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The pointer
Device icons
The icons on the left of the icon bar represent the devices which are available – that is,
the discs and other places where you can load information from, and save it to. At least
one will appear on the icon bar:
Floppy disc drive. The computer uses 3.5 inch floppy discs, which you put into the
slot in the front of the computer. Floppy discs are described in Discs and disc drives on
page 31.
Hard disc drive (if fitted). There is more about hard discs in Discs and disc drives
on page 31.
Net (if fitted). If your computer is fitted with a local area network interface, there will
also be a network icon. This lets you share information or equipment connected to
other computers on the network.
Apps. This gives you access to some useful applications which are permanently
stored in the computer's read-only memory (ROM).
Applications icons
On the righthand side are the applications icons. These represent things you can do,
such as word-processing and drawing programs. Initially there are only two:
Palette. The Palette enables you to change the colours on the screen, depending on
your monitor, and to set up the way the screen looks (the screen mode).
Task manager. The Task manager enables you to look at and control the allocation of
your computer's memory, amongst other things. More information on this is given in
the RISC OS 3 User and Applications Guide in the chapter entitled Fine tuning the
configuration. You don't need to worry about this for now.
Any other applications which you load will normally be represented by icons on the
righthand side of the icon bar.
The pointer
The arrow on the screen is the pointer. Use it to point at things you want to use or
move.
You move the pointer across the screen by moving the mouse.
There are other types of pointer, which you will come across as you become more
familiar with your computer.
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