Introduction to Computers By Jennifer King, YA and Marketing Librarian, Great Bend Public Library Welcome and Introduction To better understand how to use computers, this course will teach you some basic computer vocabulary, how to use a mouse, understand the desktop, and how to manage windows. MOUSE Click on the left button to select an action. Click on the right button to access a shortcut menu. You can use the scroll wheel to move up and down the screen. CURSORS means you can click on something blinking, shows you where you can type text Shows where cursor is on the screen MOUSE COMMANDS Left mouse button command How to do it Point Click Click and drag Double click Move the mouse to make the pointer or arrow move on the screen. When the 'pointer' is where you want it, click the left mouse button and release. This lets you move things around the screen. 1. Move the pointer to where you want it. 2. Click the left button. Keep your finger on the button. 3. Move/drag the 'pointer' to a different part of the screen. Click the left mouse button twice very quickly. This takes practice to get it right. Once you do, you will be able to tell the Introduction to Computers 1
computer what to do more easily. Right mouse button command How to do it Click When you have the pointer where you want it on the screen, click the right mouse button and take your finger off the button. A menu box like the one shown here will be on the screen so you can choose different things. Tips for using the mouse Don't hold the mouse tightly. It is easier to control the mouse if you hold it gently. There is no need to take your hand off the mouse between movements. Don't lift the mouse up. Exercise I Follow your instructor s directions and practice some Mouserobics using the Central Kansas Library System s exercises. 2 Introduction to Computers
Quick Keyboard Tips 1. Tab moves the cursor several spaces. 2. Caps Lock capitalizes all letters (press once to turn on, again to turn off). 3. Shift only capitalizes a letter when it is pressed. 4. Space Bar creates one space between letters or numbers. 5. Enter skips to the next line. 6. Backspace moves backwards to delete MANAGING WINDOWS & SCROLLING The basic skills of using a computer involve using the mouse to arrange windows on the screen of your computer. In a window you can use a program to do tasks such as writing, calculating, drawing and painting, and collecting information. Exercise I- Managing windows Three buttons on the top right of the window let you control the window. These buttons are used to minimize, maximize/restore, and close the window. Title Bar Minimize Close Maximize/ Restore Introduction to Computers 3
To activate one of the commands, use the mouse pointer and click on the desired box. Exercise II- Scrolling Scrolling allows you to see parts of your document that may be off screen. The scroll bar resembles an elevator shaft on the right side of your screen, with the scroll box/elevator/thumb as an elevator inside the scroll bar. Scroll up- point at arrow & left click to move up Scroll bar- hold down left click and guide the mouse up and down Scroll down- point at arrow & left click to move up Page up/page down- left click on arrow to move up or down in bigger jumps Vocabulary, Folders, My Computer, Start Menu Desktop: The desktop is the screen you see when your computer is on, if other windows are open (such as Word documents or an Internet browser), the desktop can be found behind them. It is the place where you can put commonly used icons, documents, folders, and other items. Disk storage: information stored for later use. Most computers use a hard disk, or hard drive to save information. If you use a computer in the library, you will not be able to save information to the hard drive, but you can use other devices for saving. There are many portable devices used for storing information, these devices allow you to take information from one computer to another. 4 Introduction to Computers
CD- R, CD- RW (Compact Disc- Recordable/Rewritable), or DVD information can be written or burned on these devices. They hold lots of information and are used in the computer s CD or DVD drive. USB drive (also known as, flash drive, thumb drive, or jump drive) these drives are small, light, and portable, yet hold substantial amounts of data. This device plugs into the computer s USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. Icon: a picture that represents a program, file, document, etc. CREATING FOLDERS Folder: much like a real folder, this is a place where you can save files and documents. To create a new folder for particular documents, find a blank space on the desktop or inside a folder and right- click Scroll down to New and following the blue line to Folder. Left- click to create a new folder. A folder icon will appear on the desktop called new folder. Rename the folder by typing inside the text box underneath. Introduction to Computers 5
My Computer The My Computer icon allows you to explore the contents of your computer s drives, files, and removable storage devices. Double- click on the icon to open. This is where files are permanently stored specific to your computer. This is where you will find any USB drives, CDs or DVDs for saving info Start Menu The Start Menu allows you to access programs and files easily as well as shut down your computer. Click once on the icon to view: Windows XP Windows Vista and 7 Practice to Keep Learning Practice! Keep in mind that computers are not as easy to break as you might think. To get more comfortable with them, it s essential to practice by exploring, playing computer games, and making documents. 6 Introduction to Computers