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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