Introduction to Beginning Computer

1. Introduction to Beginning Computer From the St. Paul Public Library

2. THE POWER BUTTONOn & Off • The power button usually has this symbol. • Find the power button on your computer, but don’t touch it.

3. Personal Computers Called PCs This type of computer is made by several different companies. The computers we will use in class are PCs. PCs usually use Window’s Vista, XP or 7 as an operating system Macintosh Often called Macs and Apples These computers look different on the inside and outside but they can do basically the same things. Macs use MAC OS X operating system Two Basic Types of Computers

4. Desktop or Laptop? Laptop • Lighter and more portable computer • Runs on batteries Desktop • Heavier and larger than a Laptop • Usually has a separate screen, keyboard and mouse • Can be customized and upgraded more than a laptop

5. HARDWARE Hardware is the name for the physical parts of your computer. • Input Devices • Keyboard • Mouse • Output Devices • Speakers • Printer • Monitor

6. Computer Hardware • Monitor • The screen of the computer, where all information is displayed.

7. Computer Hardware • Keyboard • Used for typing and directing the computer to perform tasks

8. Central Processing Unit (CPU) The “Brain” of the computer, tells your computer what to do and when to do it. It also holds the CD/DVD Drive and sometimes a floppy disc drive Computer Hardware

9. Computer Hardware • CD/DVD Drive • Usually located on the CPU • Used to play CDs and DVDs • Many are able to record information on CDs or DVDs

10. The operating system tells everything in the computer how to act. It can change the way things appear on the screen or desktop. Apple and PC’s have different operating systems Windows is the most common operating system for PC’s Operating System (OS)

11. Desktop • The first screen you see when the computer finishes loading. • The desktop has icons that can be used as short-cuts to open a program or file. Double-click an icon to open.

12. Folders and Documents • Folders help organize the things you save on the computer. • Each thing you save is called a document or a file.

13. The “window” is what you view a program in. You can open up multiple “windows” to view more than one program at the same time.

14. Taskbar • The “taskbar” is located at the bottom of your monitor and shows the current programs and windows you have open • Clicking on a program in the taskbar opens the window back up

15. Mouse Skills Point and click with the mouse. • Move the pointer to the item you want to click on. This is called pointing. • Press the left mouse button while holding the mouse very still. This is called clicking. • Click the LEFT button most of the time. • Click ONCE most of the time.

16. Cursors • Cursors are the symbol the mouse takes on depending what task you are working on. I BeamTo start typing Arrow Used for selecting things Pointing FingerFor clicking on links

17. MOUSE • Click • Double-Click • Click and Drag • Right-Click • Scroll Down

18. Moving the Mouse • Be careful not to move the mouse when clicking • Don’t put too much pressure on the button to click it • You can pick up the mouse and reposition it if you run out of room • Notice how the pointer changes as you move the mouse over links.

19. Other types of Mice… • Touch Pad • Found on laptops • Similar to original mouse • Touch Screen

20. Any Questions? Thank you!