Searching

 Searching 

  Hi guys. ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

  This posting will be about essential shortcuts to utilise Windows 8 and how they work. For context, I will be explaining basic search functionality. What I will do for the visual aids is that I will use an on-screen keyboard to give a visual representation. 

  One of the biggest emphasis of Windows 8 is for the user to easily search for files and programs, however methods to ease your accessibility have not been front page material. Yet it is quite simple.

The most straight forward method is to simply type in your desired search while in the Start Screen and Bing Search will give you results from

a.       Indexed files, folders and programs

b.      Internet searches

The issue comes when PC users use Windows 8 since most of the work is done on the desktop. While one can simple hit the Windows key and do a search from the Start Screen, it is clearly an inconvenient option to choose. This is where the functionality of the Charm Bar comes into play.

Charm Bar Shortcut

Search Function

  Although I explained how to access the Charm Bar in a previous tutorial via the mouse, let me give an alternative method, or a shortcut. Hit < Window + C > on your keyboard and the Search functionality can be found on the top of the bar (as seen in the image below).

Typing into the Start Screen

Type in your desired search and select the option/files that you are looking for (This is from a friend’s computer. I will give a Windows 8.1 tutorial in a future posting with the updated Search features).

Search Options

You can also call the ‘Search’ function directly by hitting the < Windows + S > Keys.

Search Shortcut

  As you can see, you can also Search settings features in this bar, which is useful for the next segment I am about to explain. As I stated, you can search only indexed items. What is indexing? Indexing is simply to place a code/number on a files, folder or program that has been indexed. When a computer is looking for a search item, it will sift through your files to find the desired result(s).  As you continue to use your computer and add folders and programs, you may find that some files cannot be found by the Search function (especially if you have multiple drives). This is largely because that the files have not been indexed and is hence not available by search.

  In order to index your files, you can simply search ‘Indexing Options’ in the Search function as the quickest option. You can also find it in the Control Panel. When in Index Options, select ‘Modify’ and elect the files and locations that you what to index and wait for the indexing process to finish.

Indexing via Search

Indexing via Control Panel

  With that you should be able to maximize your Search and accessibility of your files in Windows 8. For Windows 8.1, I will be doing a Windows 8.1 post in the future to explain the updated features. Please leave feedback in the comments section on how I can improve this blog further. Hope this helps.

╭ (oㅇ‿ o#)ᕗ

Using the Start Screen

Using the Start Screen

Hi guys.      o((*^▽^*))o

Welcome back to my blog. This post will be regarding how to navigate the Start Screen. As you guys probably know, the Start Screen is the face of Windows 8 and you will inevitably run into it eventually.

The first thing to note about the Start Screen is how to navigate the Start Screen is also mouse friendly. Simply scroll up and down on the mouse to move left and right along the Start Screen.

Scrolling with Mouse

The Start Screen also makes use of sensitivity points around the Start Screen. There are 4 sensitivity points; 2 each for different functions.

Calling these individual functions is quite simple. Move your mouse to that corner of the screen and simple move it up (or down) to reveal the bar on the screen.

Calling Charm Bar



Calling Apps List

Like the Start Menu, you can also access all your programs from the Start Screen. Unfortunately, if you are using Windows 8, there is no start button (until Windows 8.1 is installed).

To access all your apps,

1.       You will need to right click on an empty part of the Start Screen. This brings up an option bar at the bottom of the screen.

Option Bar

2.       Select the option ‘All apps’. While it says apps, it includes your programs like the Start Menu.

The app/program menu is arranged with apps starting on the left and programs following after, in alphabetical order. However, you can change the arrangement of apps according to categories and preferences by selecting 'by name'  and changing accordingly.

Another features obvious to the Start Screen is the introduction of tiles to Windows. Tiles represent different programs, apps, and folders on your computer, similar to how the Start Menu works. Try to use this portion to maximize accessibility to programs or commonly used folders. You can add new programs to the Start Menu by pinning it up. Simply Right Click on the program or folder and select ‘Pin to Start Menu’.

Pinning Programs

Adding Folders

In my opinion, the Start Screen is the Start Menu stretched out across your entire screen. Use it as such; if you frequently use ‘My Documents’ pin it up like how it is on the Start Menu. If you like to play a certain game or know you need to quickly access your note-taking software, pin it up. Since you are stuck with a Start Screen, try to maximize it's potential and make it work to your needs.

I hope this post has helped you to better understand the basic on the Start Screen. The next post should be on shortcuts and possibly the Charm Bar interface. Please leave feedback about how I can improve for future articles and whether the use of gifs has helped with understanding how to use the different functions.  ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Starting Out: User Accounts

Starting Out: User Accounts

Hi guys. ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ Welcome back to my blog. The topic for this post is how to start out navigating around Windows 8 and using the Interface. Please note that at the time I create this article, I would already have upgraded to Windows 8.1 Update so my GUI (Graphical User Interface) will be different to what you may be using.

  As I stated in my last post, the Start Screen is one of the main reasons many have chosen to turn away from Windows 8 as their work platform. Unfortunately, it is the first thing that will hit you when booting up your computer. Another thing you will be prompted for is the setting up of user accounts on your computer; the two options being a local account or a Microsoft Account.

  So what is a Microsoft Account? This account is basically an account that ties in an array of services to your email account, features like Outlook, Xbox, OneDrive and Skype (Similar to a Google Account). A local account acts like any ordinary account on a Windows computer without the convenience of being logged in to apps. Be reminded, you do not require a Hotmail account to use a Microsoft Account. Gmail accounts can also be used, something which I have experimented with.

As a university student, having constant access to features like OneDrive for cloud storage is useful for easy access to my files from my tablet. Another reason to use the Microsoft account is to avoid annoying prompts such as

You can swap between a local and a Microsoft Account easily from the Settings page. So if you want to settle down before using a Microsoft Account, that is an option. For context, I only utilized my Microsoft Account 2 weeks into using my laptop. Local settings for the most part remain the same between the two.

  For this segment, I will assume that the user has no knowledge whatsoever about how to use Windows 8 gestures and the GUI layout. Just follow the instructions presented to switch between accounts.

1.       Press the “Windows Key + C”. This will bring up a menu to the right side (Called the Charm Bar. This will be explained in a future post.)

2.       Click on Settings. After that click on “Change PC Settings”.

 3.       Click on “Accounts” and select the desired account accordingly.

 

 

  

4.    Follow the instructions for the specific account.

5.       You can also change/add settings (like Account Picture) to your account accordingly.

With that, you should be able to understand the basics of User Accounts on Windows 8. The next post will be about using the Start Menu. I hope you found this tutorial useful.

(Please leave feedback in the comments about what can be one to improve this blog and what is good about the blog so I can continue to deliver quality tutorials. I do apologise about the limit in the content for this post as I originally did not expect the User account portion to be as long as it currently is.)

Intros

INTROS AND SALUTATIONS

 

  Hi guys. If you come across this blog, you most probably suffered from the same dilemma before you bought your next computer; Windows 8 or any other possible option. After having been using Windows 8 (and the updates that have followed) at unhealthy levels for approximately a year, my wish is to help others be able to overcome the complexities that come with navigating Windows 8.

 

A bit about myself. I am currently a university student (1st year, Software Engineering), so my laptop is basically my lifeline to getting me through varsity; from basic word processing, programming, data management to other extremes like photo editing and light gaming to relax. All this has been on a Windows 8 laptop, making it quite evident that the OS is quite capable of doing tasks its predecessors have been doing (and in some cases, better). Then why has it gotten as much flack as it has? Mainly this:

 

 

The notorious Start Screen.

 

I would like to make it clear though, that the motive behind this is not to drag you away from alternatives like Macs or even earlier versions of Windows or advocate for Windows progress. If you are dedicated to a particular product, I'm not stopping you.

But I do hope that with tutorials that I release in the following days (or weeks), I will be able to help peers find the transition to Start Menu to Start Screen a lot smoother. Hopefully, you will be able to utilize Windows 8 to much greater purpose like I have (unless I turn you away mid-progress, in which case .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.)

 

Please leave me feedback so that I can improve this as I go along; tips, improvements.