Computer Basics - Boise Public Library

HOW DO I

Boise Public Library
Ph. (208) 384-4076
Telecirc (208) 384-4450
TTY: 1-800-377-3529

Director: Kevin Booe

Computer Basics - Boise Public Library

Computer Basics

Class Handout - PowerPoint version
● Operating Systems	● Common Window Components
● Desktop Features and Setup	● Saving & Finding Your Files
● Start Menu and Help	● Shutting Down Your Computer

Operating Systems (OS)

Microsoft Windows
Most widely used

Mac OS X
Apple/MacIntosh computers

Desktop Features and Set Up

Basic Windows Desktop

Quick Launch Icons System Tray

Setting your Background Color and Image

To pick a color or image right click on the desktop
Select Properties

Choose from one of the tabs:

Themes - preset colors for windows, icons, titlebars, etc.
Desktop - for background image/color on your desktop
Screen Saver - choose a screen saver
Appearance - change items within a theme

Selecting background images, colors, themes and screensavers.

Start Menu

Find programs->

Access to your
<---- files

Computer info
<----

Get help &
find files
<-------

Turn or log off the computer
<---------

Help and Support Center

Common Window Components - using Word as an example.

Toolbars and Buttons

MS Word components - toolbars, scroll buttons and bars, minimize, maximize and close buttons

Fonts: Size and Styles

MS Word fonts - styles and size

Saving and Finding Your Files

Choose "File" then "Save As" to save your document.

Using the Save As function

Name your document - "valuable document"
Click on folder to save it to - "Important Stuff
Click "Save"

Creating a folder and saving a file

Another way to Save and Find your file

Save your file to the desktop where you can see it.
Right click on the desktop - create a new folder and name it.
From your document click "Save As" and choose this new location.

Saving a file to your desktop

More Ways to Find your Files

Use My Computer (in the Start Menu window) to navigate through your files.

Using My Computer to find your files

Use the Search function (in the Start Menu window) to search by the file name.

Use the Search function (in the Start Menu window) to search by the file name.

Turning Off the Computer

Use the Start Button in the lower left corner of your screen to being the Shut Down or Turn Off process
When you see this screen click on "Turn Off"

What Next?

Find more Computer Classes at: http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/About_BPL/Computers/Computer_Classes/

Class Reservations:
208-384-4076

Comments or Questions?
Glenna R. Rhodes, 208-384-4076 or 384-4442, grhodes@cityofboise.org

This document can be found at www.boisepubliclibrary.org/About_BPL/Computers/computer_classes/

Last Updated: 08/30/2010 grr/AS