Basic Computer Skills

Raquel Merlo

Austin Public LibraryLittle Walnut Creek Branch Library

Computer Learning CenterSchedule of Free Computer Classes

835 W Rundberg LanePhone: 512 974-9860

www.cityofaustin.org/library

Agenda

- Computer Component - Hardware and Software- Types of Computers - My Computer- Bit/Byte– Definition- Microsoft Office – Overview- The Web- ISP – Internet Service Provider- Browser- Webpages- Setting Up an E-Mail account- Useful links

Basic Computer Skills

Hardware X SoftwareComputer Component

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Monitor and Keyboard

This is where the user enters text commands into the computer.

This device allows visual interaction with the system, and user can see

how the command are being processed.

Cabinet

• On/off switch for power• Device where: hard drive,

CD-ROM, diskette drive • Contains connection ports

• For the monitor cable• For the mouse and

keyboard• For the internet cable• For the printer cable

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That is the place where information (files) and software programs are stored.

One of the most important parts of the computer.

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The Hard Disk

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Mouse

A point and click interface for entering commands.

Hard Disk Drives◦ Local Disk “C”

Devices with Removable Storage◦ 3 ½ Floppy “A”◦ CD Drive “E”

Network Devices

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My Computer

C:\

D:\

Portable and Desktop

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Types of Computers

handheld

Laptop

PC

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Bit

01

On Off

A bit is the smallest piece of data that a computer can manipulate.

A byte is a grouping of 8 bits. The storage capacity of the computer is

specified in bytes. One Kilobyte (1 K) equals 1024 bytes. One Megabyte (1 Mb) is the same as a

thousand "K" bytes, or a thousand x 1024 bytes.

One Gigabyte is the same as a thousand Megabytes.

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Byte

Folders File Names View options

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My Documents

C:\Documents and Settings\smithje\My Documents

Word◦ Text Processor

Excel◦ Spreadsheet

Outlook ◦ E-mail, calender, contacts and personal

information

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Microsoft Office

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The Web

Security – Does the ISP use encryption? Privacy – Read the ISP’s published privacy

policy. Services – Does the ISP provide the

services you want with adequate support? Cost Reliability

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ISP – Internet Service Provider

User Support ◦ Are there published methods for contacting

customer support?◦ Prompt friendly service?◦ Hours of availability◦ Do consultants have the appropriate knowledge

base? Speed Recommendations

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Others aspects to be considered:

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ISP (Internet Service Provider) Some examples:

◦ AT&T DSL Service◦ Sprint◦ Verizon DSL◦ Comcast◦ Earthlink◦ Time Warner Road Runner

To access the internet you need a browser Internet Explorer and Firefox are two

popular browsers

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Browser

Each web page has a unique address, called a URL, that identifies its location on the server

URL: Uniform Resource Locator For example: www.google.com Access web pages using your browser

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Web Pages

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Electronic Mail (e-mail)

Two parts: name@domain.com User name

◦ Addressee’s mailbox @ - separates user name from domain

name Domain or host name

◦ Mail server, the destination computer that holds the electronic mail

◦ Usually it’s the name of a company or an organization (yahoo.com)

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Electronic Mail Addresses

Shutdown Menu◦ Shutdown◦ Restart◦ Standby

Powering Off/On Computer

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Power On/Shutdown

Learn the Net.comwww.learnthenet.com

Desktop Computer Buying Tips www.computerhope.com/btips/desktop.htm

PC/Hardware Reviews compreviews.about.com

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Useful links

Learn the Net (www.learnthenet.com) Copyright 1996-2008.Michael Lerner Productions.

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Bibliography

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