Make Your Computer Easier to Use - 
Monitor Resolution

many users don't make use of what their computers offer

part 1 - control panel: basic definitions 

part 2 - monitor resolution: proper settings can make a difference 

part 3 - hot tips: users don't get enough training

part 4 - shortcuts: keyboard shortcuts for common tasks

part 5 - splits: using Windows Explorer for faster file transfer

part 6 - right click for power: Microsoft Powertoys 

Windows' Control Panel contains several utilities that allow the user to change computer settings to suit their own needs. One of the most important is Display, which controls several monitor settings. This utility may be accessed from the Start menu by selecting first Control Panel, and then Display. It is also accessible directly from the desktop by right-clicking in an unused part of the desktop (outside of any application windows), then choosing Properties at the bottom of the pop-up menu.

If you closely at your monitor, you will see that the images and text are made up of small dots, each of which is called a pixel. A low-resolution monitor may show a picture that is 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, while a high-resolution monitor will be able to show one that is 1,024 pixels wide by 768 pixels high, or even more.

Most monitors sold in the last few years have been high resolution, but not everyone makes use of this feature. A recent survey showed that about half of the respondents use 800 by 600 or lower resolution. In many applications this makes little difference, as the user can adjust the size of the text or graphics within the program. It does make a difference for the user who uses more than one application at a time, or who uses an Internet browser.

Go to the Display Properties dialog box, then to the tab labeled "Settings". There you should find a slide bar titled "Screen Area" with a pair of numbers. These numbers indicate the number of pixels (picture elements, or dots) that will be displayed on your monitor. If you move the slider left or right, you will see other pairs of numbers, usually 640 x 480, 800 x 600, and 1024 x 768.

Many web sites are formatted in a way that limits the width of the web page 600 pixels or less, thus allowing most Windows computers to see the full width of the page. Other sites use wider pages, requiring the viewer to scroll back and forth to read the whole page.

Using a higher setting, such as 1024 x 768, will allow you to see more of the page length in each screen; it will also allow you to reduce the width of the browser window so some of the desktop is visible. With this arrangement, you can use the browser and still have access to your desktop shortcuts.

Figure 1 shows the entire monitor display with screen area set at 800 by 600. The browser takes up the whole screen, and scroll bars must be used to see the full web page.

Figure 2 shows the same monitor set at 1024 by 768. Now the entire width of the web page is visible. Note also that the browser window itself has been set to less than full screen size. The icons on the desktop are now accessible without minimizing or resizing the browser.

This works equally well with other programs. If your word processor is running in a window that is less than full screen width you will be able to easily launch other applications. To make this work, you should have at least a 15-inch monitor, and set your display to 1024 by 768 or higher resolution.

© 2000 Sheldon Wolfe, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, swolfe@bwbr.com 
on the web at www.CSI-MSP.org 
February 2000

Material from CSI Chapter newsletters used with permission.