1. Introduction to Computers Kingston Springs Public LibraryHeather LambertEmerging Technologies LibrarianMiddle Tennessee State Universityhlambert@mtsu.edu
2. Purpose This class will show you the basic parts of a computer and how to use it.
3. Parts of a Computer A computer has two main types of components – hardware and software. The parts of the computer that you can physically touch and move are called hardware. The programs that tell the computer what to do are called software.
4. Hardware The most common types of hardware are Monitor Keyboard Mouse System Unit Printer Speakers/headphones
5. Monitor The monitor displays the text and graphics that are generated by the computer’s software. Monitors come in different sizes and types.
6. Keyboard & Mouse The keyboard allows you to put information into the computer. The keys are laid out like a typewriter, but there are extra keys that have special functions. The mouse is a pointing device that allows you to select and manipulate objects on the screen.
7. Printer & Speakers The printer prints the text and pictures that are created using the computer. The speakers allow the user to hear the sounds created by the computer.
8. System Unit The system unit, or tower, is the case that holds the brains of the computer. The tower has several things inside: CPU Hard drive Disk drives Memory
9. CPU The CPU is the Central Processing Unit. This is the chip that actually runs the computer. The CPU interprets the software to tell the other hardware what to do.
11. Hard Drive The hard drive is not removable from the computer. It is the permanent storage area for the computer. The hard drive is the computer's electronic filing cabinet. It holds the operating system, files, programs, and documents.
12. Portable Storage There are several different types of portable memory for portable storage devices. The most common is the CD-ROM drive. CD-ROM drives are used to read CD-ROMs and music CDs. CDs may hold up to 600-650 MBs USB Flash Drives are portable memory cards. Flash drives can hold up to 64 Gigabytes, and are more comparable to hard drives in the amount of available storage. External Hard drives are outside the computer in in their own enclosure and they plug in via fire wire or usb cable. They can hold up to 4 terabytes of storage
13. Definitions Byte- a unit of data usually 8 bits and the smallest size storage on a computer -equals one character Megabyte- one million bytes or1,048,576 bytes- a picture from a digital camera is about 3 MB Gigabyte- one billion bytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes- hard drives are measured in gigs Terabyte- one trillion bytes or 1, 099,511,627,776 bytes- Used in web servers.
14. Disk Drives Floppy Disk CD Disk Drive USB Flash Drive
15. Memory RAM is Random Access Memory. It is the working memory of the computer, which means it is temporary. Files are saved from RAM to the hard drive. The typical computer has 10-40 gigabytes of memory.
16. Software Software are coded instructions that tell the computer what tasks to perform. There are many different types of software available for computers. Software can also be called “programs”. You can access most “programs” on your computer through its designated icon. The operating system is the most important piece of software for the computer.
17. Program Icons Icon for spreadsheet program Icon for word processing program Icon for Web browser
18. Types of Software Word Processing Presentation Spreadsheet Internet Browser Drawing Database creation Photo Editing Video Editing Virus Checking Specialty software
19. Operating System The operating system is the main control program of the computer. It schedules tasks, communicates with hardware and peripherals and presents the basic user interface. All other software on the computer must communicate with the operating system.
20. Desktop The Windows desktop uses a graphical user interface to make it easier to use. The desktop is the beginning screen for the computer. You can access all of the programs on the computer from this screen.
22. Program Window Most program windows have very similar features. Some programs have different toolbars and menus. The use of drop-down menus, windows, buttons, and icons was first successfully marketed by Apple on the Macintosh computer.
23. Close Title Bar Maximize/Resize Tool Bar Minimize Menu Bar Internet Explorer Program Window Scroll Bar Status Bar Clock Start Button Task Bar
24. Closing and Resizing Programs Minimize -Clicking on this button makes the program window disappear. The window is still available on the task bar. Maximize -Clicking on this button will make the window as big as possible and take up the entire screen. Restore -Clicking on this button resizes the window and makes it smaller. Close -This button will close the window.
29. Buttons Primarily seen in Web browsing programs, “buttons” offer quick links to different choices or web pages. Click one time on the button of your choice to “jump” to a new page or feature.
31. Parts of a Mouse Right Button Scroll Wheel Left Button
32. Parts of a Mouse-Defined Left button-primary button used to select programs, click on buttons, drag and move objects. Right button-secondary button used to open a menu with special features. Scroll Wheel-moves the page up and down on the screen.
33. Using the Mouse Practice moving the mouse by slowly moving it in a small circle on the desk. If you run out of room, you can pick up the mouse and replace it to start over. You should be able to move all over the screen without having to move the mouse very far. (Pretend there is a mouse pad and confine the mouse to that area)
34. Using the Mouse-cont. Practice single clicking with the left button. Practice double clicking with the left button. When double clicking to open programs, move the arrow over the program icon and click twice quickly.
36. Parts of a Keyboard - Defined Key – a button located on the keyboard that controls a designated character or function for the computer. There are seven primary categories of keys: Typewriter, Windows, Application, Function, Numeric, Cursor Control, and Enter. The four most commonly used key categories are the Typewriter, Numeric, Cursor, and Enter keys.
37. Typewriter Keys The typewriter keys allow you to type text and other characters in your computer program. You can type, backspace, tab, space, and delete with typewriter keys. Capitals and punctuation can be made by holding down the “Shift” key at the same time as the character of your choice.
38. Numeric Keys The numeric keys allow you to type numbers. The plus, minus, divide, multiply and equal keys allow you to further manipulate numerical data. Most keyboards offer two sets of numeric keys: the number pad on the right of your keyboard and the number set included in the typewriter keys.
39. Cursor Keys The Cursor control keys allow you to move the cursor left, right, up, or down. You can move the cursor throughout your document without modifying it using the cursor controls.
40. Enter Keys The Enter key is versatile and will vary with the program you are using. In a Word-processing program, the Enter key allows you to move to the next line while typing, move the text further down the page, and place full line spacing between sentences. In a Web-browsing program, the Enter key allows you to quickly go to a web page, change information, or refresh your screen.
41. Practice makes perfect! If you don’t practice your computer skills, you will forget them. If you ever have any trouble while on a computer at the library, please don’t hesitate to let us know!
42. Practice time Now, follow the steps on your handouts which will help you with your keyboarding and mouse skills. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them now.
