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Computer Basics
This class is designed to cover the following basics:
computer hardware software computer‟s operating system different kinds of storage devices you can use to save files using a mouse
what you see on your computer‟s “desktop” what you see inside a “window” on the computer‟s screen how to toggle between two open programs how to shut your computer down safely
Hardware
A computer is made up of multiple parts that send, receive or process information. All computers include the following hardware:
Computer case : The case that holds all the electronic components of the computer, including the hard disk, RAM chips, central processing unit (CPU), and motherboard. Inside the case is where everything takes place.
Monitor : Similar to a television, the monitor displays text, pictures, and other items from the computer on a screen.
Keyboard : The set of typewriter-like keys you use to type information into the computer.
Mouse : The device that controls the movement of the pointer displayed on the screen. You use the mouse pointer to select and open items on the computer.
Disk drives : Devices that read data from and write data to a disk. A DVD drive reads both CDs and DVDs. A DVD
drive has the words compact disc on the front. Some older computers have a drive for a diskette. All computers have a USB port either on the front or back of the computer case. This port is where you plug in a USB drive/thumb drive. A USB drive, floppy disk, and certain CDs are all ways to save files such as letters, pictures, and presentations.
Laptop Computers : Laptop computers are portable computers with the electronic component, monitor, keyboard and mouse all encased in a light- weight, battery-powered, portable unit which can fit on your lap. They are also sometimes referred to as „notebooks.‟
Portable Storage Devices
There will be times when you want to save a file – either as a backup, or because you need to access the file, but will be using a different computer. There are several options for saving files: Floppy disk (1.44 Megabytes) o Has a small amount of space (about 20 documents/100 pages of text) CDs (700 Megabytes) o Has more space (500 times as much room as a floppy disk) DVDs (4.7 Gigabytes) o 1,000 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte USB Drive (Universal Serial Bus) (2, 4, 8 or 16 Gigabytes)
Using the Mouse
Getting comfortable using the mouse is essential for beginning computer users. While it may seem a little awkward at first, maneuvering the mouse will soon become intuitive with a little practice.
Parts of the Mouse : At the top of the mouse, there are two major buttons: the left button and the right button. (Some mice also have a small roller which can also be used as a button but generally not.) Remember: the buttons on the mouse should always be pointing away from you!
Holding the Mouse : With the buttons on the mouse pointing away from you, hold the sides of the mouse with your thumb, ring finger and pinkie. Place your index finger on the left button and your middle finger on the right button. Rest your wrist on the desk or mouse pad. The mouse stays on the mouse pad. You can lift the mouse to move it when you run out of room on the pad.
Pointing and Clicking : The most common mouse operation is pointing and clicking. Simply move the mouse so that the cursor is pointing to the object you want to select, and then click the left mouse button once. Pointing and clicking is an effective way to select menu items, directories, and files.
Recycle Bin : This is where you can drag and drop any files you want to delete. Mouse pointer : The indicator on the screen that you use to select and move objects. It moves as you move the mouse and it changes appearance depending on what program you are using and what tool you have selected.
“Windows” : Using the Microsoft Windows operating system, you can have more than one program or folder open for viewing at the same time. Each program or folder is in its own window , a rectangular area on the screen. Having multiple windows open is similar to having multiple books open on the top of a desk. Each window contains different information. For instance, you can have a window open that displays a letter you are writing and a window that displays a map of the world. When you are using multiple windows, the one you are working in is called the active window. The active window is located on top of the other windows and is in the foreground.
Common Windows elements : Most windows have common features, so once you become familiar with one program, you can use that knowledge in another program. Title bar : The top bar of a window displaying the title of the program and the name of the document. Menu bar : The bar containing names of menus, located below the title bar. You can use the menus on the menu bar to access many of the tools available in a program. Toolbars : The bar below the menu bar containing buttons that provide access to the most commonly used tools in a program. Each button has a picture on it, also called an “icon”, which represents the button‟s action.
Recycle Bin
Shortcut Icons
Start Button
Taskbar
System Tray
Desktop
Ribbons : If you are using a Microsoft Office 2010 product, you do not have menus or toolbars. Instead you have the “Ribbon”. Ribbons are accessed by clicking on any of the tabs towards the top of the window. Depending on what tab you click, you can access different Ribbons. Each ribbon contains a different group of icons which performs various tasks. For example, on the Home Ribbon, you can find icons that will change which font you are using or what size font you are using. Minimize button : The left button in the upper-right corner of a window used to minimize a program window. A minimized program remains open but it is visible only as a button on the taskbar. Resize button : The middle button in the upper-right corner of a window used to resize a program window. If a program window is full-screen size, that is, it fills the entire screen, the Restore Down button is displayed. You can use the Restore Down button to reduce the size of a program window. If a program window is less than full-screen size, the Maximize button is displayed. You can use the Maximize button to enlarge a program window to full-screen size. Close button : The right button in the upper-right corner of a window used to close a program or document window. Scroll bars : A vertical bar on the side of a window and a horizontal bar at the bottom of the window used to move around in a document. You can use the scroll arrows to see other parts of the screen by “scrolling” up and down or left and right. If the entire document is displayed in the window, there will not be a scroll bar.
Software
By itself, a computer‟s hardware is not very useful. You can connect it and set it in place, but it won‟t do anything until you have some software to perform tasks for you. Software refers to programs (i.e. instructions) that tell a computer what to do. Examples of computer software are: Microsoft Word for word processing
Title Bar
Menu Bar
Minimize Button
Resize Button (^) Close Button
Scroll Bar
