Introduction To Computers Teacher: Mr. Rice

Overview WHAT IS A COMPUTER? HARDWARE (Parts of a computer) SOFTWARE USING THE COMPUTER

What is a Computer? A computer is a device that accepts information and manipulates it for some result. Computers can be confusing, and it takes a little time before you gain confidence in using and understanding them. Just like a new TV or VCR, computers can be a bit cumbersome to figure out, but once you achieve a certain level of knowledge, these machines can become powerful allies. Don't be afraid to tinker around on a computer, without saving or deleting. Like learning to drive or riding a bike, computing simply takes patience and practice.

HARDWARE (Parts of a Computer) There are several components that work together to run your computer. Your "computer" is a collection of devices that function as a unit.  The most basic collection includes: The Computer (CPU) The Monitor The Keyboard The Mouse The Floppy Diskette Drive The CD-ROM Drive Peripherals (printer, speakers, etc)

The Computer CPU The Computer CPU is normally a rectangular box that sits on your desktop or next to your knee under the desk (called a "Tower Case").  The computer's CPU is actually a small electronic device inside the case but the term is often used to refer to the whole collection of electronics inside the box.

The Monitor The Monitor is the computer user's window into the workings of the computer.  It consists of a television picture tube that had been modified to accept the type of video signal created by the computer's electronics. 

The Keyboard The Keyboard is the primary input device used to communicate with the computer.  A computer keyboard closely resembles a conventional typewriter keyboard with the addition of numerous keys that are used specifically for computing functions.  

Important Keys To Note Enter Backspace Delete Ctrl & Alt Cursor Keys

Important Keys - Enter Enter is a very important key. When you finish typing in a response or a request, press Enter to send it to the CPU. In a word processor, it is the key used for starting a new paragraph.

Important Keys - Backspace Backspace deletes characters one at a time starting to the left of the cursor on the screen. It erases!

Important Keys - Delete Delete deletes characters one at a time starting to the right of the cursor on the screen. It also erases whatever is highlighted on the screen.

Important Keys - Ctrl & Alt Alt (Alternate) and Ctrl (Control) are "helper" or modifier keys. They only work when you press them at the same time as other keys. What they do changes with every computer program.

Important Keys - Cursor Keys These are arrow keys that move the cursor (an arrow or little flashing bar that tells you where you are on the screen) around on the monitor screen for typing or drawing.

The Mouse The mouse is another input device used to point at objects on the computer monitor and select them.  Using the mouse and keyboard in combination allows the computer user substantial latitude in how to accomplish a wide variety of tasks.

The USB Port Universal Serial Bus (USB) is designed to establish communication between devices and a host controller (usually personal computers), developed and invented by Ajay Bhatt while working for Intel. USB is intended to replace many varieties of serial and parallel ports. USB can connect computer peripherals such as mice, keyboards, digital cameras, printers, personal media players, flash drives, Network Adapters, and external hard drives.  

The CD-ROM Drive The CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) drive is an optical drive that reads information from a compact disc, like a music CD or a software CD. A compact disc (CD) is similar to the floppy diskette, because it stores data and you can retrieve data from it. New developments have improved this technology to allow writing and rewriting data to the CD.  A CD Read/Write drive (a.k.a. burner) is needed to write data to a CD.

Peripherals Peripherals are any electronic devices that can be hooked up to a computer other than the standard input-output devices (monitor, keyboard, mouse).  Peripherals often require special software packages called "drivers".   Peripheral devices include: Printer - transfers graphics and text from your computer to paper. Speakers Microphones Scanners Digital Cameras 

Software Software provides the instructions for a computer. It can be divided into two categories System software - This includes the operating system (Windows 7) and all other programs that allow the computer to function. Application software - This includes programs that are used by the computer operator such as Microsoft Word, Power Point, games, spreadsheets, etc.

Using The Computer Turn On / Shutdown Desktop & Task Bar Windows Icons The Start button Mouse Skills Pointer Shapes

Turning the Computer On There is a push button or a toggle switch, probably on the front. There may be both- a toggle switch on the back and a button on the front! What happens next? As the computer boots, it checks itself out. The hard drive spins up to working speed. The power supply fan comes on. The cooling fan for the CPU starts blowing. The floppy drive spins a time or two. Other gizmos attached to the computer may power up and make noises, too. After logging in, final screen you see shows the desktop and taskbar. Now you are ready to work!

The Desktop and Task Bar When your computer completes its startup routine, called booting, and you login, you will find yourself looking at a screen displaying the Windows interface. This means what you see and interact with. The Desktop and the Taskbar are the two main parts of the interface.

The Desktop and Taskbar

The Window A window is a rectangular area on the desktop which usually contains a number of standard parts. But it does not have to have any of the standard parts.

Anatomy of a Window

Icons Icons are small pictures located on the Desktop, as in the example at the left. They are images representing computer programs, files, drives, and other resources on the computer. If you left-click twice on an icon, you will access what it represents. If you right-click on them, you'll see a special menu with options you can perform

The Start Button Is a way to access all the functions of the operating system It provides a scroll up menu where the various commands, programs, applications and documents can be accessed

Mouse Skills Moving the pointer Clicking Double-click Right click Drag & Drop

Pointer Shapes The shape of the pointer changes depending on where it is and what is happening. The term cursor is used when the shape shows where your typing will appear. Otherwise the term pointer is a better choice. The hand shape usually means that the pointer is over a link, like on a web page.

Pointer Shapes