Computer & Internet Basics Training

Computer and Internet Basics Training © aNm
COMPUTER AND INTERNET BASICS TRAINING

© 2008 alterNative Media
www.alternativemedia.biz
Authors:
Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo)
aNm Chief Information Officer
Mary Skaggs
aNm Chief Financial Officer
1 © 2008 alterNative Media – www.alternativemedia.biz
Table of Contents
Section One: Computer Basics Intro......................................................................................................... 5
Section Goals....................................................................................................................................... 5
What is a Computer? ........................................................................................................................... 5
The Role of Computers ........................................................................................................................ 5
Computer Parts ................................................................................................................................... 7
Using a Computer.............................................................................................................................. 15
Using a Keyboard............................................................................................................................... 16
Mouse Basics..................................................................................................................................... 17
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Section Two: Common Computer Terminology...................................................................................... 20
Section Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 20
Computer Hardware.......................................................................................................................... 20
About Operating Systems .................................................................................................................. 21
Computer Programs .......................................................................................................................... 21
Understanding Networks................................................................................................................... 22
Internet Preview (more info later…)................................................................................................... 24
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Section Three: Operating Systems ......................................................................................................... 27
Section Goals:.................................................................................................................................... 27
Introduction to Operating Systems .................................................................................................... 27
Understanding the Windows User Interface ...................................................................................... 30
Desktop ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Taskbar.......................................................................................................................................... 30
Notification Area ........................................................................................................................... 30
Start .............................................................................................................................................. 30
Managing Files and Folders................................................................................................................ 31
Performing Basic File Operations ....................................................................................................... 33
Computer Basics Summary ................................................................................................................ 34
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 37
Section Four: The Internet ..................................................................................................................... 38
Section Goals..................................................................................................................................... 38
About the Internet............................................................................................................................. 39
Connecting to the Internet ................................................................................................................ 39
Types of Internet Connections ........................................................................................................... 40
Dedicated Internet connection ...................................................................................................... 40
Dial‐up Internet connection ........................................................................................................... 41
Understand Bandwidth...................................................................................................................... 41
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 42
Section Five: The World Wide Web........................................................................................................ 43
Section Goals..................................................................................................................................... 43
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 43
Introduction to the World Wide Web ................................................................................................ 43
Web Addresses.................................................................................................................................. 44
Using Internet Explorer...................................................................................................................... 46
Use a Search Engine........................................................................................................................... 47
Google Search Tips ............................................................................................................................ 49
Use Likely Words ........................................................................................................................... 50
Be Specific: Use more query terms to narrow your results. ............................................................ 50
Brevity: Be brief............................................................................................................................. 51
Spelling: You don’t have to correct your spelling............................................................................ 51
Crafting Your Query by using Special Characters ................................................................................ 52
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 55
Section Six: Communicating on the Internet .......................................................................................... 56
Section Goals:.................................................................................................................................... 56
Communication Programs ................................................................................................................. 56
Programs used to send e‐mail messages........................................................................................ 56
Programs used to chat ................................................................................................................... 57
Writing and Sending E‐Mail Messages ............................................................................................... 57
About Online Communities................................................................................................................ 59
Understanding Instant Messaging...................................................................................................... 61
Publishing on the Web....................................................................................................................... 61
Internet Summary ............................................................................................................................. 62
Section Review ...................................................................................................................................... 64
Glossary Terms...................................................................................................................................... 65
Section One: Computer Basics Intro
Section Goals
· Describe the importance of computers in today’s world.
· Identify the main parts of a computer.
· Identify the steps for starting a computer.
· Identify the different groups of keys on a keyboard.
· Perform different tasks by using a mouse.
What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device used to store and process information.
It plays a major role in our lives. We use computers in education and
research, for broadcasting news, receiving and sending messages to
family and friends, making presentations, maintaining official and
personal records, making weather forecasts, and for various other
business and recreation activities. By using computers, we save a lot of
time, effort, and money.
The Role of Computers
Computers play a major role in our daily lives. They are used in industries, schools, government offices,
and shops. You can use computers to communicate with your family and friends, create a household
budget, book travel and movie tickets, or manage your business.
· Business and industry
o maintain accounts
o create personnel records
o track inventory
o prepare presentations and reports
o manage projects
o communicate by e‐mail
· Design
o publication
o newsletters
o fashion magazines
o marketing materials
o books
o newspapers
· Education
o deliver training
o maintain student records
o track performance
o search for information on different topics
o create or submit assignments.
· Government
o storing and updating records
o providing services to citizens
o view information on current policies and government issues
· medicine
o review medical records of patients
o find information about the latest drugs available to treat a disease
o discuss and share information about various diseases.
· Scientists
o Research, gather, and analyze information
o view images
o publish information on recent research
· Personal
o bank account.
o stock markets, to trade stocks, and to manage investments
o create drawings and paintings
o edit and enhance pictures
o write content for books
o create illustrations
In the field of entertainment, you can use computers to listen to music, watch movies, store and print
photographs, send greetings, and play games.
Computer Parts
A computer has various parts, and each part performs a specific function. The following table describes
the parts of a computer.
Part Description
Part Description
Input Devices You use input devices to provide information to a

computer, such as typing a letter or giving
instructions to a computer to perform a task.
Some examples of input devices are described in
the following list.
Mouse: A device that you use to interact with
items displayed on the computer screen. A
standard mouse has a left and a right button. You
use the left button to select items and provide
instructions by clicking an active area on the
screen. You use the right button to display
commonly used menu items on the screen.
Keyboard: A set of keys that resembles a
typewriter keyboard. You use the keyboard to
type text, such as letters or numbers into the
computer.
Microphone: A device that you can use to talk to
people in different parts of the world. You can
record sound into the computer by using a
microphone. You can also use a microphone to
record your speech and let the computer convert
it into text.
Scanner: A device that is similar to a photocopy
machine. You can use this device to transfer an
exact copy of a photograph or document into a
computer. A scanner reads the page and
translates it into a digital format, which a
computer can read. For example, you can scan
photographs of your family using a scanner.
Webcam: A device that is similar to a video
camera. It allows you to capture and send the live
pictures to the other user. For example, a
webcam allows your friends and family to see you
when communicating with them.
Part Description
Output You use output devices to get feedback from a
Devices computer after it performs a task. Some examples
of output devices are described in the following
list.
Monitor: A device that is similar to a television. It
is used to display information, such as text and
graphics, on the computer.
Printer: A device that you use to transfer text and
images from a computer to a paper or to another
medium, such as a transparency film. You can use
a printer to create a paper copy of whatever you
see on your monitor.
Speaker/Headphone: Devices that allow you to
hear sounds. Speakers may either be external or
built into the computer.
Part Description
Central The central processing unit (CPU) is a device that
Processing interprets and runs the commands that you give
Unit and to the computer. It is the control unit of a
Memory computer. The CPU is also referred to as the
processor.
Memory is where information is stored and
retrieved by the CPU. There are two main types
of memory.
Random Access Memory (RAM): It is the main
memory and allows you to temporarily store
commands and data. The CPU reads data and
commands from RAM to perform specific tasks.
RAM is volatile, which means it is available only
while the computer is turned on. The contents of
RAM must be copied to a storage device if you
want to save the data in the RAM.
Read Only Memory (ROM): It is the memory that
retains its contents even after the computer is
turned off. ROM is nonvolatile, or permanent,
memory that is commonly used to store
commands, such as the commands that check
whether everything is working properly.

Part Description
Motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board inside

the computer. It has tiny electronic circuits and
other components on it. A motherboard connects
input, output, and processing devices together
and tells the CPU how to run. Other components
on the motherboard include the video card, the
sound card, and the circuits that allow the
computer to communicate with devices like the
printer. The motherboard is sometimes called a
system board.

Part Description
Expansion An expansion card is a circuit board that can be

Cards attached to the motherboard to add features
such as video display and audio capability to your
computer. An expansion card either improves the
performance of your computer or enhances its
features. Expansion cards are also called
expansion boards. Some types of expansion cards
are described in the following list.
Video Card: It is connected to the computer
monitor and is used to display information on the
monitor.
Network Interface Card (NIC): It allows the
computer to be connected to other computers so
that information can be exchanged between
them.
Sound Card: It converts audio signals from a
microphone, audio tape, or some other source to
digital signals, which can be stored as a computer
audio file. Sound cards also convert computer
audio files to electrical signals, which you can play
through a speaker or a headphone. The
microphone and the speakers or the headphones
connect to the sound card.

Part Description
Storage You use storage devices to store computer

Devices information. Storage devices come in many
forms. Some examples are hard drive or disk, CD‐
ROM, floppy disk, and DVD‐ROM. Storage devices
can be divided into two types, internal storage
devices and external storage devices.
Some common storage devices are described in
the following list.
Hard Disk: A magnetic disk that is usually the
main storage device on most computers. It can be
an external or an internal device.
Floppy Disk: A portable storage device that
allows you to store a small amount of data. A
disadvantage of this disk is that it can be easily
damaged by heat, dust, or magnetic fields.
CD‐ROM: A portable storage medium that allows
you to store 400 times more data than on a
floppy disk. It is less prone to damage than a
floppy disk.
DVD‐ROM: A portable storage medium that is
similar to a CD‐ROM; however, it can store larger
amounts of data than a floppy disk or a CD‐ROM.
A DVD‐ROM is commonly used to store movies
and videos.

Part Description
Ports and A port is a channel through which data is

Connections transferred between input/output devices and
the processor. There are several types of ports
that you can use to connect the computer to
external devices and networks. Some types of
ports are described in the following list.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port: You use this to
connect peripheral devices such as a mouse, a
modem, a keyboard, or a printer to a computer.
FireWire: You use this to connect devices such as
a digital camera. It is faster than the USB.
Network Port: You use this to connect a
computer to other computers to exchange
information between the computers.
Parallel Port and Serial Port: You use these ports
to connect printers and other devices to a
personal computer. However, the USB is now the
preferred method for connecting peripheral
devices because it is faster and easier to use.
Display Adapter: You connect a monitor to the
display adapter on your computer. The display
adapter generates the video signal received from
the computer, and sends it to a monitor through
a cable. The display adapter may be on the
motherboard, or on an expansion card.
Power: The motherboard and other components
inside a computer use direct current (DC). A
power supply takes the alternating current (AC)
from the wall outlet and converts it into DC
power.

Using a Computer
To turn on a computer, press the power button
on the system unit. When you turn on the
computer, lights on the keyboard may blink
briefly and you may also hear a beep. This is an
indication that the power‐on self test (POST) has
started.
The computer performs a sequence of quick tests
to check whether the motherboard, memory,
hard drive, and other components are working.
If you hear a series of beeps, the monitor may display a message indicating that a component is not
functioning. For example, if the keyboard cable is not attached, an error message may report that there
is no keyboard detected.
After POST, the computer starts the operating system, and then displays the logon screen. You now log
on to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. The operating system allows you to instruct the
computer what to do after you have turned it on.
The operating system controls the computer’s hardware and also manages the computer’s operations

and tasks, such as logging on, logging off, and shutting down.
For example, to log on to Windows XP, you need to type your user name and password. The settings for
the user account are applied and you are now logged on to Windows XP. After you log on, you can
perform various tasks, such as creating a new file or modifying an existing file.
After performing the required tasks, you need to save the changes you made to the file. You can then
log off from Windows XP. To log off, you need to click Start, and then click Log Off.
To securely turn off your computer, you must shut down Windows XP. To do this, you need to click Start,
and then, at the bottom of the Start menu, click Shut Down. You can end your Windows XP session by
clicking the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
If you encounter problems while using the computer, you can choose the Restart option to restart the
computer. To do this, click Restart in the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
On most computers, you should never use the actual power button on the front of the system unit to
turn off the computer unless it stops responding.

Using a Keyboard
The keyboard is an input device you use for typing commands or text into a computer.
The different types of keys on a standard keyboard are listed below:
Alphanumeric Keys: These keys are used for entering letters and numbers.
Special Keys: Keys such as Control (CTRL), SHIFT, SPACEBAR, ALT, CAPS LOCK, and TAB are special keys.

These special keys perform special functions depending on when and where they are used.
Punctuation Keys: Punctuation keys include keys for punctuation marks, such as colon (:), semicolon (;),

question mark (?), single quotation marks (‘ ’), and double quotation marks (“ ”).
Command Keys: Keys such as INSERT (INS), DELETE (DEL), and BACKSPACE are command keys. You use

these keys to insert and delete text and objects. You can turn the INSERT key either ON or OFF. When
turned ON, the INSERT key helps you overwrite characters to the right of the insertion point. When
turned OFF, the INSERT key helps you enter text or characters to the right of the insertion point, without
overwriting this text or characters. An insertion point is the blinking vertical line that indicates the
location at which the inserted text appears. The DELETE key is used to remove typed text, characters,
and other objects on the right side of the insertion point. The BACKSPACE key is used to remove typed
text, characters, and other objects on the left side of the insertion point.
Note:
The function of the DELETE and the BACKSPACE keys may vary depending on the type of computer you

are using.
ENTER or RETURN Key: The label on this key can be either ENTER or RETURN, depending on the brand

of computer that you are using. You use the ENTER or the RETURN key to move the insertion point to
the beginning of a new line. In some programs, it is used to send commands and to confirm a task on a
computer.
Navigation Keys: Keys such as the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, and PAGE DOWN, are navigation

keys. You use the arrow keys to move the insertion point up, down, right, and left. The HOME key is
used to move the cursor to the left end of a line of text or the top of a document. The END key, in
contrast, moves the cursor to the end of a line or a file, depending on the program. The PAGE UP key is
used to move one page up and the PAGE DOWN key is used to move one page down while viewing a
document. The functions of PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys differ from program to program.
Function Keys: Keys labeled from F1 to F12 are function keys. You use them to perform specific

functions. Their functions differ from program to program. The function of the F1 key in most programs
is to access the help file associated with a program. Some keyboards may have fewer function keys.
Numeric Keypad: Not all keyboards have a numeric keyboard. If available, this is a separate set of keys
with numbers from 0 to 9, the decimal point, special characters, and navigation symbols. The NUM LOCK
key on this keypad allows you to switch between the numeric and the navigation keys.
Windows Key: The key between the CTRL key and the ALT key is the Windows key. It has the Microsoft

Logo or the Windows flag. This key is used to open the Start menu, or is used in combination with a
second key to perform common Windows tasks. The exact use of the Windows key may vary from
program to program.
Note: Different keyboards have different key layouts. Therefore, the features of the keys may differ.
Mouse Basics
A mouse is a small device that you can use to
move, select, and open items displayed on
your monitor.
The mouse is usually kept on the desk next to
the keyboard. Most mouse devices have at
least two buttons, left and right. Most of the
actions are performed by clicking the left
button.

· As you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer moves correspondingly on your screen. The
mouse allows you to select an item on the screen.
· As you move the pointer over different areas of the screen, the items or the pointer change.
These changes indicate that you can click an item to open it, or see more of its options.
· You can open an item by moving the pointer to it, and clicking the left mouse button twice.
The right button is used for specific functions. Some advanced types of mouse devices provide

additional buttons to speed up common tasks, such as scrolling text.
The right button on the mouse is used to display a menu. The options on this menu include the most
common tasks, such as copying text from one location and pasting it to another location. These are
called context‐sensitive menus. These menus help you complete tasks quickly.
In a document, you can use the mouse to select a position to start typing.
· You need to position the pointer in the document, click where you want to insert text, and then
use your keyboard to begin typing.
· To move an item, you need to click it, and then holding the mouse button down, move the item
to a different location. After you move the item to the new location, you release the mouse
button.
Most mouse devices also have a mousewheel that help you to scroll through documents or pages.
To scroll, place your finger on the wheel and roll it back and forth. This moves the document up and
down.
There are different types of mouse devices available in the market. A regular mouse has a rubber or a

metal ball on the underside.
The mechanical movement of the mouse device moves the ball. This movement further moves the
pointer on the screen.
A trackball is like a regular mouse, but upside down, with the ball on the top. It allows you to have the
same control as a mouse in a confined space.
You can use the thumb or the finger to move the trackball to move the pointer.
An optical mouse can be used in the same way as a regular mouse. However, it does not have a ball. It

uses a laser to detect movement.

Section Review
1. What is a computer?
2. What is one use of a modern computer?
3. Identify the main parts of a computer.
4. What are the steps for starting a computer?
5. Identify the different groups of keys on a keyboard.
6. What different tasks can be done by using a mouse?

Section Two: Common Computer Terminology
Section Objectives
· Identify the primary hardware components of a computer.
· Define an operating system and its role.
· Define the term program.
· Explain what is meant by data.
· Define the term network, and identify the benefits of networking.
· Define the term Internet.
An automobile, such as a car or a van, is available in different models
and colors, but its essential components remain the same. All
automobiles have an engine, a body, and wheels. Similarly, computers
are available in various sizes and shapes, but they all have common
components that work in the same manner.
The essential components of a computer are hardware and software.
In this lesson, you will learn about common computer terminology,
such as hardware, software, data, and network.
Computer Hardware
Hardware refers to all the physical components of a
computer. It includes all input devices, processing
devices, storage devices, and output devices. The
keyboard, mouse, motherboard, monitor, hard disk,
cables, and printer are all examples of hardware.
You use a keyboard and a mouse to provide input and to

select and run programs. You can view the output on a
monitor that is similar to a television set, or use the
printer to view the output on paper.
Apart from input and output devices, a computer uses
processing devices to work on the input data and
generate the desired output. The most important
processing device is the CPU. The CPU is the brain of the

computer. It processes the input to perform calculations and produce output.
A motherboard is a large circuit board that connects input, output, and processing devices. The
motherboard circuits provide pathways that allow data to pass through these various components. It
also contains chips that determine how, when, and where data can flow through the computer.
About Operating Systems
In addition to hardware, a computer
needs software to function. Software
is just a fancy name for specific
computer instructions that perform a
necessary tasks.
The most important software on the
computer is the operating system,
which controls and manages the
hardware connected to your
computer. The operating system
provides an interface that helps you to
interact with the computer. An
example of one of the latest operating
systems is Windows XP or Vista.
A user interface can be either text‐based or graphics‐based. Most operating systems provide a graphical
user interface (GUI), which displays images and pictures that allow you to interact with a computer
easily. An operating system with a GUI provides an easy‐to‐use interface to help you install hardware or
software. For example, Windows XP provides a setup wizard, which guides the user through each step of
a particular task, such installing hardware or software.
An operating system ensures that your computer is functioning properly. You need to update your

operating system regularly to ensure that it is compatible with any new hardware that you install.
(Updating your software is a whole lesson by itself and will not be covered here.)
Computer Programs

The hardware and the operating
system together are referred to as a
platform. Programs, also called
applications, use this platform to
perform tasks. There are many types
of programs. Some programs allow
you to perform tasks such as writing
letters, doing calculations, or sending
e‐mail messages. Microsoft Office
Word is an example of a program that
helps you create letters and other
publications.
Other programs allow you to create
illustrations, play games, watch
movies, or communicate with other
computer users.
Understanding Networks
Consider a scenario where an organization
has 10 employees. These employees use
computers to perform daily tasks. They also
need print data frequently. Instead of giving
each employee a printer, which would be
expensive, all computers can be connected to
a single printer.
You can connect your computer to other
computers to share information and
hardware components. A group of computers
and associated devices that are linked
together to facilitate sharing information is
called a network. Networks can also be used
to share data and devices such as printers.
A network offers many advantages for the computer connected to it. In addition to sharing hardware
and software, you can share files and communicate with other computer users on the network. A typical
network has the following three components:

· Server: The main computer on a network that provides services to other computers on the
network. A server decides which computers are allowed to access the hardware and software on
the network.
· Workstation: A computer connected to a network. You use a workstation to access the
hardware and software on a network.
· Communication channel: A path or link that connects computers or peripheral devices, such as
printers and disk drives, to transfer information. Cables are commonly used as communication
channels in a network, but networks can also transfer information through wireless connections.
A network expands as more workstations and servers are connected to it. Depending upon the area
covered, a network can be categorized as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).
Types of
Feature
Network
LAN A LAN connects devices within a limited area, such as
a home or a small group of offices. It commonly
includes computers and shared resources such as
printers and scanners.

WAN A WAN is a network that connects devices in
geographically separated areas. You can use the
resources of a WAN to connect two or more LANs by
using long wires, optical cables, and satellites. Many
organizations use a WAN to connect their networks
across different countries. The Internet is an example
of a WAN.
Internet Preview (more info later…)
The Internet is a worldwide collection of
public networks that are linked to each
other for information exchange. The
Internet started as a network to facilitate
communication between government
and educational departments in the
United States.
When other networks were connected to
this network, it became a vast medium
for exchanging information and ideas.
Today, the Internet connects many
commercial, government, and educational networks, as well as individual computers, which share data.
The Internet offers a range of services to its users, such as file transfers between Internet users and
electronic mail for sending messages.
The World Wide Web (WWW), or the Web, is another service that the Internet provides. The Web

includes specially formatted documents that are interlinked and stored on servers around the world.
You can use the Internet and its services to send messages to other Internet users, search and apply for
jobs, watch movies, and buy and sell products.
Many organizations use a special type of network to communicate and share information within the
organization. Such a network is called an intranet.

An intranet is similar to the Web but is accessible only to authorized users of the organization.
An intranet is much smaller than the Internet and can provide services such as document distribution,
software distribution, access to databases, and training.

Section Review
1. Identify some primary hardware components of a computer.
2. What does an operating system do for the computer?
3. What is a “program”?
4. What is meant by “data”?
5. Define the term network.
6. Identify the benefits of networking.
7. What is the Internet?

Section Three: Operating Systems
Section Goals:
· Explain the common functions of an operating system.
· Identify the basic components of the Windows XP user interface.
· Work with the Windows XP user interface within programs.
· Manage files and folders in Microsoft® Windows® Explorer.
· Perform basic file operations.
The operating system is the most important
program in the computer. An operating system
performs four primary functions. It manages and
controls the hardware connected to a computer.
It helps other programs running on a computer
to use the hardware. It helps you organize and
manage files and folders on the computer. It
provides a user interface that allows you to
interact with the hardware, the operating system
itself, and other programs.
Examples of an operating system include Windows XP/Vista, Linux, and Mac.
Introduction to Operating Systems
An operating system controls how programs work with each other and how they interact with the
computer hardware. It also creates the file system that determines how your data is stored within a
storage device.
The performance of an operating system depends on the number of bits that it can transfer at a time.
Early operating systems could transfer only 8 bits of data at a time and were called 8‐bit operating
systems. However, with the introduction of the GUI interface, 16‐bit operating systems were developed.
Currently, operating systems such as Windows XP are 32‐bit operating systems. The newest operating
systems, such as Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, can transfer up to 64 bits at a time,
which enables programs to run much faster.
An operating system such as Windows XP provides a GUI that makes it easier for you to give instructions
to a computer. The following table describes the functions of an operating system.
Functions Description

Provides a user Many operating systems provide visual

interface elements, such as icons and menus, to help you
interact with a computer. You can use a mouse
to select icons and issue commands. For
example, you can double‐click a file to open it
with the appropriate program.
Provides A GUI‐based operating system provides easy‐to‐
utilities to use utilities to help you configure your
configure your computer. These utilities are small programs
system that help you perform specific functions, such as
connecting to a network, managing resources,
and adding new programs to your computer. For
example, Windows XP provides a backup
program to save your important data. In
addition, it provides a user‐friendly setup wizard
that allows you to install hardware or software,
or connect to other computers.

Helps manage An operating system helps manage hardware.
computer Programs communicate with the operating
resources system to work with the required hardware,
such as the CPU, to complete the required tasks.
Helps secure An operating system allows you to secure your
data by data. It helps you specify authentication and
controlling authorization rights to control access to your
user access to computer and its resources.
a computer
Authentication is the process by which the
computer system validates a user's logon
information. An operating system can help you
create a username and a password, so that only
those users who know the username and
password can access the resources on your
computer.
In addition, you can associate specific
permissions to each username. This is called
authorization. For example, you can prevent
users from printing documents from your
computer.

Understanding the Windows User Interface
Windows XP provides a GUI that has a number of components to help you interact with a computer. The
following are the components of a Windows user interface:
Desktop
The desktop is an on‐screen work area that uses a
combination of menus and icons. The desktop
includes the following components:
Wallpaper is a pattern or picture on the screen
background that you can choose. You can consider it
as a tablecloth placed on a table.
An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to
represent an object. Icons help you perform certain
computer actions without having to remember
commands or type them. For example, you can click a
file icon to open the file with the appropriate
program.
Taskbar
The taskbar is a rectangular bar that is usually located at the bottom of the screen. You can use the
taskbar to select a program running on your computer. The taskbar displays the programs in the form of
taskbar buttons. The program displayed on the taskbar in the graphic is Word.
Notification Area
When the taskbar is located at the bottom of a screen, the notification area is located on the right side
of the taskbar. The notification area displays the time, a volume icon, and icons of some programs
running on a computer. For example, the printer shortcut icon appears after a document has been sent
to the printer and disappears when the printing is complete.
Start
In Windows XP, the Start button opens the Start menu. You can use the commands on the Start menu to
start a program, or to restart or shutdown the computer. The Start menu typically displays the following
commands:
My Documents: When you click My Documents on the Start menu, the contents in the My Documents
folder appear in a rectangular area, called the window. The window displays two specialized folders, My

Pictures and My Music. You can use the My Documents folder to share your documents and also keep
private the documents you do not want to share.
My Computer: When you click My Computer on the Start menu, the contents of your floppy disk, hard
disk, CD‐ROM drive, and network drives appear in a window. You can use the icons and menus in My
Computer window to search for or open files and folders.
My Network Places: When you click My Network Places on the Start menu, the My Network Places
window appears. It provides a view of all the shared computers and other resources on the network to
which your computer is connected.
Control Panel: When you click Control Panel on the Start menu, the Control Panel window appears. It
allows you to control the various aspects of the operating system or hardware, such as setting the
system time and date, adding and removing programs, troubleshooting hardware and software, and
setting keyboard characteristics.
Printers and Faxes: When you click Printers and Faxes on the Start menu, the Printers and Faxes window
appears. It allows you to install and share printing resources. After you install a printer, you can print
documents from your computer.
Help and Support: When you click Help and Support on the Start menu, the Help and Support Center
window appears. You can use the Microsoft Help and Support Center whenever you have a question
about the operating system. It is a comprehensive resource that helps you learn about Windows XP. You
can use the Search or the Index feature to view all Windows Help resources, including those available on
the Internet.
Search: When you click Search on the Start menu, the Search window appears . It allows you to search
for a file or a folder on your computer. In addition, if you are authorized to access other computers on
your network, you can search files on those computers.
Run: This allows you to start a program.
Managing Files and Folders
The Windows Explorer window is often divided into two
sections, called panes (if not, please ask instructor for help to
make it so). The pane on the left side, called the Folders pane,
displays the structure of drives and folders on your computer. A
folder is a container for programs and files in GUI interfaces. It
is represented by an icon of a file folder on the screen. It can
hold both files and additional folders. The pane on the right is
called the details pane. It displays the contents of a drive or
folder. You can select folders from the list displayed in the
Folders pane to view its contents in the details pane.

To use Windows Explorer:
1. Open the Start Menu
2. To open Windows Explorer, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows

Explorer.
3. To expand a folder, click the plus sign next to the Activities folder.
4. A folder can contain both files and subfolders. To view the contents of a folder, in the Folders
pane, click the Vacation folder.
5. To view detailed information of the contents in a folder, such as name, size, type, and date

modified, click View, and then click Details.
To add a new folder in Windows Explorer:
1. Click File, point to New, and then click Folder.
2. To give the new folder a descriptive name, press SPACEBAR to have the folder name typed for

you, and then press ENTER.
To rename a folder
1. Click the Activities folder.
2. Click File, and then click Rename.
3. To specify the new name, press SPACEBAR to have the folder name typed for you, and then

press ENTER.
To move a file to a new location
1. Click the file that you want to change
2. Click Edit, and then click Cut.
3. To select the destination folder, in the Folders pane
4. To move the file, click Edit, and then click Paste.
5. To verify that the file has been moved, click the destination folder.
To copy the file
1. Click Edit, and then click Paste.

To delete the file from the folder
1. Click the file and then click Delete.
2. To confirm that you want to send the file to the Recycle Bin, in the Confirm File Delete box, click

Yes.
Performing Basic File Operations
Every file has an associated format that defines the way data is
stored in the file. The file format is identified by a period (also
called a dot) appended to a file name, followed by three or four
letters. The following are some of the more common file formats:
· Word documents (.doc)
· Images (.gif and .jpg)
· Executable programs (.exe)
· Multimedia files (.wma and others)
When you open a file, the operating system selects an appropriate program to display the contents of
the file based on the file format. For example, when you open a Word document, the operating system
opens a word processor, such as Word, to display the contents of the document.

Computer Basics Summary
Topic
Introduction Computers help you perform your tasks
to Computers efficiently and quickly. They are used in almost
every field, such as industry, government offices,
shops, and educational institutions.
Computers are made of various parts that can be
broadly categorized into input devices, output
devices, processing devices, and storage devices.
Common The essential components of a computer are
Computer hardware and software. Hardware refers to all
Terminology the physical components connected to a
computer and software refers to the instructions
for the hardware to perform the necessary tasks.
The most important software on the computer is
the operating system, which controls and
manages the hardware connected to your
computer.
You can share your computer components with
other computer users by connecting your
computer to other computers. A group of
computers and associated devices that are linked
together to facilitate sharing information is called
a network. The Internet is a collection of these
networks that are linked together.

Topic
Computer The different kinds of computers come in a wide
Performance selection based on shape, size, and performance.
and Features These include desktop computers, laptop
computers, handheld computers, and tablet
computers. All computers have memory, which is
used to store information that is being used by
the operating system and programs. Information
that the computer uses is represented in the
form of 0s and 1s.
Different computer programs perform different
tasks. Productivity programs help you organize
numbers, write letters or proposals, maintain
records, and create images. Communications
programs help you talk to other computer users.
With entertainment programs, you can watch
movies, listen to music, or play games.
Computer An operating system is a program that controls
Operating how the hardware works and helps manage files
Systems and folders on the computer. Some operating
systems, such as Windows XP, provide a GUI,
which makes it easier for you to provide
instructions to a computer. Windows Explorer is a
program in the Windows operating system that
helps you locate and open files and folders. Each
file has an associated format. Depending on the
file format, the operating system decides the
appropriate program to open the file.

Topic
Career Computers are extensively used everywhere,
Opportunities from households to large businesses. Computers
are used to maintain records, exchange
information, and analyze daily transactions to
generate reports. Computers are also being used
for online trading and checking stock prices. This
widespread use of computers has created many
career opportunities. With relevant computer
knowledge, you can work as an information
worker, an IT professional, or a software
developer.

Section Review
1. What is an operating system (OS)?
2. Identify the basic components of the Windows XP user interface.
3. Explain what it means to manage files and folders in Microsoft Windows Explorer.

Section Four: The Internet
The Internet provides an easy and a quick method to search any type of information. With the help of
the World Wide Web, a popular service on the Internet, you can access information from a vast pool of
resources at any time. You can search information for job vacancies, current news, train schedules, or
holiday destinations.
The Internet has also transformed the way people communicate
with each other. It takes days, and sometimes weeks, for a postal
letter to reach a friend on the other side of the globe. However,
with the communication tools that the Internet provides, you can
communicate with friends living in different parts of the world in
just a few seconds. You can also conduct your business over the
Internet and access your bank accounts from anywhere in the
world.
Section Goals
· Define the Internet and elaborate on its uses.
· Identify the different components required to connect to the Internet.
· Identify the features of different types of Internet connections.
· Explain the term bandwidth in relation to the different types of Internet connections.

About the Internet
When the computer is connected to the
Internet, it is said to be online. You can use
the Internet to communicate with people
all around the world instantaneously. When
you send messages over the Internet, it can
reach any part of the world in just a few
seconds.
The Internet also helps you to get the latest
information on a current event. Many
leading news channels use the Internet as
the medium to provide updated news.
You can use the Internet to search for information on any specific topic, such as history of computers.

You can also take any course of your choice and register for online certification exams over the Internet.
The Internet can also be used as a source of entertainment. You can listen to music, play games, watch
movies, or share family pictures.
In addition, you can buy and sell products, such as books and electronic goods, over the Internet. You

can also pay for these goods online by specifying your credit card details.
You can also use the Internet to perform banking transactions, such as viewing details of your bank
account and transferring money from one account to another.
Connecting to the Internet
To connect to the Internet, you need a
computing device, a connection device,
and an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The computing device can be a personal
computer, a portable computer, or even
a mobile device, such as a cell phone or a
handheld device.
You need a connection device, such as a
modem, to connect your computer to the
Internet. A modem converts digital
information into analog information and
transmits it over a phone line. A modem can either be built‐in your computer, or externally attached to
it.

An ISP is a company that provides Internet connectivity to individuals, businesses, and organizations. It
may also provide additional services such as the storage space to share your personal content.
There are different methods by which you can connect to the Internet. When you connect to the
Internet by using cables, the connection is called a physical connection.
You can also connect to the Internet by using wireless technology. A computing device that supports
wireless technology has a Wireless Fidelity or the Wi‐Fi card that provides wireless communication
between the computing device and the network. A Wi‐Fi card is not physically connected to an ISP.
Another device you need for wireless connectivity is an access point (AP). An AP is used to connect a
wireless computing device to a wired network. This wired network may belong to an ISP. You can then
connect to the Internet through this ISP.
Types of Internet Connections
There are two different types of Internet connections, dedicated Internet connections and dial‐up
Internet connections. You can choose the type of connection depending on your requirement and
budget.
Dedicated Internet connection
In a dedicated Internet connection, you do not
need to request your ISP for a connection every
time you want to connect to the Internet. Many
large organizations and universities use
dedicated Internet connections because these
organizations and universities need to use the
Internet extensively.

Dialup Internet connection
In a dial‐up connection, you need to connect to

the ISP every time you want to connect to the
Internet. You can disconnect from the Internet
after completing your work.
A dial‐up Internet connection is usually less
expensive and has a slower data transfer rate
compared to a dedicated Internet connection.
Understand Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can
be transmitted over a network in a
certain amount of time. Bandwidth is
measured in Mbps (megabits per
second), Kbps (kilobits per second), or
bps (bits per second).
If the bandwidth of a network is 1 Mbps,
it means that 1 megabit of data can be
transmitted over that network in 1
second. The actual rate of transfer of
data will vary depending on the ISP’s
equipment, the type of Internet connection, and the number of people using the same connection at
one time.
The bandwidth of a network also depends on the technology you use to connect to the Internet. For
example, you can connect to the Internet by using a dial‐up connection. Most dial‐up connections
offered today allow data transfer rates up to 56.6 Kbps.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is another technology that you can use to connect to the Internet. If you
use a DSL connection, you do not need to connect to the ISP every time you want to use the Internet. By
using a DSL connection, you can upload data at speeds of up to 128 Kbps and download data at around
512 Kbps.
You can also use a cable modem to connect to the Internet. If you have a cable TV connection, you can

get a high speed Internet connection from the cable TV provider. You can achieve data transfer rates of
up to 36 Mbps by using a cable modem.
In addition, you can connect to the Internet by using wireless technology. With this technology, you can
achieve data transfer rates of up to 30 Mbps.

Section Review
1. Define the Internet and elaborate on its many uses.
2. What are some elements that are NEEDED to connect to the Internet?
3. What are some different types of Internet connections?
4. What is bandwidth?

Section Five: The World Wide Web
Section Goals
· Define WWW and its relation to the Internet.
· Explain how Web addresses work.
· Explore Web sites by using a search engine.
· Identify the guidelines used to evaluate a Web site.
· Explain how to perform transactions over the Web.
· Define browser plug‐ins and explain their uses.
Introduction
By using the World Wide Web (WWW), you can quickly get information
such as the hotel details or the places to visit or any other information
you may need.
In this lesson, you will learn the basic components of the WWW, which is
often referred to as the Web. You will also learn to use a search engine to
find information on the Web. In addition, you will learn to navigate Web
sites for information and perform online transactions.
Introduction to the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web (WWW or simply,
the Web) refers to the collection of
information that is accessible on the
Internet. The information is in the form of
text, pictures, and sound, which are
arranged logically and stored on
computers known as Web servers. The
Web is a very popular service on the
Internet. Many people use the terms the
Web and the Internet synonymously, but
they are technically two different terms.
The Internet connects multiple computers
and forms a network on which a computer can communicate with another computer. However, the
Web is a way of accessing and sharing information over the Internet by using Web browsers.
The image above shows various components associated with the Web.

Web browser: A Web browser is a software program that enables you to view and interact with various
resources on the Web. An example of a widely used Web browser is Microsoft® Internet Explorer that
displays both text and graphics.
Web page: A Web page is a document on the Web. It is a formatted text document that a Web browser
can display. Most Web pages on the Internet allow you to quickly move to another Web page. You can
do this by clicking a hyperlink (or “links”). Clicking a link opens the new Web page in your Web browser.
You can access existing Web pages, even create and publish new Web pages on the Web. You can create
Web pages by using a programming language known as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Web
browsers use HTML to display Web pages.
Web site: A Web site is one or more Web pages that reside on a single server. This server is known as a
Web server and is connected to the Internet. The first Web page that is displayed when you access a
Web site is known as the home page. Every Web site has a unique home page.
Web Addresses
Every Web site on the Web is stored on a computer that is part of a vast network. To access a Web site,
you need to access the computer on which the Web site is stored. Just as every house has a unique
address, each computer on the Web is identified by a unique address, known as the Internet Protocol
(IP) address. The IP address is a numeric address that specifies the exact location of a computer on the
Web. You can access a computer on the Web by using an IP address, such as 192.168.0.1.
The IP address is linked to a corresponding domain name because it is easier to remember names than a
string of numbers. For example, the corresponding domain name for the IP address 127.0.0.1 can be
proseware.com. Web browsers can use either the domain name or the IP address to locate and display a
Web page.
A Web site for a domain is accessed with the help of a unique alphanumeric address known as the Web
address. The Web address is also known as the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), which specifies the
protocol to be used and the exact location of the Web site. A protocol is a standard method of
transferring data between different computers.
In the example http://www.alternativemedia.biz, http indicates what protocol to use and
www.alterantivemedia.biz specifies the exact location of the Web page. The following table lists the
components of a URL.
Element Description
http:// Indicates the protocol to be used to access a file.
www Indicates that the Web site is on the World Wide Web.

alternativemedia Indicates the name of the Web site.
.biz Indicates the type of domain.
/index.html Indicates the path of the document (not show in this example, but that is what it
points to)
A URL also includes a domain name suffix that indicates the type of organization to which the Web site
belongs. For example, in the domain name alternativemedia.biz, the domain name suffix is .biz. The
following table lists some examples of domain name suffixes.
Suffix Description
.biz Indicates that the Web site is for a commercial organization.
.com Indicates that the Web site is for a commercial organization.
.edu Indicates that the Web site is for educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, and

universities.
.net Indicates that the Web site is for a network‐oriented organization or for an ISP.
.org Indicates that the Web site is for a nonprofit organization.
.info Indicates that the Web site is informative in nature.
.museum Indicates that the Web site is used for a museum or for an individual of the museum
profession.
Note:
There are country‐level domains that are specifically used by a country or an independent territory.
Some examples of country‐level domains include .ke for Kenya, .in for India, and .jp for Japan.

Using Internet Explorer
The Internet offers a range of services, such as file transfer between Internet users,
electronic mail for sending e‐mail messages, or Web sites for viewing news. You can
use the Internet and its services to search and apply for jobs, send messages to other
Internet users, watch movies, and buy and sell products.
In this exercise, you will learn how to use a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer,

to search for information on current affairs. In addition, you want to learn how to save and print the
information that you find over the Internet.
Open a Web site:
1. To open Internet Explorer, click Start, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. To open a Web site, click in the Address bar, type http://www.alternativemedia.biz in the

address bar, and then click Go.
3. Click on one of the Menu links on the left.
4. To update the Web page content, click the View menu, and then click the Refresh button.
Add a web site to your personal Favorites list:
1. To add a Web page to your Favorites list, click the Favorites menu, click Add to Favorites, and

then click OK.
To print a Web page with the default printer settings:
1. Click the File menu
2. Then click Print
3. Next in the Print dialog box, click Print.
To view a Web site visited previously:
1. click the Back button in your browsers
To close Internet Explorer, in the Web browser window, click the Close button.

Use a Search Engine
To search for information on a specific topic, you use a search
engine. After you specify a keyword in a search engine, it
displays a list of Web sites that contain information related to
that keyword. An example of a search engine is MSN® Search
provided by Microsoft, which helps you to quickly find Web
sites that contain information relevant to your search.
You can also search information with the help of portals, which
are Web sites that offer information related to a specific topic
in the form of a directory. The information on a portal is usually
arranged in a specific order. A portal acts as a starting point to a
number of resources on the Web. For example, in msn.com, various Web pages are linked together to
form the complete Web site. These Web pages act as gateways to a host of information on the Web.
From the MSN Web site, you can access your e‐mail, perform a keyword or a directory search,
participate in online discussions, find the location of a movie theater, join Web communities, and get
the latest news.
Use the Google Search Engine:
If your browser isn’t pointing to Google, visit Google’s home page by entering one of the following web
addresses into your browser:
· http://www.google.com/ (the full web address for Google)
· www.google.com (a common abbreviation for Google’s web address)
· google.com (for lazy typists)
· google (works on some browsers for the laziest of typists)
The Google home page will have a search box in the middle, some menus at the top, and it may have
other features too. Sometimes, Google changes the image above the search box. The image here is one
of the clever plays on Google’s name (called a Google Doodle) during the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

What is a query? It’s a request for information from a search engine. A query consists of one or more
words, numbers, or phrases that you hope you will find in the search results listings.
To enter a query, type descriptive words into Google’s search box. You can use either the search box on
Google’s home page (shown above) or the search box that always appears at the top of a Google results
page (shown in the next screen shot).
Now press the ENTER key or click on the Google Search button to view your search results. A new

window will open with the Google results page for a search on the words you entered. The results
include links to pages that match your query as well as relevant snippets (excerpts) with your search
terms in boldface.

The results page is full of information and links, most of which relate to your query. Results Google
considers to be most relevant to your query are shown first. To the right of Google’s search results
appear sponsored links, which are paid advertisements.
The first line in each result is the page title. The title will be underlined, i.e., it’s a link to the web page.
You can click on the title to view that page. (The URL of the page is shown in green at the start of a line,
near the end of the result.) Under the title are often excerpts, called snippets. Snippets include one or
more of your query words shown in boldface.
Google Search Tips
The search terms you enter and the order in which you enter them affect both the order and pages that
appear in your search results. In the examples below, click on the similar ways of specifying various
searches and note how the results differ.
For simplicity sake, this tutorial uses square brackets to denote Google’s search box. For example, to
search for a cheap hotel in Mykonos, I’ll put the words “cheap,” “hotel,” and “Mykonos” in square
brackets, [ cheap hotel Mykonos ], to indicate you should type those three words in Google’s search box.
You should not type the brackets, although Google will ignore them if you do type them.
Furthermore, in the examples that follow, each set of search terms is linked to the results of a Google
search on those terms. So clicking on [ cheap Mykonos hotel ] returns the Google results page for a
search on those three words.

Use Likely Words
Use words likely to appear on the pages you want.
· [ salary negotiation tips ]
· [ sciatica ]
· [ window treatments ]
Avoid using a question as a query. For example, the query, [ Does Australia have Target ], instructs

Google to find pages containing all the terms. Such a query won’t necessarily find pages answering your
question. A better query might be [ Australia Target store ].
· USE [ Australia Target store ]
· NOT [ Does Australia have Target ]
When Google detects very common words such as where, do, I, for, and a, known as stop words, it

ignores them ‐ so that Google may return the most relevant results. If you’re seeking pages that include
a stop word, e.g., “how the west was won,” learn how to force Google to search for a complete phrase
or a specific word.
· USE [ lasik eye surgery ]
· NOT [ documentation on lasik eye surgery ]
· USE [ jobs product marketing Sunnyvale ]
· NOT [ listings of product marketing jobs in Sunnyvale ]
Suppose you want to know how old someone is, such as Nelson Mandela (the former President of South
Africa). Pages with “birthday” or “age” might be more than a year old. Searching for pages that include
“Nelson Mandela” and “born” are likely to include either “Nelson Mandela born” or “Nelson Mandela
was born” followed by his birth date. You can figure out his age from knowing when he was born (to do
the math, try the Google Calculator).
· USE [ Nelson Mandela born ]
· NOT [ Nelson Mandela birthday ] nor [ Nelson Mandela age ]
Be Specific: Use more query terms to narrow your results.
Does your query have enough specific information for Google to determine unambiguously what you’re
seeking? If your query is too vague, it’s unlikely to return relevant results. Consider, for example, the
query [ java ]. What do you suppose Google includes in the first page of results? An island in Indonesia?

A beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans? A computer network‐oriented platform‐
independent programming language developed by Sun Microsystems?
· USE [ Java Indonesia ], [ java coffee ], or [ java programming language ]
· NOT [ java ]
How can you come up with more specific search terms? What do you know about the topic? Consider
answers to the questions, “who?”, “what?”, “where?”, “when?”, “why?”, and “how?”
When you search for [ Tom Watson ], on the first page of results you may get references to a member of

Parliament, the golfer, the IBM executive, and a Populist Party candidate for President in 1900 and 1904.
If you’re searching for something that could return many different types of results, you should add a
term that distinguishes among them. This way you’ll get only results about the specific Tom Watson
you’re interested in.
· USE [ Tom Watson MP ], [ Tom Watson golf ], or [ Tom Watson IBM ]
· NOT [ Tom Watson ]
· USE [ baby development ] or [ baby milestones ]
· NOT [ babies ]
· USE [ Betty Ford Center drug addiction ]
· NOT [ Ford Center ]
Note: Google limits queries to 32 words.
Brevity: Be brief.
For best results, use a few precise words. For example, a program on quitting smoking is more likely to
include the terms “quit smoking program” than the words “program on quitting tobacco cigarette
smoking addiction.”
· USE [ quit smoking program ]
· NOT [ program on quitting tobacco cigarette smoking addiction ]
Spelling: You don’t have to correct your spelling.
There’s a good chance that Google will recognize your mistakes and suggest an alternative more
common spelling, usually faster than you can look up the term in an online dictionary.

When you enter: [ Anna Kornikova tennis ]
Google responds: “Did you mean: Anna Kournikova tennis”
Note: Before clicking on Google’s suggested spelling, consider whether it’s what you want. Spelling
checkers, like people, make mistakes.
Note: Even if you use the search tips described in Google Guide, you won’t be able to access
authoritative information that’s available offline, e.g., old reference books, or is stored in specialized
databases. For such information is not currently searchable with Google.
Crafting Your Query by using Special Characters
By using special characters and operators, such as +, –, ~, .., *, OR, and quotation marks, you can fine‐
tune your search query and increase the accuracy of its results.
· Quoted Phrases (“ “)
o A query with terms in quotes finds pages containing the exact quoted phrase. For
example, [ “Larry Page“ ] finds pages containing the phrase “Larry Page” exactly. So this
query would find pages mentioning Google’s co‐founder Larry Page, but not pages
containing “Larry has a home page,” “Larry E. Page,” or “Congressional page Larry
Smith.” The query [ Larry Page ] (without quotes) would find pages containing any of
“Larry Page,” “Larry has a home page,” or “Congressional page Larry Smith.”
1. The + Operator
o To force Google to search for a particular term, put a + sign operator in front of the
word in the query. Note that you should not put a space between the + and the word.
So, to search for the satirical newspaper The Onion, use [ +The Onion ], not [ + The
Onion ].
o The + operator is typically used in front of stop words that Google would otherwise
ignore or when you want Google to return only those pages that match your search
terms exactly. However, the + operator can be used on any term.
o Want to learn about Star Wars Episode One? “I” is a stop word and is not included in a
search unless you precede it with a + sign.
§ USE [ Star Wars +I ]
§ NOT [ Star Wars I ]
2. The – Operator
o Precede each term you do not want to appear in any result with a “–” sign.

o To find pages without a particular term, put a – sign operator in front of the word in the
query. The – sign indicates that you want to subtract or exclude pages that contain a
specific term. Do not put a space between the – and the word, i.e.
§ USE [ dolphins –football ]
§ NOT [ dolphins – football ]
3. The ~ Operator
o Find synonyms by preceding the term with a ~, which is known as the tilde or synonym
operator.
o The tilde (~) operator takes the word immediately following it and searches both for
that specific word and for the word’s synonyms. It also searches for the term with
alternative endings. The tilde operator works best when applied to general terms and
terms with many synonyms. As with the + and – operators, put the ~ (tilde) next to the
word, with no spaces between the ~ and its associated word, i.e., [ ~lightweight laptop ]
NOT [ ~ lightweight laptop ].
o Why did Google use tilde? In math, the “~” symbol means “is similar to.” The tilde tells
Google to search for pages that are synonyms or similar to the term that follows.
o [ ~inexpensive ] matches “inexpensive,” “cheap,” “affordable,” and “low cost”
o [ ~run ] matches “run,” “runner’s,” “running,” as well as “marathon”
4. The OR and | Operators
o Specify synonyms or alternative forms with an uppercase OR or | (vertical bar).
o The OR operator, for which you may also use | (vertical bar), applies to the search terms
immediately adjacent to it. The first and second examples will find pages that include
either “Tahiti” or “Hawaii” or both terms, but not pages that contain neither “Tahiti” nor
“Hawaii.” The third and fourth examples will find pages that contain any one, two, or all
three of the terms “blouse,” “shirt,” and “chemise.”
§ [ Tahiti OR Hawaii ]
§ [ Tahiti | Hawaii ]
§ [ blouse OR shirt OR chemise ]
§ [ blouse | shirt | chemise ]
5. The .. Operator

o Specify that results contain numbers in a range by specifying two numbers, separated by
two periods, with no spaces.
o For example, specify that you are searching in the price range $250 to $1000 using the
number range specification $250..$1000.
§ [ recumbent bicycle $250..$1000 ]
o Find the year the Russian Revolution took place.
§ [ Russian Revolution 1800..2000 ]
6. The * Operator
o Use *, an asterisk character, known as a wildcard, to match one or more words in a
phrase (enclosed in quotes).
o Each * represents just one or more words. Google treats the * as a placeholder for a
word or more than one word. For example, [ “Google * my life“ ] tells Google to find
pages containing a phrase that starts with “Google” followed by one or more words,
followed by “my life.” Phrases that fit the bill include: “Google changed my life,”
“Google runs my life,” and “Google is my life.”
§ [ “Google * my life“ ]
o If you know there’s a date on the page you’re seeking but you don’t know its format,
specify several common formats using the OR operator. For example:
§ [ California election “Oct * 2003“ OR “10/*/03“ OR “October * 2003“ ]

Section Review
1. What does “WWW” in relation to the Internet?
2. Explain how Web addresses work.
3. What is a search engine?
4. How can you narrow a search term on Google?

Section Six: Communicating on the Internet
Imagine that you work at an organization where the employees
are located all over the world, and you need to talk to them
frequently. You might also have friends and relatives located in
different parts of the world. In either case, you will get a huge
phone bill if you talk to them frequently.
The Internet provides a quick, easy, and cost‐effective method to
exchange messages with other computer users in any part of the
world. You can use e‐mail messages, online communities, or
instant messaging, to communicate over the Internet.
Section Goals:
· Explain how e‐mail works.
· Write and send e‐mail messages.
· Manage e‐mail messages.
· Identify the features of online communities.
· Explain how instant messaging works.
· Explain how the Web authoring software is used to create and publish Web pages.
Communication Programs
Just as you use a telephone or postal mail to communicate with friends and family, you can also use
computers to communicate with people. Computers use special programs called communication
programs that allow you to send and receive messages with other people in a digital format.
Programs used to send email messages
Sending e‐mail messages is the exchange of messages from one

computer user to another computer user. This exchange can be
within a local area or from one part of a country to another. You
can send an e‐mail message to or receive an e‐mail message
from one or several persons at any time of the day.
Sending an e‐mail message is similar to making a phone call; you
must have a phone connection and know the phone number of
the person with whom you want to speak.
To send an e‐mail message you must have an Internet

connection and an e‐mail account. This Internet connection is provided by an Internet service provider
(ISP).
If you have an e‐mail account, it will be similar to username@example.com, where the username is
your name. The @ is the at sign and example.com is the domain name. A domain name identifies the
name and type of organization with whom you have an e‐mail account.
After you have an e‐mail account, you need to know the e‐mail account of the person to whom you
want to send an e‐mail.
You can send both text and pictures through e‐mail; however, this depends on various factors, such as
the type of service you have or the kind of picture you are sending.
Sending and receiving e‐mail messages is an instant way of communicating with anyone. It only takes a
few seconds to send and receive an e‐mail. This also depends on the speed of your Internet connection.
Programs used to chat
Another type of communication is through chat
programs, which allows you to send and receive
messages immediately. You can use a chat
program to communicate with several people at
the same time. Commonly used communication
program is MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger,
and AOL Messenger.
When you are chatting with someone, the person on the other end receives your messages
immediately. Through chat you can also talk to the person you are chatting with. This is called voice
chat. Another form of chatting allows you to also see the person you are talking to. You use a device
called a webcam to do this.
Writing and Sending EMail Messages
You can create e‐mail messages and send them to multiple people in different parts of the world by
using your e‐mail account and e‐mail client.
Each e‐mail message is made up of two parts, the header and the body. The header is similar to the
envelope of a postal letter. It includes information such as the e‐mail address of the sender and
recipient and the subject of the e‐mail. The body is similar to the letter inside an envelope. It includes
the text message and any attachments.
To begin a new message
1. Click New Message – this will differ among various email providers
2. To specify the e‐mail address of the recipient

a. Click in the To box
b. Type the email address of you the person you will to contact
If you need to send the message to multiple people, you can include their e‐mail addresses. Each e‐mail
address must be separated by a comma (,) or semi‐colon (;), depending on the provider.
c. Include additional e‐mail addresses in the boxes next to Cc (carbon copy) or Bcc (blind

carbon copy).
If you do not want to directly address the message to that person, but would like to send the message
for informational purposes only, include the e‐mail address in the Cc box. If you do not want the other
recipients to know that you have sent a message to that recipient, include an e‐mail address in the Bcc
box. You must type the correct e‐mail address, or the e‐mail message will not reach the intended
recipient and will be returned to you undelivered.
3. To specify the subject of your e‐mail, click in the Subject box, and type the text here.
4. Type your message in the message box
5. To attach files to your message, click Attach.
The list shows you the types of files you can attach: Pictures, Files, or Contact Information. To attach a
file to your message, click File.
a. To select the relevant file from your computer, click Browse.
b. To return to your message, click OK.
Just as you end a letter by signing your name, in an e‐mail message you can add personal signature
information. You can add your name, your company’s name, and any other contact information.
6. To send your message, click Send.
Your message is sent to the intended recipients.
7. To view all the messages that you have received, click Mail.
All the unread messages are highlighted. To open one of the messages, click on it.
8. To reply to the message, click Reply.
The recipient’s e‐mail address is typed for you in the To box. The subject is the same as the mail you

received and is prefixed with RE: to indicate that you are replying to the message. You can type your
message in the message box. Click in the message box, and then press SPACEBAR to have the text typed
for you. Click Send to send your message. Your message is sent to the intended recipient.

About Online Communities
Online communities are formed by groups of computer users who have common interests and purpose
to communicate with each other over the Internet. Some Web sites provide tools that allow you to
exchange ideas and information in an open interactive forum. You can participate and interact with
other users who are online. Some Web sites allow you to add your responses or views to an ongoing
conversation when other users are not online. Some online communities provide a facility for sending e‐
mail messages about the details of discussions.
There are different types of online communities, some of which are listed in the following table.
Type of online
Description
community
Newsgroups Newsgroups are online discussion forums

dedicated to specific topics. There are
newsgroups available for all kinds of topics such
as computers, literature, social issues, current
affairs, and more. These newsgroups are called
Usenet.
Newsgroups are like bulletin boards. They
include articles on different areas of a topic,
other people’s views on that topic, and
announcements of various events or job
openings.
You can search for a newsgroup related to your
topic of interest and subscribe to it. Then, similar
to sending e‐mail messages, you can log on to
the newsgroup and post your messages. The
only difference is that everyone who logs on to
the newsgroup can read your messages.
All discussions related to a particular topic are
grouped and linked by a single thread of
discussion. So, over a period of time, you can
continue a discussion on a particular subject
with other people.

Type of online
Description
community
Chat Chat groups or rooms are Web sites that you can

groups/rooms use to communicate instantly with other people
who have logged on to the same Web site.
When you chat with someone, it means that you
type a line of text and then press the ENTER key.
The words that you typed appear on the screens
of the other participants, who can then respond
in kind. You can even use audio and video media
while chatting so that you can talk and see the
person you are chatting with. You can also
transfer files to other participants.
There are many chat rooms available that cater
to different topic areas. Depending on your topic
of interest, you can sign in to a chat room. You
need to sign in to the chat room so that other
people in the chat room can know that you are
online.
Blogs Blogs are online diaries or journals. You can post

articles, daily events, or your thoughts on any
subject.
Blogs are like personal diaries, where you can
restrict access to people who can view and
comment on your postings. You can either post
your articles on specific Web sites that allow you
to post blogs, or you can create your own Web
site.
Many blogs have RSS feeds that you can
subscribe to, which allow you to be alerted
when new entries are posted.

Understanding Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) allows you to communicate with other
computer users over the Internet. However, unlike e‐mail
messages, you can send and receive messages immediately.
Instant messaging is similar to a telephone conversation; the
only difference is that you are typing your conversation. Instant
messaging works just like a chat room, but it allows only your
friends and colleagues to see if you are online and start a
conversation. Many corporate settings now encourage IM,
rather than clogging an email server with email messages.
Examples of instant messaging software include: MSN, Yahoo, and AOL.
To send a message to someone who is online, you need to double‐click the person’s name on the list. A
window will open, and you can type your message in that window. Most instant messaging applications
provide a number of emoticons that allow you to express your emotions through icons.
Most instant messaging applications allow you to change your status, such as Online, Busy, Away, or Out
To Lunch, to indicate whether you are available for chatting or not. In case you do not want the people
in your list to see that you are online, but you would like to send messages to some of them, you can set
your status as Appear Offline. Depending on the application you use for instant messaging, there can be
many more options.
Publishing on the Web
Web pages are files saved on a network server and made available on the World Wide Web. The process
of making Web pages available to other computer users is called publishing. You can create your own
Web page and publish it. For example, you can create a Web page that contains information about your
interests, hobbies, family, and your work. You can also include pictures, audio, and even video on your
Web page.
Expert users can create a Web page by using a simple text editor, such as Notepad. Anyone can produce
refined pages using specialized Web authoring software, such as Microsoft Office FrontPage® 2003 or
Adobe Dreamweaver, which makes it easy to publish your Web pages on the WWW. While this course
will not teach you how to make a webpage or website, it is important to understand that the overall
process is very simple.

Internet Summary
Lessons
The Internet The Internet is a group of networks that

provides various useful services. The
components required to connect to the
internet are a computing device, a
connecting device, and an ISP. There are
two methods of connecting to the
Internet, namely physical and wireless.
The amount of data that can be
transmitted over a network in a certain
amount of time is known as the
bandwidth. The bandwidth of a network
depends upon the technology you use to
connect to the Internet.
The World Wide WWW is a popular service provided on

Web the Internet. It acts as a storehouse of
interlinked documents. Documents on the
Web are identified with the help of IP
addresses, domain names, and URLs. You
can use Web browsers to look for
information on the Web. You can also
make business transactions on the Web.

Communicating The Internet offers a quick, easy, and cost‐
on the Internet effective method to exchange personal
and professional messages with other
Internet users around the world. You can
use various methods, such as e‐mail
messages, online communities, or instant
messaging, for communication over the
Internet.
E‐mail is one of the most popular ways of
communicating on the Internet. You can
write new messages and also manage
your e‐mail messages.
Online communities are formed by

groups of computer users who have
common interests and reasons to
communicate with each other over the
Internet.
You can use instant messaging to

communicate with other computer users
over the Internet.
You can create your own Web page that

lists your interests and hobbies and
publish it over the Internet.

Section Review
1. Explain how e‐mail works.
2. What is the basics of writing and sending e‐mail messages?
3. Identify the features of online communities.
4. Explain what instant messaging means.
5. Explain how Web pages get published.

Glossary Terms
Access point ‐ An access point is a wireless connection device. It is used to connect a wireless computing
device to a wired network.
Applications ‐ Applications, also called programs, use the platform to perform tasks.
Authentication ‐ Authentication is the process by which the computer system validates a user's logon
information.
Authorization ‐ Authorization is the process by which the user can associate specific permissions to each
username.
Bit ‐ A bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer handles. A single bit can hold only one of
two values, 0 or 1.
Byte ‐ A byte is a combination of eight bits arranged in sequence.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ‐ The central processing unit (CPU) is the primary hardware device that
interprets and runs the commands you give to the computer.
Chat Program ‐ Chat programs allow you to send and receive messages instantly. You can use a chat
program to communicate with several people at the same time.
Commands ‐ A command is an instruction, which you give to a computer, that causes an action to be
carried out. Commands are either typed by using a keyboard or are chosen from a menu.
Communication Channel ‐ A communication channel is a path or a link that connects computers or

peripheral devices, such as printers and disk drives, to transfer information.
Communication Programs ‐ Communication programs are used by computers to exchange messages and
files with other people in a digital format.
CPU speed ‐ The CPU speed is the rate at which the CPU can perform a task, such as moving data to and
from RAM, or performing a numerical calculation.
Data ‐ Data is the plural for the Latin word datum, meaning an item of information.
Database Programs ‐ Database programs are used to store and manage data in an organized way. You
can also use these programs to sort or search for information stored in a database.
Desktop ‐ The desktop is an on‐screen work area that uses a combination of menus and icons.
Desktop Computers ‐ Desktop computers are made up of individual components such as a monitor, a
keyboard, a system unit, and a printer.

E‐commerce ‐ refers to the business transactions made over the Internet, such as buying and selling
items online.
E‐mail ‐ An electronic mail (e‐mail) is an electronic form of the traditional postal mail that allows you to

exchange messages and files over a network.
E‐mail ‐ An electronic mail (e‐mail) is the electronic form of the traditional postal mail. E‐mail allows you
to exchange messages and files over a network.
Folder ‐ A folder is a container for programs and files in GUI interfaces.
Gigabyte ‐ One gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 MB, which is approximately equal to one billion bytes.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) ‐ A graphical user interface (GUI) displays images and pictures that allow
a computer user to interact with a computer easily.
Graphics Programs ‐ Graphics programs are used to create and edit drawings. You can also use these
programs to enhance photographs.
Handheld Computer ‐ Handheld computers are smaller than laptops computers and provide fewer
features compared to than desktop computers or laptops computers. They are used for specific
everyday tasks, such as managing personal data.
Hardware ‐ Hardware refers to all the physical components of a computer.
Icon ‐ An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to represent an object.
Input Devices ‐ An input device is used to provide information to a computer. A keyboard is an example
of an input device.
Internet ‐ The Internet is a worldwide collection of public networks that are linked to each other for

information exchange.
Internet ‐ The Internet is a worldwide collection of public networks that are linked to each other for
information exchange.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) ‐ An ISP is a company that provides Internet connectivity to individuals,
businesses, and organizations.
Intranet ‐ An intranet is a special type of network used to communicate and share information within an
organization.
IP address ‐ An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numeric address that specifies the exact location of a
computer on the Web.
ISP ‐ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that provides Internet connectivity to individuals,
businesses, and organizations.

Kilobyte ‐ One kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,024 bytes.
Laptop Computers ‐ Laptop computers are lightweight and portable personal computers. Laptop
computers are also called notebook computers.
Local Area Network (LAN) ‐ A LAN connects devices within a limited area, such as a home or a small
group of offices.
Megabyte ‐ One megabyte (MB) is equal to 1,024 KB.
Menu ‐ A menu is a list of options from which a user can select an option to perform a desired action,
such as choosing a command or applying a particular format to part of a document. Many programs,
especially those that offer a graphical interface, use menus as a means to provide the user with an easy‐
to‐use alternative to memorizing program commands and their appropriate usage.
Modem ‐ A modem is a connection device that allows you to connect your computer to the Internet. It
converts digital information into analog information and transmits it over a phone line.
Network ‐ A network is a group of computers that are connected to share resources and exchange
information.
Network ‐ A network is a group of computers that are connected to share resources and exchange
information.
Network Drives ‐ A network drive is a disk drive that is shared with other computers on a network.
Notification Area ‐ The notification area is located on the right side of the taskbar when the taskbar is

located at the bottom of a screen. The notification area displays the time, a volume icon, and icons of
some programs that are running on a computer.
Online ‐ When a computer is connected to the Internet, it is said to be online.
Online ‐ When a computer is connected to the Internet, it is said to be online.
Online communities ‐ Online communities are formed by groups of computer users who have common
interests and purpose to communicate with each other over the Internet.
Operating System ‐ The operating system controls the computer’s hardware and provides services and
access to the hardware to programs. It also manages the computer’s operations and tasks, such as
logging on, logging off, and shutting down.
Platform ‐ The hardware and the operating system together are referred to as a platform.
Plug‐ins ‐ Plug‐ins are programs that help you view files, such as animation, audio, or video, which are
included in Web pages.

Portal ‐ A portal is a Web site that offers information related to a specific topic in the form of a directory.
A portal acts as a starting point to a number of resources on the Web.
Presentation Programs ‐Presentation programs are used to present information in the form of slides.
Processing Devices ‐ Processing devices are used by computer users to process the input data and
generate the desired output.
Programs ‐ A program is a sequence of instructions that can be executed by a computer. A program is
also known as software.
Protocol ‐ A protocol is a standard method of transferring data between different computers.
Publishing Programs ‐ Publishing programs are used to combine text and graphics to create documents
such as brochures, greeting cards, annual reports, books, or magazines.
Search engine ‐ A search engine is a program that allows you to search and retrieve information over the
Internet.
Server ‐ The server is the main computer on a network that provides services to other computers on the
network. A server decides which computers are allowed to access the hardware and software on the
network.
Setup Wizard ‐ Setup wizards are provided by Windows XP. They guide the user through each step of a
particular task, such installing hardware or software.
Software ‐ Software is a sequence of instructions that a computer can execute. It is also referred to as
programs.
Spreadsheet Programs ‐ Spreadsheet programs are used to create budgets, manage accounts, perform
mathematical calculations, and convert numerical data into charts and graphs.
Storage Devices ‐ Storage devices are used to store data. A hard disk is an example of a storage device.
System Unit ‐ A system unit refers to the box that holds the processor, motherboard, disk drives, power
supply, and the expansion bus.
Tablet Computer ‐ Tablet computers are computers that allow you to write directly on the screen by
using a tablet pen.
Taskbar ‐ The taskbar is a rectangular bar that is usually located at the bottom of the screen. You can use
the taskbar to select a program running on your computer.
Terabyte ‐ One terabyte is equal to 1,024 GB, approximately equal to trillion bytes.
Wallpaper ‐ Wallpaper is a pattern or picture on the screen background that you can choose.

Web ‐ The Web, also known as the World Wide Web (WWW), is a collection of information that is
accessible on the Internet. This information is arranged logically and stored on computers known as
Web servers.
Web address ‐ A Web address specifies the protocol to be used for transferring data between different
computers and the exact location of the Web site. A Web address is also known as the Uniform
Resource Locator (URL).
Web browser ‐ A Web browser is a program that enables you to view and interact with various
resources on the Web.
Web page ‐ A Web page is a formatted text document on the Web.
Web site ‐ A Web site is a collection of one or more Web pages that are linked together and made
available through a Web server.
Wide Area Network (WAN) ‐ A WAN is a network that connects devices in geographically separated
areas.
Window ‐ In Windows XP, a window is a rectangular area on the monitor that displays a program. Each
program has its own window.
Word‐processing Programs ‐ Word‐processing programs are used to create and modify text‐based
documents.
Workstation ‐ A workstation refers to a computer connected to a network. You use a workstation to
access the hardware and software on a network.

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COMPUTER AND INTERNET BASICS TRAINING

o Research, gather, and analyze information

Input Devices You use input devices to provide information to a

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Motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board inside

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Expansion An expansion card is a circuit board that can be

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Storage You use storage devices to store computer

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Ports and A port is a channel through which data is

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The operating system controls the computer’s hardware and also manages the computer’s operations

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Special Keys: Keys such as Control (CTRL), SHIFT, SPACEBAR, ALT, CAPS LOCK, and TAB are special keys.

Punctuation Keys: Punctuation keys include keys for punctuation marks, such as colon (:), semicolon (;),

Command Keys: Keys such as INSERT (INS), DELETE (DEL), and BACKSPACE are command keys. You use

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ENTER or RETURN Key: The label on this key can be either ENTER or RETURN, depending on the brand

Navigation Keys: Keys such as the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, and PAGE DOWN, are navigation

Function Keys: Keys labeled from F1 to F12 are function keys. You use them to perform specific

Windows Key: The key between the CTRL key and the ALT key is the Windows key. It has the Microsoft

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The right button is used for specific functions. Some advanced types of mouse devices provide

Most mouse devices also have a mousewheel that help you to scroll through documents or pages.

There are different types of mouse devices available in the market. A regular mouse has a rubber or a

An optical mouse can be used in the same way as a regular mouse. However, it does not have a ball. It

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4. What are the steps for starting a computer?

6. What different tasks can be done by using a mouse?

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You use a keyboard and a mouse to provide input and to

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An operating system ensures that your computer is functioning properly. You need to update your

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The World Wide Web (WWW), or the Web, is another service that the Internet provides. The Web

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2. What does an operating system do for the computer?

7. What is the Internet?

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Section Three: Operating Systems

Examples of an operating system include Windows XP/Vista, Linux, and Mac.

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Provides a user Many operating systems provide visual

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Run: This allows you to start a program.

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1. Open the Start Menu

2. To open Windows Explorer, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows

3. To expand a folder, click the plus sign next to the Activities folder.

5. To view detailed information of the contents in a folder, such as name, size, type, and date

1. Click File, point to New, and then click Folder.

2. To give the new folder a descriptive name, press SPACEBAR to have the folder name typed for

1. Click the Activities folder.

2. Click File, and then click Rename.

3. To specify the new name, press SPACEBAR to have the folder name typed for you, and then

1. Click the file that you want to change

2. Click Edit, and then click Cut.

Computer & Internet Basics Training

Computer & Internet Basics Training