Alarm Clock Contents


Introducing Alarm Clock
What Is Alarm Clock?


What Is Alarm Clock?

Alarm Clock is a clock that lets you set chimes and alarms. You can also change the colors of various elements of the clock and clock window. Following is the analog view of Alarm Clock:

You can also change Alarm Clock to digital view:

Related Procedures


Procedures

Changing the Display Style

Setting Alarms

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

Specifying Display Colors

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds


Alarm Clock Commands


Settings Menu Commands


Analog Face Command

Changes the clock face to an analog display.

Related Procedure


Digital Face Command

Changes the clock face to a digital display.

Related Procedure


Colors Command

Lets you change the colors of clock elements.

In Digital view, you can change the clock window, face, and ticks/text. In Analog view, you can also change the hour, minute, and second hand.

Related Procedure


Sounds Command

Lets you assign sounds to chimes and alarms.

To assign sounds, you associate audio files (WAVE format) with chimes and alarms. You set the alarms and activate the chimes with the Alarms and Chimes commands.

Related Procedures


Procedures

Setting Alarms

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds


Chimes Command

Lets you activate chimes every hour, half hour, and quarter hour.

The chimes can play sounds that you assign with the Sounds command.

Related Procedures


Procedures

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds


Alarms Command

Lets you set up to 12 alarms.

The alarms can play sounds that you assign with the Sounds command.

Related Procedures


Procedures

Setting Alarms

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds


Exit Command

Exits Alarm Clock and closes the Alarm Clock window.


Alarm Clock Procedures
Topics


Alarm Clock Procedure Topics
Topics

Changing the Display Style

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds

Setting Alarms

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

Specifying Display Colors


Changing the Display Style

You can display Alarm Clock with an analog or digital face. You can also expand the Alarm Clock face to fill the Alarm Clock window.

To select the analog or digital clock face:

Choose Analog Face or Digital Face from the Settings menu.

To expand the clock face to fill the window:

Double-click the clock face.

Related Procedure	Keyboard Procedure


When you double-click the clock face, the menu bar and title bar disappear, and the face fills the Alarm Clock window:

You can move the clock face by dragging it to any part of your computer screen. To restore the menu bar and title bar, double-click again.


Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds

Alarm Clock can play chimes every hour, half hour, and quarter hour. It can also play sounds at alarm times you specify.

To use the alarms and chimes, you must first select the sounds you want for them. Later, you must specify the alarm times you want and activate the chimes.

To specify an alarm sound:

1	Choose Sounds from the Settings menu.

2	Select Alarm from the Sound Name box.

3	To specify a waveform audio filename to play as your alarm sound, select the name of the file in the Files box  if the file is in the current directory.

If the file is not in the current directory, double-click the directory you want in the Directories box. Then select the name of the file in the Files box.

4	Click the Test button if you want to play the sound.

5	Click OK.

To specify a 1
Topics


Alarm Clock Keyboard Procedure Topics
Topics

Changing the Display Style

Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds

Setting Alarms

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

Specifying Display Colors


Keyboard: Changing the Display Style

To select the analog or digital clock face:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press A (Analog Face) or D (Digital Face).

Related Procedure	Mouse Procedure


Keyboard: Specifying Alarm and Chime Sounds

To specify an alarm sound:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press S.

3	Press ALT+N and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select Alarm.

4	If the file is in the current directory, press ALT+F and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a file.

If the file is not in the current directory, press TAB twice, use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a directory, and press ENTER. Then press ALT+F and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a file.

5	Press ALT+T if you want to test the sound.

6	Press ENTER.

To specify a chime sound:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press S.

3	Press ALT+N and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select Hourly Chime, Half Hourly Chime, or Quarter Hourly Chime from the Sound Name box.

4	If the file is in the current directory, press ALT+F and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a file.

If the file is not in the current directory, press TAB twice, use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a directory, and press ENTER. Then press ALT+F and use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a file.

5	Press ALT+T if you want to test the sound.

6	Repeat steps 3 through 6 to specify other chime sounds.

7	Press ENTER.

Related Procedures	Mouse Procedure


hint

The current directory is shown above the Directories box. Choosing the two periods [..] at the top of the Directories box shows the files and directories located one level closer to a disk's root directory.


hint

Instead of using the Files and Directories list boxes to open a file, you can type the complete pathname in the Filename box and press ENTER.


Procedures

Setting Alarms

Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes


Keyboard: Setting Alarms

To set an alarm:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press L.

3	Press TAB until you select the alarm you want to set.

4	Type the time you want the alarm to go off.

5	To activate the alarm, press TAB and then press the SPACEBAR to select the Alarm Enabled check box.

6	Press ENTER.

Related Procedure	Mouse Procedure


Keyboard: Setting Hour, Half-Hour, and Quarter-Hour Chimes

To activate or deactivate chimes:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press H.

3	Use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select a chime option.

4	Press SPACEBAR to select the check box.

5	Press ENTER.

Related Procedure	Mouse Procedure


Keyboard: Specifying Display Colors

To specify display colors:

1	Press ALT and then S.

2	Press C.

3	Press TAB until you select an element whose color you want to change.

4	Use the UP or DOWN ARROW key to select the color you want.

5	Repeat steps 3 and 4 to change other color elements.

6	Press ENTER.

Related Procedure	Mouse Procedure


Quick Look at Alarm Clock


Alarm Clock

A clock for your desktop. You can change the chimes, alarms, colors, and type of clock.


application Control-menu


title bar

Contains the title of the application running in the window, in this case Alarm Clock.

Drag the title bar to move the window.


Minimize button

Click the Minimize button to shrink the Alarm Clock window to an icon.


Maximize button

Click the Maximize button to enlarge the Alarm Clock window to its maximum size.


Settings menu


Help menu


menu bar

Contains the names of all the Alarm Clock menus.

Click a menu name to display commands.


second hand

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the second hand's color.


minute hand

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the minute hand's color.


hour hand

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the hour hand's color.


clock ticks

Mark the hour of the day and the minutes in the hour.

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the color of the clock ticks.


clock face

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the clock face's color.


application window

The main window for an application, in this case the Alarm Clock window. The Alarm Clock application window contains an analog or digital clock.

Use the Colors command from the Settings menu to change the clock window's color.


window border

The outside edge of a window.

Drag the window border to change the size of the window.


Windows Glossary


Windows Glossary - A
A

386 enhanced mode

active

active printer

animation

application

application icon

application window

arrow keys

associate

AUTOEXEC.BAT


Windows Glossary - B
B

<< button

>> button

Back button

base-level synthesizer

batch file

baud rate

bitmap

branch

browse

byte


Windows Glossary - C
C

cascading menu	complementary color

CD-ROM	compound device

channel	CONFIG.SYS

check box	Contents button

choose	Control menu

Clipboard	Control-menu box

close	conventional memory

collapse	cutout

command

command button

command line


Windows Glossary - D
D

data bits	Directory Tree window

default button	directory window

default printer	disk-drive icon

desktop	display box

desktop pattern	document

destination directory	document file

device contention	document window

device driver	DOS

dialog box	drag

directory path	drop-down list box

Directory Tree


Windows Glossary - E
E

error-checking

expand

expanded memory

extended memory

extended synthesizer

extension


Windows Glossary - F
F

file

file information line

flow control

font

font size

format

full-screen application


Windows Glossary - G
G

General MIDI Mode standard

group

group icon

group window


Windows Glossary - H
H

History button

hotspot

hue

HyperGuide button bar


Windows Glossary - I
I

icon

insertion point

International MIDI Association


Windows Glossary - J
  €


active printer, defined
active printer

An installed printer that has been assigned to a printer port using Setup or Control Panel. More than one printer can be set up to work on a single port, but only one can be active, since only one printer can be physically connected to the port at a time.

An inactive printer is an installed printer that is not currently connected to the printer port.


animation

The display of a series of graphic images, simulating motion. You can play animation files (for example, files with the.MMM extension) with the Media Player accessory. Animations are also called movies.


application, defined
application

A computer program used for a particular kind of work, such as word processing. This term is often used interchangeably with "program."


application icon, defined
application icon

An icon that represents an application that is running.


application window, defined
application window

The main window for an application. It contains the application's menu bar and main workspace. An application window may contain multiple document windows.


ARROW keys, defined
arrow keys

The four arrow keys on your computer keyboard. These keys move the cursor or pointer on your screen to locations you choose. Each arrow key moves the cursor or pointer in the direction of the arrow on the key. Each arrow key is named for the direction in which arrow points: UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW.


associate, defined
associate

To assign files that have the same extension to a program. When you choose a file with the specified extension, the associated application runs with the file loaded.


AUTOEXEC.BAT, defined
AUTOEXEC.BAT

Batch file that lists MS-DOS commands. MS-DOS automatically carries out the commands in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file when you turn on your computer. The file is located in the root directory of your first hard disk, which is usually drive C.

Typically, an AUTOEXEC.BAT file starts memory-resident utilities such as a network and sets up environment variables that are used later by applications. In addition, your AUTOEXEC.BAT file might set your MS-DOS prompt or start pop-up programs such as Borland's SideKick.


<< button, defined
<< button

Displays the previous topic in a series of topics, until you reach the first topic in the series. Then the button is dimmed. Use this button when you want to backtrack through topics the way they are organized in HyperGuide.


>> button, defined
>> button

Displays the next topic in a series of topics, until you reach the last topic in the series. Then the button is dimmed. Use this button to move from topic to topic in the recommended order.


Back button, defined
Back button

Displays the last topic you viewed. HyperGuide moves back one topic at a time, in the order in which you viewed them.


base-level synthesizer, defined
base-level synthesizer

One of the two types of synthesizers accommodated by Windows.

MIDI files authored for Windows include two versions of a song: one version for base-level synthesizers and another version for extended synthesizers. The distinctions between base-level and extended synthesizers are based on the number of instruments and notes the synthesizer can play.


batch file, defined
batch file

A file that runs a sequence, or "batch," of commands when you type its filename. All filenames of batch files end with the extension .BAT, even though you don't have to type this extension to run the batch file.


baud rate, defined
baud rate

Signalling speed measured by the number of signals per second.


bitmap, defined
bitmap

An image stored as an array of bits.


branch, defined
branch

A segment of the Directory Tree, representing a directory and any subdirectories it contains.


browse, defined
browse

To look through files and directories. In some dialog boxes, the Browse button shows a list of files and directories from which you can choose.


byte, defined
byte

The amount of memory space (normally 8 bits) that a computer needs to represent a single character or word.


cascading menu, defined
cascading menu

A menu that opens from a command on another menu.


CD-ROM

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. An optical data-storage technology that allows large quantities of data (such as animations, images, music, and sound) to be stored on a compact disc similar to discs used by the music industry.


channel

MIDI uses channels to send messages to individual devices within a MIDI setup. There are 16 MIDI channel numbers. Devices in a MIDI setup can be directed to respond only to messages marked with a channel number specific to the device.


check box, defined
check box

A small square box that appears in dialog boxes and can be selected or cleared. When the check box is selected, an X appears in the box.


choose, defined
choose

To use key combinations or your mouse to carry out a command in Windows. You often choose a command after you have selected an item or made it active.


Clipboard, defined
Clipboard

A temporary storage area in memory, used to transfer information. You can cut or copy information onto the Clipboard and then paste it into another document or application.


close, defined
close

To reduce a document window or application window to an icon or, in some cases, to remove it from the desktop. You close a window by double-clicking the Control-menu box or choosing the Close command from the Control menu. When closing an application window, you can choose to save or abandon changes to the current document before you close it.


collapse, defined
collapse

To hide a level of directory information in the Directory Tree window. When you first start File Manager, all directories but the root directory are collapsed.


command, defined
command

A word or phrase, usually found in a menu, that you choose to carry out an action.


command button, defined
command button

A button in a dialog box that carries out or cancels the selected action. Two common command buttons are OK and Cancel. The button that carries out the action will often have a label that describes it (for example, Open, Create, Install). Another dialog box appears when you choose a command followed by ellipses.


command line, defined
command line

Information given to MS-DOS that specifies a command and all the pertinent information to carry it out. For example, to start Windows, you type win at the MS-DOS prompt.


complementary color, defined
complementary color

The color exactly opposite a color on the RGB color wheel. For example, the complementary color of blue is yellow.


compound device, defined
compound device

Devices, such as the waveform audio driver, that have an associated file and require a filename specification when opened.


CONFIG.SYS, defined
CONFIG.SYS

A file that defines device drivers and specifies your MS-DOS configuration. For example, a typical CONFIG.SYS file might specify the location of the MS-DOS file COMMAND.COM, define an extended memory manager, and specify how many files an application can have open at once. MS-DOS runs the commands in the CONFIG.SYS file each time you turn on your computer. Your CONFIG.SYS file is located in the root directory of your first hard disk, which is usually drive C.


Contents button, defined
Contents button

Displays the HyperGuide contents.


Control menu, defined
Control menu

The menu in the upper-left corner of a window. The Control menu appears on every application that runs in a window and on some non-Windows applications. Document windows, icons, and some dialog boxes also have Control menus.

Control menu commands move, change the size of, and close windows. You can also switch to Task List by using the Control menu. For non-Windows applications, Control menu commands transfer information and perform other functions, depending on the application.


Control-menu box, defined
Control-menu box

The box located in the upper-left corner of a window. Clicking the Control-menu box opens the Control menu for the window.


conventional memory, defined
conventional memory

The first 640K of memory that MS-DOS uses to run applications. Most computers have at least 256K of conventional memory and can accommodate up to 640K of conventional memory.


cutout, defined
cutout

A portion of a Paintbrush drawing you select with the Scissors or Pick tool.


data bits, defined
data bits

The bits in each package of data sent between two computers during telecommunication. Most characters are transmitted in 7 or 8 data bits.


default button, defined
default button

The command button in some dialog boxes that is automatically selected or chosen by Windows as the most logical or safest choice. The default button has a bold border, indicating that it will be chosen if you press ENTER. You can override a default button by choosing Cancel or another command button.


NOTE: When the list is longer than the box, scroll bars are provided.


error checking, defined
error checking

A method for validating transmissions.


expand, defined
expand

To show hidden directory levels in the Directory Tree. With File Manager, you can expand a single directory level, one branch of the Directory Tree, or all branches at once.


expanded memory, defined
expanded memory

Memory in addition to conventional memory that is available to applications. It is allocated in 16K blocks. Windows makes use of expanded memory only if the /r switch is used at startup. Windows running in 386 enhanced mode simulates expanded memory for the applications that need it. Windows running in standard mode or 386 enhanced mode allows applications to use expanded memory, but does not use expanded memory itself in managing applications.


extended memory, defined
extended memory

Memory in addition to conventional memory that is not readily accessible to MS-DOS or MS-DOS applications. Extended memory cannot be used on 8086 and 8088 computers. Windows running in standard mode or 386 enhanced mode uses extended memory to manage and run applications.


extended synthesizer, defined
extended synthesizer

One of the two types of synthesizers accommodated by Windows.

MIDI files authored for Windows include two versions of a song: one version for base-level synthesizers and another version for extended synthesizers. The distinctions between base-level and extended synthesizers are based on the number of instruments and notes the synthesizer can play.


extension, defined
extension

Part of a file or directory name that appears after a period and provides additional information. It usually indicates the type of file or directory. For example, program files have default extensions of .COM or .EXE .

Many applications include a default extension automatically when you save a file the first time. For example, Notepad adds a .TXT extension to all filenames unless you specify otherwise.


file, defined
file

A document or application that has been given a name. All documents are stored as files in Wiindows.


file information line, defined
file information line

Information specific to each file in a print queue. The information can include these details:

The file's position in the queue or a printer icon if the file is printing.

The title of the print job assigned by the application (if your network software supports this).

What percentage of the file has printed so far.

The size of the file in kilobytes (if the Print File Size command on the View menu is selected).

The time and date you sent the file to Print Manager (if the Time/Date Sent command on the View menu is selected).

If you are connected to a network printer, the printer queue information line shows the network server connection. Any detailed information the network can provide appears in the message box at the upper-right corner of the Print Manager window. Networks can provide varying degrees of detailed information.


flow control, defined
flow control

The method for controlling the flow of information.


font, defined
font

A graphic design applied to all numerals, symbols, and characters in the alphabet. A font usually comes in different sizes and provides different styles, such as bold, italic, and underlining for emphasizing text.


font size, defined
font size

The height of a printed character, measured in points. One inch equals 72 points. For example, 12-point Helv is 12 points high.

The font and font size you use determine the amount of text that fits on one page.


format, defined
format

(1) The appearance of text on the pages of a document. (2) To prepare a disk so it can hold information. Formatting a disk erases all information that was previously on it.


full-screen application, defined
full-screen application

A non-Windows application that uses the entire screen--rather than a window--to run in the Windows environment.


General MIDI Mode Standard, defined
General MIDI Mode standard

A MIDI specification controlled by the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA). The purpose of this specification is to enable MIDI file authors to create files that sound the same across a variety of different synthesizers.


group, defined
group

A collection of applications within Program Manager. Grouping your applications makes them easier to find.


group icon, defined
group icon

A group window you have reduced to an icon in Program Manager.


group window, defined
group window

A window that displays the items in a group within Program Manager. These items can be applications, files associated with applications, or a combination of both.


History button, defined
History button

Displays a list of the HyperGuide topics you have viewed. Use this button to revisit any of the last 40 HyperGuide topics you have viewed. The most recent topic appears first.


hotspot

Text, graphics, or parts of graphics that provide links to other HyperGuide topics or more information about the current topic.

Whether text or graphics, the pointer changes to the shape of a hand whenever it is over a hotspot. If you click a hotspot that is linked to another topic, that topic will appear in the HyperGuide window. If the hotspot is linked to more information, HyperGuide displays the information in a popup window on top of the HyperGuide window.


hue, defined
hue

The position of a color along the color spectrum.


Help button bar, defined
HyperGuide button bar

Contains the HyperGuide buttons you use to move among topics and contents screens. It is located near the top of the HyperGuide window.


icon, defined
icon

A graphic representation of a disk drive, directory, group, application, document, and so on. You can restore an application icon to a window when you want to use the application.


insertion point, defined
insertion point

The place where text will be inserted when you type.The insertion point usually appears as a flashing vertical bar in an application's window or in a dialog box. The text you type appears to the left of the insertion point, which moves to the right as you type.


International MIDI Association (IMA)

The non-profit MIDI organization that circulates information about the MIDI specification.


keymaps, defined
keymaps

Percussion instruments are key-based--each note plays a different percussion instrument. Keymaps translate MIDI key values to ensure the proper percussion instruments are used to play MIDI files. All MIDI files for Windows are authored using standard key assignments based on the General MIDI Mode standard.


keyword, defined
keyword

Words in the HyperGuide Search dialog box that are associated with topics. Each application's documentation has its own keyword list, including the glossary words in HyperGuide. You select from the list of keywords or type a keyword to see the list of topics associated with that keyword.


kilobyte, defined
kilobyte

The measurement used for the size of a computer's memory, where 1 kilobyte (K) = 1,024 bytes.


list box, defined
list box

A box within a dialog box that lists available choices--for example, the list of all available files in a directory. If all the choices don't fit in the box, there will be a vertical scroll bar to the right of the list box. In some list boxes, you can select more than one item.


local printer, defined
local printer

A printer that is directly connected to your printer by a cable.


local queue, defined
local queue

Lists the files that you directed to any active printer connected to your computer. The computer and printers are connected locally by a cable.

When Print Manager starts printing on a local printer, its icon appears at the bottom of your screen. If you restore the icon to a window, you see the print queue for any active printer connected to your computer. You can use the Print Manager window to check the status of files in the print queue or to interrupt or cancel a print job.


luminosity, defined
luminosity

The brightness of the color on a scale from black to white.


maximize, defined
maximize

To enlarge a window to its maximum size by using the Maximize button or the Maximize command.


Maximize button, defined
Maximize button

The small button at the upper-right corner of a window that contains an Up arrow. Mouse users can click the Maximize button to enlarge a window to its maximum size. Keyboard users can use the Maximize command on the Control menu.


Media Control Interface, defined
Media Control Interface (MCI)

A standard control interface for multimedia devices and files. MCI allows a multimedia application to easily control a variety of multimedia devices and files.


memory, defined
memory

The space in a computer where information is stored while you are working with it. Most PCs have a small amount of read-only memory (ROM), containing the built-in programs that start the operation of the computer when it is turned on, and a large amount of random-access memory (RAM) for users' programs and data.


menu, defined
menu

A list of available commands in an application window. Menu names appear in the menu bar near the top of the window. The Control menu, represented by the Control-menu box at the left end of the title bar, is common to all Windows applications. You use a command on a menu by selecting the menu name, then choosing the command you want.


menu bar, defined
R˜€network queue€byte†"


option button, defined
option button

A small round button that appears in a dialog box and is used to select an option. Within a group of related option buttons, you can select only one button.


palette

Defines the colors used in a bitmap image. Every device independent bitmap (DIB) has an associated color palette.


parity, defined
parity

The method of detecting errors in data transmission.


patch

A specific sound created by a synthesizer. A synthesizer plays notes using sounds defined as patches.


patchmaps, defined
patchmaps

A patch is a specific sound created by a synthesizer. A synthesizer plays notes using sounds defined as patches. Patchmaps translate MIDI patch changes to ensure the proper instruments are used to play MIDI files. All MIDI files for Windows are authored using standard patch assignments based on the General MIDI Mode standard.


pathname, defined
pathname

The directions to a directory or file within your system. For example, C:\WINDOWS3\APPTS\JUNE.CAL is the pathname of the JUNE.CAL file in the APPTS subdirectory in the WINDOWS3 directory on drive C.


picture elements, defined
picture elements

The smallest graphics unit on the screen. Also known as pels.


pixels, defined
pixels

The smallest graphic units on the screen. Also known as picture elements (pels).


playlist, defined
playlist

A list of compact disc titles and tracks that determines the order in which the tracks on the disc are played. Playlists are only used in Music Box.

Use the Program button to assign or edit titles, and to change the playlist.


pointer, defined
pointer

In Windows, the shape of the pointer indicates its function.

	For selecting Windows items, scrolling, resizing windows, and moving windows and dialog boxes with your mouse. This is the pointer you will see most often.
	For choosing a HyperGuide hotspot.
	For selecting text with your mouse.
	For changing the size of a window with your mouse.
	For changing the location or size of a window with your keyboard.
	For indicating the application is processing your request.


port, defined
port

A connection on a computer where you plug in a cable that carries data to a device.

LPT ports are parallel ports. COM ports are serial ports. EPT is a port used for certain printers, such as the IBM Personal Pageprinter. You can use the EPT port only if you have installed a special card in your computer.

Multimedia PCs also have a port for a MIDI sequencer.


print options, defined
print options

Printer-specific settings such as page orientation--portrait or landscape--or the manner in which paper feeds through the printer. These options vary from printer to printer.


printer-driver file, defined
printer-driver file

A file that gives Windows important information about how to control your printer, including details about printer features and the printing interface, descriptions of fonts (such as sizes and styles), character translations, and control sequences the printer uses to achieve various formats. Windows has printer-driver files for most commonly used printers.


printer font, defined
printer font

A series of dots connected by lines that can be scaled to different sizes. Another name for printer fonts is vector (or stroke) fonts. Plotters typically use vector fonts.


printer queue information line, defined
printer queue information line

Indicates the following:

The name of the printer.

Where the printer connects to your computer.

The current status of the printer.


program file, defined
program file

A file that contains information that controls an application. In File Manager, each program file is represented by an icon. You can start the application by choosing the icon. Filenames for program files can have these extensions: .EXE, .COM, .PIF, and .BAT.


program information file (PIF), defined
program information file (PIF)

A file that provides important information that Windows needs to run a non-Windows application. PIFs contain information such as the name of the file, a startup directory, whether the program writes directly to the screen or to memory, and multitasking options for applications running in 386 enhanced mode.


program item, defined
program item

A program file or associated document represented by an icon in Program Manager. The program item provides the instructions Windows needs to start an application and open a document (if specified) when you choose the icon.


program item icon, defined
program item icon

An icon representing an application you can start or an associated document you can open from a group in Program Manager. The program item provides the instructions Windows needs to start an application and open a document (if specified) when you choose the icon.


RGB components, defined
RGB components

The amount of each of the three primary colors--red, green, and blue--present in a color. Every color and pattern is made by varying the three primary colors. This is true even in monochrome (black and white) mode. For instance, white is made by mixing together 255 parts of red, 255 parts of green, and 255 parts of blue. Black, on the other hand, is 0 red, 0 green, and 0 blue.


read-only, defined
read-only

Describes a file or CD-ROM disc that can only be opened and read. You cannot edit a read-only file or CD-ROM disc and save your changes.


real mode, defined
real mode

An operating mode that Windows runs in to provide maximum compatibility with versions of Windows applications released prior to Windows version 3.0. Real mode is the only mode available for computers with less than 1 MB of extended memory.


Restore button, defined
Restore button

The small button at the upper-right corner of a window that contains both an Up arrow and a Down arrow. The Restore button appears only after you have enlarged a window to its maximum size. Mouse users can click the Restore button to return the window to its previous size. Keyboard users can use the Restore command on the Control menu.


root directory, defined
root directory

The main directory on a disk. The root directory is created at the first level when you format a disk. The symbol used to indicate the root directory of a disk is the backslash (\). For example, the root directory for drive C is noted as C:\.


sample

A piece of waveform data represented by a single numerical value. You convert sound into digital form by taking samples of the sound at specific time intervals and converting them to numeric values.


saturation, defined
saturation

The purity of a hue, moving from gray to the pure color.


scaled font size, defined
scaled font size

A font size that approximates a specified font size for use on the screen. Windows scales larger font sizes when a size that is available for the printer is not available for the screen. Scaled fonts may look slightly different from unscaled fonts. When you choose a smaller font size that is available for the printer but not for the screen, Windows substitutes the correct size from a precision-drawn font that resembles the selected font as closely as possible.


screen font, defined
screen font

A font that duplicates a printer font on your screen.

If you choose a printer font that does not have a corresponding screen font, Windows substitutes a screen font that closely resembles the printer font. The substitute font duplicates the line lengths and page breaks of the font you selected.

When you purchase extra fonts from a printer or font manufacturer, ask about the availability of screen fonts to match.


screen saver

An image or pattern that is shown on your computer screen during periods of inactivity. Screen savers hide information currently on the screen; by changing patterns they can also save wear on the electronics in the display.


scroll arrow, defined
scroll arrow

An arrow on either end of a scroll bar that is used to scroll through the contents of a window or list box. Clicking a scroll arrow moves the contents one line. Holding down a scroll arrow scrolls the contents continuously.

Scroll arrows also control the playing of media in some applications, such as Media Player and Sound Recorder.


scroll bar, defined
scroll bar

A bar that appears at the right and/or bottom edge of a window whose contents aren't completely visible. Each scroll bar contains two scroll arrows and a scroll box, which allow you to scroll within the window or list box.

A scroll bar is also used to control playing of media in some applications, such as Media Player and Sound Recorder.


scroll box, defined
scroll box

The square or rectangular box within a scroll bar that indicates your relative position within a document or list box. Mouse users can drag the scroll box up or down quickly through long documents.

A scroll box is also used to control playing of media in some applications, such as Media Player and Sound Recorder.


Search button, defined
Search button

Displays the keywords you can use to search for topics. Use this button to look for topics related to a keyword.


select, defined
select

To mark an item by highlighting it with key combinations or with a mouse. Selecting does not initiate an action. After selecting an item, you choose the action that affects or involves the item. For example, you can select text and then choose the Copy command to copy the text onto the Clipboard.


selection cursor, defined
selection cursor

The marking device that shows where you are in a window, menu, or dialog box and what you have selected. The selection cursor appears as a dotted box around the text in a dialog box option.


serial ports, defined
serial ports

Ports used by your system, named COM1, COM2, and so on. Serial ports are typically used for connecting modems, mouse devices, and some kinds of printers.


shortcut key, defined
shortcut key

A key or key combination, available for some commands, that you can press to carry out a command without first selecting a menu. The shortcut key for a command is listed to the right of the command name on the menu.


shrink, defined
shrink

To reduce a window to an icon using the Minimize button or the Minimize command. The document or application remains open (or running), and can be the active application or document.


simple device, defined
simple device

Devices, such as audio compact-disc players, that don't have an associated file and can be opened without a filename specification.


solid color, defined
solid color

A color directly supported by your display.


source directory, defined
source directory

The directory containing the file or files you intend to copy or move.


spin box, defined
spin box

A spin box shows one item in a range of possible choices. Clicking the Up or Down arrow to the right of the entry lets you "spin" through the available choices until your choice appears in the display rectangle.


standard mode, defined
standard mode

The normal operating mode for running Windows. This mode provides access to extended memory. In standard mode, you can also switch among non-Windows applications.


status bar, defined
status bar

A line of information located at the top or bottom of a window. For example, in a directory window the status bar tells how many files are selected, how much disk space they occupy, and the total number of files in the directory. In the Directory Tree window, the status bar shows the number of bytes available on the disk and the total disk capacity. Not all windows have a status bar.


stop bits, defined
stop bits

The timing unit between characters.

Stop bits are not actually bits; they determine the time between transmitted characters.


synthesizer

An electronic instrument able to make music and sounds by creating its own audio waveforms and sending them out to an audio system. A synthesizer can play back MIDI files.


Task List, defined
Task List

A window that shows all the applications you have running so you can switch among them. You can open the Task List window by choosing Switch To from the Control Menu or by pressing CTRL+ESC.


text box, defined
text box

A box within a dialog box where you type the information needed to carry out a command. When the dialog box appears, the text box may be blank or may contain text.


text file, defined
text file

A file containing only plain text, numbers or symbols. The text in a text file is uniform and does not contain any formatting, such as bold, underline, or different fonts and font sizes. A text file usually consists of characters coded from the ASCII character set.

The advantage of a text file is that it can be transferred to almost any text editor or word processor. Also, MS-DOS and Windows use text files, such as AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, and WIN.INI.


title

Another name for a software application written to run on a Multimedia PC.


title bar, defined
title bar

The horizontal bar at the top of a window that contains the title of the window or dialog box. On many windows, the title bar also contains the Control-menu box and Maximize and Minimize buttons.


topic, defined
topic

The level in the HyperGuide hierarchy at which you see information in the main window. This information can be in the form of a Quick Look graphic, an explanation of a command, a conceptual overview, a procedure, or a table of keys. Information in pop-up windows and contents screens are not considered topics.


track

A sequence of sound on a CD disc, which usually corresponds to a song.


Up button

Moves up one level in the HyperGuide hierarchy.


vector fonts, defined
vector fonts

A series of dots connected by lines that can be scaled to different sizes.


virtual memory, defined
virtual memory

A memory management system used by Windows running in 386 enhanced mode, which allows Windows to behave as if there were more memory than is actually present in the sytem. Virtual memory equals the amount of free RAM plus the amount of disk space allocated to a swap file that Windows uses to simulate additional RAM.


volume label, defined
volume label

The name you give a disk by using the Label command. Disk labels are optional. You see this information in File Manager only if you assigned a label to your disk. You can change or add a disk label through File Manager.


WAVE format, defined
WAVE format

Microsoft's format for digitized waveform files. These files have a .WAV extension.


waveform

A sound waveform displays variances in air pressure over time. An audio signal waveform displays variances in voltage over time.


wildcard characters, defined
wildcard characters

Two MS-DOS characters you can substitute for all or part of a file or directory name when you want to find similarly-named files or want one command to affect a number of files or directories.

An asterisk (*) substitutes for all characters. A question mark (?) substitutes for a single character.

For example, this entry covers all files with a .DOC extension in the current directory:

*.DOC

And this entry covers everything named with FY, three other characters, and the extension .90:

FY???.90


window, defined
window

A rectangular area on your screen in which you view an application or document. You can open, close, and move windows, and change the size of most windows. You can open several windows on the desktop at the same time and you can shrink windows to icons or enlarge them to fill the entire desktop.


window border, defined
window border

The outside edge of a window. You can lengthen or shorten each border. You can also change the width of the border with Control Panel's Desktop command.


Windows application, defined
Windows application

An application that was designed for Windows and will not run without Windows. All Windows applications follow the same conventions for arrangement of menus, style of dialog boxes, use of the keyboard and mouse, and so on.


wrap, defined
wrap

The automatic movement of the insertion point from the end of one line to the beginning of the next line as you type. When text wraps, you do not need to press ENTER at the end of each line in a paragraph.