Computer Basics Handout
To register for computer training at Kitsap Regional Library please call your local branch:
Bainbridge: 206-842-4162 Downtown Bremerton: 360-377-3955 Kingston Library: 360-297-3330 Little Boston: 360-297-2670 Manchester: 360-871-3921 Port Orchard: 360-876-2224 Poulsbo: 360-779-2915 Silverdale Library: 360-692-2779 Sylvan Way: 360-405-9100 or Toll-Free 1-877-883-9900
Visit the KRL website www.krl.org for class dates and times.
Welcome to Computer Basics at Kitsap Regional Library. This ninety-minute lesson offers an introduction to computers, their associated hardware and software, and provides hands-on training to help you acquire the basic computer skills necessary to begin using a computer comfortably.
Students enrolled in this Computer Basics class will learn:
• to identify the various components of a computer • how to use the Mouse and scroll bar • how to log-on and off the library computers • the basics of the Internet browser and KRL home page • how to use the library’s online catalog (KitCat)
Computers can be used for many different purposes: locate information, communicate, manage finances, purchase goods and services, or simply be entertained by music and movies. The full capabilities of a computer are dependent upon the technology included or added to its core structure. There are many tasks you can accomplish using the computers here at the Kitsap Regional library, for example a library user can:
Locate Information: Access the Internet Search the library’s print and media collection using the KitCat Catalog Explore the World Wide Web Search the library’s Electronic Resources (subscription databases)
Communicate: Send and receive letters using Electronic mail (e-mail) View digital photos from family & friends sent through e-mail
Entertainment: Play online computer games Make vacation travel arrangements such as Airline, Car, and Hotel reservations
Manage Finances: Access online bank accounts Purchase products and services off the web
Work related tasks: Create reports, spreadsheets, databases, & Powerpoint presentations using the library’s suite of Microsoft Office products Submit online job applications Access the library’s Wireless Internet access and telecommute with a laptop
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Basic Computer Hardware
Computer Case contains the major components of the computer:
The Central Processing Unit is the main chip in the computer. It processes instructions, performs calculations, and manages the flow of information through a computer The Hard Drive is the primary device that the computer uses to store information. The Power Supply changes normal household electricity into electricity the computer can use. The System Board is the main circuit board of a computer. Random Access Memory (RAM) temporarily stores information inside a computer. This information is lost when a user turns the computer off. The Modem is used to connect the computer to the Internet. It is often stored internally in the computer, but sometimes externally. The Floppy Drive stores and retrieves information from the computer onto floppy disks. CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM Drives read information stored on Compact Discs (CDs) or Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs)
Printer a device that produces a hard copy (paper copy) of the data displayed on the screen.
The Monitor displays the text and graphics generated by the computer onto a screen. Monitors come in many sizes and shapes. Notice the different kind of monitors in use in the library: laptops vs. flat screen vs. traditional PC monitors.
Keyboard is used to input information into the computer. The keyboard also comes in various sizes and shapes. Note the basic differences between a typewriter keyboard, a computer keyboard, and a laptop keyboard.
Mouse is a handheld device that allows the user to select and move items displayed on the monitor screen by clicking the buttons on the top of the mouse.
Software is a set of electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do. For example: The Operating System software controls the overall activity of a computer, while the Application software allows the user to accomplish specific tasks such as searching the online library catalog.
*Definitions taken from Computers Simplified by Ruth Maran and Paul Whitehead
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Using the Mouse
Right Click Left Click
Scroll Wheel
Hold it like this
The Mouse pointer has three different images that it portrays on the computer screen. Each image corresponds to the activity the user is undertaking.
• The Mouse can look like an Arrow on the screen.
• The Mouse can look like an I Beam on the screen. You will see the I Beam when the mouse pointer hovers over an area that allows the user to enter letters, symbols, and numbers into text boxes, such as the log-in box for the KRL website, or entering a URL in the address box of the browser. When you see the I Beam, click once to insert the blinking cursor into the text box.
• The Mouse can also look like a Hand with a finger pointing . This lets the user know that if they “click on” the picture or text under the hand, more information will be found.
For practice using the Mouse visit Chris Ripple’s Mouserobics!
http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html
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Scrolling the Page
The Scroll Bar contains a scroll box or elevator that can be manipulated in several different ways:
1. Click the mouse pointer onto the arrows located at the top and bottom of the scroll bar to move the scroll box up or down. (See image below). 2. Place the mouse pointer directly on to the scroll box, click and hold the left button down, then drag the scroll box up and down to move the page. 3. Use the following keys on the keyboard to move the scroll box: navigation Arrows, Home, End, Page Up and Page Down 4. If the mouse is equipped with a scroll wheel, roll the scroll wheel to move the scroll box up or down.
Clicking on this arrow moves the scroll box up, but scrolls the page DOWN
When the scroll bar and box are present it means there is more content on the page than can be viewed on one screen. You must move the scroll box up or down to view the entire contents of the page.
Clicking on this arrow moves the scroll box down, but scrolls the page UP
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Keyboard Basics
Navigation Keys Escape Function Keys Backspace Tab Number Lock Caps Lock
Shift Space Bar
Enter Arrow Keys
Navigation Keys: Allow the user to move the blinking cursor or scroll box on the page without using the mouse.
• Page Up & Page Down: moves the scroll box up or down on the screen • Home: takes the user to the beginning or top of a web page • End: takes the user to the end or bottom of the page • Arrow Keys: moves the cursor or scroll box (depending on the application) in the direction the arrows are pointing • Backspace: moves the cursor backwards to erase what the user has entered • Delete: moves the cursor forward to erase anything in front of the cursor • Tab: key that moves the cursor from one field to the next when entering text into a dialog box. Tab also moves the cursor a specified distance when typing a document using a word processing application. • Enter: is used like a carriage return on a typewriter when typing text. It will take the cursor to the next line. Enter is also used as a command key as well, for example: pressing Enter replaces the need to click on Go when attempting to access a website address on the Web. • Space Bar: is used to place empty spaces between letters when typing a document. It also deletes highlighted text, for example: pressing the space bar will delete highlighted text or a URL in the browser’s address bar.
Modifier Keys: Alters the meanings of the other key(s) pressed at the same time as these keys.
• Shift: Allows user to type uppercase letters or symbols • Number Lock: Enables the numeric pad located on the far right • Caps Lock: Allows user to type uppercase letters only • Esc (Escape): Cancels certain commands, interrupts long processes, cancels dialog boxes, closes menus, and dismisses message boxes. Its function is dependent on the context of the active program.
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Logging-on & off the Library Computer
1. To log-on enter all fourteen digits of your Kitsap Regional Library library card number into the log-in box on the library’s start page (do not include Welcome spaces) Enter your identification below, then Click OK to log onto this computer 2. Press the TAB key to move the cursor to the Pin box Library Card Number: Pin:
OK Library 3. Enter your 4 digit pin number into the Policy Pin box. Your pin number is typically the last 4 digits of your phone number unless you’ve asked the library to set it to something different.
4. Click on OK to connect to the Internet and log-on to the library's website.
5. Once logged-on to the Internet you will see the SAM Personal Session Timer. This timer identifies you and displays the amount of Internet time you have available. Every library card holder gets one hour of Internet use per day. SAM also provides a drop-down menu that Filtered allows patrons, over the age of 17, to change their Internet access from Filtered to Unfiltered.
6. To move the SAM window out of the way while working on the web, click on the Minimize button. This will store SAM in the lower left corner of the screen.
7. When ready to log-off the library computers, double click on the SAM Personal Session Timer (stored in the lower left corner) to re-open the SAM window. Then click on the End Session button to log-off the computer.
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The Internet Browser & KRL Home Page
Title Bar Menu Bar Toolbar Address Ba r
Scroll Box
Webpage
Status Bar
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Using the Kitsap Regional Library Catalog
• From the library’s Home page ( www.krl.org ) click on the button (upper left corner) to access the library’s online catalog.
• Log-on to the catalog by entering your library barcode and password (or pin) in the upper right corner. Your password is typically the last four digits of your phone number OR it can be a specific password you requested. Next, click on
• Use the Search Interface to type keywords into the search box to locate an item. Click on drop-down menu (to the right of the search box) to choose a category to search by: title, author, subject, series etc... Then click on the Search button.
• Scan the search results to find the title that best meets your need. Click on the button to view the item Record.
• Check the Holdings to see if the item is available at your home branch. If not, Place a Hold on the item by clicking on the Place Hold link located on the left menu. Placing a Hold notifies all KRL branches to send the next available copy to you at your home branch.
• When placing a hold, make sure the correct branch where you would like to pick up your holds is highlighted. Click on the drop-down menu to locate the complete list of branches. Then click on the button.
• Click on OK to confirm your hold.
Check the Status of your Library Account
• To look at your library account and verify account information such as: current checkouts, items on hold, or to cancel holds, log-in to the library catalog (see instructions above). Once logged on, click on from the catalog home page. Choose . Current checkouts are listed at the top of the page and holds are listed below checkouts.
• To cancel a hold, put a checkmark in the box next to the title you wish to cancel then click .
• To renew items currently checked out, click then choose . You may renew All items or just Selected Items by clicking on the radio button next to your choice , then click .
• To continue searching, click on located at the top of the page. • To log-out of your library account and exit the catalog, click on in the catalog menu bar (top of the page).
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Congratulations!
You have successfully completed the Computer Basics class at KRL. We hope you found this lesson to be informative and helpful. To best retain the skills you have learned today, we strongly recommend you practice these skills on a regular basis. Remember, the staff at the Information Desks in each of our branches is always happy to answer further questions or give assistance if you should find you need extra help on a particular task.
Ready for the next level? The click! program at Kitsap Regional Library also offers Internet 101. This ninety-minute lesson provides a basic introduction to the Internet and the World Wide Web through hands-on instruction. Internet 101 is intended to enhance the computer skills you have already learned in Computer Basics. To enroll in Internet 101 it is necessary that you have basic mouse, keyboarding and scroll bar skills, and have experience logging-on and off the library computers.
Students enrolled in Internet 101 will learn:
• the Internet browser and its components • website addresses and menus • search engines & web directories • tips for verifying website credibility • how to print information off the web • tips on Internet security
Further reading on learning Computer Basics
Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics (2nd Ed), By Michael Miller 004.16 MILLER 2004
Buying a Computer for Dummies, By Dan Gookin 004.1602 GOOKIN 2005
Computers Simplified, By Paul McFredies 004.16 MCFEDRI
Easy Computer Basics: See it done. Do it yourself. By Michael Miller 004.16 MILLER 2005
PCs for Dummies (9th Ed), Dan Gookin 004.16 GOOKIN 2006
Personal Computing Demystified, By Larry Long 004.16 LONG 2004
Windows XP for seniors: for everyone who wants to learn to use the computer at a later age, By Addo Stuur 005.4468 STUUR 2005
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Computer Basics Vocabulary List
Address Bar: is a component of the web browser that indicates the address or URL of the webpage currently viewed. A new page can be viewed by typing its web address into the address bar.
Alt (Alternate): a key that is pressed in combination with another key to execute an alternate function. For example, Alt – F will open the menu options under File in the menu bar.
Application software: a program or set of programs that enables a user to use the computer as a tool to accomplish some task.
Arrow Keys: four keys, pointing left, right, up, and down on the keyboard. These keys control the movement of the cursor and the scroll bar.
Backspace: key that moves the cursor one space to the left and deletes whatever character is there.
Browser: a computer program such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox that allows a user to find and access documents from anywhere on the Internet. It enables a user to read Hypertext in files on the World Wide Web. The browser is located at the top of the screen and includes such things as the Title Bar, Menu Bar, Toolbar, and Address Bar.
Caps Lock: key on the keyboard that when activated locks the keyboard so that the user can enter uppercase letters without pressing the shift key.
Click: to press down and immediately release a button on the mouse. A computer user can perform a left click or a right click when using the mouse.
Computer: a programmable machine that performs high-speed processing of numbers, text, graphics, symbols, and sound.
Computer Case: contains the major components of the computer such as: the CPU, hard drive, power supply, etc…
CD-ROM: a compact disk that functions as ROM (read-only memory). CD-ROMs can store over 600 megabytes (MB) of data.
CD-ROM Drive: a disk drive that reads data stored on CD-ROM (Compact Disk read-only Memory)
Central Processing Unit (CPU): the part of the computer that interprets and executes instructions.
Close Button: button, containing an uppercase X, located in the upper right of a window that allows the computer user to close that window.
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Ctrl (Control): key on the keyboard that is pressed in combination with another key to produce a command. Control commands are sometimes referred to as shortcuts.
Delete: key that moves the cursor one space to the right and erases whatever character is there. DVD: a Digital Video Disk is an optical disk that can store 7 times as much data as a compact disk.
DVD-ROM Drive: a read-only optical disk that reads data stored on a DVD
End: key on the keyboard that when pressed takes the user to the end of a line, page, or document depending upon which application is running
Enter: key on the keyboard that is used to enter or confirm a command. The program receives and responds to your command only after you press the Enter key. When using a word processing program, the Enter key is used to enter a hard return.
Esc (Escape): key on the keyboard that cancels certain commands or to back up one level in a menu structure.
Floppy Disk: a cheap removable storage medium widely used in personal computers. Modern 3.5 inch floppy disks are housed in rigid plastic case with a sliding metal shutter for head access. A typical 3.5 disk can hold 1.44 megabytes of data.
Floppy Drive: a computing device that accepts and reads floppy disks.
Function Keys: keys on the keyboard that, when pressed, frequently cause a MENU or DIALOGUE box to be displayed, as a substitute for pointing with the Mouse. These keys are located at the top of the keyboard and are labeled F1, F2 … F12.
Hard Drive: a type of storage device which is the most popular form of mass storage for all computers. The hard drive stores each individual data bit as a tiny magnetized dot on the surface of a rapidly rotating metal disk that is coated with a film of magnetized material.
Home: key on the keyboard that moves the cursor to some starting position. Depending on the application, it may be the beginning of a line or the start of the document.
Icon: a picture on the screen that represents a specific file, directory, window, or program. By clicking on the Icon, a computer user can open the file, directory, or window, or start the program.
Internet: the global informal network that now links a substantial fraction of the world’s computer networks. The Internet does not offer services to end-users, but serves primarily to interconnect other networks on which end-user services are located.
Keyboard: an input device used to enter numbers, text, and commands into the computer.
Library Account: associated with your library barcode and pin number. Your library account contains your personal information such as address, phone number, and email address. It also reflects your current checkouts, any billing information, and available and unavailable holds.
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Maximize: a button on the Window’s title bar, that when clicked, causes the current screen to expand and fill to the full size screen.
Menu Bar: a strip running along the top of an application’s window that displays the names of that application’s main menus. For example: File, Edit, View in Microsoft Windows. Moving the mouse pointer over the name on the menu bar and clicking will cause a drop-down menu to unfold.
Minimize: a button on a Window’s title bar, that when clicked, causes the current screen to collapse down to a small icon where it is then stored on the taskbar.
Modem: used to connect digital devices across analog transmission lines. Modems allow personal computers to communicate over ordinary phone lines.
Modifier Keys: any key on a computer keyboard that can be pressed simultaneously with another key to alter its function.
Monitor: screen that displays information.
Mouse: a pointing device, or tool that is moved by hand on flat surface to choose items on a computer screen. The movements are communicated to the computer and cause corresponding movements of the cursor on display on the computer screen. The mouse has one or more buttons (left or right) that, when clicked, indicate the desired function to the computer.
Navigation Keys: keys on the keyboard that, when pressed, move the cursor and scroll bar in various directions. They serve as a substitute to pointing and clicking with the mouse.
Number Lock: key on the keyboard that enables the numeric pad located on the far right side of the keyboard.
Operating System: the software that enables the user of a computer to run all their other software. The operating system manages hardware, processes users’ commands, and provides services to application programs.
Page Up and Page Down: navigation keys that move the cursor or scroll bar a whole page up or down on the computer screen.
Personal Session Timer: part of the computer log-on procedure at Kitsap Regional Library. Once a library user has logged-on to the computers the SAM Personal Session Timer identifies the user, indicates the amount of time available for library computer use (one hour maximum per day) and allows the adult library user to choose filtered or unfiltered Internet access.
Pin Number: a library user’s pin number (also referred to as a password) is associated with a user’s library barcode number. It provides additional security for accessing their library account. The library pin number is comprised of a 4 digit code chosen by the library user.
Place a Hold: the act of reserving an item in the library catalog that is not readily available for checkout. Placing a hold puts the library user in line for a particular item and ensures the item will be available for pickup at the library user’s home branch. Power Supply: located in the computer case. It changes normal household electricity into electricity the computer can use.
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Random Access Memory (RAM): located in the computer case. It temporarily stores information inside a computer. This information is lost when a user turns the computer off.
SAM: the application associated with logging-on to the KRL library computers. SAM is the personal session timer that guarantees each patron one full hour of Internet access per day while using the library computers. It is also provides the adult patron the option of switching from filtered to unfiltered Internet access
Scroll: to move a file within a window so as to change what can be seen on the screen. For example: scrolling down allows the user to move the file up so as to see the information at the bottom of the file.
Scroll Bar: is a graphical widget in a graphical user interface with which continuous text, pictures or anything else can be scrolled, i.e., viewed even if it does not fit into the space in a computer display, window, or viewport. The scroll bar is usually designed as a long rectangular area on one or two sides of the viewing area, containing a box or elevator that can be dragged along a trough to move the content of the website or document up or down.
Shift: key on the keyboard that, when pressed and held down, allows a user to enter uppercase letters or symbols.
Software: the programs, programming languages, and data that control the functioning of the computer hardware and direct its operations. Software is usually divided into two categories. System software controls the workings of the computer while application software handles the multitude of tasks that users want their computer to perform.
Space Bar: bar on the keyboard that is used to move the cursor forward one space at a time when entering text Status Bar: a horizontal area at the bottom of the document window that provides information about the current state of what you are viewing in the window and any other contextual information. System Board: located in the computer case, it is the main circuit board of a computer.
Tab: a key on the keyboard that moves the cursor a specified distance when typing a document using a word processing application. The Tab key also moves the cursor from one field to the next when entering text into a dialog box.
Taskbar: located directly below the Status Bar, the Taskbar displays a row of buttons that represent open programs. The user can switch back and forth between programs by clicking on the appropriate button.
Title Bar: located at the top of the screen, the Title Bar shows the name of the program or file currently open in the window.
Toolbar: located below the Menu Bar, the Toolbar consists of a row of icons (pictures) that serve as buttons to activate commands or functions.
Website: a set of interconnected web pages, usually including a home page, generally located on the same server, and prepared and maintained as a collection of information by a person, group, or organization.
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Vocabulary Terminology Resources
A Dictionary of Computing. 5th Edition (2004) Oxford University Press
Dictionary of Computer and Internet Words. (2001) Houghton Mifflin Company
Microsoft Office Online. 2005. Located at: http://office.microsoft.com
The Penguin Concise Dictionary of Computing (2003) Pountain, Dick
Wikipedia: An Online Encyclopedia. Located at: http://wikipedia.org/
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