Internet & Computing Essentials (2009)

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A World Wide Web survey …The computer is only a tool to enhance your life.

Please take a moment to answer as many of the below questions as you can.Write in your own words, but be as specific as possible!

Are you currently looking at a new job? In what field? What are your skills?Do you use the internet? Do you have any favorite websites?Do you have any hobbies? What are they?Do you like to travel? Where? How?What about the outdoors?

Hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping, biking, boating, fishing, hunting Do you follow news, politics, current events? What subjects in particular?Do you like film/TV? What are your favorites, old or new?Love music? What genres? What bands/performers/venues?Sports fan? What sports? What teams?Do you have any other subjects you are interested in? … Science, nature,

health, languages, politics, books, art, photography, etc. etc. …

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Computing & Internet EssentialsAn introduction to understanding & navigating a digital world

your instructor: matthew [email protected]

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Getting started

Quick introductions Quick introductions Workshop scheduleWorkshop schedule

Making this a better classMaking this a better classWorkshop menu: possible topics & tasksWorkshop menu: possible topics & tasks

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Quick introductionsCustomizing this course

In less than two minutes …In less than two minutes …

Who are you and what do you do?Who are you and what do you do?What is your experience with computers, the What is your experience with computers, the

Internet, and the World Wide Web?Internet, and the World Wide Web?How can you use computers and the internet to How can you use computers and the internet to

improve your life?improve your life?What are your goals today?What are your goals today?

What do you hope to get from this workshop?What do you hope to get from this workshop?What is something interesting about you?What is something interesting about you?

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Matthew WyllyamzSoftware instructor since 1993, with an emphasis on multimedia, graphics,

and internet development.

Have created courses for Jefferson County Adult Ed, CCU in Lakewood, Productivity Point, and the DOD (at Rocky Flats).

Taught Apple Macintosh classes exclusively for five years, Taught Apple Macintosh classes exclusively for five years, and and have been using the Internet since 1995.

Corporate webmaster for two years ('97-'99). Blogmaster for seven years. ('99-'05).

TODAY: independent contractor, technical & creative consultant, artist, amateur photographer, and author. BA in English writing, and have sold three books.

http://www.mouselink.biz

Quick introductions

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Workshop scheduleWorkshop schedule

Two daysTwo days1pm – 4pm (six hours total)1pm – 4pm (six hours total)Two sessions per afternoon Two sessions per afternoon Short break (15 mins) around 2:30pmShort break (15 mins) around 2:30pm

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How to have a great class

Please set pagers and cell phones to silent or turn off.Understand "concentrated computer training":

Class is part discussion, part lecture, part hands-on.Watch the screen, then try it yourself.PARTICIPATE! ask questions. answer questions. take notes.Be mindful of others’ ability levels.This is a cooperative learning environment:

We are here to learn from each other.

Keep in mind that this course was designed for aparticular level of student:

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Keep in mind that this course was designed fora particular level of student:

Created forA beginning user with a developing knowledge of A beginning user with a developing knowledge of computers and Microsoft Windows.computers and Microsoft Windows.

NOT created forThe more experienced/intermediate computer user.The more experienced/intermediate computer user.

most importantly …most importantly …


9 most importantly …most importantly …


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Workshop menu: possible class topicsTurning your computer on & off

Mouse movements

The MS Windows Operating System

The difference between memory and storage

Measuring quantities of data

Different types of icons

Saving files:Where do you put them?How do you find them?

Navigating with Windows Explorer

Understanding basic applications

Speaking the internet language

What is a web browser?

What exactly is a website?

Different types of web pages

Useful and popular websites

Addressing vs. Searching

Website navigation

Optimizing search results

Conclusions

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Workshop menu: possible class tasksRun multiple applications

Switch between programs

Show the desktop

Save a file to the desktop

Save a file to My Documents

Customize the desktop, task bar, and quick launch

Change view settings for a window

Display & navigate the "tree"

Display "drive letters" inMy Computer

Enter web addresses manually

Download Internet photos

Navigate forward/back

Search with Google

Open links in a new window or tab

Scroll a web page with the scroll wheel

Refresh / Stop a web page

Utilize web browser "history“

Work with email and attachments

Folders: create, name, rename, move

Files: copy, rename, move, delete

Select multiple objects

Set a desktop wallpaper

Practice typing in a word processor

Copy & paste: text, between apps, images

Experiment with Paint

Create a shortcut to a file, folder, or app

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Moving on …Moving on …Computing essentials

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Our goals today include …Our goals today include …

Understanding basic conceptsBecoming more comfortable

Learning jargonGaining confidence

Practicing new skillsHelping each other!

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A word about “Technorealism”(lu

ddite

s)te

chno

phob

es(geeks)

technophiles

A common-sense approach that critically evaluates technologies based on their real-world value, taking into account their impact on the earth, societies, and individuals, and keeping a watchful eye out for unintended consequences.

technorealists

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Turning on and off your computer

Turning it on and logging onShould you let your computer run all the time?The proper way to shut down or restartWhat’s the difference between sleep, hibernate, stand-by? …

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How are you at using a mouse? Understanding different movements and clicks

Mouse-overPay attention to visual clues

Single click (select)Double click (open/activate)“Click away” to deselect something.Click and drag & Drag and drop (moving objects)Right clicking – "The Answer to Everything!"Methods of selecting multiple objects

Shift, control, drag selection boxAn important rule: “Select, then affect.”And finally … Avoid clicking madly & repeatedly!

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How are you at using the mouse?If you need practice …

Most Windows computers are already set up for play. Go to:

Start menu>All programs>Games>Solitaire

If you don't know the rules, ask a friend who already knows them.

You can play solitaire!

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The Microsoft Windows Operating System (OS)What does an Operating System do?The Windows OS is a GUI

or "Graphic User Interface," pronounced like "gooey"

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The DesktopKeep coming back to the

office metaphor."Visual clues"Start menu

And more menus …The task bar

and quick launch toolbarIcons or "objects"Windows

Parts of a windowUnderstanding the "active" windowRunning multiple windows/applications simultaneouslySwitching between windows/applications

The MS Windows OS

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The MS Windows environmentA brief history

The GUI started with the Xerox Alto in 1979.Apple introduced the Lisa in 1983 and the Macintosh in 1984,

popularizing the GUI over command-line-driven code (MS DOS).

Microsoft introduces Windows in 1985.Windows -> Windows 95 -> Windows 98 -> Windows ME. (x)Windows NT -> Windows 2000 -> Windows XP ->

Windows Vista …2009 GUI market share:

Windows = 87% Mac = 9.8% Linux = .99%

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The difference between …Memory & Storage

MEMORY (RAM)The computer's short-term "consciousness"Powered by electricityHow many phone numbers can you remember at once?

STORAGE (DISK)

The computer's long-term semi-permanent storageMagnetic,optical, or flashHow many phone numbers can you write down?

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Saving files …from RAM back to disk

• Moving files from short-term memory (RAM)into long-term storage (disk).

• Why is this soooooooo important?• Command: SAVE. Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl S

save

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Quantities of data …How do we measure them?

Bit = yes/no, on/off, 0 or 1Byte = 8 bits, one characterKilobyte (K) = 1024 bytes

1/2 page of textMegabyte (MB) = 1024 K

one large book (500 pages)one minute of music (MP3 file)one second of video (MPEG)

Gigabyte = 1024 MBover 1000 plain-text books approx. 250 full-length songsabout four minutes of video

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Typical storage devices/amounts-- some magnetic, some optical

Floppy disk, 3.5" -- 1.44 MB"Pocket" CD -- 210 MB"Zip" disk -- 100-250 MBCD -- 700 MB"Flash" drive -- 1 GBDVD -- 4.7 GBSmall hard disk -- 20 GBApple iPod -- .512-60 GBLarge hard disk -- 250 GB

Quantities of data …How do we measure them?

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Different types of icons What are “gooey objects”?

What is an icon? What does it represent?

"In a graphical user interface (GUI), a small, pictorial, on-screen representation of an object, such as a document, program, folder or disk drive."

"A picture or graphical representation of an object on a display screen to which a user can point to with a device, such as a mouse, to select a particular operation or perform a certain action."

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What is an icon? What does it represent?

Remember the office metaphor:

Applications or programs (typewriter)

Documents or files (piece of paper)

Directories or folders (filing cabinet with folders)

Links (to web pages)

Shortcuts (to any other object on your computer)

Different types of icons What are “gooey objects”?

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Saving files …Where do you put them and how do you find them?

Understanding the hierarchical file systemhierarchical file system (HFS)using Windows Explorer

Think of a filing cabinet with drawers, hanging folders, folders within folders, and finally documents within those folders.

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Navigating up and down this "tree" or "path" is an absolutely key principle of working with personal computers.

This method organizes your files thru "Windows Explorer""Windows Explorer"

Understanding the Desktop and My Documents folder metaphors


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Saving files …Understanding "drive letters"

Like a filing cabinet, each computer has multiple storage containers where files can be kept.

These containers can be seen in "My Computer."

A: floppy drive

C: primary hard disk

D,E (etc): CD, DVD, "flash drive,"digital camera (etc)

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Navigating with Windows Explorer …Where do you put files and how do you find them?

Tree

Path

Show treeUp one level

Contents of current location

Status area

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Save As / Open "dialog boxes"Where do you put files and how do you find them?

Tree pops down …Show tree

Up one level

Contents of current location

New folder

Startingbrowse

location

Save As / Open file name Save / Open

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Renaming, moving, and deleting files & foldersUnderstanding .dot three-letter file extensionsOther file-naming conventionsChanging views and getting "properties"

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Understanding "shortcuts"

Windows shortcuts are disposable files that point to other objects in your GUI:

"A desktop shortcut, usually represented by an icon, is a small file that points to a program, folder, document, or Internet location. Clicking on a shortcut icon takes you directly to the object to which the shortcut points. Shortcut icons contain a small arrow in their lower left corner. Shortcuts are merely pointers -- deleting a shortcut will not delete the item to which the shortcut points."

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Understanding applicationspart 1: accessories

What are Windows XP accessories?

Mini applicationsNotepad, WordPad, Paint,

Address bookWindows Media Player

System toolsGames

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Understanding applicationspart 2: different types of software

Word processorsSpreadsheetsDatabasesWeb browsers and email clientsGraphics, animation, and video editorsMultimedia players"Utilities"Games

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Universal keyboard shortcutsWin open Start menu undo Ctrl Z save Ctrl S

Win D minimize all,show desktop redo Ctrl Y open Ctrl O

Win L lock computer /go to sign-in cut Ctrl X new Ctrl N

Alt tabswitch betweenopen applications

copy Ctrl C bold Ctrl B

Alt F4 close theactive window paste Ctrl V italic Ctrl I

Ctrl drag copy duringdrag & drop print Ctrl P underlin

e Ctrl U

F2 renames anactive icon/object select all Ctrl A find Ctrl F

AltPrint Scrn

copies a pic of the active window to the clipboard

CtrlPrint Scrn

copies a pic of the entire screen to the clipboard

Alt underlined letters in menus

menu nav with keyboard rather than mouse

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.dot three-letter file extensionsoffice

documentsweb related graphics

formatsmultimedia system files

.doc .htm .jpg .mpg .exe.rtf .asp .gif .mov .zip.txt .cgi .png .mp3.xls .swf .bmp .wav.ppt .pdf .avi

.psd

.eps.ai.tif

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Considerations when buying a computerAnswer these questions before you begin looking, and be prepared to take

this cheat-sheet with you when you shop:

What will be the purpose of your new computer? What will you be using it for?Do you need to be able to take your data with you? (portability)Do you have any vision issues? Do you need a larger-than-average screen?What additional features/components will you need?

Printer / photo printer, scanner, digital camera …What will be the speed of your Internet connection?Do you want to be able to burn CDs or DVDs?Do you want to be able to play games and/or music on your computer?Will you be using a portable music player (MP3 device) along with your

computer?Will kids be using the computer?

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Moving on …Moving on …Internet essentials

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Speaking the languageInternetIntranetWorld Wide WebWeb siteWeb pageWeb browserLink or hyperlinkSearch engineGoogleDomain, domain nameAddressURLs and HTMLBlogISPServer & clientIP address

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What is a web browser?

A browser is a computer program

that is used to locate and display web

pages, providing a graphical interface

that lets users click buttons, icons, and

menu options to view and navigate.

This enables a user to display and interact

with text, images, videos, music,

games, etc.

Internet Explorer 65%*

Firefox 23%

Safari 8.5%

Chrome 1.8%

Netscape .75%

Opera .75%

* ALL stats as of May 2009

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What exactly is a website? … And how do they work within the World Wide Web?

The pages you see are merely computer documents.These files are in a specific format so that you can view them: HTMLYou are able to request these documents because of the protocols that the

Internet is based upon: IP.Websites are organized according to a *flow* of ideas or data, sometimes

known as "information architecture."Key point: all you are doing when “browsing the Web” is requesting to view

documents that are stored on other computers.These computers are known as servers.

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You can view any file available on the Internet by simply typing in that document’s address:

http://www.freeu.com/intro/welcome.htmlcommand

linenetwork

namedomain name

directory name

file nameIP

computer name

What exactly is a website? … And how do they work within the World Wide Web?

However, you will usually get there with a simple click.

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Different types of web pages

News, weather, sports, INFORMATIONReference materialsSearch enginesShopping, auctions, and recyclingFind a restaurant, view a menu, order a pizza!Services: online banking, dvd rental, order tickets."Distance learning"Web logs ("blogs") and message board communitiesDownloads: software, music, movie trailers, etc …Graphics: photo galleries, maps, stock images,

wallpaperIntranets and extranetsAnd much more …

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So, what does a webpage look likebeneath its skin? ... and what is HTML?

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Useful and popular websites

google: web, news, images, maps, gmailwikipedia, m-w, thesaurus.com, webMDnetflix, IMDB, allmusic, tvguide, espnamazon, packtrack, epinionscraigslist, ebay mapquest, dexonlinelocal news & weather …online banking …shoutcastyoutube

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Addressing vs. Searching

Don’t search for something if youalready know the address.

Entering web addresses manuallySyntax and shortcuts

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Website navigation

Your home pageForward & backStop & refreshScrollingChanging text sizeSearching a pageNew window / new tabBookmarks / favoritesHistory

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Optimizing search results

Be very specificUse quotation marksDon’t settle for the first set of resultsOpen results in a new window/tab“Advanced” searching

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Additional topics

EmailAttachmentsInstant messages & chatroomsDownloading filesCookiesPrivacyMalwareNetiquette

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Conclusions …

You cannot learn the violin in a day or two.

Computing is a skill – like any other – that requires continual practice.

Approach everything on a need-to-know basis, and don't worry about that which you do not yet understand.

Stay upbeat:If you get frustrated, turn it off & walk away.

Don't forget about your notes!

Good luck. Best wishes. Get in touch if you need more help!

Internet & Computing Essentials (2009)

Technology

Transcript of Internet & Computing Essentials (2009)