Understanding Computers, Ch. 21 Chapter 2 Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web.

Understanding Computers, Ch. 2 1

Chapter 2

Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web


Learning Objectives Explain what happens when you start up a computer.

Identify common elements of the Windows graphical user interface (GUI), such as the desktop, Start menu, Windows, and menus, and explain their functions.

Demonstrate how to open a program and manipulate open program windows.

Explain what the Internet and World Wide Web are and how computers, people, and Web pages are identified on the Internet.


Learning Objectives, Cont’d.

Demonstrate how to access a Web page and discuss how to search for Web pages containing specific information.

Explain how e-mail can be used to send and receive messages to and from other Internet users.

Identify several other types of online communications and discuss when each is used.

Discuss some societal implications of the Internet, such as security, privacy, and online communications issues.


Overview

This chapter covers:

Basic features of Windows

How Internet addresses work

How to gain access to Web pages

E-mail and other types of online communications


Starting Your Computer: The Boot Process

User turns on the power to the PC and monitor.

PC’s operating system is then loaded into memory.

The appropriate user interface will then be displayed and the computer is ready to use.


Using the Windows Operating System

Most programs use a graphical user interface (GUI).

The most common operating systems for PCs today is Microsoft Windows.

Other GUI operating systems are Mac OS and Linux.


The Windows Interface Common Windows elements include:

Desktop—the user’s basic workspace.

Taskbar—includes the Start button, toolbars, and task buttons.

Windows—rectangular areas inside which programs, documents, and other content is displayed.

Menus—used to issue commands.


The Windows Interface, Cont’d. Individual windows can also contain:

Icons

Menus

Toolbars

Hyperlinks

Dialog boxes


A Closer Look at Menus Current command

Check marks

Dimmed items

Arrows

Ellipses

Keyboard shortcuts


A Closer Look at Dialog Boxes Option buttons

Check boxes

Text boxes

Sliders

List boxes

Command buttons


Opening Windows and Starting Programs

Click a taskbar toolbar button.

Click a desktop icon if it looks like a hyperlink.

Double-click a desktop icon if it doesn’t look like a hyperlink.

Click the Start button and then select the desired program from the Start menu.

In any window that displays documents stored on the PC, double-click a document to open it.


Manipulating Windows Active window—the window in which commands will

currently be executed.

Minimizing, maximizing, and closing windows—use sizing buttons at top right corner of window.

Resizing and moving windows—drag window border or title bar.

Scroll bars—used to see more information not currently shown in the window.


Shutting Down the Computer Standby mode reduces power consumption and wear-

and-tear on the PC.

To turn off the PC, it should always be shut down through the Start menu.

Save and close all open documents and programs.

Select the Shut Down option at the bottom of the Start menu.

Choose the appropriate option.


Using the Internet and World Wide Web The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks

connecting millions of computers all over the world.

The World Wide Web is the collection of Web pages accessed through the Internet.

Computers that host Web pages are called Web servers.

A collection of related Web pages is called a Web site.


What Is a Browser? A Web browser is a program used to view Web

pages. Common browsers:

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Netscape Navigator MSN Explorer Opera

Wireless phones and other small devices use microbrowsers.


Accessing the Internet Your PC or other device being used must be connected to a

computer (usually owned by your ISP) that is continually connected to the Internet.

You can be connected via a direct or always-on connection, or a dial-up connection.

Internet service providers (ISPs) function as an onramp to the Internet and typically charge a monthly fee

Can also access the Internet at libraries, schools, and other public locations.


Internet Addresses An Internet address identifies a resource available

through the Internet, such as a person, computer, or Web page.

IP addresses (e.g. 207.46.134.222) and domain names (e.g. microsoft.com) identify computers available through the Internet.

URLs (e.g. www.course.com) identify a Web page on the Internet.

E-mail addresses (e.g. [email protected]) identify a person on the Internet.


Surfing the Web

First connect to the Internet, if needed, and open your browser.

Click hyperlinks or type URLs in the address bar or location bar to view Web pages.

Things that you may encounter on a Web page:

text and images e-mail hyperlinks form fields

frames animation multimedia


Using Bookmarks and the History List

Visited Web pages are recorded in the browser’s history list.

To save Web page URLs on a more permanent basis, use bookmarks or favorites.


Searching the Web A search site typically uses a search engine in

conjunction with a huge database of information about Web pages to retrieve information.

Keyword search: keywords are typed into a search box and then hyperlinks for matching Web pages are displayed.

Category search: a series of increasingly specific categories are selected until links for matching Web pages are displayed.


E-Mail and Other Types of Online Communications

Electronic mail (e-mail) refers to electronic messages exchanged between computers over a network and can be sent to anyone with an Internet e-mail address.

E-mail programs, such as Netscape Mail and Microsoft Outlook, are used to send and receive e-mail.

Web-based e-mail, such as Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail, can be accessed with just a Web browser.


Sending and Receiving E-Mail E-mail can be sent and received over private networks,

over the Internet, or over some combination of the two.

E-mail hyperlinks on Web pages can be used to start an e-mail message using your e-mail program.

To send an e-mail, supply the recipient’s e-mail address, type a subject line and the message, and click the appropriate Send button.

Many e-mail programs also enable users to attach files and maintain an address book.


Managing E-Mail

Sent and received messages are stored in separate folders, and deleted e-mail messages are moved to some type of Trash or Deleted Items folder.

Create additional folders to organize the e-mail you would like to keep.

Delete unneeded e-mail messages periodically and then empty the Trash folder to free up space on your hard drive.


Discussion Groups, Chat, Instant Messaging, and More

Discussion groups—participants read and post messages.

Chat room—participants chat in real time.

Instant messaging—private form of chat between friends and business associates.

Videoconferencing—face-to-face meetings via the Internet.

Internet telephony—phone calls via the Internet.


Netiquette

Guidelines for online behavior


Societal Implications of Cyberspace

Security

Privacy

Differences in online communications

The anonymity factor

Information integrity


Summary Slide Starting your computer: the boot process Using the Windows operating system

Using the Internet and World Wide Web

E-mail and other types of online communications

Social implications of cyberspace

Understanding Computers, Ch. 21 Chapter 2 Using Your PC, Windows, and the Web.

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