The Front

 

 The Back

 

Computer Components

 

In addition you may get applications (software) like MS Works or MS Word or Word Perfect, Photo Album, Jukebox Music, and either Norton or McAfee Anti-virus. 

 

Turning on the Computer

Power up  all your attached devices first (printer, monitor, etc)

Then use the Power Button to turn computer ON.

 

The computer goes through an electronic  “hand shake” to establish the connections - watch the keyboard lights blink, listen for the printer to hick-up, and watch the monitor’s power indicator light up green…this is “hand shaking”.

 

 

Keyboard Functions

 

Alpha/Numeric  Keyboard

10 Key Numeric & Edit Keypad

  

Shift – for capitalizing letters Caps Lock – to “lock” the shift key when all capital letters are needed Tab – indents 5 spaces to the right Esc – function depends on the application Forward slash – on the ? key and used in Internet addresses Insert – allows the insertion of a character without “over striking” Home – moves the cursor to the beginning of a line End – moves the cursor to the end of a line Delete – removes character or space positioned in front (to the right) of the cursor. Enter – carriage return or application specific

Spacebar (not labeled) – moves the cursor left to right inserting spaces Backspace - moves the cursor from right to left, backwards deletes characters or spaces Page Down - scrolls down a full page Page Up - scrolls up a full page F1 - Help window F2-F12 - application specific Cursor keys/Arrow keys/Navigation keys - moves the cursor left, right, up or down without deleting or adding spaces. NumLock - this affects the 10-key touch numeric keypad. Activating allows numbers, deactivating allows editing.

Need to brush up on your typing skills?  You can practice online at:   

www.learn2type.com and www.goodtyping.com   Sites require free registration.

Mousing Around

A computer mouse comes in a variety of styles: 2 buttons 2 buttons and a wheel (like this photo shows) 3 buttons Two buttons and a wheel if the most common.   They most often are connected to the computer via a USB port or are wireless.

Holding the Mouse: This is how you should hold a mouse.  Index finger on the left button, thumb and little finger holding each side.

Using the mouse:

• Hold the mouse in your right hand

• The left click button is the primary button and used most of the time.

• The right click button provides other options or actions you can choose.

Practice Mousing

• Play Solitaire on your computer. This is usually a standard part of Windows. Use the "search" function to locate it or look in the Program Menu.

• Or practice "mousing" with these online tutorials: 

Mousing Around http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/intro.htm
How to Use a Mouse  http://www.washoe.lib.nv.us/pub_mouse.html
 

Desktop Components

Once the computer successfully “boots” (turns on) the Window’s Desktop will appear.  The example below shows the desktop for Windows XP.  Icons, Taskbar and the Start button appear on the Desktop.  Notice in the graphic below:

• The display area has no borders and completely fills the screen.

• Not to be confused with a window which has borders and can be resized

Icons – a graphic/picture that represents a file, folder, or a program.  Double click and icon to open a file, folder or start a program.

Task Bar – appears along the bottom of the desktop (see the picture above) and includes:

• Start Button

• Programs that are running

• System properties, icon, clock, sound control

• Can be moved

• Can be customized

Start Button -part of the task bar, provides layered series of pop-up menus

Turn off computer or Shutdown - a MUST when you are done using your computer Run – an alternate method to starting or loading a program Search – helps you find files or folders Help and Support– see the picture below Control Panel – computer and Window configuration settings Printers and Faxes – install printers All Programs – a layered list of all programs or applications that are installed on the computer

 

Window Components

Opening a file, a folder, or starting a program - these actions will open a window.  The picture below shows most of the major components in a window.  Window features include:

• Has 4 borders                       

• Can be resized

• Can be moved

• Is fully customizable

 

A black down arrow indicates "more": More text to see More menus More choices In this illustration the down arrow reveals more font styles to choose.

Computer Security

No doubt you’ve heard all about computer viruses, spam, vicious ad-ware.  The Internet is the main conduit for infecting your computer.  If your computer is NOT ever connected to the Internet then your computer will probably remain healthy.  Computer and Internet security is discussed in detail in the Internet Basic course.

Turning Off the Computer

Don't Touch that Button! 
With the Windows operating system, under normal operating circumstances you NEVER use the power button, located on the front of your computer, to shut down your computer. 

Shutdown is a function of the Windows operating system, which makes sure all programs and connections are correctly closed down before actually turning the computer off. 

• Click the Start button

• Click the Turn Off Computer button

• Click the Turn Off button.

 

 

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Question or comments?
Contact Glenna R. Rhodes, Electronic Resources Librarian, Boise Public Library
grhodes@cityofboise.org, 208-384-4442 office or 208-384-4076 Reference Desk
 

This page can be found at:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/About_BPL/Computers/computer_classes/computerbasics.shtml