Introduction to Computers

Instructor Jim Mollo

Hardware....touchable computer parts........system

Software.....programs.......instructions for computer to follow

Computer.... Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Micron,

Speed ......chip.....MHz...............850Mhz

Storage....Hard Drive.................20(MB) MegaBytes - Zip or CDRW

Memory...RAM..........................128MB

Monitor........26dot pitch.............17 inch

Modem........V.90........................56,000

MOUSE....

Left Click.........Hilite or select

Right Click.......Quick menu(changes from program to program)

Click & Drag....Move from one place to another

Desktop.....Windows 95/98, ME

CUSTOMIZE

Shortcut icons

Active Desktop

Arrange icons

Recycle bin

Desktop Icons 

DRIVES..........

A:\.......... 3 ½ inch Diskette (temporary ...flexible)

C:\ ..........Hard Drive .....permanent Storage

D:\............CD ROM

E:\ ...........Zip...Super drive...CDRW...etc

C:\Finance\Budget.doc

(drive\directory\file.extension)

My Computer

Windows Explorer.........Diagram of all drives, directories. And Files

.........Like a file cabinet

Multi Tasking.......opening two or more Windows at once to do things from one progeam to (Windows) another(Click and Drop)

Task Bar......................grey bar on bottom with start button

Shut Down.......very important to do correctly

Find......................Find any file by typing in name and pushing FIND NOW Button

Run.......................Run any program from A:\ or CD ROM

Programs..........List of programs so yu can start them (Ad and Remove programs )

Menu Bar.......................(Top Word Bar)setup similiar on all Windows Software                               programs

File........................Save(2nd time)......Save as(1st Time).........Delete..........Print

Edit........................Cut....Copy.....Paste (program to program) & Select

Format..................Setup of Pages,Margins, Fonts etc

Help........................Use this........Most neglected part of Software programs

Arrow.....................Next to Menu Choice........More Choices

Tool Bar............................(Top 2nd row)Icons of Most used Functions from menu                           bar(customizable)

Status Bar........................On Bottom.....Whats currently happening(usually)

Backup...............................Backup!Backup!Backup!Everything in 2 places(A:,C:,D:)

URL......................................http://www.____________.com

Overwhelming................Software is overwhelming...most people NEVEr Learn what a product can do.

Stick with ONE Software program from a group and learn it well!

......1 Word Processor Suite
......1 Browser
......1 Image editing
……1 Anti Virus

Scams etc.........................Beware!

Use the Internet............Researching...... Medical, Companies, People etc

Finance......Banking, Stocks etc

Shopping.....Books, Insurance,Travel, Real Estate

Finding..... People, Places, Groups,

Email....Family, Friends, Businesses & Government

Join.......Organizations & Memberships

Studying......Libraries, Education & Courses

TIPS....

1. 3 tries always!

2. Use Regularly...1 book...1 magazine...1 class/seminar per year...1 hr per day

3. TRY...1 new thing each year(Web page, Chat, Mailing list, etc)

4. Have some regular Email people....Mailing List, Newsgroups etc(your hobby)

5. One chip behind!

6. Software...Not every new version - Computer ..Not necessarily the best or latest

7. Sticky notes (Shortcut Keys & Tips)

8. Listen, Learn, Read, Ask questions....Don=t believe everything everyone tells you.

9. Backup! Backup! Backup!Backup in two places(Hard Drive and Diskette or Zip).

10.CD Wallet and or Diskette box.

11.Preview Demo software on the web BEFORE you buy.

12.Anti Virus Software a Must!

13.Emergency disk

14.One SAVE Directory (C:\My Documents) Easier to backup.

15.Learn very well, one kind of software and stick with it. (e.g. Word Perfect)