Basics of Computer - What Is a Computer?

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

A computer is not one device, but a whole group of individual devices connected together, and controlled by a big program (software) called the Operating System (OS). The brand of computer is of less important than the components, and the components can be put together in several different kinds of boxes. Here is a list some of the most important components.

* CPU (Central Processing Unit) the "brain" of the computer

o processor (speed in megaherz) could be Pentium, AMD, Celeron, etc.

o memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) (size in megabytes)

* INPUT DEVICES:

o keyboard,

o mouse,

o CD ROM (Read Only Memory)

o scanner,

o microphone,

o camera

o and possibly many others...

* OUTPUT DEVICES:

o screen,

o printer,

o speakers

o and possibly many others...

* INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES:

o modem (connects computer to phone line)

o hardrive (size in megs or gigs)

o floppy disk drive (portable storage)

o Zip drive

o ethernet card (to connect computer to a network)

* SOFTWARE

o OS (Operating System) could be Win 3.1 Win 95, Win 98, Win NT, Win 2000, Mac 5-10. amiga, unix, linux, or others

o programs

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR OWN COMPUTER:

* OS/processor/memory/hardrive/modem/monitor/peripherals

* (example)

* Win98/pentium200mhz/64megRAM/56Kmodem/14"monitor

HOW MUCH COMPUTER DO YOU REALLY NEED?

The example computer above would be adequate for most uses. You might want a faster processor if you want to do extensive video work, or high-resolution graphics, or action games. You might want to consider a larger monitor if you have vision difficulties, and a color printer if you think you will have uses for it.

EXERCISE: Find out the OS, processor, RAM, HD, modem and peripherals for your computer. (You could look in the books, or under start>settings>control panels>system or in a Mac try "about this macintosh" under the little apple in the upper left corner)

SETTING IT UP AND TURNING IT ON

* Notice that all the weird cords and cables in the back can ONLY be connected up in the proper manner. That is why they are so strange. (user friendly)

* the Operating System (OS) and what it does....

(Win 3.1 Win 95, Win 98, Win NT, Win 2000, Mac 5-10. amiga, unix, linux)

* Turn it on and off patiently and properly!

* Why does it take so long to turn on and off?

* It is fine to leave your computer on for days at a time.

* Once the computer is turned on, you see the DESKTOP COMPONENTS:

o desktop

o taskbar

o start menu

o icons

BASIC MOUSE SKILLS

* point and click

* double click

* click and drag

* mouse tools

o arrow

o I beam

o hourglass

o double arrow

o select

* the "right" button?

EXERCISE: Hold the mouse confortably in your hand with your index finger resting on the left button. Watch the screen and move the pointer from one side of the screen to the other, then from top to bottom. Repeat several times. Then try drawing some circles and figure 8's on the desktop.

EXERCISE: Practice double clicking by opening one of the desktop icons, then closing the window with the "X" Repeat until this is smooth and easy.

(NOTE: These two exercises are an excellent warm up when you first sit at a computer, or need to use a new and unfamiliar machine. It is a quick and easy way to get to learn the feel of the mouse or other pointing device.)

COMPONENTS OF THE START MENU

* start

* shut down

* run

* help

* find

* settings

* documents

* favorites

* programs

EXERCISE: 1. Explore the components of the start menu. Notice the way the pop-out menus work, how the little triangles show further menus, and how to slide the mouse across to move to related menu items.

EXERCISE:2. Fully explore the Windows Help program. Try looking up the same information using the Contents, Index and Search features. It is highly important to be able to use help.

WINDOWS GADGETS

* title bar

* menu bar

* tool bar

* tool/color pallets

* close program

* biggify/smallify

* minimize

* changing window size

* moving window

* scroll bar (many right answers)

EXERCISE: Open the notepad program. Make the window large and small. When small,