The Power of the Pointer

I hope by now most Good Booters are aware of the “Power of the Pointer”. A quick way to discover XP, Vista and Windows 7 information and options.

However as a reminder to current XP, Vista and Windows 7 users as well as information for new users who will be upgrading or purchasing a new Windows 7 computer, I’m going to revisit the awesome power of the pointer.

Perhaps a sampling of how valuable a tool for discovery your pointer and mouse’s right button can be will tweak your curiosity.

Right click on:
* Start and left click Properties (Properties is Windows’ term for information). Xpers will discover Start Menu and Taskbar options. Vista and Windows 7 users will discover Start Menu, Taskbar, Notification Area and Toolbar options.

Spend some time investigating the options offered. Note their default settings should you want to return to them.

* Your Toolbar and left click Toolbars. Investigate some of the many Toolbars and Menu options offered.

If you’ve not done so already I recommend XP and Vista users activate the Quick Launch Toolbar. It’ll appear on left of your Toolbar. In addition to its default shortcuts you can add selected programs and Web sites for convenient access from your Toolbar by dragging their shortcuts from your Desktop onto the Quick Launch Toolbar. Windows 7 users need only drag and “Pin” the shortcuts from their Desktop to the Toolbar. Shortcuts can be removed by dragging them off the Quick Launch Toolbar or Windows 7 Toolbar.

* A blank area of your Desktop and left click Properties (XP) and Personalize (Vista and Windows 7). Investigate the options. Note their default settings should you want to return to them.

Also:

* At the right of your Taskbar is your Taskbar Notification Area. The icons displayed are “some” of the programs currently “running in the background”. To discover what programs they point to, pass your pointer over their icons. For additional information on how the program can be configured, right click on the icon.
* Open any software program and right click in its work area and/or Internet Explorer and right click on a Web page. You’ll be offered a menu of options and configurations.

I hope this mini-tour will provide an incentive for Xpers, Vista and Windows 7 users who have not done so already to begin a power of the pointer adventure. For those soon to be new Windows 7 users, keep the power of the pointer in mind.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.