TECHNICAL TIPS

Windows Tip: Creating Shortcuts

BY SHERI MANKAL

Here's a Windows tip that will save you and your students hours of frustration during computer time. Instead of having students look for a program in the Start menu, create an icon (picture) for the program on the Windows Desktop. Students can start a program by simply doubleclicking on the icon. These icons are called "shortcuts". If you have a computer with access to the Internet you can also create shortcuts for specific websites. By using website shortcuts, your students no longer have to type in long, complicated Internet addresses.

Try the following quick and easy instructions to create shortcuts to Internet sites.

1. Create a new folder on the Desktop for Internet sites.

a) Click the right button of your mouse in the "Dead Zone" (an area of the screen with no writing or pictures).

b) Left click your mouse on NEW.

c) Left click on FOLDER.

d) Type the name of the Folder (i.e. Internet Lessons).

2. Copy the Address of one Internet site you want to use.

a) Open the Internet site.

b) Right click your mouse in the ADDRESS or LOCATION BOX. (The white box near the top of the Internet window with the http://Www.*******.com)

c) Left click on COPY.

d) Close the Internet window. (Click on the X in the top right corner.)

3. Open the Internet Lessons Folder.

4. Create the shortcut.

a) Right click your mouse inside the Internet Lessons window.

b) Left click on NEW.

c) Left click on SHORTCUT.

d) In the COMMAND LINE BOX, right click you mouse.

e) Left click on PASTE.

f) Click NEXT.

g) In the white box type the name you want to use for this site.

h) Click FINISH.

i) A new icon will appear in the Internet Lessons folder with the name you have assigned it.

Step 4 can also be used to create program shortcuts, except the location of the program file (i.e. c:/spell/ ***.exe) should be typed in the Command Line Box instead of pasting an Internet address. If you don't know the address of the program file, you can look for it by clicking on the BROWSE button.

| BACK | CONTENTS | NEXT |