User's Guide to OS/2 Warp Version 3 - Part 2

Exploring the Desktop
In this chapter you will learn about and explore computer terms you should know, the OS/2 tutorial (Using OS/2), the icons (small pictures) that are displayed on your Desktop, and the online information that is available. There will be times when you are sent from this book to your computer so that you can explore the Desktop. Be sure to have your computer on with the Desktop or the tutorial displayed.

Understanding Terminology
Before you begin your exploration of the Desktop, it's important to recognize the terminology used in this book and in other OS/2 information. The following terms are used in addition to click and double-click to describe mouse actions. For more information about click and double-click, review the "Using the Mouse" section of Using OS/2.
 * Select:Point to an item and click mouse button 1. Instructions explain which item to point to.
 * Open:Point to an item and double-click mouse button 1. Instructions explain which item to point to.

Using the Tutorial
Begin your exploration by going through the OS/2 tutorial (Using OS/2). The Using OS/2 tutorial was created to teach you the basics of OS/2 step-by-step, and to provide advanced hints and topics for experienced DOS, OS/2, or Microsoft Windows users. Try It! If the tutorial is not displayed on the Desktop, you can find it on the LaunchPad. Use either of the following procedures to display the tutorial: Return to this book when the tutorial is displayed. Look at the tutorial now. The information box at the bottom of the window describes how to start the tutorial. To the right of the box are push buttons that you can click on with your mouse. When the text or graphic on a button is black, the button is active and available for use. When it is grey, the button is not active and cannot be used. Try It! Return to this book when you have completed this procedure. After you have viewed "Using the Mouse" or if you bypassed that section, the tutorial begins with the Introduction panel. Move the mouse pointer around the window and read the text in the information box to learn about the features in the tutorial. The area on the left side of the tutorial window is the selection area. The selection area contains twelve push buttons that you click on to select. The tutorial topics are displayed on the first seven push buttons. Click on a push button to display the tutorial contents list. Double-click on the topic text to go directly to that topic, or click on the > button to continue through the topics. The eighth push button is the tutorial index, which provides a list of all tutorial topics. The topics are organized in groups that relate to the main topic push buttons. Corresponding subtopics are listed below. When you double-click on a topic in the index, you go directly to that topic. This can be helpful if you want to review a topic that you have already tried but are unable to remember where it is listed.
 * If you don't know how to use a mouse:
 * Press and release the Alt and Tab keys at the same time until you highlight the LaunchPad, and then press Enter to open the LaunchPad.
 * Use the Left or Right Arrow key to highlight the Using OS/2 (its the icon with the question mark on it), and then press Enter.
 * If you know how to use a mouse: c.
 * Double-click on the LaunchPad icon if it is not already open on the Desktop.
 * Click on Using OS/2 (its the icon with the question mark on it), located in the Front Panel, to display the tutorial on the Desktop.
 * If you don't know how to use a mouse, press the Spacebar on your keyboard to start the "Using the Mouse" instructions in the tutorial. These instructions explain mouse terminology and teach you how to use a mouse.
 * If you know how to use a mouse, press Enter or click on (select) the > button to begin the tutorial.

The remaining four push buttons are available when you are within certain tutorial topics. They provide the following information: You can move throughout the tutorial at your own pace and review the topics in any order.
 * Practice:Lets you to try a task for yourself. When you select Practice, the tutorial window moves to reveal the Desktop. The window provides instruction for a task you can perform on the Desktop. You will navigate through folders and objects to perform the task as you would from the Desktop.
 * OS/2:Provides tips for using OS/2. The OS/2 tips are displayed automatically in the information box for each tutorial topic.
 * Windows:Provides tips for the Microsoft Windows user. The Windows tips compare OS/2 tasks to similar tasks in Windows.
 * Expert:Provides advanced tips for the more experienced OS/2 user.

Using the Desktop and Its Objects
The icons that you see on the Desktop are called objects. Some of these objects are folders. Folders are objects that contain other objects and folders. Think of the Desktop as one big folder or the main folder that contains everything you need to use OS/2. If you are familiar with DOS and Microsoft Windows you can think of the Desktop folder as a directory and the folders it contains as subdirectories. Other types of objects are data files, program files, or device files.

Note: Throughout this book, the Desktop is also referred to as the Workplace Shell.

When you look at the Desktop, you will see the following objects:
 * The OS/2 System folder contains objects you can use to set up OS/2 the way you want it. You can use these objects to change your mouse for left-handed use or to speed up the click rate, as well as to change the colors and look of the Desktop.
 * The Information folder contains online information, including Using OS/2 (the online tutorial), and the Master Help Index, and online books, including Command Reference, Glossary, Printing in OS/2, Application Considerations, Windows Programs in OS/2, Performance Considerations,Using Multimedia, and REXX Information. See Using the Information.
 * The Templates folder contains object models (templates) for the different types of objects in OS/2. These templates make it easy for you to create new objects for files, folders, programs, and other objects. See Using Templates.
 * The LaunchPad contains the objects you use most often. You can also add other objects to the LaunchPad. For more information about using the LaunchPad, refer to "Using the LaunchPad" later in this chapter.

During installation, if OS/2 recognizes that your computer has an audio card, multimedia support is automatically installed and your Desktop also will include the following: To find out more about these Windows program objects, refer to the online book Windows Programs in OS/2.
 * The Multimedia folder contains the multimedia applications that are supported by your computer. You can find out more about these Multimedia objects in the online Multimedia book, located in the Information folder.
 * During installation, if OS/2 finds Windows programs already installed on your computer, your Desktop also will include these icons.
 * The Windows Programs folder contains program objects for the Windows programs you had installed before you installed OS/2.
 * The WIN-OS/2 Groups folder contains program objects for the Windows Groups programs that were created under the Windows Program Manager.

Using Pop-up Menus
Now that you know a little bit about the objects on the Desktop, you should also know that each object has its own menu known as a pop-up menu. Pop-up menus contain items that relate specifically to an object as well as items that are common to all objects. Some of the standard pop-up menu items include:
 * Open
 * Opens an object or folder and displays its contents, starts a program, or displays a data file. Selecting Open is the same as double-clicking on an object. Some items have an arrow to the right of Open that lets you choose how you want your icons to be displayed. You have three choices:
 * Icon View Displays the icons randomly within the folder.
 * Tree View Displays the objects in a hierarchy.
 * Details View Displays the properties of the objects (for example, the date and time the object was created, the full name of the object, and any other special attributes associated with the object).
 * Settings Opens the Settings notebook for the object. The Settings notebook looks like a book with tabs and enables you to view and change the current settings for the object.
 * Help Displays general help information about the object. Select the arrow to the right of Help to display a list of the types of help available for the object.
 * Help Index Displays an alphabetic list of available help topics for the active program.
 * General Help Displays help information about the active window. This is the same information you would see if you were to select Help from the pop-up menu or press the F1 key while the open window is active.
 * Using Help Explains all the ways you can get help for objects on the Desktop.
 * Keys Help Explains the different groups of keys you can use with OS/2.
 * When you select a specific group, additional help is displayed with a list of the keys provided for the group.


 * Create another:Lets you create another object from the pop-up menu and works the same as if you were to drag a template from the Templates folder.
 * Copy:Makes a duplicate of the selected object and its contents.
 * Move:Lets you move an object to a new location anywhere on the Desktop.
 * Create shadow:Creates a duplicate of an object but differs from a copy in that it automatically exchanges data between the shadow and the original object. When you make changes in the shadow object, the original object is updated with the same data.
 * Pickup and Drop:Enables you to move an object and perform other tasks before you drop the object in its new location. Drop will not be displayed on the pop-up menu until you have selected Pickup.
 * Window:Displays additional menu items that enable you to manage the size and location of the window and close the open window.
 * Find:Helps you locate any object in the system.
 * Arrange and Undo Arrange:Organizes the objects on the Desktop or the open active window in horizontal rows across the top of the screen. Undo Arrange places the objects in the location where they were before you selected Arrange.
 * Undo Arrange will not be displayed on the pop-up menu until you have selected Arrange.

Try It!

The Desktop has its own pop-up menu, and each object has its own pop-up menu.

To display the pop-up menu for the Desktop, try the following:
 * 1) Move the mouse pointer to an empty area on the Desktop.
 * 2) Press mouse button 2 to display the Desktop pop-up menu. Look at the menu items on the pop-up menu. The Desktop pop-up menu contains items that no other pop-up menu has - Lockup now, Shut down, and System Setup.

To display the pop-up menu for an object, try the following. In this example, you will display the pop-up menu for the OS/2 System object. c.
 * 1) Move the mouse pointer to OS/2 System.
 * 2) Press mouse button 2 to display the pop-up menu for the object. Notice that some of the items on the pop-up menu for the object are different from those you saw on the Desktop pop-up. Each object has menu items that are exclusive to that object.

For more information about pop-up menus, select the menus topic in the Master Help Index, and then select any of the topics of interest to you.

Using Settings Notebooks
Each object has its own Settings notebook. The Settings notebook enables you to customize settings for each object. Just as the pop-up menus for an object have exclusive and common menu items, the Settings notebooks have exclusive settings pages. Some of the standard settings pages are as follows: There are additional settings pages available, but the pages listed above are some of the most common. You can get help for settings pages by selecting the Help push button, which is available on every page. Try It!
 * View:Use the View page to select how icons and their text are displayed.
 * Include:Use the Include page to include objects that you want in your folder and exclude objects you don't want in your folder.
 * Sort:Use the Sort page to determine the menu items listed when you select the arrow to the right of Sort in the pop-up menu. You determine how you want the objects in folders sorted by selecting the items from the pop-up menu.
 * Background:Use the Background page to select an image or color to display in the background of any open folder, including the Desktop. You can select a different image or color for each and every folder on the Desktop.
 * Menu:Use the menu page to customize your pop-up menu items. You can add, delete, or change the items on the pop-up menu or the cascaded menu that is displayed when you select the arrow to the right of a menu item.
 * File:Use the File page to view the file name and path of a file object. You can also define the object as a work area object. A work-area folder lets you put together objects that are related to a specific task. For more information about the Files page, select files topic from the Master Help Index and then select File information about objects. For more information about work-area folders, select the folders topic from the Master Help Index and then select Creating a work-area folder.
 * Window:Use the Window page to customize the window behavior for each object on the Desktop. Window behavior includes how and where you want your object to be minimized, how you want the window to open, and which button (hide or minimize) you want to appear on the window. every time you double-click on it.
 * General:Use the General page to change the name or the icon displayed for the folder currently selected or open.

Use the following procedure as a guide to displaying the Settings notebook for an object: When you make changes to the Settings notebook, the changes take effect immediately after you close the notebook.
 * 1) Move the mouse pointer to OS/2 System.
 * 2) Press mouse button 2 to display the pop-up menu for the object.
 * 3) Select Settings to display the Settings notebook for the object. Notice that each page is identified by a tab on the right side of the notebook.
 * 4) Select the Window tab to display the Window page. Look at the bottom of the page. You will see Window - Page 1 of 2, which lets you know that there is more than one page associated with the Window tab.
 * 5) Click on the right arrow at the bottom of the page to display page 2 for the Window tab. Some of the tabs in the notebooks can have up to 3 or 4 pages with which they are associated. Simply select the right arrow to move forward through the pages and the left arrow to move backward through the pages. You can also use the arrows instead of the tabs to page through the notebooks.
 * 6) Double-click on the title-bar icon to close the notebook.

Finding Information
OS/2 provides plenty of information online, in the form of help information and books, that you can use as you are working.

Getting Help
Help information is available for every object on the Desktop, every menu item on pop-up and pull-down menus, and every place you see a Help push button. Try It! If you want to learn how to use the online help functions, be sure the Using OS/2 tutorial is displayed. Then use the following procedure: Return to this book when you are finished.
 * 1) Select the About Help push button.
 * 2) Review the panels about OS/2 Help.
 * 3) Read the instructions on the right side of the window and in the information box.
 * 4) Select the Practice push button to try it out.

F1 Help
F1 help provides information about objects, pop-up menu items, entry fields, and push buttons. You use the F1 help by selecting or highlighting an item and pressing the F1 key on your keyboard. Try It! To get F1 help for each item on a pop-up menu, try the following: Return to this book when you are finished.
 * 1) Click on the down arrow icon in the upper-left corner of the tutorial window. The title-bar icon menu for the OS/2 tutorial is displayed.
 * 2) Press the Down Arrow key on your keyboard and watch the focus box move from menu item to menu item. Try this several times and stop at the Close menu item.
 * 3) Now press the F1 key on your keyboard. A helpful explanation about why you might want to use this menu item is displayed.
 * 4) Double-click on the title-bar icon in the upper-left corner of the help window, next to Help for Close, to close the help window.

Help Push Button
Another way to get help is to use the Help push button available on most of the object pop-up menus and notebook pages. These Help push buttons let you work with the object while you learn how to use it. Try It!

To learn how to use the Help push buttons, try the following: Another way to get help is by using an online book called the Master Help Index. For more information refer to "Mastering the Master Help Index" in Part 3 of this book.
 * 1) Open OS/2 System.
 * 2) Open System Setup.
 * 3) Open Solid Color Palette.
 * 4) Click on the Edit Color push button.
 * 5) When the Edit Color window is displayed, move it to the left side of the screen to make room for the help panel.
 * 6) Click on the Help push button.
 * 7) Read the information provided in the help window. Notice the highlighted words within the help text. These words indicate that additional information is available. You can use the Edit Color window while the Help information is displayed.
 * 8) When you are finished reading the help information, you can close the help window by double-clicking on the title-bar icon in the upper-left corner of the help window.

Viewing Information Online
When you installed OS/2, online information and books were added to the Information folder. These books and information describe information about printing in OS/2, using Windows programs in OS/2, program and performance considerations, using OS/2 multimedia programs, a book that identifies trademarks used in the online information, a glossary of terms and the Master Help Index, which is your main online help resource. The following books are in the Information folder.

Master Help Index
The Master Help Index provides help for practically everything you want to know about using OS/2. It is set up like a dictionary that has tabs. These tabs can help you find topics quickly. After you select a tab, use the scroll bar to page down to the topic you are looking for. You will sometimes find that after you select a topic, a secondary list of topics is displayed. This list of topics is related to the topic you selected. Try It!

To learn about the Master Help Index:
 * 1) Select the About Help push button.
 * 2) Select the Using the Master Help Index topic.
 * 3) Read the instructions on the right side of the window and in the information box.
 * 4) Select the Practice push button to try it out.

Hint:
 * You can use the keys on your keyboard to move to sections in the index. Simply press the key that corresponds to the first letter of the topic, and the entries that start with that letter will be displayed.

For more information refer to "Mastering the Master Help Index" in Part 3 of this book.

Command Reference
If you are familiar with using a command line or you want to learn how to use one, you will find the online Command Reference to be very helpful. This book contains descriptions of all the commands you can use at an OS/2 command prompt.

You might already be familiar with some of the commands because some are actually identical to those you have used with DOS. Some of the commands are new and some contain additional parameters specific for use with OS/2. For more information about command lines, see "Using Command Prompts" in Part 3 of this book. Try It!

To learn how to use the Command Reference, review the "Using the Command Reference" topic located in the About Help section of the tutorial. When you are finished, close the tutorial and try the following steps: Note: You might see + signs next to some of the commands in the list. The + signs indicate that additional information pertaining to these commands is available. Click on the + sign to view the additional topics.
 * 1) Open the Information folder.
 * 2) Open the Command Reference.
 * 3) Select the + sign next to OS/2 Commands By Name to display all the OS/2 commands.
 * 4) Open the command for which you want information.

Glossary
The Glossary provides definitions for terms used in the OS/2 information. The Glossary looks like a dictionary and can be used in the same way the Master Help Index is used. You can use the tutorial to find out more about the Glossary.

REXX Information
This book provides information to acquaint you with the REXX language and programming concepts.

Windows Programs in OS/2
This book provides information about using OS/2 and Windows programs together under OS/2.

Application Considerations
This book provides information about the settings or tasks you need to perform to enable certain programs to run under OS/2.

Performance Considerations
This book provides information about how to improve the performance of your system, memory management, model-specific computer problems, and COM ports.

Printing in OS/2
This book provides information for everything you want to know about printing in OS/2-from installing a printer to solving printer problems.

Multimedia
This book provides information pertaining to the multimedia programs available with OS/2.

Trademarks
This book provides trademark information for trademarks mentioned in the online books and online help information.

Using the LaunchPad
The LaunchPad holds the objects and push buttons that you use most often. Some of the most commonly used objects are already on the LaunchPad.

Using LaunchPad Push Buttons
The push buttons at the left side of the LaunchPad let you secure your computer while you are away, shut down your computer when you are done working for the day, locate things on the Desktop, and display a list of all the windows you have open on the Desktop. The following describes the push buttons on the LaunchPad.

Lockup Push Button
You can use Lockup to lock up your computer keyboard and display at any time. By locking up your computer, you can keep others from using your computer while you are away. Try It! To lock up your computer, you must first decide on a password. Your password can be from 1 to 15 characters long. Think of a password now, write it down, and put it in a safe place. Then try the following: Note: After you have specified your password, your screen will automatically lock up within three minutes if there is no action being performed on the Desktop. Realize that it is very important to be sure to: REMEMBER YOUR PASSWORD! After you have decided upon a password and entered it into the Password window, you will not see the password window again unless you decide at some later time that you want to change your password. Now, whenever you select Lockup on the LaunchPad, your computer will be automatically locked up. To change your password, or any of the other settings associated with the Lockup push button, you must use the settings menu choice in the Desktop pop-up menu. Try It! To see the Lockup settings available and to change your password, try the following: Remember to lock up your computer when you are away to prevent someone from using it.
 * 1) Select the Lockup push button on the left side of the LaunchPad.
 * 2) Read the text in the window and type your password in the Password field next to the blinking cursor.
 * 3) Press the Enter key on your keyboard and the cursor will start blinking in the Password (for verification) field.
 * 4) Type the same password again to verify that you entered the password correctly.
 * 5) Select the OK push button.
 * 6) Select the Lockup push button on the LaunchPad. The OS/2 Logo screen is displayed and a Help push button is available at the bottom right side of the screen.
 * 7) Type your password, and then press Enter. You will return to the Desktop.
 * 1) Using mouse button 2, click on an open area on the Desktop. The Desktop pop-up menu is displayed.
 * 2) Select Settings to display the Settings notebook for the Desktop.
 * 3) Select the Lockup tab.
 * Notice that the Lockup tab has three pages associated with it. The bottom right corner of the page is labeled Lockup - Page 1 of 3. The page currently displayed is the Timeout page. Use this page to change the current settings for how much time you want to pass before the computer automatically locks up. Timeout is set for 3 minutes by default. The second page enables you to decide what graphics or colors you want to be displayed while your computer is locked up. The Lockup screen is set to display the OS/2 Logo screen by default. The screen is displayed in the Preview area of the page. Page 3 is the page you use to change your current password.
 * 1) Move the mouse pointer to the right arrow and select it until the Password Page in the notebook is displayed.
 * 2) Type your new password in the Password field and then again in the Password (for verification) field. If you need help, select the Help push button.
 * 3) Select OK.

Find Push Button
The Find push button helps you locate objects in the system. If you can't remember where to find your favorite game, you can use the Find option to help you locate it.

Try It!

To learn how to use Find, try the following:
 * 1) Select Find on the LaunchPad. The Find Objects window is displayed.
 * 2) Select the Help push button at the bottom of the window.
 * 3) Read the information about how to use Find. Be sure to read through to the end of the help information, where you can find a list of the fields available on the Find Objects window. You can double-click on the highlighted items to display additional information about how to use these fields. Be sure to select the Previous push button at the bottom of the help window to return to the original help information for Find.
 * 4) Double-click on the title-bar icon in the help window when you are finished using the help information. This will close the help window.

Window List Push Button
You can use the Window List push button to help you locate open objects, reopen minimized windows, or close open windows. Try It! To learn about the Window List, try the following:
 * 1) Select the Window List push button.
 * A list of open active windows is displayed. The Desktop is the first window in the list. The list also includes the LaunchPad and any other active objects or folders you might have already opened.
 * 1) Select the title-bar icon located in the upper-left corner of the window.
 * 2) Select the arrow to the right of Help.
 * 3) Select General Help.
 * 4) Read the information in the help window to learn more about the Window List and how to use it.

Shut Down Push Button
After you have given OS/2 its daily workout, you must take care and remember to shut down your computer. Shut down is the cool-down exercise for this powerful operating system. When you shut down your computer, information about which windows are open and where they are located on the Desktop is saved in the storage buffer on your hard disk. When you select Shut down, you will see a window asking if you are ready to shut down. Simply select the OK push button and you will be on your way to performing a successful shutdown. Remember to use the Shut down option when you are finished working for the day. Note: Be sure to check all programs for unsaved information (such as data files you might be editing) before you start the shutdown procedure. Note: Never turn off the power on your computer until you have completed a shutdown.

Using Objects on the LaunchPad
The objects on the right side of the LaunchPad are shadows of objects that already exist elsewhere in OS/2. A shadow object is linked to the original object but it can reside in a different location on the Desktop. The purpose of a shadow object is to allow you to use an object from the Desktop whether or not it is located on drive C. When you make a change to the shadow, the change also occurs in the original. By creating a shadow of the original object instead of creating a copy, you can save space on your hard disk and still use the functions of the object. The following are the objects on the LaunchPad:

Drive A Object
The Drive A object gives you access to the information provided on a diskette you insert into the diskette drive slot on your computer. When you select the drawer button for the Drive A object, you will see that it contains the Drive C object (if Drive C is the drive where you installed OS/2). This object gives you access to the contents of Drive C in your computer. For more information about accessing drives, see "Using Drives" in Part 3 of this book.

OS/2 Window Object
The OS/2 Window object gives you access to an OS/2 command prompt in a window on the Desktop. You can use the OS/2 command prompt in much the same way as a DOS command prompt - by typing a command at the command prompt. When you select the drawer button for the OS/2 Window object, you will see that it contains the DOS Window object. The DOS Window object provides you access to a DOS command prompt in a window on the Desktop. Here you can use the DOS commands with which you are already familiar. For more information about using a command prompt, refer to the online Command Reference, or the "Using Command Prompts" in Part 3 of this book.

Using OS/2 Object
The Using OS/2 object gives you instant access to the OS/2 tutorial. Use the tutorial to learn something new, to refresh your memory about how to do something, or to experience hands-on practice using OS/2.

Shredder Object
The Shredder provides a quick way for you to delete files, objects, or folders that you no longer have a use for. For more information about the Shredder, see the online Master Help Index.

Printer Object
The printer object is added to the LaunchPad only if a printer was set up when you installed OS/2. You might not have a printer object on your LaunchPad. If you want to know how to set up a printer, use the information provided in the online Printing in OS/2 book located in the Information folder.

Adding Objects to the LaunchPad
You can easily add any object you want to the LaunchPad by simply dragging the object to the right side of the LaunchPad. The LaunchPad will expand to include the object on the panel. Try It! When adding an object to the LaunchPad, use the following example as a guide. In this example, the System Clock is added to the LaunchPad: For more information about the LaunchPad, refer to the Master Help Index, the Using OS/2 tutorial, and the help information provided with the LaunchPad.
 * 1) Open the OS/2 System folder.
 * 2) Open the System Setup folder.
 * 3) Move the mouse pointer over the System Clock object.
 * 4) Press and hold mouse button 2 and move the object in between two objects on the LaunchPad until you see a single, solid black bar. This black bar indicates where the object will be added to the LaunchPad.