Windows for Libraries

This book is about how (and why) to use Windows in a library environment. It is not a complete guide to Windows, but it provides an explanation of the various components of Windows and examples of how they might be useful in a library setting. It concentrates primarily on Windows version 3.1. Chapter one discusses the graphical user interface (GUI). It makes the argument that a graphical interface is better than a non-graphical one. Chapter two relates the minimal and recommended equipment configurations for running Windows and discusses the different operating modes. Chapter three covers the basics of working in the Windows environment: the components of a window, how to move around in and among windows, and common keystrokes and their uses. Chapter four starts getting down to a discussion of Windows, examining multitasking. Chapter five is the first of three chapters that describe how the user can share data among applications. This chapter covers the Windows Clipboard and basic cut and paste techniques. Chapter six moves ahead with the topic of shared data and discusses Dynamic Data Exchange.
Chapter seven culminates the data sharing discussion with an examination of Object Linking and Embedding. Chapter eight describes the Windows shell, the program that makes all the others go. Chapter nine addresses working with files in the Windows environment. Chapter ten discusses Windows initialization files. Chapter 11 covers Program Information Files and using DOS applications in Windows. Chapter 12 discusses TrueType, the Windows font technology and chapter 13 describes Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) programs and various ramifications of using them in Windows. Chapter 14 offers tips on using Windows on public workstations in the library. Chapter 15 contains closing arguments supporting Windows as the platform of choice in library computing. The book concludes with four appendices: a discussion of memory (RAM) in PCs; a description of virtual memory - the Windows swap file; coverage of FastDisk, the 32-bit access technology; and a miscellaneous collection of information.
 
This book is about how (and why) to use Windows in a library environment. It is not a complete guide to Windows, but it provides an explanation of the various components of Windows and examples of how they might be useful in a library setting. It concentrates primarily on Windows version 3.1. Chapter one discusses the graphical user interface (GUI). It makes the argument that a graphical interface is better than a non-graphical one. Chapter two relates the minimal and recommended equipment configurations for running Windows and discusses the different operating modes. Chapter three covers the basics of working in the Windows environment: the components of a window, how to move around in and among windows, and common keystrokes and their uses. Chapter four starts getting down to a discussion of Windows, examining multitasking. Chapter five is the first of three chapters that describe how the user can share data among applications. This chapter covers the Windows Clipboard and basic cut and paste techniques. Chapter six moves ahead with the topic of shared data and discusses Dynamic Data Exchange.
Chapter seven culminates the data sharing discussion with an examination of Object Linking and Embedding. Chapter eight describes the Windows shell, the program that makes all the others go. Chapter nine addresses working with files in the Windows environment. Chapter ten discusses Windows initialization files. Chapter 11 covers Program Information Files and using DOS applications in Windows. Chapter 12 discusses TrueType, the Windows font technology and chapter 13 describes Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) programs and various ramifications of using them in Windows. Chapter 14 offers tips on using Windows on public workstations in the library. Chapter 15 contains closing arguments supporting Windows as the platform of choice in library computing. The book concludes with four appendices: a discussion of memory (RAM) in PCs; a description of virtual memory - the Windows swap file; coverage of FastDisk, the 32-bit access technology; and a miscellaneous collection of information.