Basically if you think of the copy/paste function in Windows as tucking a note into your pocket to remind yourself of something later, the clipboard is the "pocket" that holds the note. It's the place the note goes when you press control-c (or when you highlight text and right click to copy) and it's the place the note comes from when you press control-v (or when you right click to paste).

Splash_4's instructions for displaying the clipboard basically allow you to look into the pocket to verify that the note you made for yourself is still there. The clipboard is usually running in the background when you do this kind of thing. It's hidden to avoid clutter, but it's the "man behind the scenes" doing the work.

(The above isn't completely technically correct, but I hope it helps illustrate the basic concept.)


Thanks for the pictures, Jock. It's always nice to see historic sites.