AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

THIS CLASS IS DESIGNED AS A BEGINNERS CLASS IN

COMPUTING

OBJECTIVES

• Learn Basic Computer Terminology

• Difference Between Hardware and Software

• Understanding Computer Components

• Basic Keyboard and Mouse Usage

• Proper Care For your PC

PREREQUISITES

• There are no prerequisites.

DEFINITION

• What is a Computer?• com·put·er        Pronunciation key  (km-pytr)n.

• A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

• One who computes. • (American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed. Pub.

2000)

THE LANGUAGE OF COMPUTERS

Binary Numbers

Binary Numbers 1 of 3

Computers speak binary. Binary language consists of combinations of 1's and 0's that represent characters of other languages (in our case the English language). Don’t make the mistake of thinking that little 1's and 0's are running around inside of the computer. We humans prefer to think of 1's and 0's because it’s easier than visualizing positive and negative current flows or open and closed circuits which is what actually happens inside computers. A combination of eight bits represents one character in our language. One character in our language (eight bits) is referred to as a byte. (For example: 01000001 is a byte that represents an uppercase A; each 1 or 0 is a bit.)

Binary Numbers 2 of 3

• Kilobytes, Megabytes, and Gigabytes• If you understand that a byte is one character in

our language, you’ve got it made because:• 1000 bytes = 1 kilobyte• (1,000 characters = 1 kilobyte)• 1,000,000 bytes = 1 megabyte• (1,000,000 characters = 1 megabyte)• 1,000,000,000 bytes = 1 gigabyte

(1,000,000,000 characters = 1 gigabyte)

Binary Numbers 3 of 3• Disk Capacity• It’s important to know how large your files are because eventually you won’t

have enough space on your disk to hold more files. Knowing the total capacity of your disk, how much space is left on your disk, and how large the file is, you can make accurate decisions as to whether to save the file to the current disk, or save the file to a different diskette with more disk capacity.

• Keep in mind that a low density floppy diskette holds 720 kilobytes of data, and a high density floppy diskette holds 1.44 megabytes of data. Put in easier to understand terms, a low density disk can hold approximately 300 typed pages and a high density can hold approximately 600 typed pages. Zip disks have 100 megabytes of disk capacity (about $10.00 each) or 250 megabytes of disk capacity (about $15.00 each). CD-ROMS have 650 megabytes of capacity (about $1.00 each) or 700 megabytes of capacity (about $1.50 each). Super Disks have 120 megabytes of disk capacity (about $12.00 each). Hard drives (disk drives inside of the computer) might hold anywhere from 30 megabytes (old computers) to 80 gigabytes (new computers) of data. Most computers today are sold with anywhere from a 5 gigabyte (portable/laptop computers) to a 120 gigabyte (desktop computers) disk capacity.

THIS IS A FEW OF THE

DIFFERENT TYPES of COMPUTERS

• Desk top

Lap TopHand Held

computer

computerComputer

computer

DEFINITION

• Hardware Vs. Software

If you can touch it, it’s hardware

Examples of Hardware

The Programs that are on the disks are software

Definition of User

Uses for a PC

• Word Processing• Desktop Publishing• Database Management• Spreadsheets• Communication• Finance• Education• Entertainment• News and Information• Doorstop

Tips for Beginners

• Explore Your Computer• Mistakes won’t Kill You• EDIT/ UNDO is your Friend• Be persistent• Apply what you Learn• Don’t try to learn too fast• Walk away if you get frustrated• Have Fun

Why Learn This Stuff?

• Buying a PC

• Having Your PC Serviced

• Calling For Support

• Be able to talk to Friends & Grandchildren

• It’s Fun

Hardware Overview

PC Versus MAC

Examples of PC computers

Examples of MAC computers

SYSTEM COMPONENTSCPU/PROCESSOR

• The CPU refers to the microprocessor chip. Sometimes the “Tower” is called the CPU.

• It’s speed is measured in Megahertz (MHZ) (Millions of cycles per second) or Gigahertz (GHZ) Billions of cycles per second.

• (A cycle is the time required for the CPU to execute an instruction step).

SYSTEM COMPONENTSRam – Random Access Memory

• Ram is the memory used by the computer to run programs.

• The amount of Ram available will determine how fast a program will run and how many windows can be open at one time.

• Ram memory is considered Volatile because it disappears when the power is turned off.

SYSTEM COMPONENTSHard Drive

• The Hard Drive is the computers main, long term storage.

• It is referred to as non-volatile storage, because it does not disappear when the power is turned off.

• The size of the Hard Drive is measured in Gigabytes. (Billions of Bytes).

RAM VERSUS HARD DRIVE

• If we use the analogy of a desk: Then the work we are doing on the desk top would be using the RAM and the work we store in the file drawers would be on the HARD DRIVE.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Mother Board• (This is where most of the

electronics is located).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Case• (Tower,Chassis,Box)

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Modem (Modulator Demodulator).

• (Used for internet access with phone line).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Power Supply• 250 – 500 Watts• DO NOT OPEN• (This is the power source

that makes everything go).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Audio Card• This is the voice of your

system).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Floppy Drive – • 1.44 MB• (This item is fast becoming

obsolete).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Network Card• (Used to connect to high

speed internet access e.g. Cable or DSL lines).

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Tape Drive Can store Gigabytes of data.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

• Video Card• (Provides visual images to

the monitor. Also used in computer games, to provide additional memory for visual effects).

PERIPHERALS

• Monitors• CRT Vs LCD

PERIPHERALS

• Printers• (Might be Ink Jet, Bubble

Jet, Laser or whatever the manufacturers invent tomorrow).

PERIPHERALS

• Video Cameras• (Also called

webcams)

POWER PROTECTION

• Uninterruptible Power Supply

• (UPS) 280 VA – 400 VA

• (Essentially a battery back-up in case of a power failure)

KEYBOARD

• The Keyboard• (This is the primary

input device)

KEYBOARD

• Alphanumeric Keys

KEYBOARD

• Numeric Keypad

KEYBOARD

• Enter (Return) Key

KEYBOARD

• Spacebar

KEYBOARD

• “Modifier” keys: CTRL, ALT, SHIFT

KEYBOARD

• “State “ keys: Caps, Scroll, Numlock

KEYBOARD

• Windows keys

MOUSE

• Holding the mouse• Grip between thumb

and ring finger• (Right handed grip

shown, Lefties use other hand)

MOUSE

• Mouse Pointer

MOUSE

• Left Clicking

MOUSE

• Right clicking

MOUSE

• Double clicking

• (Use the left side,

• Click twice)

MOUSE

• Click and drag

MOUSE

• Scroll wheel and optional buttons

SOFTWARE

• Operating systems

• Applications

• Data

OPERATING SYSTEMS

• MS-DOS• Windows 95,98,Me• Windows NT,

2000,XP

• Linux

APPLICATIONS

• MS Word• (Your basic Word

Processor)

APPLICATIONS

• MS Excel• Your basic Spread Sheet)

APPLICATIONS

• MS Power Point• (For sales

presentations)

APPLICATIONS

• MS Outlook• (Your desktop Personal

Information Manager, (PIM))

APPLICATIONS

• MS Internet Explorer

• (Your internet Browser)

APPLICATIONS

• Windows Calculator• (Your basic

calculator, also available is a scientific calculator)

APPLICATIONS

• WordPerfect Adobe Acrobat

• Lotus 1-2-3 Photoshop

• QuickBooks Notepad

• CorelDraw WinZip

• HyperCam Media Player

• Photo Paint StarCraft• ETC. ETC.ETC. ETC. Ad Infinitum

DATA

• Letters written using a word processor like MS WORD.

• Spread sheets designed in EXCEL.

• Presentations created in Power Point

• Music on a CD.

• Photos from your digital camera

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Beverages in open containers are EVIL.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Magnets• (They destroy Data

on floppy drives and hard drives)

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Laser Printers and Power.

• Keep PC off the floor.

• When in doubt Reboot.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Save your work often.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Power Strips• Use the Power

buttons on the PC and peripherals.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Don’t eject a floppy when the light is on.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Keep floppies out of sunlight.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Proper handling of CDs

• OK to wash CDs in mild soapy water or get a CD cleaner (inexpensive)

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Don’t push the CD tray in – use the button.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• Dust Kills• It’s a good idea to

blow the dust out of your computer regularly.

COMPUTER CAVEATS

• STATIC KILLS!• Get yourself an anti

static strip or mat.

TIME FOR A STRETCH BREAK

• TIME TO GET UP AND STRETCH

• CLEAN YOUR GLASSES

• GO POTTY IF YOU HAVE THE URGE

• LET’S TAKE A TEN MINUTE BREAK

AN INTRODUCTION to WINDOWS XP

This is the operating system most of us will be using

FILES AND FOLDERS

Keyboard command

Word Access Excel PowerPoint

Ctrl-A Select entire document

Select all Select all Select all

Ctrl-B Bold Bold Bold Bold

Ctrl-C or F3 Copy Copy Copy Copy

Ctrl-F n/a Find Find n/a

Ctrl-G Go to n/a n/a n/a

Ctrl-H n/a Replace text n/a n/a

Ctrl-I Italics n/a n/a Italics

Ctrl-M n/a n/a Format a number

Add (create) slide

Ctrl-N New document

New document

New document

New presentation

Alt-N n/a Create a new object

n/a n/a

Ctrl-O Open Open Open Open

Ctrl-P Print Print Print Print

Ctrl-Q Quit Quit Quit Quit

Ctrl-R n/a New record Fill Right n/a

Ctrl-TAB Save as Display Page Save as n/a

Ctrl-S Save Save Query Save Save

Ctrl-U Underline n/a Underline Underline Text

Ctrl-V Paste Paste Paste Paste text

Ctrl-X Cut Cut Cut Cut

Ctrl-Z Undo Undo Undo Undo

Ctrl-1 (one) n/a n/a Format Cell n/a

Keyboard command

Word Access Excel PowerPoint

F1 Help Help Help Help

F7 Spell/grammar check

Spell check Spell check Spell check

Ctrl-[ n/a n/a n/a Decrease font size

Ctrl-] n/a n/a n/a Increase font size

Shortcuts when selecting text

Selection Task Shortcut

Select adjacent text Click and drag over text Select a word Double click on the word Select a line Triple click on the line Select a paragraph Click 4 times in the paragraph Select from the insertion point to the beginning or end of a paragraph

Press Shift-Option-Up arrow or Shift –Option-Down arrow

Select an extended section Click at one end of the section, then Shift-click at the other end

Select a whole document Ctrl-A or triple click in selection area

Select from the insertion point to the beginning or end of a document

Press Shift-Ctrl-Home or Shift-Ctrl-End

THE WIMP INTERFACE

• WINDOWS

• ICONS

• MENUS

• POINTERS

WINDOWS

ICONS

MENUS

POINTERS (CURSORS)

• I-beam cursor

(which follows the roll of the mouse)

Insertion point cursor

F letcher

(Which flashes on and off, and is positioned using the I-beam cursor and a click of the mouse button)

BREAK POINT

• Let’s get some hands on experience

• Find the Windows key. – Bottom row second key from the left side.– Press once, (this is the same as left

clicking on the start button).– Bring the cursor arrow over the All Programs

Arrow head.– Notice how the program files are displayed.

FIND MICROSOFT WORD(LEFT CLICK)

Microsoft Word.lnk

Microsoft word

FIND EXCELLEFT CLICK

Microsoft Excel.lnk

MICROSOFT EXCEL

FIND POWERPOINT

Microsoft PowerPoint.lnk

POWERPOINT

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