What is Windows XP?

Windows XP is the latest version of the Windows desktop operating system for the PC. An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications. The application programs make use of the operating system by making and users can interact directly with the operating system through a graphical user interface or GUI.

 NOTE: The Color Of Windows

After you log in, you are recognized by the network as a student user, teacher user or administrator user. How do you know who is logged in to a machine? If the screen color of the windows desktop is BLUE, the machine is logged on with a student ID. If the screen color of the desktop is GREY, the machine is logged on with a teacher ID.

Getting Started with Windows XP

Before you start using Windows XP, take some time to learn about the features. The new design of Windows XP is simple and inviting. The following illustration shows the Windows XP desktop.

Start Menu

The Start menu of Windows XP, clearly defined applications and tasks. Your Web browser and your five most recent applications are readily available. Icons and plain-language descriptions simplify navigation and enable you to locate the application or task you want at a glance.

Using the Taskbar

The taskbar for Windows XP lists all open applications and groups open documents of the same type into one button on the taskbar. This prevents the taskbar buttons from becoming too small to see. As you open your Word documents for example, you will only see Microsoft Word button on the taskbar. When you click the Microsoft Word button, all your Word documents appear in an easy-to-read list.

What's on The Desktop

• Accessories: Multimedia: Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, Acrobat Reader, Calculator, Paint and Character Map
  
  
• Teacher (Student) Applications:: Science & Math (Geometer's Sketchpad Accelerated Reader - Student, Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2005, Inspiration 7, Mavis Beacon Teacher Typing, Read Naturally, S.T.A.R. (see Software Matrix)
  
  
• Graphics: CorelDRAW 9, Microsoft Photo Editor, and Microsoft PhotoDRAW
  
  
• Internet Explorer: Web browser
  

Please Note: Students do not have Microsoft Outlook E-Mail. Also, when logged on as a "student", Internet rights are more limited than being logged on as a "teacher".



• Microsoft Office: Word, Powerpoint, Access, Excel, Publisher, Front Page (Software Resources)
  
  

The Student vs. Teacher Desktop:

Teachers have additional options in Teacher Programs:

• Wizard Test Maker - History
  
  
• Management functions for Accelerated Reader to monitor student progress
  
  
• EXAMGen to create exams and quizzes
  
  
• InterGrade (IG Pro): an electronic gradebook
  
  
• Mavis Beacon 9 Instructor version
  
  
• SASI - ClassXP for attendance and grading
  
  

Now that you see you and your students can access applications, you will soon be creating files and work.

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