| Harris Web Page Study Notes - Why Windows? Not long ago, back in 1993, many computer users could not understand why we should change from DOS to Windows. I used this handout to help hard core DOS users justify the change to Windows. It was happening and there was nothing we could do but change. Why switch from the DOS prompt to Windows? Nine Reasons to Use Windows! 1. Can work on more than one application (program) and/or file(s) at the same time. 2. The Windows environment is more intuitive - easier to figure out. Logical organization of pull-down menus makes figuring out a unfamiliar, new features quite simple, even if you've never used the feature before. 3. Benefit from the learning curve. Once you learn one Windows application, you have already learned a part of all other Windows applications since they're all similar. Each time you learn a new application, you learn more about all Windows applications. 4. Can use the clipboard to transfer information from any application (DOS or Windows) to any other Windows application. NOTE: See Clipboard Notes file (click BACK, then click CLIPBOARD) 5. Setting up new equipment saves hours. For example, to set up a new printer, set it up in Windows, just once! All other Windows applications will be able to use the printer without any additional setup. All Windows applications send their print jobs to the Windows print manager which handles the new printer you installed. 6. All applications have access to each of your installed Windows fonts. Gone are the days of having to purchase and install add-in font packages for each DOS program. 7. Learn about new features, concepts and terms with the universal Windows Help facility found in Windows applications. Instead of learning a new way to get on-line help in each application, all Windows applications use the same, familiar Windows Help format to ask the computer anything you want to know. 8. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) means that what appears on your screen will appear on your screen almost exactly as it will appear on your printed page. 9. The G.U.I. (graphical user interface) is fun, quick, and easy to learn! Point and click on objects. NOTE: See MOUSE link (click BACK, then click MOUSE). These are just a few of the many advantages you will enjoy about using Windows. Often experienced D.O.S. computer users want to know specific reasons to make the switch to Windows in spite of slower screen images, delays in loading programs, and the need for faster and more expensive hardware.