The ABC's of Computing

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The ABC's of Computing The ABC’s of Computing I. Basic Definitions: CD-ROM: Compact Disc – Read Only Memory, a CD that can be read by a computer with an optical drive. The "ROM" part of the term means the data on the disc is "read-only," or cannot be altered or erased. CD-RW: Compact Disc Re-Writable, a CD blank CD that can be written to by a CD burner. Unlike a CD-R (CD-Recordable), a CD-RW can be written to multiple times. The data burned on a CD-RW cannot be changed, but it can be erased. Therefore, you have to completely erase a CD-RW every time you want to change the files or add new data. Console: Combination of the monitor (computer screen) and the keyboard. The monitor provides the output and the keyboard is used for input. CPU: Central Processing Unit. This is the heart of the computer, does the processing – also called “the processer Cursor: A bright, usually blinking, movable indicator on the screen which marks the location at which a character can be entered, corrected, or deleted, and which moves in response to the input from the mouse’s movement. Cut: A selected segment of data is snipped and transferred to another site and pasted. Delete: The selected data is removed and discarded. DVD-RW: “Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable." As the name implies, a DVD-RW can be erased and written to again. DVD-RWs can hold 4.7GB of data. File: A self-contained computer readable piece of information available to the OS and its programs. Folder: Is a virtual container in which groups of computer files and possibly other folders can be kept and organized. (Think of a file cabinet). Hard drive: Is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all your files and folders are physically located. A typical hard can hold over 100 GB of data. The data is stored on the hard drive magnetically, so it stays on the drive even after the power supply is turned off (permanent memory) – providing the data has been “saved”. Highlight: Use the “point and drag” technique to select text, by placing the cursor at the beginning of a word or phrase, and while holding the LEFT mouse button down, drag the mouse/pointer across the desired text, which will highlight the text background in blue. HTML: Hyper-Text Markup Language http: HyperText Transfer Protocol https: HyperText Transport Protocol Secure (NOTE: A secure web-site will show a padlock) For additional info see http://www.techterms.com/definition/www ICON: The symbol/picture/image on the computer screen which represents (a shortcut to) a file or program. Internet Explorer vs. Windows Explorer: o Internet Explorer explorers the World Wide Web. o Windows Explorer explores the contents of your computer’s hard drive. Mouse: One of the primary input devices used with today's computers. The name comes from the small shape of the mouse, which you can move back and forth on the mouse pad, which The ABC’s of Computing Page 2 of 4 causes a coordinated movement of the cursor on the monitor screen. Most mouses* now use optical technology, which uses a beam of light to track the mouse's motion. (* Note: the correct plural of mouse is “mouses”, although “mice” is acceptable, and more commonly used.) RAM: Random Access Memory, made up of small memory chips that form a memory module. These modules are installed in the RAM slots on the motherboard of your computer. RAM memory is not permanent – it disappears when the computer is turned off. Root Directory: another name for the (C:) drive START Button: Lower left corner of screen. (Note that it shows the Windows Logo) Status bar – Task bar – Title bar – Tool bar (Windows 7), etc.: Taskbar www: World Wide Web (the internet) II. Computer “shorthand” used in this handout: o A left arrow ( > ) to indicate a single left click o Two left arrows (>>) to indicate two left clicks o A ( R> ) to indicate a RIGHT click. ABCs of Computing – Intermed. Class rev. 01-13 The ABC’s of Computing Page 3 of 4 III. Mouse & Cursor: Left or Right click – and how many ??? The mouse contains three basic parts: (see below) Left click button …… on the LEFT side of the mouse Right click button …. on the RIGHT side of the mouse The “scroll wheel” … in the middle of the mouse L R CLICK = a single LEFT click. 95% of the time, a left click is used. DOUBLE Click = TWO LEFT clicks. A left double click opens a program. (NOTE: There is no right double click.) RIGHT Click = a single RIGHT click. A right click opens a “pop-up” menu. To select an item from the menu, you click (that’s one LEFT click) on the item. When in doubt, start with a single left click. If nothing happens, try a double click (unless you want a pop-up menu – then right click). Right Click Left Click (Index Finger) (Pointer finger) Note: Left-handed users Correct way to hold a mouse. will place the mouse to the left of the computer Note that wrist is straight – not and use the index finger bent up or down, and rests on the left-click key, and comfortably on a flat surface, ponter finger on the not hanging off the edge. right-click key) IV. MOUSE & CURSOR: Size – Color - Speed ► To adjust cursor speed: START ⇒ Control Panel > Hardware & Sounds > Devices & Printers > Mouse ► To select a new cursor style: Mouse > Pointers Tab > Scheme window I > Select a style > Apply > OK To adjust cursor speed: ABCs of Computing – Intermed. Class rev. 01-13 The ABC’s of Computing Page 4 of 4 Mouse > Pointer Options > (Slide pointer to > Apply > OK left for slower) V. Getting Things Done: There are often 2-3 ways to do perform the same function on your PC. How that function is performed depends on the operator’s preference and/or any physical limitations that may make one way more difficult than another. In this class we will teach everyone the commonest way to perform these steps, but will offer alternatives to those who may benefit from them. For instance: To open a file: Place the cursor on the file or an ICON and: 1. Double click (rapidly) -or- 2. RIGHT click, and when the pop-up menu appears, click on OPEN. To PRINT: 1. Click on the Printer ICON to bring up the PRINT SCREEN -or- 2. Click on the FILE tab > PRINT 3. Hold down the CONTROL key and tap the letter “p” Some Quick & Easy Keyboard Shortcuts: Hold down the Ctrl &/or Alt key, then tap the letter key Ctrl + C = Copy Ctrl + X = Cut Ctrl + V = Paste Ctrl + P = Print Ctrl + B = makes highlighted text bold Ctrl + I = makes highlighted text italic Ctrl + D = deletes selected (highlighted) text Ctrl + U = underlines highlighted text Ctrl + Z = Undoes a previous action Ctrl + Y = Reinstates the previous “undo” Ctrl + Alt + Delete = Brings up the Task Manager (useful when a program freezes up) Frequently Used Special Function Keys: F5: Refreshes the page (esp. an internet page) F7: Starts the SpellCheck/Thesaurus function Proper Computer Shut-Down Procedure: 1. First, close any open programs (Wordpad, e-mail, internet, etc.) 2. Start > Shut down (Question – what does clicking this arrow do?) 3. Click the shutdown button ABCs of Computing – Intermed. Class rev. 01-13.
Recommended publications
  • Coloriync J43 Chooser {Antral Strip Limltruli Panels; Date 3; ‘Time I»
    US 20120174031Al (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2012/0174031 A1 DONDURUR et a]. (43) Pub. Date: Jul. 5, 2012 (54) CLICKLESS GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (52) US. Cl. ...................................................... .. 715/808 (75) Inventors: MEHMET DONDURUR, (57) ABSTRACT DHAHRAN (SA); AHMET Z. SAHIN’ DH AHRAN (SA) The chckless graphical user mterface provldes a pop-up Wm doW When a cursor is moved over designated areas on the (73) Assigneez KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF screen. The pop-up WindoW includes menu item choices, e. g., PETROLEUM AND MINERALS “double click”, “single click”, “close” that execute ‘When the DH AHRAN (SA) ’ cursor is moved over the item. This procedure eliminates the traditional ‘mouse click’, thereby allowing users to move the cursor over the a lication or ?le and 0 en it b choosin (21) Appl' NO" 12/985’165 among the aforerrrifntioned choices in the? ?le or Zipplicatior'i . bein focused on. The 0 -u WindoW shoWs the navi ation (22) Flled: Jan‘ 5’ 2011 choiges in the form of 1; tgxt,pe.g., yes/no or color, egg, red/ _ _ _ _ blue, or character, such as triangle for ‘yes’ and square for Pubhcatlon Classl?catlon ‘no’. Pop-up WindoW indicator types are virtually unlimited (51) Int, Cl, and canbe changed to any text, color or character. The method G06F 3/048 (200601) is compatible With touch pads and mouses. .5 10a About This Cam pater Appearance 5;‘ Fort Menu ?ptinns System Pm?ler Talk Calculatar Coloriync J43 Chooser {antral Strip limltruli Panels; Date 3; ‘time I» f Favmjltes } Extensions Manager B "Dali?i ?' File Exchange Q Key Caps File Sharing Patent Application Publication Jul.
    [Show full text]
  • The Desktop (Overview)
    The desktop (overview) The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them however you want. The desktop is sometimes defined more broadly to include the taskbar and Windows Sidebar. The taskbar sits at the bottom of your screen. It shows you which programs are running and allows you to switch between them. It also contains the Start button , which you can use to access programs, folders, and computer settings. On the side of the screen, Sidebar contains small programs called gadgets. The desktop, taskbar, and Sidebar Where did my desktop go? Because programs run on top of the desktop, the desktop itself is often partially or completely hidden. But it's still there, underneath everything. To see the whole desktop without closing any of your open programs or windows, click the Show Desktop button on the taskbar. The desktop is revealed. Click the icon again to restore all of your windows to the way they were. Desktop Training Session Handout Page 1 http://ict.maxwell.syr.edu/vista/ Working with desktop icons Icons are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items. When you first start Windows, you'll see at least one icon on your desktop: the Recycle Bin (more on that later).
    [Show full text]
  • Creating Document Hyperlinks Via Rich-Text Dialogs
    __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Creating Document Hyperlinks via Rich-Text Dialogs EXAMPLE: CREATING A HYPERLINK IN EXCEPTIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Enter the appropriate paragraph either by selecting from the Lookup Table or manually typing in the field, completing any prompts as necessary. Locate and access the item to be hyperlinked on the external website (ie through the County Recorder Office): Copy the address (typically clicking at the end of the address will highlight the entire address) by right click/copy or Control C: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 8 Creating Hyperlinks (Requirements/Exceptions and SoftPro Live) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ In Select, open the Requirement or Exception, highlight the text to hyperlink. Click the Add a Hyperlink icon: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 8 Creating Hyperlinks (Requirements/Exceptions and SoftPro Live) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Add Hyperlink dialog box will open. Paste the link into the Address field (right click/paste or Control V) NOTE: The Text to display (name) field will autopopulate with the text that was highlighted. Click OK. The text will now be underlined indicating a hyperlink. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2 3D User Interfaces: History and Roadmap
    30706 02 pp011-026 r1jm.ps 5/6/04 3:49 PM Page 11 CHAPTER 2 3D3D UserUser Interfaces:Interfaces: HistoryHistory andand RoadmapRoadmap Three-dimensional UI design is not a traditional field of research with well-defined boundaries. Like human–computer interaction (HCI), it draws from many disciplines and has links to a wide variety of topics. In this chapter, we briefly describe the history of 3D UIs to set the stage for the rest of the book. We also present a 3D UI “roadmap” that posi- tions the topics covered in this book relative to associated areas. After reading this chapter, you should have an understanding of the origins of 3D UIs and its relation to other fields, and you should know what types of information to expect from the remainder of this book. 2.1. History of 3D UIs The graphical user interfaces (GUIs) used in today’s personal computers have an interesting history. Prior to 1980, almost all interaction with com- puters was based on typing complicated commands using a keyboard. The display was used almost exclusively for text, and when graphics were used, they were typically noninteractive. But around 1980, several technologies, such as the mouse, inexpensive raster graphics displays, and reasonably priced personal computer parts, were all mature enough to enable the first GUIs (such as the Xerox Star). With the advent of GUIs, UI design and HCI in general became a much more important research area, since the research affected everyone using computers. HCI is an 11 30706 02 pp011-026 r1jm.ps 5/6/04 3:49 PM Page 12 12 Chapter 2 3D User Interfaces: History and Roadmap 1 interdisciplinary field that draws from existing knowledge in perception, 2 cognition, linguistics, human factors, ethnography, graphic design, and 3 other areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome to Computer Basics
    Computer Basics Instructor's Guide 1 COMPUTER BASICS To the Instructor Because of time constraints and an understanding that the trainees will probably come to the course with widely varying skills levels, the focus of this component is only on the basics. Hence, the course begins with instruction on computer components and peripheral devices, and restricts further instruction to the three most widely used software areas: the windows operating system, word processing and using the Internet. The course uses lectures, interactive activities, and exercises at the computer to assure accomplishment of stated goals and objectives. Because of the complexity of the computer and the initial fear experienced by so many, instructor dedication and patience are vital to the success of the trainee in this course. It is expected that many of the trainees will begin at “ground zero,” but all should have developed a certain level of proficiency in using the computer, by the end of the course. 2 COMPUTER BASICS Overview Computers have become an essential part of today's workplace. Employees must know computer basics to accomplish their daily tasks. This mini course was developed with the beginner in mind and is designed to provide WTP trainees with basic knowledge of computer hardware, some software applications, basic knowledge of how a computer works, and to give them hands-on experience in its use. The course is designed to “answer such basic questions as what personal computers are and what they can do,” and to assist WTP trainees in mastering the basics. The PC Novice dictionary defines a computer as a machine that accepts input, processes it according to specified rules, and produces output.
    [Show full text]
  • Fuzzy Mouse Cursor Control System for Computer Users with Spinal Cord Injuries
    Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University Computer Science Theses Department of Computer Science 8-8-2006 Fuzzy Mouse Cursor Control System for Computer Users with Spinal Cord Injuries Tihomir Surdilovic Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cs_theses Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Surdilovic, Tihomir, "Fuzzy Mouse Cursor Control System for Computer Users with Spinal Cord Injuries." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2006. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cs_theses/49 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Computer Science at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Computer Science Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i Fuzzy Mouse Cursor Control System For Computer Users with Spinal Cord Injuries A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University 2005 by Tihomir Surdilovic Committee: ____________________________________ Dr. Yan-Qing Zhang, Chair ____________________________________ Dr. Rajshekhar Sunderraman, Member ____________________________________ Dr. Michael Weeks, Member ____________________________________ Dr. Yi Pan, Department Chair Date July 21st 2005 ii Abstract People with severe motor-impairments due to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) or Spinal Cord Dysfunction (SCD), often experience difficulty with accurate and efficient control of pointing devices (Keates et al., 02). Usually this leads to their limited integration to society as well as limited unassisted control over the environment. The questions “How can someone with severe motor-impairments perform mouse pointer control as accurately and efficiently as an able-bodied person?” and “How can these interactions be advanced through use of Computational Intelligence (CI)?” are the driving forces behind the research described in this paper.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Use the Graphical User Interface TCS Technical Bulletin
    How to Use the Graphical User Interface TCS Technical Bulletin A. Create/Edit the Graphical Interface (Build Mode) Accessing the site using the Graphical Interface requires that you first build a layout (one or more layers/tabs depending on your site). This is done using the setup wizard to upload images/backgrounds and place controllers in appropriate locations on those images/backgrounds. When finished and saved, the User accesses the site using the Graphical Interface. 1. Click the “+” button to add a layer/tab for the site. (Skip to step 7 to edit an existing layer.) 2. Name the layer/tab by clicking in the field and entering the desired name. 3. Click the Choose File button to select the desired background image from your computer’s drive and click the Save button. 4. The Place View will open showing you the layer/tab title, a Save Positions button, the background image, and a bin of available controllers along the right-hand edge of the Graphical Interface which can be placed onto the layer/ tab. 5. Drag/drop controller icons from the icon bin to the desired location on the background image. Moving your mouse over each icon will show that controller’s name. The arrows at the top and bottom of scroll bar or the scroll bar itself allow you to scroll through the available controllers. NOTE: If you have placed controller icons too close to the icon bin and you would like to move them, you may need to scroll the available controllers up or down to clear the area around an icon to allow it to be dragged/dropped again.
    [Show full text]
  • Features of Nctracks Portal Help System (PDF, 146
    Features of NCTracks Portal Help System The major forms of help on the NCTracks web portal are as follows: Navigational breadcrumbs System-Level Help: Indicated by the "NCTracks Help" link on each page Page-Level Help: Indicated by the " Help" link above the Legend Legend Data/Section Group Help: Indicated by a question mark (?) Hover over or Tooltip Help on form elements Navigational Breadcrumb A breadcrumb trail is a navigational tool that shows the user the path of screens they have visited from the homepage. This breadcrumb consists of links so the user can return to specific screens on this path. System Level Help The System Help link opens a new window with the complete table of contents for a given user's account privileges. The System Level Help link, "NCTracks Help," will show up at the top right of any secure portal page or web application form page that contains Page Level and/or Data/Form Group Help. Page Level Help Page Level Help opens a modal window with all of the Data/Form Group help topics for the current page. The Page Level Help link shows across from the page title of any web application form page. Features of NCTracks Portal Help System Page 1 of 2 Features of NCTracks Portal Help System Form Legend A legend of all helpful icons is presented on pages as needed to explain the relevant meanings. This helps the user become familiar with any new icon representations in context with the form or page as it is used. Move your mouse over the Legend icon to open list.
    [Show full text]
  • Beyond the Desktop: a New Look at the Pad Metaphor for Information Organization
    Beyond the Desktop: A new look at the Pad metaphor for Information Organization By Isaac Fehr Abstract Digital User interface design is currently dominated by the windows metaphor. However, alternatives for this metaphor, as the core of large user interfaces have been proposed in the history of Human-computer interaction and thoroughly explored. One of these is the Pad metaphor, which has spawned many examples such as Pad++. While the the Pad metaphor, implemented as zoomable user interfaces, has shown some serious drawbacks as the basis for an operating system, and limited success outside of image-based environments, literature has pointed to an opportunity for innovation in other domains. In this study, we apply the the design and interactions of a ZUI to Wikipedia, a platform consisting mostly of lengthy, linear, hypertext-based documents. We utilize a human centered design approach, and create an alternative, ZUI-based interface for Wikipedia, and observe the use by real users using mixed methods. These methods include qualitative user research, as well as a novel paradigm used to measure a user’s comprehension of the structure of a document. We validate some assumptions about the strengths of ZUIs in a new domain, and look forward to future research questions and methods. Introduction and Background Windows-based user interfaces have dominated the market of multipurpose, screen-based computers since the introduction of the first windowed system in the Stanford oN-Line System (NLS)[3]. From Desktop computers to smartphones, most popular operating systems are based upon at least the window and icon aspects of the WIMP (Window, Icon, Menu, Pointer) paradigm.
    [Show full text]
  • The Three-Dimensional User Interface
    32 The Three-Dimensional User Interface Hou Wenjun Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications China 1. Introduction This chapter introduced the three-dimensional user interface (3D UI). With the emergence of Virtual Environment (VE), augmented reality, pervasive computing, and other "desktop disengage" technology, 3D UI is constantly exploiting an important area. However, for most users, the 3D UI based on desktop is still a part that can not be ignored. This chapter interprets what is 3D UI, the importance of 3D UI and analyses some 3D UI application. At the same time, according to human-computer interaction strategy and research methods and conclusions of WIMP, it focus on desktop 3D UI, sums up some design principles of 3D UI. From the principle of spatial perception of people, spatial cognition, this chapter explained the depth clues and other theoretical knowledge, and introduced Hierarchical Semantic model of “UE”, Scenario-based User Behavior Model and Screen Layout for Information Minimization which can instruct the design and development of 3D UI. This chapter focuses on basic elements of 3D Interaction Behavior: Manipulation, Navigation, and System Control. It described in 3D UI, how to use manipulate the virtual objects effectively by using Manipulation which is the most fundamental task, how to reduce the user's cognitive load and enhance the user's space knowledge in use of exploration technology by using navigation, and how to issue an order and how to request the system for the implementation of a specific function and how to change the system status or change the interactive pattern by using System Control.
    [Show full text]
  • Microsoft Excel 2013: Mouse Pointers & Cursor Movements
    Microsoft Excel 2013: Mouse Pointers & Cursor Movements As you move the mouse over the Excel window it changes shape to indicate the availability of different functions. The five main shapes are shown in the diagram below. General pointer for selecting cells singly or in groups Pointer used at bottom right of selection to extend and fill data. Selected cells are shown by means of a heavy border as shown. The extension point is at the bottom right of the border and is a detached square. Insertion point. When pointer is like this you may type in text in this area. You must double click the left mouse button to move the cursor (a flashing vertical line) into the cell area. Insertion and editing can then be done in the normal way. Pointer for menus or moving a selection. When Copying a selection a small cross appears Used where you can change the dimensions of a Row or column. This pointer indicates that you can drag a boundary in the direction of the arrows. 1 What do the different mouse pointer shapes mean in Microsoft Excel? The mouse pointer changes shape in Microsoft Excel depending upon the context. The six shapes are as follows: Used for selecting cells The I-beam which indicates the cursor position when editing a cell entry. The fill handle. Used for copying formula or extending a data series. To select cells on the worksheet. Selects whole row/column when positioned on the number/letter heading label. At borders of column headings. Drag to widen a column.
    [Show full text]
  • Vista Wait Cursor Gif
    Vista Wait Cursor Gif 1 / 4 Vista Wait Cursor Gif 2 / 4 3 / 4 С Vista Transformation Pack можете да промените изгледа на Windows XP и да го направите като Windows Vista. Пакета ... vista transformation pack .gif С Vista ... Updated Vista Rainbar's launcher for constant waiting cursor activity issue. On October 31, 2013, claimed that the 's counterpart, a, was more recognized than Windows Vista's wait cursor due to the cultural impact that .... So the blue circle animation that pops up next to the mouse pointer that shows ... and closing running programs in the tray, and the waiting animation ... a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7.. In your jQuery use: $("body").css("cursor", "progress");. and then back to normal again $("body").css("cursor", "default");.. N. ▻ Non- animated throbbers‎ (1 C, 3 F) ... Ajax loader metal 512.gif 512 × 512; 45 KB ... Cursor Windows Vista.gif 32 × 32; 9 KB ... Wait.gif 40 × 40; 4 KB.. Download GIF Viewer for free. Windows 7/8/10-compatible animated .gif player. A C# program used to visualize and extract frames from .GIF files. (you need .. In this topic you'll learn more about static and animated cursors. ... in different context (Normal Select, Help Select, Working in background, Busy. ... colors, smooth transparency (alpha channel) - Supported by Windows XP, Vista and superior only ... which can be saved using various file formats (BMP, PSD, GIF, JPEG, WMF.. Windows Vista's "busy" cursor? Reply ... This always makes me forget my troubles. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/WaitCursor-300p.gif.
    [Show full text]