Default

[WILLWONKER]

Ok don't giggle to much, me being an oldie trying to get my head round computers, now i am doing pretty well i think? have a new computer with windows 7 on, and i've just paid £20 for a step by step on windows 7, now it is very good but the one thing that really puzzles me,( now don't crack up)
can some one please explain to me as SIMPLE as poss what the term (DEFAULT)means, ie such as set your default programs or default settings. thanks

[Richard1966]

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of computers.

999 people out of 1000 want to use their computer for fairly ordinary everyday uses. Software installs with a basic set of standard, or default, settings, which suit the needs of the 999. Just occasionally someone who is doing something a bit different or using the PC in a specific situation will need to set the system slightly differently.

For example I use a wireless router which runs slowly if i use the default settings. This is because where I live lost of people also have wireless routers and they all operate in a similar wireless frequency range. I therefore have changed the default to remove the interference and get me beck to full speed.

Hope this makes sense.

[snags]

Default, in computer terms, means: a pre-selected option, where no alternative is specified by the user...

[Mosaic]

Default means 'as they came with the PC' when talking about your 'default programs.'
It means 'how your pc was set up when you got it' for 'default settings'.
'Accept the default' when clicking on stuff means click 'yes' or 'next', just accepting what is on the menu without changing it.

[Buenchico]

An analogy:
In many restaurants, if you order a meal from the menu (e.g: "I'll have the steak pie, please") it will automatically come with chips and peas unless you specifically state that you'd rather have a jacket potato and salad. So "with chips and peas" is the 'default option'. (i.e. it's what you'll get unless you give clear instructions otherwise).

Chris

[barry1010]

In your case it means links will automatically open in Internet Explorer (IE) and not some other browser such as Firfox or Chrome.

The sound will come out of the pc speakers, or headphones if you plug them in.

Anything you download will end up in the download folder, and not, for example, on the desktop.

Music you play will be played using the existing player software and not another of your choosing.

Videos will be played by whichever software is installed on your pc.

If you click an 'email' link on a website, a particular email client will automatically open (or web based email, whichever you use).

[WILLWONKER]

Thank you all very much, i think i get it now. must give you nine out of ten for your answers, but Buenchico as got to have 10 out 10 for his, that i did understand, very well done and thanks to you all.

[AlBags]

I'll have steak pie and default please.

[WILLWONKER]

OK Albags, so you don't want a jacket potato, you just want a plate of default