| Following tips help you to learn a software | | | | Ctrl+Shift+S - Save As |
| in lesser time and in an efficient manner:1. | | | | |
| After installing a software package, look for | | | | Ctrl+P - Print |
| any README file in the installed folder. | | | | |
| Besides company and product details, it may | | | | Ctrl+X - Cut |
| give an overview of features, usages and | | | | |
| limitations of the software.2. Next run the | | | | Ctrl+C - Copy |
| software and have a feel of the look of the | | | | |
| software. | | | | Ctrl+V - Paste |
| | | | |
| Identify the different parts of its main | | | | Ctrl+F - Find6. Next have a look on various |
| screen.3. Look for the information shown in | | | | tool-bars that are present below menu-bars. |
| the TITLE-BAR of the main screen. | | | | They provide a visual shortcut to the desired |
| | | | operation. Examples are a paper folder on top |
| Usually, it shows the product name. If the | | | | right corner for NEW, an opened folder for |
| application is SDI (Single Document Interface | | | | OPEN, a scissor for CUT, two papers for COPY, |
| like Notepad) or MDI (Multiple Document | | | | a paper on clamp-pad for PASTE, floppy icon |
| Interface like MS Word) then title-bar will | | | | for SAVE and printer ICON for PRINT. A book |
| also contain name of the opened file. | | | | or question mark icon represents HELP.7. If |
| Similarly, there may be STATUS-BAR at the | | | | the package is a development tool then start |
| bottom that shows the operation being | | | | with the sample applications provided with |
| performed.4. Then comes the main MENU-BAR. | | | | it. It will help you understand what |
| Most of the GUI based software have common | | | | functionality level the package can provide. |
| menu-items. So its better to learn | | | | Also, you may need not start your application |
| once-for-all. Some of the common menu-items | | | | from scratch; it can be dervied from one of |
| are:FILE, EDIT, VIEW, TOOLS, WINDOWS, | | | | the sample application (provided source code |
| HELP.Each of these names are intuitive | | | | is available).8. Mostly, the menu-item name |
| itself.-The FILE menu will have operations | | | | will tell its functionality. Even if it does |
| NEW, OPEN, SAVE, SAVE AS, PAGE SETUP, | | | | then also try each operation available in the |
| PRINT,CLOSE and EXIT.-Similarly, EDIT menu | | | | package.9. You can master a software with its |
| contains editing operations like CUT, COPY, | | | | usage and little study. The best place for |
| PASTE, FIND AND REPLACE.-The VIEW menu helps | | | | getting some help is the in-built help |
| in controlling the view of the software GUI. | | | | provided in the package itself.10. Remember |
| You can switch on-off various toolbars.-The | | | | Internet is always there to solve your |
| TOOLS menu usually have options to customize | | | | problem. Use a search-engine with appropriate |
| the software you like and also other | | | | phrase to get the best material available as |
| supporting functionalities like Read-Aloud | | | | solution to your query. You can visit my |
| function in a word processor package.-The | | | | website: for Tips and Tricks for various |
| HELP menu may contain GETTING STARTED | | | | softwares, programming langauages and links |
| tutorial, detailed indexed and searchable | | | | to ther useful material available on the |
| help and ofcourse, a popup dialog-box that | | | | Internet.Syed Feroz Zainvi has obtained |
| shows information about the software. It may | | | | M.Tech. (Comp Sc & Engg) degree from Indian |
| also contain a link to website of the | | | | Institute of Technology, Delhi (INDIA). His |
| product.5. Once acquainted with different | | | | areas of interests are distributed computing, |
| menu and their menu-items, look at each menu | | | | computer graphics and Internet Technologies. |
| again to find shortcuts to them. For example, | | | | Currently, he is involved in Software Project |
| Alt+F will take you to File menu. Some common | | | | Planning, Development and Management. His |
| shortcuts are:Ctrl+N - New | | | | other interests include writing for magazines |
| | | | and contributing utility softwares on |
| Ctrl+O - Open | | | | Magazine's CDs. He also have flair for |
| | | | teaching computer science with new teaching |
| Ctrl+S - Save | | | | methodologies. |
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