If you don't know these things, learn them soon, as these are fundamental skills which you will need throughout the term.

Familarity with a current Windows operating system.
You should be able to find and execute a program from the Start Button and from the desktop.
Learn to maximize, minimize programs and manage them on your desktop or toolbar.
You should be able to find Windows Explorer, the file managing program.
You should be able to do the following, with Windows Explorer.

• Create a folder
• Move files from one folder or drive to another
• Copy files from one folder or drive to another
• Rename files
• Delete files
• Determine what a file's extension is (e.g., distinguish between map.jpg and map.gif and map.exe)

You should know how to print a file.
You should know how to screen capture.
You should know how to open a file in a typical dialogue box by specifying the

• drive
• directory
• file name
• file extension


You should certainly know how to shut down Windows safely.  This is not just a matter of snapping off the power switch, but shutting down (Start button, Shutdown).

To do this work at home you'll need to manage your desktop.  You'll need a connection through broadband (DSL or Cable), or dial-in modem, and you may want to install an FTP program although you probably won't need to. Academic computing will help you log in from home.  Take a blank disk and a student ID when you visit them.
 

NOT EXPECTED OF YOU YET
If you'd like to get a jump on the class, these are some of the more common programs you will use in the course of the term.
There will be others, but these below would be the easiest to pick up in advance...
 

• Llview
• Paint (simple windows graphics program)
• Corel Draw (we'll use ver. 11, but version 10 will do)
• FTP (WSFTP or something similar) for transfering files

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