This series of columns on basic computing skills was inspired by a friend who, while smart in every way, was unable to perform the simple task of copying a file on her computer from one folder to another.
Her conundrum made me realize there are a lot of people who use personal computers every day but can only do what they need to do and not much more. They don't know the very basics of computer literacy.
For the past eight months, I've been offering up tips on the most-needed computing skills, and this column is the last one. (You can see the others at chron.com/computing101.) This final installment comes full circle, looking at working in Windows, the most common personal computing platform. Yep, this is the column my friend needs to read!
Copying files and folders. All versions of Windows store files, programs and documents in folders. You move around in folders using Windows Explorer, the file manager that launches when you double-click on My Computer in Windows XP, or Computer in Windows 7/Vista. At some point, you're going to need to copy or move a file from one folder to another.
The simplest is to open the folder that contains the file, as well as the folder to which you want to copy or move it, and align them so you can see both. To move the file, simply click-and-hold on the file using your mouse cursor and drag it from the old folder into the new one. To copy a file, so that it appears in both folders, right-click on it and choose Copy from the menu that appears. Then, right-click in an open area in the destination folder, and choose Paste.
You can do the same thing with folders, as well.
And here's a bonus tip: If you've put a flash drive into a USB port on your computer, you can easily send a copy of a file to it by right-clicking on the file, choosing Send To ... and then selecting the flash drive from the menu that appears.
Create a new folder. Suppose you want to create a new folder. You might want to better organize some photos, or store documents you need for a project. To do this, just right-click inside any other folder's Explorer window (or on the Desktop, if you like), then click New, followed by Folder. The folder appears, with the words New Folder highlighted. Don't click on anything else, just start typing, and the "New Folder" placeholder name will be replaced by what you write.
Finding a downloaded file. For some reason, locating a file downloaded from the Web seems to particularly befuddle some folks. But in many cases, depending on the browser you're using, you'll be shown where it's going to go when you start the process, and you may be able to specify where to put it.
When you click on a file for downloading in Internet Explorer, you'll be asked whether you want to save it or run it, if it's a program file. Choose Save, and a dialog box will open. Look carefully at the box: It will show you where the file is about to be saved. If you don't want it there, you can use the box to navigate to a different destination, such as your Desktop.
Firefox automatically saves downloads for you in a pre-specified folder — usually in your documents\downloads folder - but you can change this default location in Firefox's settings. You can also right-click on the Downloads window that appears and choose Open Containing Folder from the menu to see where files are stored.
Uninstalling software. Installing software is usually a simple matter of clicking on an installer and following the prompts. But removing or uninstalling a program is another matter. Too many Windows users still think it's OK just to find the folder containing a program and put it in the Recycle Bin. That's how you do it on a Mac, but that can be disastrous on Windows, which deposits pieces of a program all over your hard drive.
Instead, you'll want to use a module in the Control Panel designed just for this purpose. Click the Start Menu, then Control Panel. In Windows XP, look for Add/Remove Programs; in Windows 7/Vista, it's called Programs and Features. Open it to see a list of installed programs. You can double-click any of them to start the removal process.
These are the most common tasks I see users struggling with. If you'd like to learn more Windows basics, Microsoft has a set of tutorials for all three popular versions at windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Basic Computer Operations
How Computers Work
Input: Information and programs are entered into the computer through Input devices such as the keyboard, disks, or through other computers via network connections or modems connected to the Internet. The input device also retrieves information off disks.
Output: Output Devices displays information on the screen (monitor) or the printer and sends information to other computers. They also display messages about what errors may have occurred and brings up message or dialog box asking for more information to be input. The output device also saves information on the disk for future use.
Processing: The CPU or central processing unit is sometimes called the Control Unit and directs the operation of the input and output devices. The Coprocessor or the Arithmetic-Logic Unit does arithmetic and comparisons. The memory or RAM temporarily stores information (files and programs) while you are using or working on them. The BIOS or basic input/output system controls the dialogue between the various devices.
Keyboard Layout and Data Entry
ENTER or RETURN - Moves the cursor down one line and to the left margin. Enter also process commands such as choosing an option in a dialog (message) boxes and submitting a form.
DEL or DELETE - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text.
BKSP or BACKSPACE - Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all hightlighted text.
SPACE BAR - Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right
SHIFT KEY - Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type the upper character on keys with two characters on them
CAPS LOCK - Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes on when caps lock is on)
TAB - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab for previous field).
ESC or ESCAPE - Cancels a menu or dialog box
ARROW KEYS - Moves the cursor around document without changing text
FUNCTION KEYS or F KEYS - Access commands by themselves or in combination with the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT
Keyboard
Command or Special Keys
Command keys normally do nothing on their own but work in combination with other keys. Each piece of software uses the command keys differently though there is a move to standardize some functions. The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access commands. The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access menus. The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS. As well the command keys are all used to move through documents and edit text faster and easier. As well many computers have Special keys design specifically for the particular computer. Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have Command keys. Many keyboards now have a Windows key specifically for Windows 9x and newer systems. Many older computers also have special keys used for a variety of different functions.
Some Notebook or Laptop keys are left out because of space limitations and they usually have a Special function key which allows other keys to double for the missing ones.
Basic Typing Rules
Place one space between each word, after a punctuation mark and at the end of a sentence. Always start a sentence with a capital letter. Use capitals for names, addresses, provinces and countries, places, organizations, businesses, associations, schools, colleges, universities, days of the week, months, holidays, nationalities, ethnic groups and languages.
Learning the keyboard is the first step to learning computers. Learning involves practice. It really is as simple as that. There are two kinds of typing.
The first is called Touch Typing. The Touch Typist uses the Home Keys (asdf for the left hand and jkl; for the right) and all the fingers on both hands as well as the thumbs for the Space Bar while typing. There are many commercial and public domain programs that are designed to teach this method.
The other method is some times called 'Hunt and Peck' or depending on finger strength 'Search and Destroy'. This involves using one or more fingers on one or two hands to type. It is a perfectly acceptable way of using a computer and many people get along fine with this technique.
Input: Information and programs are entered into the computer through Input devices such as the keyboard, disks, or through other computers via network connections or modems connected to the Internet. The input device also retrieves information off disks.
Output: Output Devices displays information on the screen (monitor) or the printer and sends information to other computers. They also display messages about what errors may have occurred and brings up message or dialog box asking for more information to be input. The output device also saves information on the disk for future use.
Processing: The CPU or central processing unit is sometimes called the Control Unit and directs the operation of the input and output devices. The Coprocessor or the Arithmetic-Logic Unit does arithmetic and comparisons. The memory or RAM temporarily stores information (files and programs) while you are using or working on them. The BIOS or basic input/output system controls the dialogue between the various devices.
Keyboard Layout and Data Entry
ENTER or RETURN - Moves the cursor down one line and to the left margin. Enter also process commands such as choosing an option in a dialog (message) boxes and submitting a form.
DEL or DELETE - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text.
BKSP or BACKSPACE - Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all hightlighted text.
SPACE BAR - Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right
SHIFT KEY - Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type the upper character on keys with two characters on them
CAPS LOCK - Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes on when caps lock is on)
TAB - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab for previous field).
ESC or ESCAPE - Cancels a menu or dialog box
ARROW KEYS - Moves the cursor around document without changing text
FUNCTION KEYS or F KEYS - Access commands by themselves or in combination with the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT
Keyboard
Command or Special Keys
Command keys normally do nothing on their own but work in combination with other keys. Each piece of software uses the command keys differently though there is a move to standardize some functions. The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access commands. The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access menus. The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS. As well the command keys are all used to move through documents and edit text faster and easier. As well many computers have Special keys design specifically for the particular computer. Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have Command keys. Many keyboards now have a Windows key specifically for Windows 9x and newer systems. Many older computers also have special keys used for a variety of different functions.
Some Notebook or Laptop keys are left out because of space limitations and they usually have a Special function key which allows other keys to double for the missing ones.
Basic Typing Rules
Place one space between each word, after a punctuation mark and at the end of a sentence. Always start a sentence with a capital letter. Use capitals for names, addresses, provinces and countries, places, organizations, businesses, associations, schools, colleges, universities, days of the week, months, holidays, nationalities, ethnic groups and languages.
Learning the keyboard is the first step to learning computers. Learning involves practice. It really is as simple as that. There are two kinds of typing.
The first is called Touch Typing. The Touch Typist uses the Home Keys (asdf for the left hand and jkl; for the right) and all the fingers on both hands as well as the thumbs for the Space Bar while typing. There are many commercial and public domain programs that are designed to teach this method.
The other method is some times called 'Hunt and Peck' or depending on finger strength 'Search and Destroy'. This involves using one or more fingers on one or two hands to type. It is a perfectly acceptable way of using a computer and many people get along fine with this technique.
What is an Operating System?
What is an Operating System?
Launch video! Watch the video (1:46). Need help?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. You might be thinking, “OK, but what is software?” Software is any set of instructions that performs some task on a computer. The operating system performs many essential tasks for your computer.
It controls the memory needed for computer processes, manages disk space, controls peripheral devices, and allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing exactly how a computer works. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Launch video! Watch the video (1:46). Need help?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. You might be thinking, “OK, but what is software?” Software is any set of instructions that performs some task on a computer. The operating system performs many essential tasks for your computer.
It controls the memory needed for computer processes, manages disk space, controls peripheral devices, and allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing exactly how a computer works. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer?
What are the Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer?
Launch video! Watch the video (2:12). Need help?
All of the basic parts of a desktop computer are considered hardware. The computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord are considered the basic parts. These items are the things you notice right away when you look at a desktop computer.
Beyond these parts are the hardware items that are located inside the computer case and the peripherals, which are optional pieces of hardware that make the computer system more useful, or enable you to accomplish additional tasks. Let's take a look at the basic hardware components, or the things required in order to let you and the computer interact.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Computer Knowledge
Computer Knowledge
When it comes to your computer, how many times have you said things to yourself like "it's not fast enough", "it froze AGAIN", or even asked "why won't my video game play"?
If this sounds like you, then your computer may not be running to the best of its ability; or maybe your computer needs have changed, but your computer has not. However, buying a brand new computer is not the only way to get what you want out of your computer system. Maybe all you need is a simple component upgrade to get your computer up to par. The information on Computer Knowledge For You can set you up with the building blocks for a faster, more efficient running computer. Before you venture into the world of computers alone and risk unnecessary mistakes, take the time to look over this website. It will provide you with valuable and straightforward knowledge to help you achieve your computer goals. Whether you are considered "computer illiterate" or find yourself in the category of "geek" much like myself, the knowledge I am going to reveal to you can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Computer Components
Computer Components are all of the hardware or parts that make a computer system operate. It is essential for anybody that uses a computer today to know the basic knowledge about computer components and how a computer operates. Knowing this valuable information can help you one day if you ever have to perform maintenance or upgrade your computer. You can consider the computer components section your introduction to computers.
Basic Computer Components
* Computer Case
* RAM
* Hard Drive (HDD)
* Sound Card
* Video Card
* Power Supply (PSU)
* Motherboard
* Processor (CPU)
* Disk Drives (CD, DVD)
* Monitor
* Keyboard
* Mouse
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