User's Guide to Microsoft Windows 3.1

by Kris Jamsa

Book Overview

Focusing on Windows 3.1 and describing each feature in detail, this is one of a series of guides for time-pressed people who know their way around a computer. Arranged by topic, each book features... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556154704
• ISBN13: 9781556154706
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Microsoft Press
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The Beginner's Guide

Concise Guide to MS Windows 3.1, by Kris Jamsa When Microsoft Windows 3.0 came out in 1990 it was a revolutionary success. People no longer had to memorize arcane commands or need typing skills to work a computer. Many people remember faces better than names so a graphical interface used this strength. Color made things lively. The `Introduction' said Windows 3.0 made applications easier to use, allowed multiple applications, and allowed information exchanges between programs. Windows 3.1 introduced new features like True Type fonts, enhanced help, and multimedia. Part I provides the Essential Operations. It explains the elements of the Windows Desktop. You should read these pages while in front of the monitor screen. Part II explains the Standard Applications like: Program Manager, File Manager, Clipboard Viewer, Print Manager, Task List, and PIF Editor. The PIF Editor can be important to running a DOS program in Windows. Part III tells how to use the Control Panel to customize and optimize Windows. You can change screen colors; manage fonts; configure serial ports; customize the mouse and desktop; set the keyboard response; configure a printer; specify date, time, number, and currency formats; manage device drivers. Part IV describes the Desktop Applications that are part of Windows. They are the: calculator, calendar, cardfile, clock, notepad, paintbrush, recorder, terminal, write, character map, object packager, media player, and sound recorder. Each is described for use. Part V tells how to play the games Solitaire and Minesweeper. Their options are explained. `Appendix A' tells how to install Windows and its hardware requirements. [The custom then was to create duplicate floppy disks and install from the duplicates.] `Appendix B' lists the simple key combinations used to control Windows. `Appendix C' provides information on memory types: conventional, extended, and expanded. You can create a RAM disk or a disk cache to increase performance. `Appendix D' has a Glossary of common terms. The `Index' is on pages 177 to 195. `Windows 95' was an improved Operating System that eliminated some of the options mentioned here and provided new features and options. Some said `OS/2' was more reliable and tested, but somehow failed to catch on because of its different interface for application programs. The small software companies that were still around then could not afford to support two versions of the same program.