Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note

Lecture One Title: Dealing with computers Instructions to the students:  By the end of this lecture readers will be familiar with computer component and usages.  Before start:  You need to use your own computer to practice the following skills  The following note is prepared to understanding how to deal with the computer in general.  Further information can be found at the reference given in the content of the subject.  Also you can find more information in the internet.  The content is prepared in such way that suits the pharmacy college students to help them dealing with computer.  Also you contact the instructor at his office any time between 12:00 to 2:00 at his office.  Computers and their hardware and related are constantly evolving. Try to keep as up-to-date as possible by reading computer-related news, blogs, RSS feeds, newsletters, forums, and following computer people on social networking sites .

Understanding the computer The computer is a fantastic device, and knowing how the computer works and how everything works together helps you get a better understanding of the computer. What is computer A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieves, and processes data. The term "computer" was originally given to humans (human computers) who performed numerical calculations using mechanical calculators. The term was later given to a mechanical device as they began replacing the human computers. Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), process that data, produce output, and store (storage) the results. Below is a picture of a computer with each of the main components. Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note In the Figure below, you can see the desktop computer, flat-panel display, speakers, keyboard, and mouse. Each of the input devices and output devices are labelled.

Types of computers Today, Computers are classified into many devices such as:

1. Computers 2. Desktop 3. Laptop 4. Netbook 5. Hybrid computer users. Please see the figure below

Setup a computer If you've recently received a computer, it must be assembled and connected according to the user's manual before anything can be done. If you need help setting up and turning on your computer, follow the steps in the links below. Position the computer Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note Set the computer monitor on the desk and put the computer on or next to the desk. Most often, the computer sits on the floor or on a shelf next to the desk or table. However, some computer desks offer a small cabinet for the computer. Place the mouse and keyboard that came with the computer on the desk or table, in front of the monitor and connect all cables

The monitor data cable

The monitor data cable will plug into the computer in only one place. Most monitors use either a DVI, VGA, or HDMI connectors and plug into the corresponding port on the back of the computer. If your monitor only has a VGA plug and your computer only has a DVI connection, or vice versa, you need a video converter to connect your monitor. The following photo shows the VGA connectors (the female connector is on the computer side while the male connector is from cable side). After connecting the data cable (VGA cable) to the computer, connect the power plug from the monitor to the surge protector.

Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note For laptops the monitor is embedded to the computer device and no need for data cable, however, you can connect a desktop monitor to you laptop using VGA or HDMI connectors. The keyboard and mouse The keyboard and mouse usually connect to the computer with a PS/2 or USB connector. These connectors are usually on the back of the computer.

Computer power cord For desktop or laptops computer, find the power cord and plug one end into the back of the computer (only one end fits). Plug the other end of the power cord into a power outlet or surge protector. It is usually highly recommended both the computer and monitor be powered through a surge protector to protect it from power surges. If your house experiences frequent brown outs or black outs, consider using a UPS device (uninterruptible power supply) to help protect your computer.

Connecting a Speaker

If you have computer speakers, they can also be plugged into the back of the computer. The speakers connect to the line out or sound out port (usually green) on the back of the computer. If your speakers are powered speakers, the power cord should also be plugged into the surge protector. What parts are needed for a computer to work?

Today's desktop computers have some or all of the below components (hardware) and peripherals. As technology advances, older technologies, such as a floppy disk drive and Zip drive (both shown below), are no longer required or included. 1. Case or Chassis 2. Case Fan 3. Optical drive: Blu-ray, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD. ( not commonly used these days) 4. CPU (processor) 5. Floppy disk drive ( not commonly used these days) Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note 6. Hard drive 7. Keyboard 8. RAM (random access memory) 9. Microphone 10. Monitor, LCD, or another display device such as smart screen or projector. 11. Motherboard 12. Mouse 13. Network card 14. Power Supply 15. Printer 16. Sound card 17. Speakers 18. Video card 19. DSL Modem such Zain connect or Sudani Connect 20. Router for Wi-Fi internet connection A computer does not require all the components mentioned above. However, a computer cannot function without having at the very minimum the parts listed below. 1. Processor - Component that executes instructions from the software and hardware. 2. Memory - Temporary primary storage for data traveling between the storage and CPU. 3. Motherboard (with on-board video) - Component that connects all components. 4. Storage device (e.g., hard drive) - Slower secondary storage that permanently stores data. However, if you had a computer with only the minimum parts above, you would be unable to communicate with it until you connected at least one input device (e.g., keyboard). Also, for you to see what is happening, you would need at least one output device (e.g., monitor).

Connecting to internet To establish a connection to internet service using a wired Internet connection, connect, the category 5 Ethernet cable (see the below photo: Ethernet UTP connector) to the back of the computer. If you are planning on using Wi-Fi to Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note connect to the Internet, only a Wi-Fi router needs to be in range of the computer. Further information about connecting to Internet is coming in Lecture Four.

It is now ready turn the computer on and allow it to load up into one of the operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Android or any. If it the first time turning on the computer, upon booting up the computer, you may be asked a few questions, such as your name, location, and network settings to help finalize the set up. Connecting a printer and other peripherals Other peripherals can be connected and used with the computer such as printer. Printers is used to print out some text, pictures, or photos. First you need to connect your printer or devices to a USB connector. Then, start installing the driver’s software for each of the devices after the computer is running properly. A computer printer does not work until you install the included drivers and software. If you have lost the software for your printer, you can download the drivers for your printer and use the drivers to install your printer. A laptop computer works the same way as a desktop and can use any of the above connections in similar way. Setup printer and install software After connecting the printer and turning it on, you'll need to install the printer’s software and drivers. Every printer should come with the software used to install a printer in Windows or your . 1. After everything is plugged in, turn on the computer. 2. Insert the CD that came with the printer. If the CD does not automatically start, open My Computer, double-click the CD drive, and then click the Setup or Install file. If you have downloaded the drivers, run the downloaded setup file. 3. Follow the installation wizard, and once completed, your software is installed. Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note 4. Test the printer to make sure it is working. Computer Software: Understanding the operating system Every computer requires an operating system, which is what allows the software and hardware to communicate and makes the computer useful. Understanding what operating system is running on your computer helps you in  finding help and knowing what is compatible with your computer.  Become familiar with the operating system and version that is running on your computer. There are different operating system such as: 1. (with different versions) 2. Linux 3. Novel 4. Android (for mobiles and smart phones and some screens ) Before identifying an operating system, you must know what type of computer you have. You can also use our system information tool to automatically detect your operating system. The majority of all IBM compatible (PC) users have Microsoft Windows installed on their computer. A good method of determining if you are running Microsoft Windows 7 or later is to look for the Start menu button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. If you see the Start menu button on your taskbar, you are running Microsoft Windows. How to determine the version of Windows on a computer. If you do not see a Start button, it is likely you are running a different operating system. Below are some different visual indications to determine what operating system you are using. If you do not have any graphics or a GUI (graphical user interface) and only see text, skip to the command line section. Graphics User Interface GUI operating systems with visual indicators  A Microsoft Windows logo or Microsoft Windows flag but no start button often indicates an earlier version of Microsoft Windows, such as Microsoft Windows 3.11. Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note  A red hat in the corner of the screen - Computer is running Red Hat Linux.  A green or blue "L" in the corner of the screen - Computer is running Windows or Linspire.  A gray or black foot print in the corner of the screen you have GNOME running on a Linux or Unix variant.  A purple background with any visual indication of "Sun" or "Solaris" is an indication of the Sun Solaris operating system used with X Window System. A user account Every computer today can have multiple user accounts. During the initial setup, your computer may have created an account for you. If you have other users in the home, you may want to create additional accounts for them, so that they can use the computer without altering the information of others. Example: Creating a user in Windows 8 and 10 1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and then press Enter. 2. Select User Accounts.

3. 4. Click User Accounts again.

5. Near the middle of the window, click Manage another account.

Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note 6. To the bottom-left of the box containing current user accounts, click

the link. 7. Near the bottom of the window, click Add a new user in PC settings.

8. Click on next to either Add a family member or add someone else to this PC. 9. Follow the guided instructions to create a new user account.

Installing, running, and uninstalling a program All computers often are prepared pre-installed with programs, games, and other software, that you can use. For example, the program you are using now to read this page is one of these programs. How to install software The installation process for software depends on your operating system and the program you are installing. As a result of these many combinations, the steps bellows as a general guideline. The following does not cover errors during the installation process, as they are too vast and differ from program and another. General tips 1. Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of the program, or utility you are trying to install. 2. The manual, or a README file, usually contains instructions on how to install a program. Find it online at the software website, or in a text file in the same directory as the installation files. 3. If you have problems installing software, or it takes a long time, close or disable any other running programs. 4. After installing a new program, if it prompts you to reboot the computer, do so. How to install from a USB flash drive 1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and find the USB drive that is often the last drive letter (D: or E:). 2. Once the drive is opened, find the setup or executable file, and double- click the file icon to start the setup process. 3. Follow the instruction on the screen step by step until finish.

Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note

How to run a computer software program

After a computer program is installed into a computer, it can be opened at any time. Below are the steps on how you can open a computer software program on your computer using Windows? When you want to "open" a program, you can use "open" or "run." However, to "open" a file, see: How to open, view, and edit the contents of a file on a computer.  In Windows, to run a program, double-click the executable file or double- click the shortcut icon pointing to the executable file. If you have a hard time double-clicking an icon, you can click the icon once to highlight it and then press the Enter key on the keyboard.  If you cannot find a program's icon in Windows 7, Vista, 8, or 10, click Start and type the name of the program you want to open. For example, you could type notepad, excel, or word and click the icon in the search results, or highlight the program icon and press Enter. If the program does not appear make sure the program is installed.  In Windows 8 and Windows 10, you can also right-click the icon and choose the option pin to taskbar to add the program icon to your Taskbar for easier future access.  If a program is in the Start menu or Taskbar, it only requires you to click the icon once.  If a program is not installed in the computer, it cannot run. For example, you can only run Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel if you have installed it on the computer.  Programs installed in other operating systems (Linux) may work in similar or different way than the above mentioned points.

Open Source programs

There are millions of free and open source programs available, many of them better than any commercially available product. Below is a short listing of the best out there, broken down into ten categories. 1. Antivirus and malware protection 2. Backup solutions Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note 3. Browsers 4. Compression utility 5. Disc ripper and creation utility 6. E-mail 7. FTP, SFTP, and SSH utility 8. Image editor, paint program, and picture organizer 9. Multimedia 10. Office Suite Text and source code editing

Antivirus and malware protection Most PC users realize that they need protection on their computer or may have already have an antivirus program installed. What most don't realize is there are free programs that are as good and in some cases better than the commercial products. Below are recommended.

Antivirus program: Microsoft Defender Malware and Spyware protection: Malware bytes

Backup solutions To avoid loss of important data, we suggest users use online backup services. However, several free and commercially available backup programs are available for computers. Unfortunately, many of those backups are stored locally, meaning if your house got destroyed or robbed, or if you lost your backup discs, all your data would be lost.

Online backup solution: Mozy or Dropbox

Browsers Although Microsoft Internet Explorer or Edge comes pre-installed on Windows computers, there are many excellent free alternatives that everyone should try. These free alternative browsers can often be faster, have more options, and in many cases be more secure than Internet Explorer. Internet Browser: Mozilla, Firefox or Google Chrome.

Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note

Compression utility When downloading files from the Internet, you'll eventually encounter a .zip, .rar, or another compressed file. Dealing with these files can be easy with the below free file compression utility. File compression utility: 7-Zip or winrar Disc ripper and creation utility Creating an audio or data CD/DVD, ripping the data from an audio CD, or creating a CD from a .ISO can be done freely using the below program.

CD burner utility: CDBurnerXP

E-mail E-mail is yet another service that can be done freely. Most users today use online e-mail solutions like the one listed below. However, for those still using an e- mail client such as Microsoft Outlook we strongly suggest one or both of the below suggestions. E-mail client: Mozilla Thunderbird Online e-mail , Gmail, hotmail FTP, SFTP, and SSH utility Users who maintain a web page or need to upload or download files need to use an FTP utility or an SSH client. There are many commercial programs capable of doing this but the below are recommended. FTP client: Filezilla SSH client: MobaXterm and Putty Image editor, paint program, and picture organizer There are many great free solutions for editing, creating, and organizing your images on your computer. Many of the programs capable of doing these tasks can be several hundred dollars, but all of the below programs are completely free. We will discuss some of them in details in lecture 7 and 8. Later. Image editor: GIMP, Paint, program: Paint.net Picture organizer: Google Photos

Karary University – Dr. Abdeldime Mohamed Salih – Lecture Note Multimedia programs Several multimedia programs with different capabilities and limitations are available today. Below are the free multimedia programs for watching video files and recording audio. Audio editing and creating tool: Audacity Video and DVD Player: VLC and MPC-HC Office Suite Microsoft Office is powerful software, and standard across several industries. However, there are free options that offer almost the same capabilities, and are compatible with Office documents. Office suite: LibreOffice Text and source code editing Microsoft office is the best text editor with many function however it is not free. Microsoft Windows comes with a simple text editor, Notepad. However, it offers only the basic text editing functions. For advanced text file editing, including editing source code, the free program Notepad++ offers top-notch features and performance, at no cost.

Text and source code editor: Notepad++

To be Continued >>>>>>>>>>>>>>