What is a Task Bar?

The Task bar is something you will use all the time, and believe or not in time it will become second nature. 


Today’s How-To Guide for the computer Beginner is What is the Task bar?  We will also go into the different parts of the task bar. 


You can see a small screenshot below, and if you can't see it clearly go to the picture directly on photobucket!




Most of the time you will find the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.

One the far left side of your taskbar you have your start button,

and all the way to your right will be your computer clock.

A taskbar is a visual device on the desktop that typically shows the user which applications (tasks) are currently active and running. Taskbars such as those in Windows operating systems also include icons for commonly-used utilities such as the system clock and antivirus software. In some systems, the user is allowed to modify the contents, location, or appearance of the taskbar. 

Different Parts of the Task Bar

Today I will go into a brief description of each part of the task bar, and in future lessons will go into more detail of the sections of the task bar.






As we mentioned before the far left portion of the task bar is the start button that you hear people speak about.



When we click the start button we see a start menu.  We will speak about the start menu another day.

The second section of the taskbar has changed quite a bit in time.  I will write briefly about how this section generally evolved with each new Windows Operating System.

Next to the start button that opens the start menu you have the

Quick Launch Bar

The Quick Launch Bar was introduced with Windows 98, but was starting to be radically changed by Windows XP.



The Quick Launch bar was program icons that you use often.  One click and it would launch the program.  The red arrow points to the quick launch bar area.


The black arrow shows a double chervon (double arrow symbol), and when clicked shows additional icons that can be launched as well. 

You can see in this picture two bar looking items that separate the start button, quick launch, and then the middle section.

Some people like to change the programs that are in their quick launch bar, and we will speak about that another day.

Right next to the quick launch bar you have the middle section, which shows you which programs and documents you have open and allows you to quickly switch between them.


As I mentioned before the task bar lets you know what ‘tasks’ are currently open.  In older operating systems you could have MANY tabs that looked similar, and it would fill the space up quickly.




With Windows XP they started what they call task bar grouping.     They basically would ‘group’ all similar files together.  In the example I have pictured they grouped all Microsoft Word Documents together.

Keep in mind normally you would see your document name in this example if you gave the document a name that is.

They made this change so when you have like the picture shows 10 office documents open at once?  You can quickly get the one you need at the time, and switch to a different after that.  





When Vista came along all you had to do was hoover (See picture – windows photo gallery), and the Windows Desktop Manager would give you an image of the file or program you have open.



  Instead of a bunch of grey buttons for each window that is open?  Vista (and XP) tend to show you a white down arrow that tells you that you have more than once window open.  In this case I have more than one webpage on my task bar.



When I hover over the firefox icon in this case my web pages will appear like pictured.  If I hover again on top of the title?

The computer will give me a complete title of that the page in question.


Windows 7 changed it the taskbar once again.  When I hoover over (don’t click) that section the web pages with descriptions will pop up to tell me what they are as well.  



When you go to open a recently used program from the start menu the files you created recently show up as well.  If you look closely at the picture the ‘recent’ section (top right hand side)shows names of flowers that this person may have used in the PAINT program.  These files show up when you hoover over the program name.





These file names also pop up when you click the program icon in the task bar.  

Notice the “RECENT” file names this user created for meeting agendas.

If you look below that you will see the WordPad is the program they used to create them.  Windows 7 also makes it easier to place your programs of choice in the quick launch area.  

Notice the “Unpin this program from taskbar”.    

This user PINED WordPad to their taskbar for quick use.  If they change their mind later?  They can unpin it just by clicking where it prompts you to.




  Unlike Vista that gives me a white down arrow Windows 7 almost gives you the impression you have a couple of sheets of paper.  Notice the layers in the picture.

The notification area, which includes a clock and icons

  The area includes programs you tend to use once you turn the computer on.  It could be sound, virus protection, settings for printer, and important software.  Notice the WHITE arrow at the very left of this picture.  If you click on that you will see ALL the programs serviced by this portion of the task bar.  

This is for Vista.



Windows 7 looks something like this.









The smaller icons as I mentioned are important sections of your computer

This is my speakers icon.  When I hoover over that icon I get a notification like this



This is the same area in which you will be notified (with new operating systems) when an update to one of your programs is available.  Below is a Java Notification.



Lastly, you have your clock that we have already covered in another lesson.


Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginning, and our brief overview on the task bar.

As always don't forget to leave a comment or question if you have one in the area supplied below.

If you leave your email in the box I supplied future lessons will be sent to you by email!

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Set Clock on Computer

Today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginning is setting the computer Clock.

When learning computer basics you will notice on the right hand corner of the bottom of your screen is a clock.   Most of the time when you setup your computer the operating system will prompt you to set the clock.  The computer clock has come a long way, because most of the time you can set it and forget it!

 

 

I realize those of you that have landed here need to change the clock for some reason, and we will be going over that.

 

As I mentioned the computer clock will be located in your computer’s system tray.

 

 

Below are two screen shots of clocks on the computer.


 

 

Since all computers have a small battery inside to keep the clock running on your computer, even when unplugged, the time should not be off much unless the battery is getting old in most cases.

It is important that the date and time be correct so that your files will have an accurate time stamp. You can also insert the date or time into a document. If the computer doesn't have the right date or time, neither will your document.

Clock on Computer

Double-click the time on the Task bar located in the system tray where you see your clock.

 
The Date and Time Properties dialog box appears. This dialog box contains a calendar and a clock. This is where you set the time on the computer!

Most of the newer operating systems have similar date and time properties.  I have included two examples here. 

I will show you the older operating systems as well towards the bottom of this article.

 

The red rectangles are spots in which you can pull down the menu to change your month from March (as pictured) to the month of your choice.  The same goes for the year.  The date itself you can click on the number you wish.  You would use the up and down arrows to set the time, or in some systems you can literally click on one of the hands of the clock to drag to the new time.

 

 

 

 

Our second example of setting the clock is similar, but you have to go to one additional menu.  The top red arrows prompts the date and time menu to appear.  At times you must have administrative privileges to do this. 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting the month is pretty straight forward.  If you wish to pick a month prior to July then click the arrow  I pointed to on your left.  You will notice JUNE shows up.  If you wish to go forward in the months you would push the section I pointed to with the right arrow.  You would move to August. 

 

Please note:  If you go forward to August in order to get to January faster?  You will see that the year for January will change as well.  Remember this is a machine.  If you want to go back to January, 2011?  You must go left (backwards) to January.  If you go forwards?  You will land on January, 2012.  As you might have guessed this section controls the month and the year.

 

The picture I supplied for the ‘date’ is set on July 10, 2011.  You may click on a different number for your date.

 

For the Clock you will use the up and down arrows under the clock to change the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have completed all your changes? You will click the OKAY button towards the bottom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you look again at the main menu’s for the time change properties?  One option has you switching tabs, and the second one has a button for the time zone.

 

You will have a pull down menu to pick your time zone, but also notice the option for ‘daylight savings time’.  If your time zone adjusts for daylight savings time you need to make sure this option is marked.  If not, make sure it is NOT marked.  (clicked in other words)

 

When you click the down right for the time zone you will be able to scroll up and down in order to find the time zone that applies to you, and your computer’s clock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again if you made changes?  Click OKAY to apply them.

 

On internet tab you can reset your computer clock to match a standard clock at Microsoft or at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Of course, you must be connected to the Internet to do this. If your computer is connected nearly all the time, the clock will update weekly. There is a button that updates the clock right now.   We will go into that more later.

The older operating systems also have pretty much the same features! How to set time on computer for this screen is also pretty straight forward! You can MOVE the hands on the clock with your cursor. Bring down the dialog box for your time zone, and CLICK your correct day and month! You can also bring down the dialog boxes for those as well!

 

Yes, its basically the same thing as with newer operating systems.  The screens to me just got more ‘pretty’ if you will.

 

Speaking of clocks I have a neat website for you! Its a online alarm clock! YEP you will need your speakers for this! There are times in which I know I have to get off the computer at a certain time, or other times I will be doing housework and don't want to get all wrapped up and forget a appointment!

 

This Online Alarm Clock is really NEAT! Nothing to download! You just set the time, and keep the window open! I normally minimize the window.  Believe me you will HEAR it when it rings! Make sure you have your speakers ON!

 

 

This is VERY funny! How would you like this type of alarm clock?

 

Well I hope today’s How-To Guide for Computer Beginner’s help you understand how to set your computer clock.

 

If you have any question please feel free to leave a comment.

 

Make sure you leave your email in the subscription box so future lessons will be sent to you automatically.

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