Cash drawer interface

I was deligted when HOME-OFFICE COMPUTING's editors asked me to write this column, because I've been struggling with the logistics of running a home office for about six years now. I write about Windows (and other computer topics, such as DOS, WordPerfect, and the Macintosh) for a living: that's what my home office is for.

Just so you'll know where I'm coming from, I have a custom-built 386 with a VGA monitor, and a Mac II connected via a Sitka/ TOPS, network to an Apple LaserWriter. Over in the corner, garbed in a plastic dustcover, sits a venerable XT that started life as an Epson PC-1, with its companion Epson dot-matrix printer. So I've been through a few configurations myself.

My column will bring you tips and techniques for every level of Windows expertise. I hope you have as much fun as I'm having already. Here goes!

Speedy entrances; fast getaways. There are two things that you do every time you use Windows, no matter which applications you use. And they are starting it up and exiting from it. Want to bypass that same old start-up screen and save a few seconds? Type WIN: (win, a space, a colon) and press Enter, instead of typing just WIN.

And here's the absolute fastest way to exit from Windows and any programs you've got running. Don't bother to close each document and exit from each program. Just minimize each program by clicking on its Minimize icon (the downward-pointing arrow in the upper right corner of the window). Then exit from Windows by double-clicking on the Program Manager's Control menu icon (the tiny filing-cabinet drawer in the upper left corner). If you've forgotten to save anything, you'll be asked whether you want to save it before exiting from Windows. This is a lot faster than saving and exiting from everything step by step.

Control your environment. There are all kinds of things you can do to customize Windows without any extra cash outlay. They don't require great amounts of technical knowledge, either. For example, if you're left-handed, you can change the mouse into a southpaw (reverse the actions of the left and right mouse buttons) by using the Mouse Control Panel. (All the Control Panels are in the Main group.)

If you don't like the mouse's tracking speed (the rate at which the pointer zips across your screen as you move the mouse), you can adjust this, too, with the Mouse Control Panel.

Use the Desktop Control Panel to pick a wallpaper (background graphic) for your desktop. If you're short on memory, though, don't use wallpaper: It takes up a lot of it. Choose a desktop pattern instead, or edit one of the existing patterns. You can also create your own custom wallpaper for your Windows desktop by using Paintbrush; then use the Desktop Control Panel to choose your original design. Don't try to use a desktop pattern and wallpaper, though; Windows will just use the pattern instead. Set Pattern to None if you want to see wallpaper.

Managing files with WordPerfect for Windows. As we're all waiting for the imminent release of Windows 3.1 ("real soon now") and its new, improved File Manager for organizing and maintaining files, may I suggest that you upgrade to WordPerfect for Windows? Not because I'm promoting that word-processing program, but because it comes with its own stand-alone File Manager that outdoes Windows's File Manager any day.

For example, the WordPerfect for Windows File Manager lets you view the contents of files and view graphics (in color, if you have a color monitor) without opening them--without ever leaving the File Manager. You can just review all the graphics files on a disk this way, as long as they're a standard format like BMP (bit-mapped), PCX, or TIFF files. No more starting a program just so you can call up graphics and see which one's what.

WordPerfect for Windows' File Manager also has some very sophiticated Find features. It lets you search through files for specific words, or search through directories or disks for specific files. It has a customizable button bar that you can use to see just what information you want to, and in the order you want to see it. You can add programs to the File Manager's menus so that you can run them from there. And, of course, it has the usual features that let you copy, delete, and move files; rename files and directories; and create directories.

Alas . . . But if you're stuck using Windows's File Manager, here's a secret that may speed things up a bit. If you want to see all the directories (including subdirectories) on a drive, hold down the Shift key when you click on the drive icon. You'll get a display of all the directories and subdirectories on that drive, and you won't have to click, click, click until you're in the right sub-subdirectory.

On the fun side. There's an amusing program available named Icon Do It from Moon Valley Software ([602]) 375-9502). This easy-to-use program lets you use wacky icons instead of the same old boring group icons (somebody once called them waffle irons) that come with Windows. There are about 200 color icons for

most popular Windows programs as well as icons of fish, trees, cats, your favorite football team helmets, and so forth. There's even the Starship Enterprise. The utility also comes with animated cursors and a screen saver. For the price ($30), it's hard to beat. You need a VGA monitor to use it, though.

Next month: a preview of what Windows 3.1 has in store.

KAY YARBOROUGH NELSON is the author of The Little Windows Book (Peachpit Press)--a bargain that's full of tips. Nelson's also the author of The Little WordPerfect for Windows Book, from the same publisher, and more than 15 other computing titles.

COPYRIGHT 1992 Freedom Technology Media Group
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group