134 | Exploring Your Computer’s Features |
Setting up for communications | |
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Taskbar
Each time you open a program, a button associated with that program appears on the taskbar. With some programs, a button appears on the taskbar for each document or window you open. You can use these buttons to quickly switch between the programs or windows.
To make a program or window the currently active one, click the associated taskbar button.
Notification area
The notification area displays icons of tasks or programs that run continuously in the background and displays notifications. To learn more about each task, position the pointer over the icon for a few moments and a short description of the task appears.
Typical tasks in the notification area are Current time, Power usage mode, network connectivity status, and speaker volume.
To activate a specific task, click the appropriate notification area icon.
Setting up for communications
To connect to the Internet, use an online service, or communicate across the telephone lines with another computer, you need:
❖A browser or communications program
❖An Internet Service Provider (ISP) or online service if you plan to use the Internet
❖A way to connect to the ISP (for example modem/
Using Wireless LAN connectivity
NOTE Wireless connectivity and some features may require you to purchase additional software, external hardware or services. Availability of public wireless LAN access points may be limited.
Your system may come with an optional wireless LAN module. This is a technology that expands wireless communication beyond networking equipment, and can connect many different kinds of electronic devices without the need for cables.
