Introduction to Computers I

1. Introduction to Computers I A presentation of the Elmhurst Public Library

2. What are we going to learn in this class? • The basic parts of a computer • How to use the keyboard and mouse • What is Windows? • Understanding software and file icons • How to turn the computer off and on, and sign in at the library

3. The basic parts of a computer • Every computer has at least 5 important parts: The monitor The CPU The storage device (on the CPU) The keyboard The mouse

4. Using the mouse • Your mouse moves an arrow around on the screen. The mouse also has 2 buttons and a wheel. • The left button lets you “click” on something specific. • The right button has special uses for experienced users. • The wheel is used for scrolling up and down.

5. The Start Menu • Always in the lower left-hand corner of your screen • You can do almost everything from here • Turns the computer off…see the “Shut Down” button?

6. What is Windows? • A computer “thinks” in 1s and 0s (called code). • “Windows” is an operating system. Think of operating systems as translators. They translate computer code into words we can understand. • Instead of using only words, Windows often uses pictures (usually called icons). These icons can represent software or files. Here are some examples of icons:

7. The Windows XP Desktop • Icon for the Internet • Icons for programs • Folder icons • Start button • The taskbar

8. Using the mouse, continued • To do a lot of things in Windows, you also have to know how to double-click. • To double-click, rapidly press the left mouse button twice with your finger. • Hint- when you double-click on a Windows icon, click on the picture and not the words!

9. Understanding windows on the Desktop • Double-click on icons or files to open a “window” on the screen and view the contents • For example, try double-clicking on “My Computer.” You should see a window like this open:

10. Using windows- an example You see this storage device we talked about earlier. These are the removable storage devices.

11. Removable Storage Devices • Files can be saved on removable storage devices such as USB flash drives. • These flash drives are inserted into a USB port and then you can see the files just by double-clicking on this icon:

12. Using windows, continued • IMPORTANT: In the upper right-hand corner of every window, you’ll see these 3 buttons • The left-most button minimizes the window, making it smaller, but leaving it open • The middle button maximizes the window, so it takes up the full screen • The right-most button closes the window

13. What is a file? • A file is a piece of information, such as a letter, a picture, or a video clip. • Files can be stored in folders, which are usually shaped something like this: • Like all other icons, double-clicking on a file or folder will “open” it in a window on the screen, displaying the contents.

14. What is a file? (continued) • Some folders hold other folders, which in turn hold other folders… • The important thing to remember is that the file that you want may be several layers down from the main folder. ?

15. (Very) basic Internet… • On the desktop, find the Internet Explorer icon • Double-click (click twice) on the icon • Your browser window will open, and you will be able to see Internet sites

16. Your final test! • Close all windows • Shut off the computer- wait 5 seconds • Turn on the computer • Log into SAM • On the Desktop, open (double-click on) the “My Computer” icon • Minimize the “My Computer” window (do not close it) • Open (double-click on) the Internet icon