MCT260-Operating Systems I

Operating Systems I

Help Features

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Primary Learning Objective

Locate and Use Built-In Help Features

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Specific Learning Objectives

• Access on-line help features in Microsoft Windows operating systems

• Use context-sensitive help with the current task

• Access on-line help features in the command line environment

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Windows Help System• Windows O/S

• Windows Built-in Applications

• Windows-based Applications

• All have:

– Context-Sensitive

– Local Help

– Web-based Help

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Help and Support from Start Menu

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Using Help and Support

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Web Support

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Index

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Local Help

• Contents Page

• Index Page

• Search Page or Answer Wizard

• Each has two panes– Topics– Information

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Office XP Applications

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Windows Built-in Applications

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Context-Sensitive Help

• Provides information about some aspect of the current task

• Three Methods– Questions Mark Button– Right Clicking – Function Key

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Question Mark Button

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What’s This?

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Function Keys

• In older applications the question-mark button or right-clicking may not be available

• These may work:– Shift+F1 Keystroke Combination– F1 Function Key

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DOS Online Help

• Two Major Problems– Remembering Command Names– Supplying Necessary Parameters

• C:\>command /?

• C:\>help |more

• C:\>help dir

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Parameter Conventions

• | Either/or (use one of available items)

• [ ] Optional item

• / A switch

• COPY [/A | /B] source [/A | /B] [+ source [/A | /B] [+ …]] [destination [/A | /B]] [/V] [/Y | -/Y]

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C:\>HELP

• In DOS 5 and 6

• In Windows 95/98, Go to:– Windows 95/98 CD– OLDMSDOS Directory

• Works again in Windows XP and also gives you a short description for a each command

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Internet Resources

• Windows– http://www.zdnet.com/wsources– http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/OSs.htm

– http://www.cnet.com/

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Internet Resources (DOS)

DOS commands and syntax usage http://honeybee.helsinki.fi/HELPDESK/MSDOS/INDEX.HTM

DOS commands and syntax usage http://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htm

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Review

• Accessing the help feature in Windows XP

• The question mark (?) in a window

• The DOS command line switch (/?)

• The DOS help program

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Htutor (DOS Tutorial)

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Download Htutor (DOS Help)

• A DOS-based hypertext tutorial covering the basics of computers (hardware and software) as well as a complete tutorial describing DOS 6.2 commands with complete command syntax, descriptions, and examples.

• MCT\MCT260\HTutor on the mapped Students drive (\\srp6\students)

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Homework Assignment

• Reading– Windows XP Textbook – Chap 1– CLI Textbook - pp. 24-26, 34, 39-42, 52-64– Handout

• Lab Exercise– Online Help– Operating System Interfaces

• Homework 2 Basics of Windows XP• Due Date: Next Tuesday

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References

• Windows XP Textbook

• CLI Textbook

• Internet

• Metro Lab