1. Installing and Learning Software
Chapter 3
Installing and Learning Software
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2. Installing and Learning Software
In this Chapter, you will learn:
How to install/uninstall new software
How to find the instruction manual
What a PDF is
How to use online help
What the paperclip cartoon is for
How to contact the software company for help
How to download and install software
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3. Finding the Instruction Manual
Software usually comes with several types of documentation
Reference manuals contain detailed information about the software features – use like a dictionary when you need information
An installation guide will help install the software
Readme files contain later information – usually about software changes or updates or solutions to problems
Tutorials are interactive lessons used to learn the basics about the software.
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4. Finding the Instruction Manual
Locating a Readme file after installation
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5. What’s a PDF?
Paper documentation has become too lengthy and costly to produce
PDF (portable document format file) file types are portable and can be viewed on virtually any PC.
To view a PDF, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website.
Acrobat Reader displays PDF files like a printed book
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6. Viewing a PDF document using Acrobat Reader
What’s a PDF?
Viewing a PDF document using Acrobat Reader
Search the document
Jump to first, last, next or previous page
Change the document size
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7. Using Online Help
The most frequently used help system is called online Help or just Help.
It is most often a menu item on the menu bar.
Help contains several ways to find information:
Contents, lists major topics
Index, lists key words and features
Search, allows keyword search for specific words
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8. Using Online Help The question mark is also used to get help
Clicking the ? Button changes the mouse cursor into a help pointer.
Pointing this cursor at a label or object on the screen displays a pop-up message about the object’s features.
Practical PC, 3e
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9. Using the features of online Help
Using Online Help
Using the features of online Help
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10. What is the Paperclip Cartoon For?
Microsoft applications often contain a paperclip cartoon character called the Office Assistant.
The Office Assistant will take questions and select answers from the online help.
The Office Assistant will also provide suggestions about your particular task without prompting.
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11. What is the Paperclip Cartoon For?
The office Assistant will also provide tips to help you use the software more efficiently.
The Office Assistant can be closed by clicking the close button.
The Office Assistant can be reopened by clicking the ? button on the toolbar
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12. What is the Paperclip Cartoon For?
The Office Assistant Cartoon
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13. Contacting the Software Vendor for Help
You may need to contact the software company for assistance if:
You can’t get the program to install correctly.
Your software aborts or hangs up and you think there is a bug in the software.
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14. Contacting the Software Vendor for Help
To contact a software vendor:
Make sure you checked all available help for the answer
Make a note of the serial number of the software
Print out any error messages or make a note of the specific problem
Determine if the company has a website
Contact the company either through their website or by telephone
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15. Contacting the Software Vendor for Help
Using a Website to contact a Vendor
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16. Installing/Uninstalling Software
Adding a software program to your PC is called installing it.
Removing software from your PC is called uninstalling it.
There are two different types of software you may want to install:
A new program not currently on the PC
An upgrade (or new version) of a program already on the PC
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17. Installing/Uninstalling Software
A software package that you buy from a store, would usually contain:
The system requirements for the software to run optimally
A CD (or floppy disks) containing the software
Installation instructions
Program documentation
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18. Installing/Uninstalling Software
The very large software programs like Photoshop are made up of smaller program modules.
The installation process often has options to install only desired modules to save computer space.
When you install a program, it’s name is added to the Registry and the programs menu.
Some programs use the CD during execution time.
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19. Installing/Uninstalling Software
Manually starting the Setup Program
Manually starting a program
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20. Installing/Uninstalling Software
Windows has an Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel that makes removing software easy.
This process can also be used to install software, but the automatic setup program that comes with most software is easier.
You might be cued during the uninstall process about shared program modules. In general they should not be deleted.
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21. Installing/Uninstalling Software
The Control Panel method of uninstalling software
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22. Downloading software to install
Many software upgrades, patches and new software products are available on the Internet
First you must transfer the program file to your hard drive by downloading it.
The downloaded file will install itself if you click on it after the download.
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23. How to use Windows Controls
Downloading and installing the Adobe Acrobat Reader
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24. Is it legal to install this software?
What do you think?
Is it legal to install this software?
Have you ever used pirated software?
Before reading about this issue, did you understand the difference between freeware, shareware, commercial, and demo software?
If you discovered pirated software in use at your school or office, would you report it?
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25. Chapter Summary You should now be able to:
Find several different ways of getting help if you have a software problem
Install new software or an upgrade from a CD
Download and install software from the Internet
Uninstall software when you are through with it.
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