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Customizing the desktop for user’s needs

Source: licencja: CC 0.

Dostosowanie pulpitu do własnych potrzeb użytkownika

You will learn
  • adjust the appearance of the desktop,

  • create virtual desktops,

  • switch between application windows.

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nagranie abstraktu

The desktopdesktopdesktop is the user's basic place of work in graphical operating systems. In the file system, the desktop is a reflection of the contents of the directory named Desktop in each user’s profile. It contains icons (links) reflecting the most important elements of the user interface. The desktop consists of several elements - in addition to the shortcuts and file directories created by the user, there is the taskbartaskbartaskbar, as well as other elements, e.g. in the Microsoft Windows system it is the „Start” navigation button, which after clicking opens the drop‑down menu. Currently, its appearance can be adjusted not only functionally, but also visually - by changing the screen resolutionscreen resolution screen resolution, the size of letters, as well as modifying the appearance of the background and icons.

In most modern graphical user interfaces, the elements of the desktop are similar to each other.

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nagranie abstraktu

Virtual desktops these are several desktops between which we can switch. The main advantage of virtual desktops is maintaining order. Different work and entertainment environments can be separated from each other.

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Adding a Windows 10 desktop view
Source: GroMar, licencja: CC BY 3.0.
Task 1
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nagranie abstraktu

Check if your operating system supports multiple desktops. If so, create an additional desktopdesktopdesktop. On both desktops, run two different programs. Explain how you can switch between them.

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nagranie abstraktu

WallpaperwallpaperWallpaper is a desktop background. It gives the desktop an individual look. The wallpaper can be a single one‑colour pattern, a graphical image or a graphical presentation.

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Changing the desktop background
Source: GroMar, licencja: CC BY 3.0.
Task 2
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nagranie abstraktu

Choose sample graphics from a computer resource or compose your own graphics using the editor (e.g. Paint) and change the desktopdesktopdesktop wallpaper.

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nagranie abstraktu

Screensaver is a computer program that turns off the screen and displays animations or movies after a certain period of inactivity of the operator. In the past, screen savers have increased the uptime of CRT monitors, today they can reduce energy consumption when we do not work on a computer. Secured with a password they protect a workstation when you leave your workplace for a moment. Most often they play entertainment functions today.

Task 3
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nagranie abstraktu

Set the desktop screensaver.

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The composition is a combination of desktop background images, colors and window appearances, as well as system sounds.

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Ilustracja interaktywna przedstawia formatkę Kompozycja pulpitu. Po lewej stronie znajdują się napisy: Personalization, Background, Colors, Lock screen, Themes, Fonts, Start, Taskbar. Po prawej stronie Napis Current theme: Windows, pod spodem podgląd wybranego motywu, na dole napis Apply a theme. Obok poglądu pulpitu cztery ikony przestawiające kolejno: obrazek z górami, paletę farb, głośnik, kursor myszy. Na ilustracji widoczne są numery, a na nich podpisy. 1. Background {audio}, 2. Colour {audio}, 3. Sounds {audio}, 4. Mouse cursor {audio}
Desktop compositions
Source: GroMar, licencja: CC BY 3.0.
Task 4
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nagranie abstraktu

Check if your operating system has built‑in desktopdesktopdesktop compositions. Change the composition.

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nagranie abstraktu

Screen resolutionscreen resolution Screen resolution is one of the parameters of the display mode informing us about the resolution of the image displayed on our screen.

Task 5
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nagranie abstraktu

Check what screen resolutions can be set on your monitor.

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nagranie abstraktu

Desktop widget is a program running on the desktopdesktopdesktop (often connecting to the Internet and fulfilling specific functions) - it is most often the display of information such as: weather, clock or calendar. Widgets can be more complex and they can control computer functions (e.g. volume) or just play a role of small applications.

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nagranie abstraktu

TaskbartaskbarTaskbar it is the bar most often at the bottom or on the side of the screen that is a part of the graphical interface. It contains several buttons:

  • the main area displaying icons or groups of icons running in the program system,

  • main menu (Windows - Start Menu),

  • notification area containing the system tray displaying icons of programs running in the background.

It may also contain other additional toolbars, e.g. a quick launch bar. Some systems can pin program icons to the taskbar.

Task 6
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nagranie abstraktu

Describe which basic parameters of the taskbar allow you to modify your operating system.

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Shortcut icons are graphical links to files and folders located elsewhere in the file system. They provide convenient access to files and folders from anywhere. Shortcut icons are most often marked with an arrow in the lower left corner and you can modify their graphical appearance.

Task 7
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nagranie abstraktu

Create two shortcuts. One of them should lead to any document in the Documents folder. The other one should run any program. Place the shortcuts on the desktop.

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nagranie abstraktu

Customizing the desktop to your own needs is in addition to the functions listed above:

  • changing the appearance of system icons,

  • changing the appearance and colors of windows,

  • changing the main menu settings,

  • facilities for the elderly.

  • facilities for visually‑impaired people.

To change some settings, some operating systems require administrative privileges. The operating system allows the user to customize the appearance of the desktop (board, desk) to their individual needs. It can be edited both in terms of use (e.g. adding shortcuts and modifying their arrangement on the desktop), as well as in terms of visual appearance (e.g. wallpapers personalization, selection of screen saverscreen saverscreen saver, its resolution or size of icons).

Exercises

Exercise 1
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Wersja alternatywna ćwiczenia: Determine which sentences are true. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. Taskbar - is the bar most often at the bottom or on the side of the screen that is part of the graphical interface, 2. Shortcut icons are usually marked with an arrow in the lower left corner and you can modify their graphic appearance, 3. Shortcut icons are usually marked with an arrow in the lower left corner and their graphic appearance cannot be modified, 4. To change some settings, some operating systems require administrative privileges, 5. Administrative rights are not required to change the settings, 6. You cannot change screen resolution from the user’s level___
zadanie
Source: GroMar, licencja: CC BY 3.0.
Exercise 2

Design the look of your dream desktop:

  • select or create a picture in the graphics program to be the background of your desktop(wallpaper),

  • decide what icons are important for you and arrange them so that they can be easily accessed (e.g. they should not blend in the chosen background),

  • choose a screen saver,

  • customize the taskbar – placement on the desktop, as well as its elements - date and time, setting the sound volume or setting the keyboard.

Exercise 3

Describe in English how you can customize the desktop to your needs.

Exercise 4
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Wersja alternatywna ćwiczenia: Indicate which pairs of expressions or words are translated correctly. Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. pulpit - desktop, 2. ikona - icon, 3. rozdzielczość ekranu - screen resolution , 4. wygaszacz ekranu - screen saver, 5. pasek zadań - wallpaper, 6. tapeta - taskbar
zadanie
Source: GroMar, licencja: CC BY 3.0.
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Interaktywna gra, polegająca na łączeniu wyrazów w pary w ciągu jednej minuty. Czas zaczyna upływać wraz z rozpoczęciem gry. Jeden ruch to odkrywanie najpierw jednej potem drugiej karty z wyrazem. Każdy wyraz jest odczytywany. Kolejny ruch to odkrywanie trzeciej i czwartej karty. W ten sposób odsłuchasz wszystkie wyrazy. Nawigacja z poziomu klawiatury za pomocą strzałek, odsłuchiwanie wyrazów enterem lub spacją. Znajdź wszystkie pary wyrazów.
Source: Zespół autorski Politechniki Łódzkiej, licencja: CC BY 3.0.

Glossary

desktop
desktop

pulpit

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wymowa w języku angielskim: desktop
icon
icon

ikona

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wymowa w języku angielskim: icon
screen resolution
screen resolution

rozdzielczość ekranu

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wymowa w języku angielskim: screen resolution
screen saver
screen saver

wygaszacz ekranu

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wymowa w języku angielskim: screen saver
taskbar
taskbar

pasek zadań

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wymowa w języku angielskim: taskbar
wallpaper
wallpaper

tapeta

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wymowa w języku angielskim: wallpaper

Keywords

desktopdesktopdesktop

taskbartaskbartaskbar

wallpaperwallpaperwallpaper