Apple 145 manual Open a document, Next step describes a different way to open an icon

Two types of programs

Programs that you use to do your work on the computer are called application programs, or applications, because they’re ways of applying computer technology to the work that you do.

Word-processing programs, for example, are applications that enable you to write memos, novels, or whatever you need to write. And if your work involves creating illustrations, designing buildings, composing music, or keeping track of large amounts of data, there are application programs for those kinds of work, too.

Because most Macintosh programs work in similar ways,

you can transfer much of what you learn in one application to other applications.

Programs that the computer uses to do its work (in contrast to your work) are called system software, or sometimes the operating system.

Between you and the system software is a program called the Finder, which displays the Macintosh desktop. It’s called the Finder because, like the viewfinder in a camera, it gives you a view of all the objects— disks, programs, folders, and documents—on your desktop.

You use the Finder to tell the system software what you want it to do for you: which disks you want to use, which documents and programs you want to open, and where you want files to be stored.

Open a document

When you open a document, the program you used to create that document becomes the active program.

1.If you closed the Macintosh HD window, open the Macintosh HD icon now.

(Click the icon to select it, and then choose Open from the File menu.)

The Macintosh HD window appears, showing you the contents of your hard disk. The contents include the TeachText program and the TeachText document you created called Opening Lines.

The next step describes a different way to open an icon.

continues .

Chapter 3: Creating and Changing a Document 57