When your computer is booted up and ready to use, the screen you see is called the desktop. It is the background for all programs and contains the commands needed for accessing those programs. Desktops vary from one operating system (OS) to another, and even vary somewhat from version to version of a particular OS. Whatever type of OS you use, it is very important to learn how to use the desktop correctly, since it is the base for all computer operations. The best place to learn about your particular OS is with the user manual or tutorial included with your computer.

In this lesson, we will look at Macintosh desktops only, since Macintosh is one of the most common operating systems used today - particularly by students and educators. It would be impossible for me to fully cover each version of this OS; instead, I will try to give a basic overview of how the desktop looks and what it does. This lesson is based on the desktop of a Mac OS 9.0.4, so please understand that your own desktop may be slightly different if it is another OS version.

Desktop Graphics

Macintosh systems are based on Graphical User Interface or GUI, which simply means that the interface uses graphics or pictures to help the user navigate and access programs. When you first turn on a new computer, most of the screen will be plain blue or blue with a logo or design. This background graphic is called a Desktop Pattern. It is essentially a backdrop for your work area. The graphic can be changed to a different pattern or even a photo or picture (Desktop Picture).

Another important graphic feature that you find on a desktop is an icon. Icons are small pictures that are linked to programs. Double-clicking on the icon runs the program or accesses the file. Certain icons are a permanent fixture on the desktop. The user can put other icons on the desktop that will quickly access programs or files - like a shortcut. Icons can be moved around on the desktop by clicking and dragging them.

One icon that you should know about is the Trash Can. It has the same purpose that a real trash can does - you put things in it that you no longer need or want. Anytime you delete a file or folder, it goes into the Trash Can where it stays until the Trash Can is emptied. Double-clicking on the icon will open a window that will show you what is stored there. Just like in real life, things sometimes get thrown away by accident and have to be rescued. The computer Trash Can lets you do the same thing. If you delete something you shouldn't have, you can find it in the Trash Can and restore it to its proper place. When the Trash Can is emptied, everything in it is permanently deleted. Never put anything in the Trash Can or empty the Trash Can without permission!

Many newer versions of the Mac OS offer sticky notes that can be placed on the desktop as quick reminders - similar to sticking a paper note on the computer screen!

On the left side of the screen, you may see a small, triangular-shaped icon. This icon accesses the Control Panel. Clicking on the icon will open a menu bar that includes various icons for accessing important system features. The Control Panel usually includes monitor controls, volume controls, printers, energy savers and more, providing quick access to these important system controls.

The Menu Bar

At the top of the screen, you will see a long, thin bar with words and a clock on it. This is the menu bar - another graphic tool that helps you to access programs and files. On the left side of the menu bar, you will see an apple icon. If you click on this icon, a box called a drop-down menu will appear under it. The drop-down menu contains several words or items that allow you to do different things within the computer. Clicking on an item will let you access files or run programs. Look back at the menu bar again. To the right of the apple icon, you will see several menus: "File", "Edit", "View", and "Help" are the most common menus, but you may see others depending on what program you are running. Each of these menus accesses its own drop-down menu with its own set of items.

• Apple icon menu contains system info and special programs that deal with running the computer.
• File menu contains file items like open, print, save, quit, move to trash and close.
• Edit menu contains editing items like undo, cut, copy, paste and clear.
• View menu contains items for changing how things appear on the screen.
• Help menu contains items to access tutorials or helpful information.

On a Mac system, the menu bar always remains at the top of the screen, except when running certain programs, like games, that do not require a menu bar.

Windows (not the operating system)

Many programs and applications run within windows or boxes that can be opened, minimized, resized and closed. When a program window opens, you may notice that the menus on the menu bar change. That is because the menus vary to suit the needs of the program that is running. At the top of each window, you will see a title bar that contains the title of the program or folder. To the left of the title bar is a small square icon that closes the window. On the right, are two square icons: the left one resizes the window and the right one minimizes/maximizes it. Resizing allows the user to make the window smaller or larger. Minimizing the window shrinks it so that only the title bar is seen. This is helpful if the user is temporarily not using the program, but plans to return to it soon. When several windows are minimized, you will see the title bars lined up on the desktop. The bars can be moved around the desktop by clicking and dragging them. Bars that are pale are inactive or not being used. Clicking on the bar makes that window active or ready to use again. Clicking the icon on the far right of the title bar again maximizes the window, so that the entire window can be seen. When the window is maximized, look just below the title bar. You may see folder information there that tells how many items are in the folder and the amount of space that is available within the folder. On the right side of the window, you may see a scroll bar. The scroll bar appears when the window contains more information than can fit on the screen. Moving the scroll bar up or down allows the user to see all of the information in the window.

Learning the Basics

Learning how to use the desktop is the first step in learning to use a Macintosh system. Hopefully, you can use this brief lesson as a starting point. Remember, though, that experience is the best teacher, so do some exploring on your own Mac. Go to the "Help" menu on the menu bar, and check the drop-down menu for "Mac Tutorials" to help you learn to use your system.