

Dot Highlight

List Box

Make It Name It Rule

Message Box

OK Button

Programmer's Prerogative

Push Button

Text Box


22/69