COMPUTER BASICSPickerington Public Library

Online Presentation

Computer Basics:Hardware

Example of a Desktop ComputerExample of a Laptop Computer

Computer Basics:Desktop Hardware

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

System Unit/Tower

CD/DVD Drive

Computer Basics:Laptop Hardware

Monitor

Keyboard

Mousepad (sometimes known asTrackpad)

Common Computer Questions:What’s the Difference Between……hardware and software?

Hardware: basic components of the computer – essentially, anything you can physically touch. Your monitor: hardware. Your keyboard: hardware. Your mouse: hardware. Your printer: hardware. Even something as small as a thumb/flash/USB drive: hardware.

Software: programs that can be installed onto your computer to control essential functions of the hardware. If you have a printer connected to your computer by a cable, for example, that printer cannot be used until you add software that communicates between your computer and the printer. For more information about Software, see Slide #9!

… a PC and a Mac?

PC simply stands for “personal computer,” which means a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a netbook. Mac refers to computers, both desktop and laptop, that are manufactured by the Apple company. PCs typically run on Microsoft Windows operating software, such as Windows XP, or 7, or now 8. Macs typically operate on a different operating system – OS X, Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion. You can immediately tell whether a computer Is running on a Windows or a Mac OS system, by their different desktop and icon appearances. The Mac even has slightly different keyboard features.

…left-click, right-click, and double-click?

See the next two slides for information on mouse clicks!

Computer Basics:The Mouse

Left button:“Click”

Right button:“Right click”

Wheel: Scroll

Right button:“Right click”Left

button:“Left click”

Computer Basics:The Mouse

Do this! But how do I… And why?

Click (Left-click or single click)

Press the left button of your mouse once. Let go.

This allows you to select an icon or an object.

Double-click Press the left button of your mouse twice very rapidly. Let go.

Select and open/activate simultaneously

Right-click Press the right button of your mouse once. Let go.

Access a shortcut menu, tailored to the object you have selected

Drag Hold down the left button of your mouse, as you move the mouse. When the mouse is in a chosen location, let go.

Move your selections: text, an image, or another object

Quick Tip! Is your cursor off screen? Are you pulling the mouse over the edge of your desk? Don’t get frustrated! Just lift the mouse off the desktop, and reposition it further from the edge so that you have sufficient room to move it around.

Computer Basics:The CursorCursors indicate which tasks are appropriate

for which selections.

Arrow: The arrow, or the pointer, is the default cursor. Use it to follow the movements of your mouse across the screen. If it appears over an icon or object, that icon or object is capable of being selected, with one click, and opened, with two clicks.

Pointing finger: The hand with the pointing finger indicates a web link, either in the form of text or in the form of an icon. It only takes one click to activate a link.

Hourglass: The hourglass, or circle, indicates that the computer is busy completing a task. PLEASE let the computer finish its task. Trying to work ahead of the computer, or clicking on an object multiple times, only delays the process.

I-Beam Pointer: The I-beam or I-cursor indicates text fields. If you want to select and highlight text, position your mouse over the area you want to select and use the drag option (one click, hold down, and move the mouse ). If you would like to enter text into a field, such as a search box, a text box, or an address bar, click once. This will activate the blinking cursor, which indicates where you can enter text.

Computer Basics:What is Software?

Two Basic Types

System Software: Keeps your computer functioning, and asks your computer to carry out basic tasks. For example, Windows (whether it is Vista, XP, 7, or 8) is operating system software.

Application Software: Helps you perform certain tasks

Ex.: Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Powerpoint Allow you to create, store, and print word processing

documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

Ex.: Internet Explorer: Connects you to and allows you to browse the Internet, or

World Wide Web – hence the term web browser

Computer Basics:The Desktop

Taskbar

Background, or Wallpaper

Icon: File

Icon: Recycle Bin

Icon: Folder (Files)

Icon: Program (Software)

Start Button

What’s this?

The Desktop:Taskbar

Start Button Quick Start

Software Program Icons

Date & Time

Notification Options

The Desktop Taskbar:Start Menu

1. Click the Start Button.2. View your most

frequently used programs on the left.

3. Click on the small arrows: these display a list of the files most recently opened in that particular program.

4. On the right are listed common file directories: the main storage folders for this computer.

Computer Basics:The Window (Sample - Word)

Title Bar

Menu BarScroll Bar

Minimize, Maximize, and Close

Insertion Point

Computer Basics:The Window (Sample - Internet)

Address Bar

Scroll BarCurrent Tab

Title Bar

Minimize, Maximize, and Close

New Tab

Computer Basics:Shut Down

Simple Shut Down*

1. Start Button2. Shut Down

That’s it!

*Turning off your CPU by pressing its power button WILL shut down your computer, but it is strongly discouraged. You can lose unsaved work, but you can also damage your computer’s system unit in the long run. Instead, follow the proper shutdown procedure: Start Button > Shut Down / Turn Off Computer. The computer will provide prompts if you have any programs running as you try to shutdown; follow these prompts to close unsaved work.