Basic of Computer Skill

Computer Basics
How to use a computer
and not lose your mind

Table of Contents

What is a Computer
Computer Hardware
Examples of Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Computer Input Devices
Computer Output Devices
General Understanding of how your comput
er works
Basic Computer Quiz
Answers to Basic Computer Quiz
Basic Computer Terms and Definitions

Definition of Computer

A device that computes,

especially a
programmable electronic
machine that performs
high-speed mathematical
or logical operations or
that assembles, stores,
correlates, or otherwise
processes information.

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Computers Have Two Main

Parts
1.

Computer
Hardware

2.

Computer
Software

What is Computer
Hardware?

Computer Hardware is the

physical part of the
computer system, the
machinery and equipment.
Parts of the computer you
can see

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Examples of Computer
Hardware
Monitor: T.V. like screen used to show pictures
and words

CPU: Central Processing Unit this is where

most of the computers calculations take
place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is
the most important element of a computing
system.

Keyboard: This device is used to type

information into the computer and
contains the numbers 0-9.

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More Computer Hardware

Mouse: a small device, which you move across the
top of the desk to move the pointer or cursor on
the screen.

Printer: used to make a paper copy of the

information into the computer.

Image Scanner: an electronic device that

generates a digital representation of an image
for data input to a computer
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CPU
Monitor (screen)
Mouse
Keyboard

Looking at the CPU

On/off button
3 inch floppy
disk drive
CD Rom drive
Restart button
5 inch floppy
disk drive

Monitor

Screen
Buttons

The Mouse

Move
Left button
Right button

Icons

Icons are pictorial

ways of representing
computer programs
or files.
Shortcuts are
pointers to files or
programs hidden
deep in your
computers insides.

Icons

Start button

Task bar

Tray

What is Computer Software?

Computer Software are programs that tell

the computer what to do.
Examples
Microsoft Word-word processing program
Microsoft PowerPoint-presentation program
Microsoft Excel-work book program used to
track, calculate, and analyze numeric data
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Task Bar
Contains:
Start button
Toolbar (not on all)
Program buttons
System tray (including the most expensive clock
youll ever buy)

Start Button

Another way to
open a program
Use a single click
to select Start
button
Use a single click
to select program

Programs

Most programs
have:
Title bar
Menu Bar
Toolbars
Scroll Bars

Using Word

This is a word
processing
program
You use it to create
letters, notes,
forms, newsletters
anything that
requires words.

Saving

Save using the

toolbar
Save using the File
menu

Formatting

Formatting is
making changes to
our text.
Size
Position
Colour

Formatting cont.

Alignment
Bold
Italic
Underline
Print

Where has it gone?

Remember
where you save
something to
Use the Find
command
Open it again

The Magic Button

The undo button is your friend

It is the most helpful thing ever invented
Edit > Undo
Many programs have multiple undo
options

Using the Toolbar

You can get many

things done using the
toolbar
New
Open
Save
Print Preview
Print
Spell check

Copy
Cut
Paste
Undo
Font
Bullets
Size
Column
Etc etc etc