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Introduction to computers
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Page 1 Contents
~ What is a computer?
~ Hardware
~ Inside the computer
~ Specifications
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Page
2 Contents
~ Application software
~ Operating software |
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Page 4 Contents
~ Files & Filing
~ Saving
~ Printing Documents
~ Creating a Folder
~ Renaming a Folder
~ Deleting Files & Folders
~ Help
~ When it all goes wrong
~ Closing Down
~ Exercises
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--- Page 3 Contents ---
~ What is Windows? ~ The Mouse ~ The Window
What is Windows?
Windows is the Operating System used in
the majority of computers in the world. The current version
is WindowsXP, or XP pro for added security features.
Here is the desktop, so called as a metaphor,
consider it as a representation of a real desktop, with
files & folders.
Icons:
- Little pictures that, when clicked, will open the program
or folder or file. Icons on the desktop are often Shortcuts.
Start Button:
- Click here to start or to see the Start menu. You can
do everything from the Start Button
Task Bar:
- Holds buttons representing running programs or groups
of programs. It can be moved to any side of the screen
by dragging.
Windows:
- Is the "Operating System" the program that
takes your input and translates it into a form the computer
hardware can understand
The Mouse
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The mouse normally has two buttons,
sometimes three. (The third can be a wheel). The mouse
is used to select objects, i.e. text, pictures, files,
open files and move object around.
Using the mouse… (see box if you
are left handed, or wish to use the mouse with your
left hand).
Hold the mouse still
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You can decide which
button to treat as the left button, as this one does
most of the work. So, for example, people who wish to
use the mouse with their left hand could set the mouse
so a "click" is done with the right button, allowing
them to click with their index finger.
Use Start/Control Panel, click on the mouse icon. Click
on the basics tab, then button selection.
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| Click |
Click the left mouse button down and release. (The
click works on the release, not the push down)
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Selecting graphics, moving the cursor. Will select
a line in Word if used to the left
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| Double Click |
Click the left mouse button down, release, down, release.
The speed of the double click can be adjusted, use Start/Settings/Control
Panel, click on the mouse icon. Click on the basics
tab, look for Double Click speed, follow the instructions.
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Selecting a single word, or a paragraph if used to
the left in Word. Word also uses the triple click, see
what that does!
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| Right click |
Click the right mouse button down and release
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Produce a context menu, always worth a try!
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| Hold & drag, drag & drop |
Click the left mouse button down and, while holding
it down, move the mouse, release the button.
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Try dragging and dropping text around.
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| Right drag |
Click the right mouse button down and, while holding
it down, move the mouse.
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Not common, try it & see.
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To practise with the mouse, use
Start/All Programs/Games/Solitaire. Playing this
game uses click, double click and drag & drop. Use double-click
to move cards to the top.
Use Start/Control Panel> Mouse to customise your mouse
settings, for example the double click speed.
The Window.
| When you open a file or program, it appears
in a window, which looks like… |
* HINT,
if you place the cursor arrow over an icon or button or
feature , after a second a little explanation pops up.
It's also worth right-clicking, sometimes "What's this"
appears to explain.
Finally, if you see a ? icon, click on it then on what
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Title bar |
Shows title, allows window
to be dragged around the desktop |
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Menu bar |
Contains all the commands relevant
to that window |
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ButtonBar or IconBar or (normally)ToolBar
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Contains the commonly used
commands from the menus |
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Minimise Button 
Maximise/Restore button 
Close button  |
Tidies away the window to the task bar without closing
the window
Toggles between full screen and small window Closes
the window
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Window |
Contains the folders or program.
Every program opens its own window. |
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To resize a window, move the cursor down to a window
edge, where the cursor arrow will change to a double-headed
black arrow. Click & drag to resize the window.
Try this on a side edge, bottom edge and corner to see
the difference.
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