The collection of symbols that normally appears when a software program is opened is referred to as the software toolbar. It is provided by the software maker as an aid to the operation their program.
The symbols or icons, as they are often referred to, are sometimes common between different programs. Clicking on the floppy disc symbol, for example, is normally a command for the program to save the work on screen. The printer icon will bring up printing options.
These icons then represent a command to operate a function of the program and are activated by the mouse buttons when picked out by the screen cursor again mouse controlled. Touch screens or pads replace the function of the mouse in some computers. In some ways they could be thought of as a graphic representation of some of the commands that are available in the pull down menus at the top of the screen for most programs.
In the early days of personal computing programs were almost always keyboard operated. This meant that the user had to either remember the commands or have in front of them a list of commands to be able to use the program. These were often activated by using a combination of letters and shift or control keys on the key board. Then came pull down menus followed by the tool bars.
Many operators still found it quicker to use the keyboard and today some common commands in most programs can still be activated this way. This is mainly for the benefit of operators that regularly use the program and so are familiar with the keyboard command entry. Operating a mouse to search for and then activate a command will seldom be quicker than typing a two key macro to activate the same command.
For intermittent users or users that might use a variety of different programs regularly, remembering a whole lot of commands is not desirable. For them the tool bar is a very much appreciated and well used option.
As with all good ideas there are often some draw backs and with groups of icons it is the space that they take up on the screen. They can easily take up more screen space than the working area on some desk tops. One response from the computer manufactures has been to increase the screen size. Users have responded by increasing the number of screens at their work station in order to separate the tool bars from the work space on their computers.
In the early days of the personal computer a fourteen inch screen was the standard. Now it is more like twenty two inches or more. Many operators use 2 screens; one as a work space and the other for the icons. The advancement of touch screen technology may see screens get even bigger as many recent television programs portray.
The redeeming feature of the software toolbar is that it can be turned on and off. Experienced users can also usually customize the icons appearing in it. This means that the number of toolbars needed to operate the program can often be kept to a minimum as can their size. Consequently there should be more work space available on the screen.
The symbols or icons, as they are often referred to, are sometimes common between different programs. Clicking on the floppy disc symbol, for example, is normally a command for the program to save the work on screen. The printer icon will bring up printing options.
These icons then represent a command to operate a function of the program and are activated by the mouse buttons when picked out by the screen cursor again mouse controlled. Touch screens or pads replace the function of the mouse in some computers. In some ways they could be thought of as a graphic representation of some of the commands that are available in the pull down menus at the top of the screen for most programs.
In the early days of personal computing programs were almost always keyboard operated. This meant that the user had to either remember the commands or have in front of them a list of commands to be able to use the program. These were often activated by using a combination of letters and shift or control keys on the key board. Then came pull down menus followed by the tool bars.
Many operators still found it quicker to use the keyboard and today some common commands in most programs can still be activated this way. This is mainly for the benefit of operators that regularly use the program and so are familiar with the keyboard command entry. Operating a mouse to search for and then activate a command will seldom be quicker than typing a two key macro to activate the same command.
For intermittent users or users that might use a variety of different programs regularly, remembering a whole lot of commands is not desirable. For them the tool bar is a very much appreciated and well used option.
As with all good ideas there are often some draw backs and with groups of icons it is the space that they take up on the screen. They can easily take up more screen space than the working area on some desk tops. One response from the computer manufactures has been to increase the screen size. Users have responded by increasing the number of screens at their work station in order to separate the tool bars from the work space on their computers.
In the early days of the personal computer a fourteen inch screen was the standard. Now it is more like twenty two inches or more. Many operators use 2 screens; one as a work space and the other for the icons. The advancement of touch screen technology may see screens get even bigger as many recent television programs portray.
The redeeming feature of the software toolbar is that it can be turned on and off. Experienced users can also usually customize the icons appearing in it. This means that the number of toolbars needed to operate the program can often be kept to a minimum as can their size. Consequently there should be more work space available on the screen.
About the Author:
To create toolbar that fits your needs and wants visit the leaders in software toolbar, sidebar and browser extensions development.
No comments:
Post a Comment