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┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Computer Corner # 91                                      │
│                         I DO WINDOWS                       │
│                                           by Roger Giler   │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    While my dear spouse will categorically classify this
statement as pure mendacity, I must hasten to remind all that
this column has nothing to do with domestic virtues. I am talking
about computer windows. You might have heard quite a bit about
them, and even more about a special case called Presentation Man-
ager, widely touted by IBM as the wave of the future and the only
way to go. For the less erudite type, let me explain what this
hullabaloo is all about.
    Users of MS-DOS software have often complained about the
lack of uniformity between various programs' commands. With each
new software package, we have to learn a whole raft of key-
strokes, hundreds of them, to put any program through its paces.
Wouldn't it be dandy if for every application, the F1 key was al-
ways used for Help, and F10 only to save the file? The day when
all good programs will use the same keys is fast approaching.
    I can hear the gloating snickers of the McIntosh users
gang, complete with the ``we told you so.'' As much as I hate to
admit it, they might have been right all along. Once you have
mastered one program with that computer, the keystrokes, includ-
ing the mouse commands, will remain the same for all future pro-
grams.
                         What are Windows?
    Windows are a name given by Microsoft to what technically
is called a Graphic User Interface. The screen shows cutesy pic-
tures called Icons. Using a mouse you point to them, and then
click on them (press a button on the mouse), or double click. The
icon might be a picture of a pencil, to represent your word pro-
cessor. A single click will take you to a new location, and the
double-click will start to run the program.
    This could be considered a menu, and it is. No need to
type anything to call up the program. There is a ``menu bar''
which is a line of commands at the top of the screen. You point
to one with the mouse, click, and a list appears below it, in a
small window, with multiple choices. The window, in a small
frame, will be right on top of whatever is on your screen at the
time. Fear not, another mouse motion and the window closes,
restoring the screen to its pristine appearance.
    You can load several programs at one time -- for example,
a word processor, a spreadsheet and a drawing program. Each will
be in its own window. You can change the size of each window so
that they can coexist, side by side, or partially overlap. They
can be made larger and moved around as required. The screen will
look just like my desk, with lots of different things piled on
top of each other. By pointing at one of them, you can coax it
into taking over the whole screen, but if you move its sides in a
little, you can see the other programs buried below it. Just as
in real life.
        The program in the background can continue to run, as
long as it does not need operator intervention. That could be a
download from a bulletin board, or a nerdy spreadsheet involved
in a lengthy recalculation, or both. At this time, these are the
same programs that are being used in DOS. The next generation of
applications, however, will be very similar to each other, in the
way in which they are accessed by the user.
    It is difficult to verbally describe a Windows session --
you have to see it. It is very impressive. The final intent is to
reduce the skills required by the user, which is anathema to com-
puter purists, but a blessing for the casual user. There are few
Windows users in the DOS world so far, but I am sure that the
onslaught is coming soon.
    With the two giants of software behind it, it is only a
question of time. All major software houses are writing new ver-
sions of their programs for Windows (Microsoft) or Presentation
Manager (IBM.)
    The drawbacks are that it requires a fast computer and
tons of memory chips. While this is not absolutely necessary, a
standard machine is just too slow. For instance, my present ma-
chine runs about 30 times faster than my first PC. I also now
have 16 times more memory (4 Megabytes versus the 250 K in my IBM
XT).
    There is no need to use a mouse as all functions can also
be performed from the keyboard, but the rodent makes things much
easier.
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Copyright 1989 by R.G. Services.  Roger R. Giler, president of
R.G. Services, is a computer consultant. Send comments and ques-
tions for this column to P.O. Box 402, Wilton 06897, or call 762-
8761. If you have a modem, you may leave questions on the Source
of Magic BBS, 431-4687 where most of the past columns are avail-
able for reading or downloading.