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Computer Basics

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Maplewood Library 3025 Southlawn Drive Maplewood, MN 55109

651-704-6003

Mounds View Library 2576 County Road 10

Mounds View, MN 55112 651-724-6004

New Brighton Library 400 10th Street NW

New Brighton, MN 55112 651-724-6002

North St. Paul Library

2300 North St. Paul Drive North St. Paul, MN 55109

651-724-6005

Roseville Library 2180 N. Hamline Avenue

Roseville, MN 55113 651-724-6001

Shoreview Library 4570 N. Victoria Street Shoreview, MN 55126

651-724-6006

White Bear Lake Library 4698 Clark Avenue

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

651-724-6007

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What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that works with information. It is designed to store, retrieve and process data. Computers can be programmed to function the way you want them to. They have the power to produce high quality results at a

very quick speed.

Why use a computer?

Type a resume or letter

Apply for jobs

Store, edit & share photos

Listen to music

E-mail

Keep records

Organize your budget

Online shopping

Search for information

Play games

Visit websites

Read the news

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COMPUTER HARDWARE All parts of the computer you can touch

MONITOR: The monitor is where you see what you are doing. The monitor is also called the screen.

SYSTEM UNIT: The system unit contains the central processing unit (CPU) – the ‘Brain’ of the computer – and the hard drive, which is the main storage device.

MOUSE: You use the mouse to tell the computer what to do. For example, you can open programs, files, and websites by clicking or double-clicking the buttons on the mouse.

KEYBOARD: Similar to a typewriter. You can type letters, numbers, and can use various command keys like the spacebar and enter.

PRINTER: Device used to make paper copies of what you create or read on the computer. Some printers only print in black & white, while others also print in color

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POWER BUTTON: The button used to turn on a computer. This is the universal symbol for POWER on computers. OPERATING SYSTEM: Controls the overall operation of the computer. The operating system serves as a bridge between the hardware and the software.

Windows 7

Mac OS X

WINDOWS MACINTOSH (Apple)

Windows XP OS X Leopard

Windows VISTA OS X Tiger

Windows 7

Windows 8

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COMPUTER OPERATING TOOLS Some terms you should know

DESKTOP: The screen you see when you first log on to the computer. The desktop contains links to frequently used software, files, folders and other computer programs. ICON: A picture that represents a program on the computer. Most programs have their own unique icon. FOLDER: Just like a paper folder in a filing cabinet, a folder is where documents (letters, spreadsheets, etc.) are kept. Folders help you to organize your files. FILE: A piece of information you create and save on your computer, like a resume or a cover letter. You can tell what type of software created a file by looking at the icon. CURSOR: The arrow on the screen that follows your mouse movement. The way the cursor looks depends on the program you are using. HOURGLASS: The cursor will become this shape when the computer is working to complete a task. It is best to be patient by not clicking until the hourglass disappears.

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TASKBAR: The horizontal bar at the bottom of the desktop. This is where open programs are displayed.

NOTIFICATION AREA: Space on the taskbar that displays icons which show status information. (Volume, Internet connection, battery life) START BUTTON/MENU: For accessing programs, documents and computer settings.

START expanded

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COMPUTER SOFTWARE Items installed on your hard drive that allow you to do different things: write a resume, create a slideshow, listen to music or surf the Internet. Software is often called PROGRAMS or APPLICATIONS. Below are some of the most common types of software. All software has an icon.

WORD: A program that allows the user to create a written document like a letter or paper for school. Documents created using Word have filenames ending with .doc or .docx

EXCEL: A program that allows the user to create spreadsheets. Information like expenses and scheduling can be stored within a spreadsheet. Documents created using Excel have filenames ending with .xls or .xlsx

WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER: A free program included with Windows computers. It plays digital media including music, videos, CDs and DVDs.

INTERNET EXPLORER: A type of web browser. Internet Explorer is a program that allows users to connect to the Internet and visit websites.

Software updates: Software is often updated. If that is the case with software installed on your computer, you will sometimes see a window open automatically that asks you to update your software.

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CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET

The Internet is a network that links computers together all over the world. You may have a computer and not have the Internet. There are three things you need before you can access the Internet:

1. Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that provides Internet connection for a fee. (cable or phone companies)

2. Modem: A piece of hardware

that is usually provided in the startup kit with your ISP.

3. Browser: A piece of software that

is installed onto your computer. Opening this software connects you to the Internet and allows you to view websites. Internet Explorer is a common web browser.

MODEM

INTERNET EXPLORER

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WINDOWS Anytime you open a program (Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, etc) you have opened a window. A window is a box that allows you to view programs or applications on the computer. You can have multiple windows open at once.

MINIMIZING & MAXIMIZING Most windows have three buttons in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

1. Minimize - This button will temporarily hide the program window you have open. It

does not close the program completely. You can open the window back up by clicking on its taskbar tab.

2. Restore Down - This button will change the size of your window. Pressing it while the window is taking up your entire screen will make the window smaller.

3. Maximize - This button will change the size of your window. Pressing it will make your

window larger, so that it takes up the full screen space.

4. Exit - This button will close the window which is being displayed.

5. Taskbar - The horizontal bar on the bottom of the desktop where open programs are displayed.

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Program Search #1

This activity will help you become familiar with locating, opening and closing

programs from the START menu.

For each program, first click on START and then click on PROGRAMS.

FROM START 1. Open Paint

Start Button: All Programs: Accessories: Paint And then close (X) the window

2. Open Windows Media Player Start Button: All Programs: Windows Media Player And then close (X) the window

3. Open Microsoft Office Word 2007 Start Button: All Programs: Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Word 2007 And then close (X) the window

4. Open Internet Explorer Start Button: All Programs: Internet Explorer And then close (X) the window

5. Open Calculator Start Button: All Programs: Accessories: Calculator And then close (X) the window

STOP here when finished.

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Program Search #2

This activity will help you become familiar with locating, opening and closing

programs from the Desktop.

Some programs can be opened by double-clicking on the program’s icon on the desktop. This is called a shortcut.

FROM DESKTOP 1. Find and open Recycle Bin

Double-click on Recycle Bin icon

Minimize the Window

Click on “Recycle Bin” tab on the taskbar, to reopen the window

And then close (X) the window

2. Find and open Internet Explorer

Double-click on Internet Explorer icon

Maximize the window (to make it larger)

Restore down the window (to make it smaller)


3. Find and open Mozilla Firefox

Double-click on Mozilla Firefox icon

Maximize the window (to make it larger)



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Program Search #3

This activity will help you become familiar with using Windows Search.

In Windows 7, you can type in the Start menu search box to find any program or document on your computer. Start typing and you will immediately see a list of

relevant programs and documents.

FROM START 1. Search and open Microsoft Word 2007

Click on the Start Button

Type “microsoft word” in the search box

Click on Microsoft Word 2007 to open program


2. Search and open Paint


Type “paint” in the search box

Click on Microsoft Paint to open the program


3. Search and open Calculator


Type “calculator” in the search box

Click on Calculator to open the program



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WINDOWS: OPERATING TOOLS

Other terms needed to understand the computer LIBRARIES: A library looks like a folder, except it doesn’t actually store any files. Instead, a library points to the location where your files are stored so you can see them as a single collection.

MY COMPUTER: Allows you to view and open most programs and documents on your computer, access USB and CD drives, and change settings in the control panel. MENU BARS: The words at the top of the program’s window. Click on each word to see menus of things you can do. MENU: A list of things you can do or items you can open. For example, click on Edit and you can highlight the entire document by clicking Select All. TOOLBARS: Icons across the top of the window that you click on to do different things. Many of the icons are shortcuts to menu items in the menu bars. SCROLL BARS: The bars on the right side and bottom of the screen that allow you to move up/down or right/left on the page.

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STORAGE OPTIONS There are several devices that allow you to save your work. These are great to know about for backing up information or if you plan to take your work to another computer.

CD (compact disc)

CD-R (recordable) Can be recorded on once.

CD-RW (rewritable) Can be recorded on over & over again.

DVD A high capacity CD that stores video.

USB Flash Drive A portable device about the size of your thumb used to save documents. You can also delete documents and add new ones to it.

CD Drive Runs programs, and opens data or music stored on CD. Most drives are also burners that can record data onto CD-R/RW.

USB Port A small rectangular slot located on the front and/or back of the CPU. This is where you plug in your flash drive and other bits of hardware. All computers will have at least one port.

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SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE 1. Click on START Button 2. Click on SHUT DOWN

IMPORTANT TERMS TO KNOW WHEN PURCHASING A COMPUTER Before buying a computer it is helpful to know what you plan to use your new computer for. This will make narrowing down your options much easier.

Desktop Computer: Stays in one spot and has multiple pieces of hardware.

Laptop Computer: Can be easily transported and used in various locations.

PC: Personal Computer

Brand: Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, HP, Apple, Asus, etc.

Refurbished: Used computer that has been restored to like-new working condition.

CPU: The brain of the computer. This is measured in Megahertz (MHz). The higher the number, the faster your computer will run.

RAM (Random Access Memory): This is the memory. It determines how many programs your computer can handle, and at what speed they will operate.

Hard Drive: Storage space located in the CPU.

Monitor Size: Measures diagonally across the screen.

Software: The programs which allow your computer to function. Will any be included with your purchase?

Warranty: Does the computer have one? For how long? And does it cover both hardware & software

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One-to-One Computer Help

Do you need extra help on the computer, tablet or other piece of technology? Are you

searching for a job or working on a resume? Let us answer your questions about surfing

the Internet, setting up an email account, or working with documents. Registration not

required.

Mondays 3-5 Wednesdays 5-7 Thursdays 1-3

RCL – Maplewood RCL – Roseville RCL – Roseville

One-to-One e-Reader Help

Have you purchased a new e-reader or tablet computer? Are you curious how to use your

new device with the Library’s e-book services, Overdrive and 3M Cloud Library? Help is

available for your questions. Bring your Nook, Kindle, iPad or other device for some

hands-on instruction. Registration not required.

Tuesdays 2-4

RCL – Roseville