Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

COMPUTER BITS BY JENNIFER BONNITCHA Windows on a brave new world Microsoft Windows 3.0 has meant a re-evaluation of the way we look at computers. And please all you Mac users, no wailing and gnashing of teeth. The new-found power of the graphical user interface (GUI) means that you, as a Windows user, need to look at your computer from the macro rather than micro aspect. Once all you had to worry about was whether you had sufficient disc space to run an application. The character-based DOS programs always ran as standalone programs with clumsy file transfers sending information to other programs. Windows has changed all that so that you can easily transfer information from one program to another without the need to "massage" it in the receiving program. Windows is almost infinitely customisable (is there really such a word?) and has a large array of add-on programs such as games (surprise, surprise), screen savers, icon makers and so forth. One of the program's tastes, and how to get the most from Windows and your computer. If you are considering the move to Windows, here are some points to think about. Software compatibility First, take stock of your computer and determine whether all the DOS programs you currently run are available in Windows versions. If not , you can certainly run a DOS application in Windows, and this will be discussed in a future article. Where possible , choose Windows applications that support the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) protocol. DDE permits separate applications to share the same data; eg, you could create a worksheet in Excel, with supbiggest features is that it allows in- porting graph, and have that graph house developers to customise appli- display in Windows Word. As you cations to suit their organisations. make changes to the worksheet, the While thinking about this series on · graph changes both in Excel and Windows Word. You need do nothing exWindows, the main problem has been where to start - an overview of the cept change the worksheet data! program, straight into installation, or But how much is it going to cost if general tips and tricks? Let's settle on you need to upgrade the version of a general overview first. In following your current program(s) to take admonths, we'll show you how to per- vantage of Windows. The effect on sonalise Windows to your needs and the hip pocket of such a major change To really run Windows, you need at least a 386SX system, an EGA monitor and 3-4Mb of RAM. 88 SILICON CHIP to your computing environment should not be underestimated. Hardware requirements The minimum hardware requirements for Windows 3.0 is an 8086 processor. That said, various industry tests indicate that in order to really run Windows you need at least a 386SX system, an EGA monitor and 3-4Mb of RAM. While Windows actually requires a minimum of 1Mb of RAM, many Windows applications (such as Ventura for Windows) require more than this. Windows' customisation features and its exploitation of the capabilities of the 286/386 processors all add up to a bright future . The original 8088 processor chip on the IBM PC doomed DOS to a 640K memory limit. The later series processor chips in the AT and 386-style computers can address memory in excess of the old base limit. The catch 22 is that the software has to be written to exact guidelines to take advantage of the extra memory. Make sure all your hardware is supported. Although Windows is shipped with a comprehensive range of drivers , if you have a mixed-vendor system, you may run into trouble. Although Windows 3 does not truly multitask, multiple programs can be run at the same time in separate windows. The transfer of information from one program to another can be accomplished in several ways, depending on the type of application you are running. Transfers can be via the clipboard, which may be saved as a file for later use, or through the "realtime" DDE links. Windows modes Windows' multitasking and cutcopy-paste capabilities vary depending on the mode that Windows is run- WIIIIIEl11i&FIIElliQ i-1 File Options Window Help • Accessories Non Windows . ~ ~ \;/rite Corel Draw PageMaker Corel Trace l;/FNBoss 41 II Scan File Manager g- ~ Control Panel I Print Manager lml!D DO~ Prompt Windows Setup DOS Exec ATM Control Panel Aldus Aldus Setup DD Main ~ Excel For your share of the prizes Paintbrush lications PageMaker 4.0 •ii ~ In the March and April issues of Silicon Chip we published the Notepad C,ardfile II CalcL,lator PIF Editor ~ Table Editor ♦ + ♦ ' You can customise Windows' program manager to suit your tastes & requirements. Among other things, you can change the icons, move the icons from one group to another, install new groups & change the screen colours. ning in. With Windows 3.0 you have the option to run in one of three modes depending .on your computer's hardware configuration: Real mode, Standard mode and 386 Enhanced mode. Real Mode: W.i ndows runs in this mode if your system is an 8086 or 8088 computer with at least 640K of conventional memory. You may find that Windows. will also run in real ·m ode if your computer is an 80286, 80386 or 80486 with less than 256K of extended memory. If you have any expanded memory, Windows can make use ofit- though this memory is not used in standard mode or 386 enhanced mode. Standard Mode: Windows runs in standard mode if your system is an 80286 computer (or higher) with at least 1Mb of memory (640K conventional and 256K extended memory). This is also the more realistic mode for running DOS applications. Although Windows and Windows ap plications can access all the memory installed on the computer (up to 16Mb), DOS applications are still restricted to 640K. Enhanced Mode: This is the optimum operating mode for Windows (depending on your hardware requirements of course). Enhanced mode calls for an 80386 computer (or higher) with at least 640K of conventional memory SENDINYOUR APPLICATION and 1024K of extended memory. You can run DOS applications in this mode, together with a disc-based virtual memory manager and background processing. Many programs are designed to run in Standard rather than Enhanced mode. If you think a program is not running as fast as it should, try running Windows in Standard mode. You can start Windows using one of three switches to select the required mode, although more about this later. Weigh up the cost benefits of Windows for your computer or organisation. Any upgrade or change is expensive so the move from DOS to Windows involves not just dollars but also time spent adjusting to the mouse and new menus. One of the interesting features of all mouse-driven programs is that while you can certainly key ahead if you know the correct keyboard sequence, it is much more difficult to "mouseahead". While you can execute a command with the mouse and have it poised at the next screen location, you really can't set up a string of commands (unless you write macros, etc). This adds up to a fair amount of wasted time, sitting and staring at the hour-glass on the screen. Next month, we 'll talk about installing and customising Windows. SC Remote Controller for Garage Doors. The feedback from this project has been enormous. You · have to send in your application of how else this kit can be used. Plus a couple of photos if you actually put the application into practice. In conjunction with Oatley Electronics this is your opportunity to share your application and possibly pick up a prize as well. Even if you have not built the Garage Remote you can still send in an entry. Entries close on the 30th of August 1991, arid will be judged by the technical staff at Silicon Chip. What you could win? 1st Prize. 7mW HE-NE Laser and Inverter. All you need to power this unit is 12-14VDC. This is a red Laser and is valued at: $580.00 2nd Prize. Infra Red Night Viewer.See in the dark with this great night viewer. In this kit you will get a NEW 6032 Image converter tube, Case and the components kit. This prize is valued at: $339.00 3rd Prize. lmW Laser head with a commercial inverter. All you need is a 12V supply. This prize is valued at: $309.00 Plus 10 Ultrasonic movement alarm kits valued at $50.00 ea. SEND ENTRIES TO: GARAGE DOOR COMPETITION P.O. BOX 139 COLLAROY BEACH NSW 2097 JULY 1991 89