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Computer Basics
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The first line of attack is well stated in a famous, and often used, saying that goes something like: This is what every person who ever tried to help someone out with a problem wants to say first off! Help Yourself
The vast majority of questions that people have about their computers and their software are actually answered in the documentation. It is entirely true that some documents are easier to use than others. But you should at least give it a shot. You might actually find the answer for yourself.
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The Help MenuOn the menu bar you will see the word "Help". This cleverly named list contains commands that open resources on your computer that can help answer your questions. You'll see different choices in different programs.The most basic kind of Help file will explain the commands on the menu and the functions of any toolbar icon. The more elaborate the program, the more complex the questions, and thus more complex the Help offered. You will likely see tabs for Contents, Index, and Find. Clicking on a topic will display it in a new window. We see below an example from Win95's Paint program.
Context-sensitive HelpPrograms are getting smarter about offering help that is appropriate for what tasks you are currently doing. Dialog boxes have a small button at the upper right
You may find context-sensitive help within your program with a button similar to these.
Right-clicking in Windows programs may popup a context-sensitive menu which has a Help item for the object clicked. Wizard HelpOne of the newest types of help lets you use "natural language" to ask a question. Here is WordPro 96's version. We asked how to select a font. On the right we see a list of topics that WordPro thinks might help, starting with the most likely ones. Microsoft adds the Answer Wizard tab to the Help dialog box to do the same sort of thing. |
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. If you click this button and then click on something in the window, you will get a popup explanation. Very helpful when you don't understand the choices that are presented in the dialog box.
While online documentation is all the rage, there are still times when having something on paper is worthwhile. If your computer or your software just won't run, it doesn't do any good to have a solution hiding inside the computer where you can't get at it! So paper is still best for that information that you need to handle the really horrible problems. 
You can start with your friend who is more computer literate than you, or who at least has used the software in question longer. Other helpful people you know include relatives who use computers at work or home, your children's computer-smart friends, and teachers whom you treated really nicely when you were in their class.
